Bugatti may or may not be making an electric SUV

It may seem that every car maker is moving towards electrification, with new EV models and concepts dominating almost every auto show. Despite the market trend, there are still holdouts in the industry revolution, and it seems like boutique hypercar maker Bugatti is one of them.
According to a report by
Autocar UK
, Bugatti President, Stephan Winkelmann said, “I see the internal combustion engine as having a considerable future,” and the company will continue to build cars with what he considers to be the best way of powering cars, at least for the next decade.
The Bugatti Chiron that became the first production car to reach 300 mph.
However, he added that when the time comes for an electrified Bugatti, “it will not just be for a push from the market but it will be the best in the market.”
Winkelmann’s comments came at the Los Angeles auto show, after a showing of the
Bugatti Chiron
. Despite recently setting the record for the
fastest production car
, Winkelmann was adamant that the brand will “not just reduced to being about top speed”.
After setting the record, Bugatti has announced their withdrawal from competing for the world’s fastest cars. Winkelmann notes that “The Chiron has much more than that. It’s acceleration, handling, a power to weight ratio, comfort, styling, beauty, and in time being a collector’s item.”
On a slightly contradictory note,
Bloomberg reported
 that Bugatti is plotting a second model line of vehicle, and it might be an electric-powered grand tourer or SUV to be priced below 1 million euros.
An electric
Bugatti Centodieci
, maybe?
In the Bloomberg account, Winkelmann said that “The industry is changing fundamentally, and we have to address what opportunities there are to develop Bugatti as a brand going forward.” However, Winkelmann also acknowledged that it will be a “hard fight” to secure funds (from the Volkswagen group) for such a niche project.
Will we see an electric Bugatti soon? Only time will tell.


UMW Toyota Motor is recalling these few models for an airbag inflator replacement

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT), distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia has announced a Special Service Campaign (SSC) that involves replacement of the airbag inflator in certain Toyota models sold by the company.
The models affected are the Toyota Vios made between May 2003 to August 2007 and September 2007 to July 2013, Toyota Corolla Altis made between July 2001 and July 2007, Toyota Camry made between June 2002 and December 2005 and the Toyota Yaris made between January 2006 and August 2007.
The vehicles involved were previously subjected to Takata airbag inflator recalls and were repaired between 2014 and 2019 where some were replaced with non-desiccated airbag inflators. Those airbags will be replaced with further improved airbag inflator components.
As the safety of its customers are top priority, the company will notify all affected vehicle owners officially and immediately to notify them to the perform the special service at no charge.
For further information, owners of affected cars can contact any authorised Toyota service centre or call the Toyota Freephone at 1800-8-TOYOTA (869682). Toyota owners can also check if their vehicle is affected
here
.


This is Toyota’s solution to help you “see through” your car’s A-pillars

With stricter safety standards, most modern cars today come with thick A-pillars. While it may be integral to a stiffer body and perhaps even help you survive a roll with thick pillars supporting the roof, it can be a real pain in our rear end to see out off. I’m sure the more observant Perodua Myvi owners can relate to this.
Toyota is looking to address this problem by making the A-pillar appear invisible through complex system of mirrors to improve the driver’s line of sight through the A-pillars. Basically
the patent
, which was only just published despite being filed in 2016, explains that a series of carefully-placed mirrors will reflect what’s on the outside of the vehicle, to appear inside – making it seem like the A-pillar is invisible.
Imagine this concept, as found on the Volvo C30 Hatchback Concept but with mirrors to reflect what’s on the outside to the inside of the A-Pillar.
This rather ingenious solution, regardless of the complex execution, could be the way forward if Toyota can get around it and put it into production as it would eliminate the need to attach a camera on the outside of the A-pillar and reflect it onto a screen on the inside.
As cool as this mechanism sounds, whether or not it will even be shown on a prototype remains to be seen but Toyota’s patent to isn’t the first in an attempt to eliminate the pesky, obstructive, thick A-pillars. More recently, Jaguar Land Rover presented the concept of using video cameras for detection of pedestrians hidden from the driver’s line of sight by the A-pillars and projecting them on a live display making it seem like the driver is seeing through the A-pillars.


Video: Fully electric MINI Cooper SE, 5 Things

Alongside the
MINI John Cooper Works GP
, MINI Malaysia also launched the first ever,
all-electric MINI Cooper SE
 yesterday, priced at an attractive RM218,381 on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of the Sales Tax Exemption.
With the Balloon Financing from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the all-electric MINI will only cost
RM 2,421.00 per month
 to own on estimates of 80% loan on a 5-year tenure. The electric MINI is accompanied with a 4-year Unlimited Mileage Warranty and an 8-year or 100,000km High Voltage Battery Warranty with Free Scheduled Service.

Void of an internal combustion engine, the MINI Cooper SE is powered by an electric motor, producing 184 hp and 270 Nm. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a single speed transmission, where 0 to 100 km/h will take just 7.3 seconds, onward to a top speed of 150 km/h.
When driving, brake energy regeneration from decelerating the vehicle not only feeds back into the high-voltage battery but also allows for the vehicle to be driven using only a single pedal. Within just 2.5 hours, the all-electric MINI can be charged up to 80% using the MINI Wallbox Plus. As it is fully electric, the T-shaped battery pack is positioned where the conventional exhaust system would sit.
GALLERY


BYD officially enters Malaysia – distributed by Sime Darby Motors

Sime Darby Motors
 has inked a new distributorship deal with Chinese EV maker
BYD
 for the Malaysia market, marking the marque’s official entry into the country. The announcement comes just two weeks after it was first reported that the two companies
have been in talks
 for a distributorship agreement.
Following the signing of the distributorship agreement, two BYD models have now been confirmed for Malaysia, namely the Atto 3 and e6, although no timeline has been announced yet.
The
BYD Atto 3
 is a fully-electric crossover, with a single electric motor on the front axle making
150 kW (201 hp)
and
310 Nm
 of torque. Depending on variant, the Atto 3 can be optioned with up to a 60 kWh battery pack, enough to provide up to 420 km (WLTP) of range.
Charging is handled by the 7 kW on-board AC charger, or alternatively with a DC fast charger, which supports up to 70 kW or 80 kW of power depending on battery capacity – the latter allows for a 0-80% charge in 45 minutes.
Now already available in Australia, the BYD Atto 3 is slated to go on sale in Thailand next month. BYD also recently announced plans for a new production facility in Thailand, with a goal to produce 150,000 vehicles per year earmarked for the right-hand drive markets within ASEAN and Europe. Production operations at the new plant is scheduled to begin in 2024.
ALSO READ:
China’s BYD to set up RM2.2 billion EV plant in Thailand as ASEAN production hub
The e6 meanwhile is a fully-electric MPV, with a 71.7 kWh sending power to a front-mounted electric motor, capable of producing
70 kW (95 hp)
 and
180 Nm
. The large battery pack translates to a WLTP range of 522 km, and can be recharged via an AC charger at up to 40 kW (taking 1.8 hours), or DC charger at up to 60 kW (1.5 hours).
The BYD e6 is also now available in Singapore, where the brand is under the guardianship of Sime Darby Motor’s subsidiary, Vantage Automotive.
RELATED:
China’s BYD enters Australia, plans to sell 9,000 EVs per month by next year
“In line with our commitment to encourage EV adoption amongst Malaysians, we are pleased to welcome BYD to our stable of world-class brands, enabling us to continue growing our EV pipeline of models,” said Sime Darby Motors managing director, Andrew Basham.
“BYD is the world’s leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles and this partnership will bring BYD’s expertise to the Malaysian market through a wide range of EV models. Our collaboration with BYD is one of the steps Sime Darby Motors is taking towards our aim of becoming a leader in EV. This is also aligned with the Malaysian government’s push towards low carbon mobility,” he added.
Meanwhile, BYD Asia Pacific Auto sales division general manager, Liu Xueliang said, “Malaysia is a key market for our expansion, as there are vast opportunities for the EV ecosystem to grow and evolve. Given its proven track record and well-established presence in the automotive sector in the Asia Pacific region, we look forward to partnering with Sime Darby Motors to serve Malaysia’s growing EV demand.”


Gallery: 2023 Mazda CX-30 ‘High+ Premium’ vs ‘Standard’ – What makes the RM28k difference?

A new Mazda car that is now locally assembled in Malaysia is the 2023 Mazda CX-30, a sleek crossover that is based on the Mazda 3. There are 4 variants of the CX-30 on offer, and this includes the base ‘Standard’ variant, the ‘High’ variant, the ‘High +’ variant, and the range-topping ‘High+ Premium’ variant. Prices start at
RM128,109
.
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
.
Mazda CX-30 High+ Premium
Mazda CX-30 Standard
Mazda CX-30 High+ Premium
Mazda CX-30 Standard
As for the entire range of the CX-30, the Standard variant costs
RM128,109
, the High variant costs
RM136,109
, the High+ variant costs
RM146,109
, while the High+ Premium costs
RM156,109
. Lucky for us, we’ve managed to get the range-topping ‘High+ Premium’ and the base ‘Standard’ variant together, for a side-by-side photoshoot.
In terms of the exterior, nothing has changed much for the locally-assembled 2023 Mazda CX-30. The base ‘Standard’ variant is already equipped with LED Headlights with auto on/off function, bulb-type Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), LED taillights, a rear spoiler, a material-coloured radiator grille, and 16-inch wheels.
RELATED:
2023 Mazda CX-30 CKD launched in Malaysia, from RM128k – drops AWD and diesel variants
Mazda CX-30 High+ Premium
Mazda CX-30 Standard
18-inch wheels
16-inch wheels
As for what is lacking on the 2023 Mazda CX-30 ‘Standard’ variant’s exterior, it doesn’t get LED DRLs, a power tailgate, ‘Signature Illumination’ for the LED headlights & taillights, and neither does it get front and rear parking sensors. With most things taken out though, the CX-30 Standard fetches a rather attractive RM128k price tag.
Adaptive LED headlights with signature illumination
Standard LED headlights
As expected, the range-topping CX-30 High+ Premium is fully decked out and even gets a variant-exclusive power sunroof with sliding & tilt glass. The CX-30 High+ Premium, on the outside, is equipped with 18-inch wheels, LED DRLs, a black radiator grille, a power tailgate, and front and rear parking sensors.
RELATED:
Mazda 3 gets updated – new 10.25-inch screen, remote start, new colour
There is only one powertrain option for the entire range of the 2023 Mazda CX-30 and this is the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated inline-4 SkyActiv-G engine. The SkyActiv-G engine makes
162 hp
 @ 6,000 rpm and
213 Nm
, @ 4,000 rpm. Paired with the engine is a 6-speed SkyActiv-Driive automatic transmission with Manual Shift Mode. All power is sent to the front wheels only and the CX-30 has a rated fuel consumption of
6.4 l/100km
.
Mazda CX-30 High+ Premium
Mazda CX-30 Standard
Mazda CX-30 High+ Premium
Mazda CX-30 High+ Premium
Hop inside the 2023 Mazda CX-30, and you get the expected Jinba Ittai treatment that the brand is known for. As standard, the CX-30 is already equipped with an engine start/stop button, multi-control steering wheel switches, and tilt & telescopic steering wheel adjustment.
As for screens, the standard equipment in the CX-30 is a 7-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster and an 8.8-inch infotainment display unit. Those who opt for the base ‘Standard’ variant will get fabric seats, manual air conditioning adjustment, and manually adjustable front-row seats. Standard variant customers also miss out on paddle shifters, rear air conditioning vents, and an auto-dimming rear view mirror which is only available on the ‘High’ and above variants.
RELATED:
New Mazda 2 facelift debuts with EV-like grille, 198 colour combinations
360° view in the High+ Premium
Reverse camera only for the Standard, High, and High+
Rear AC vents in the High, High+, and High+ Premium
No rear AC vents in the Standard variant
Exclusive to the High+ Premium variant is a frameless rear-view mirror with auto-dimming function and a 360° camera view. All variants except the ‘Standard’ get a 10-way power adjustable driver seat (with memory function) and leather upholstery.
As for safety, it is only the High+ and High+ Premium variants which get the bulk of the safety systems. The Standard variant gets no advanced safety features while the High variant only gets Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS).
It is only when you opt for the High+ and above variants that you get High Beam Control (HBC), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Lane-Keep Assist System (LAS), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Front & Rear Smart Brake Support (SBS), and Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Stop & Go function.
Exclusive safety features for the High + Premium variant are Adaptive LED Headlamps, Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), Driver Attention Alert (DAA) with Driver Monitoring, and Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS).
Now proudly locally assembled, the Mazda CX-30’s prices start at
RM128,109
 and top off at
RM156,109
. Premium body colours will incur an additional cost of RM2,000. Included in the price of the CKD Mazda CX-30 are a
5-year/100,000 km
 manufacturer warranty and a
5-year/100,000 km
 free maintenance package.
GALLERY
Mazda CX-30 High+ Premium
Mazda CX-30 Standard


Honda Japan received 30,000 bookings for the HR-V in just a month!

After launching the
all-new Honda Vezel
(or HR-V as it is known here) in Japan just last month, Honda has revealed an overwhelming response for the new SUV.
A total of about 30,000 orders have been received since the all-new HR-V and as of the 24th of May, Honda has collected over 32,000 orders, roughly a month after its launch.
According to Honda, that’s six times more than its projected monthly sales plan. The company was only projecting 5,000 units a month prior.
The new HR-V consists of a petrol powered 1.5-litre model with 118 hp and 142 Nm and e:HEV model much like the new City RS. In the e:HEV model, u get a 106 hp and 127 Nm from a 1.5-litre engine used primarily to charge an electric motor with an output of 131 hp and 253 Nm.
Honda also claimed that buyers of the new HR-V include those who have previously owned hatchbacks, minivans, sedans, and SUVs. Buyers of this new HR-V also included those who are upgrading from the previous generation HR-V.
Interestingly,
93% of buyers have opted for the e:HEV model
 while only 7% went for the purely petrol-powered models. As for drivetrain, 81% of buyers chose to go with the front-wheel drive model, while the rest opted for all-wheel drive.
Platinum White Pearl
Crystal Black Pearl
Premium Sunlight White Pearl and Black
As for colour options, the top 3 most selected colours were Platinum White Pearl (33%), Crystal Black Pearl (18%) and Premium Sunlight White Pearl and Black (6%).
According to Honda, customers chose the HR-V due to several key factors; the two-motor hybrid system (e:HEV) that offers smooth and quiet driving with low fuel consumption, the spacious cabin, the sleek design and the enhanced Honda Sensing driver assistance system.
Bet you’re excited already for its arrival in Malaysia!
GALLERY


Facts & Figures: 2022 All-new Honda Civic launched in Malaysia from RM125k

After its preview at the Sepang Circuit, Honda Malaysia has finally launched the all-new Civic with three variants available starting from
RM125,634
 for the 1.5E,
 RM138,043
 for the 1.5V, and
RM144,350
 for the RS variant.
To date, Honda Malaysia has received 1,600 bookings for the all-new sedan and expects to sell around 900 units a month.

PERFORMANCE
All three variants are powered by the same 1.5-litre turbocharged engine from the previous generation with a new oil pan and crankshaft for reduced NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness). With components for the turbocharger, that’s tuned for even better response, the engine produces 9 hp and 20 Nm more than before. Honda says the CVT transmission has also been retuned.
The 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated from the previous 10th generation has been discontinued.
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
Transmission: CVT gearbox
Drivetrain: Front-wheel Drive
Max Power: 182 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque: 240 Nm @ 1,700 to 4,500 rpm
0 to 100 km/h: 8.3 seconds (1.5E), 8.4 seconds (1.5V), 8.5 seconds (RS)
EXTERIOR
The all-new Civic is 30 mm longer, 3 mm wider, and 1 mm lower along with a 33 mm increase in wheelbase for better rear legroom and improved high-speed stability. The A-pillars have been moved backward by 50 mm for better forward visibility.
As for the roof, the black rubber strip on both sides has been eliminated using a Lazer Brazing method that offers a cleaner, more seamless look.
Wheel sizes: 16-inch to 18-inches
LED front fog lights for V and RS variant
Semi-chrome door handles in 1.5 V, body coloured in 1.5E
All variants are equipped with automatic headlights, auto-retractable side mirrors, LED headlights and daytime running lights along with rear LED combination taillights.
As for the RS variant, it comes with black details in the headlamps, RS emblems front and back, 18-inch wheels, black window surrounds, black door handles, side mirrors, shark fin antenna, chrome tailpipes, and black ducktail spoiler.
INTERIOR
Standard across all variants are features like remote engine start, single-zone air conditioning, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, dual rear USB ports, rear air vents, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 7-inch multi-information display.
9-inch infortainment for V and RS variant
7-inch infortainment for E variant
Drive Mode Selector for V and RS variant
Electrochromic rear view mirror for 1.5V and RS
Fabric seats for 1.5E, Leather for 1.5V, semi-leather for RS
8-way powered seats for driver in 1.5V and RS)
Sport button for 1.5V and RS
Paddle shifters for 1.5V and RS
3x USB in 1.5E, 4x USB ports in 1.5V and RS
Exclusive to the RS variant are semi-leather seats, sports pedals, front footwell lighting, front door ambient lighting, and the automatic wiper feature.
SAFETY
All variants of the Civic come with six airbags including front, side, and curtain airbags, brake auto hold, hill-start assist, front and rear parking sensors.
Each variant of the all-new Civic comes with the full range of Honda Sensing features including adaptive cruise control with stop-go function, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane centering assist and automatic high beam.
A new addition to the Honda Sensing system is the Lead Car Departure Notification System where the car will alert the driver once the car ahead has moved. Honda’s LaneWatch system and Honda Connect are only available in the 1.5V and RS.
GALLERY


The most popular Taxi in Norway is a Ford Focus RS

A taxi driver in Norway has opted for an unconventional choice of vehicle for his taxi services which had proven to be popular with his customers seeing as he’s clocked up more than 127,000 km in just 18 months – a feisty
Ford Focus RS
.
This has propelled Norwegian Evald Jåstad to somewhat of a rockstar status as he had been ferrying locals and visitors alike in his “Blue Lighting” as it has been nicknamed, equipped with the signature white O.Z Racing rally wheels and mudflaps.
The Ford Focus RS houses a 2.3-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost engine with
 350 hp
 and
440 Nm
 of torque on the taps mated to 6-speed manual gearbox. With the
Ford Focus RS Limited Edition that’s limited to just 1,500 units
, Ford even threw in a Limited-slip differential into the mix.
To complement the Drift Mode that accompanies the Focus RS, Ford Performance recently also unveiled the
Ford Performance Drift Stick
 – a rally-inspired electronic handbrake that mimics the functions of a conventional hydraulic handbrake.


2023 Chery Omoda 5 launched in Malaysia, Honda HR-V rival from RM109k

More than a year after the initial announcement for its return,
Chery Malaysia
has today finally launched the
Omoda 5
 here in Malaysia.
Locally assembled in Inokom’s assembly plant
 in Kulim, Kedah, the all-new 2023 Chery Omoda 5 will be offered in two variants, starting from RM108,800.
Looking to renew your car insurance? Be sure to check out MotorTakaful.com by Etiqa to enjoy a 10% rebate, cashback, and many more. Learn more about them at
MotorTakaful.com
.

2023 Chery Omoda 5 exterior
The Chery Omoda 5 stands out as perhaps the most eye-catching B-segment crossover here on our shores, thanks to its ‘Art of Motion’ design languages that boasts unique blend of sharp lines and loud design touches, which Chery says is meant to appeal to “young consumers in the 25-30 age group”.
Exterior highlights on the B-segment crossover include:
LED headlights with LED daytime-running lights
LED tail lights
18-inch alloy wheels (with red accents on H variant)
Sequential turn indicators (H variant only)
Welcome lights animation (H variant only)
Red exterior striping (H variant only)
Exterior colour options: Khaki White, Dark Black, Phantom Grey, Two-tone Khaki White and Dark Black (H variant exclusive)
2023 Chery Omoda 5 performance
At launch, the Chery Omoda 5 will be offered with a single powertrain consisting of a 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four engine and a CVT gearbox.
Engine: 1.5-litre, turbocharged inline four-cylinder, petrol
Transmission: Continuously-variable, nine virtual gears
Driveline: Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Max horsepower: 156 hp
Max torque: 230 Nm @ 1,750 – 4,500 rpm
Chery says that a more powerful 1.6-litre turbo variant will also be introduced at a later date, as will the fully-electric BEV variant that was
first shown off in China earlier this year
.
High-tech interior
Bringing the same sharp styling into the interior, the cabin of the 2023 Chery Omoda 5 also sports a funky dashboard design, headlined by the dual 10.25-inch displays that serve as the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system, as well as a unique ambient lighting system on the dashboard trims and central cupholders.
Equipment-wise, the 2023 Chery Omoda 5 comes as standard with:
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Intelligent voice assistant
Acoustic glass
Dual-zone climate control
Electronic parking brake
Wireless mobile charging pad
Reverse camera with dynamic guide lines
Faux leather and fabric upholstery (faux leather only on H variant)
Eight-speaker Sony Premium sound-system (H variant only)
6-way powered driver seats with ventilation (H variant only)
Powered sunroof (H variant only)
Hands-free powered tailgate (H variant only)
Advanced safety as standard
The all-new 2023 Chery Omoda 5 will come as standard in Malaysia with a suite of advanced driver assistance features, consisting of:
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Adaptive Cruise Control with low-speed follow (0-180 km/h)
Traffic jam Assist
Integrated Cruise Assist
Lane Departure Warning and Prevention Assist
Emergency Lane Keeping
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Blind Spot Detection
Additionally, the H variant also adds a 360-degree surround view monitor, traffic sign recognition, and a speed limit assist system.
2023 Chery Omoda 5 Pricing in Malaysia
The 2023 Chery Omoda 5 is offered in two variants, with prices as follows:
2023 Chery Omoda 5 C –
RM108,800
2023 Chery Omoda 5 H –
 RM118,800
Included in the price is a seven-year standard manufacturer’s warranty, and five years of free service (labour). The first 3,000 customers will also receive a 10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty for the Chery Omoda 5’s powertrain components; the extended warranty will be available for purchase later at RM2,000.
GALLERY


Lexus CT200h facelift unveiled, anyone remember this hybrid hatchback?

Out of nowhere, Lexus gave the CT200h hatchback a much needed update. Marketed as a premium sport compact hatchback, the Lexus CT200h goes back to 2011 and is essentially a fancier, more luxurious Prius.
The CT200h was the first Lexus model to be featured with the company’s signature “Spindle Grille”, although it was conservatively shaped unlike modern Lexuses. New to this facelift is of course the grille, new “arrowhead” LED DRLs and L-shaped tail lamps together with a redesigned lower bumper.

The
 F Sport
 gets dressed in swanky 17-inch gunmetal wheels whereas the regular CT200h settles for a new 10-spoke 16-inch rims. Inside, all CTs are equipped with a larger
10.3-inch infotainment screen
.
The CT200h’s safety is enhanced with the
Safety System+
, a suite which comprises of pre-collision warning with autonomous braking, radar cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Nothing has changed under the hood, so motivating the CT200h is still the
1.8-litre four cylinder petrol
 engine paired with a
 60kW
 electric motor. Total output is
136 hp
and all that gets sent to the front wheels through Toyota’s
e-CVT
.
There’s a very slim chance for Lexus Malaysia to reintroduce this popular hybrid hatchback, because back then it carried a remarkably attractive sticker price of RM168,000. Not anymore, it seems.
IMAGE GALLERY


Review: 2014 Mitsubishi ASX CKD, the vehicle for urbanites [+Video]

When Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) first introduced the ASX in year 2010, I can’t help but wonder, where does this ‘thing’ belong to? It’s neither a Lancer nor a Pajero. A ‘crossover’, they call it. Fast forward a few years, MMM started its first assembly line this year at Tan Chong Motor’s Segambut plant producing locally assembled Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 2WD and 4WD.
QUICK FACTS
Name
 Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 (CKD) 2WD / 4WD
Segment

Compact SUV
Engine
 1,998cc 16-Valve inline-4 DOHC MIVEC (4B11) (150hp, 197Nm)
Transmission
 INVECS-III CVT with 6-step Sports Mode (W1CJCA) / (F1CJCA)
Price
 RM
114,743.50 / RM 128,879.50
Check out our YouTube channel for video reviews!
The ASX was first launched in Malaysia a few year back as CBU units from Japan, selling at RM139,980 (2WD). Early this year, MMM announced a massive price reduction as they roll out their first locally-assembled ASX. With such attractive price positioning and confidence in build quality MMM reckons the ASX CKD can win the hearts of Malaysian buyers.
So they invited local auto journalists for a trip to Port Dickson in both
2WD
 and the newly introduced
4WD
 variant. Through smooth long highways and beautiful windy country roads, we surely have tested them all in this 5-hour long journey.
EXTERIOR
 The appearance is surely interesting which tickles my curiosity in terms of car segment relevance. Think ‘
urban driving
‘, it then makes so much sense! A Lancer would be too low and a Pajero would be too big. Its just-right size and height is what urbanites are looking for. In other words, you get lots of space and you won’t get bullied leh!

In terms of build dimension, its exterior length and width figures are smaller than the Honda CR-V and Subaru XV. However, wheelbase in the ASX is longer than both contenders, which means more space for occupants. Not by much, but impressive nonetheless.
Lighting up the way is a pair of halogen projector headlamp with leveling, and fog lamps as well. The 4WD variant gets a chrome grille and a little
 chrome bezel
 around the fog lamp; which is a good way to differentiate both models.  It also gets larger wheels,
17-inch
 whereas the 2WD gets
16-inch
 wheels.
INTERIOR

Just like any other Malaysian, getting into a Malaysian-assembled vehicle does invite a preconceived notion. You know what I’m talking about; excellent workmanship, top class material, something like that. In reality, localization can sometimes be a expensive trade-off with quality and goodies too. Well, this trip proves otherwise.

Not only its spacious, it is also very comfortable and everything is surprisingly well built. Both ASX variants are equipped with leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob,
keyless
 entry system,
reverse camera
, and a
8-inch touch screen
 audio system with GPS and Bluetooth connectivity.
The 4WD variant gets a little extra such as push start button, security window tint, cruise control,
panoramic glass roof
 and best of all,
magnesium-alloy paddle shifters
! They look and feel good…
The raised sitting position makes getting in and out of the cabin real easy hence a plus point for female occupants, or old folks for that matter. Wheelbase is slightly longer than its nearest competitor and you do get extra space from the already large rear compartment, thanks to the
60:40
 rear seat folding configuration. A solid good yay for urbanites’ occasional weekend furniture hunting.
PERFORMANCE

Both variants share the same
2.0-liter
 4-cylinder
MIVEC
 engine, but they are mated with a different CVT gearbox with 6-step Sports mode due to different power delivery configuration; 2WD and 4WD. Maximum power output is at
150hp
 and maximum torque at
197Nm
.
SAFETY

When it comes to safety, number of airbags is important for us Malaysians, right? There are three in total, driver, front passenger and driver’s
knee
. Not too bad. Both variants are fitted with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution) and Brake Override System.
However, safety features such as Active Stability Control, Traction Control and Hill Start Assist are only available in the 4WD.
THE DRIVE

We took off in the 2WD unit from MMM head office in Subang heading towards Cyberjaya where we had halal dim-sum. Looking at the size of it, you might think it’s heavy and clumsy. Well, not at all. It feels light on both steering wheel and throttle, making it easy to drive. But then again, it is lighter in weight as compared to other competitors, at 1,375kg.
Cabin is fitted with the bare necessity with not much to play with. Things became more cheerful once we moved in to the 4WD unit at Cyberjaya. Which is probably the reason why it sells better. Apart from the panoramic glass roof, cruise control, and many more goodies, we get to play with the
4WD
 function, which we can change between 1) 2WD 2) Auto 4WD 3) locked 4WD, on the fly! I know what you are thinking. No. Can’t really feel then difference between these changes on the highway and windy roads we were on.
Ride is smooth on the highway and it handles windy country road pretty well. The rack and pinion steering wheel is pretty sharp and you do get a slight weighty feel as it tackles bends. The choice of transmission may not be popular among auto journalists for its ‘lifeless’ and loud traits.
However, I do believe many who have tried a
CVT
 (Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox would love the smooth ‘gear change’. Should you feel bored and dozing off, there’s the 6-step Sports Mode for a sporty gear change; via the gear knob in the 2WD and 4WD, or via the ‘magnificent magnesium’-alloy (sorry, can’t help it) paddle shifts in the 4WD. Every up-shift and down-shift on the paddle shifters does feel really good!
Here comes the ‘Big But’. I’m not sure if it’s the heavy load that I’m ferrying (Eddie and Chris) or simply because the power is just insufficient. Especially when there’s a need to pull off a quick over-taking maneuver. It is however more than enough for urban and long distance driving. All in all, power output is adequate, but maybe MMM can consider the 2.4-liter Lancer Sportback engine? Just saying. Or even better, turbocharging? Nah, just saying.
IS IT FOR YOU?

So, is this car for you? Well, if you are looking for an urban mobile for
everyday use around town
, pack your family in for
balik kampung
 trips, weekend shopping, or even to avoid getting road-bullied, then yes! However, if you expect a racy and sportier side of Mitsubishi, then this may not be the right car for you.
COMPARISONS

Here’s our usual table of comparison where I’ve put the ASX against the common Honda CR-V and the not so common Subaru XV. As mentioned earlier, the ASX is slighly smaller but it provides more space thanks to its a longer wheelbase. In terms of power, they are comparable.

Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 2WD / 4WD

Honda CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC

Subaru XV 2.0i

ENGINE
Type
16-Valve inline-4 DOHC MIVEC (4B11), Petrol engine
SOHC 4 Cylinder 16 Valve i-VTEC
DOHC 16-Valve,
 4-Cylinder, Boxer, Petrol Engine
Displacement
cc
1,998
1,997
1,995
Max Power
hp/rpm
150/6000
155/6500
150/6200
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
197/4200
190/4300
196/4200
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
INVECS-III CVT with 6-step Sports Mode (F1CJCA / W1CJCA)
Electronically Controlled 5-speed Automatic
Lineartronic CVT
STEERING
Type
Rack & Pinion (Power Assisted)
Rack and Pinion with Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Electrical power-assisted rack and pinion
SUSPENSION
Front
MacPherson strut with coil springs and stabiliser
MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut / Multilink
Rear
Multi-link Coil with stabiliser
Double Wishbone
Double Wishbone
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear
Solid disc
Solid disc
Solid disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
215/65R16 / 215/60R17
225 / 65 R17
225/55 R17
Rims
16″ x 6.5J Alloy / 17″ x 6.5J Alloy
17″ Alloy
17″ Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
4,295
4,545
4,450
Overall Width
mm
1,770
1,820
1,780
Overall Height
mm
1,615
1,685
1,615
Wheelbase
mm
2,699
2,620
2,635
Max Kerb weight
kg
1,475
1,540
1,430
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
440
589
564
FUEL
Tank Capacity L
63 / 60
–
60
Consumption
5.5L/100km
–
7.2L/100km
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
190
183
187
0 – 100km/h
sec
9.6
12.7
10.7
PRICE
RM
114,743.50 / 128,879.50
143,924.70
152,255
Check out our YouTube channel for video reviews!
WILL I BUY IT?

Yes! I would definitely buy it for my (imaginative) teenage daughter. She can drive to college and back safely, I can use it to ferry my dogs to the vet, my wife can use it to transport Swedish furniture back, and she won’t get bullied on the road. Most importantly, the
ASX is a good buy
.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Perodua Electric Motion Online (EMO) concept teased, hybrid coming soon?

Ahead of the Malaysia Auto Show that is set to happen next week,
Perodua
 has teased a hybrid concept car that will make its debut during the event itself. Called the Perodua Electric Motion Online (EMO), it could preview an upcoming hybrid car by the local carmaker.
Perodua has already laid out that it will work towards electrification. The company will likely debut its first hybrid car in 2024 and perhaps its first electric car by 2029. Although there is the
Perodua Ativa Hybrid
, it is essentially a rebadged Daihatsu Rocky hybrid and is only available through a leasing programme. The rebadged Rocky is fully imported from Japan.
To recap, the Ativa Hybrid ran a mild hybrid (MHEV) setup which consisted of an electric motor (106 hp/170 Nm) and a 1.2-litre engine (82 hp/105 Nm). The engine only functions as a generator. Back in 2018, Perodua already showcased a hybrid powertrain concept at KLIMS 2018, albeit only a structure with a bare frame setup.
Based on the Facebook post shared by Perodua, the EMO should have a hatchback/SUV body style. Its body lines somewhat resemble that of the Perodua X concept that was also previewed at KLIMS 2018. The concept will most likely preview the powertrain of upcoming future models and perhaps a little design hints of upcoming Perodua models as well. With “Online” being part of the abbreviation, EMO could also preview a more internet-connected vehicle by the local carmaker.
RELATED:
Perodua launches Ativa Hybrid leasing programme – RM500/month for 5 years
The biggest challenge for Perodua to introduce an affordable hybrid vehicle would be the localization of parts, especially those concerning the electrified drivetrain. One issue faced by Perodua is its vendors’ “lack of exposure to HEV/BEV & advance technology parts due to low adoption in Malaysia automotive industry.”
Malaysia Auto Show 2023 will take place at MAEPS, Serdang from May 4 to 7, 2023. It is organized by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics, & IoT Institute.
RELATED:
Perodua’s first CKD hybrid expected in 2024, first electric car in 2029


Mazda’s new sports car concept to be revealed in Tokyo, could it be the next-gen RX-7?

Mazda Corporation has surprised us with yet another product in its KODO lineup, and just like the
Koeru
, they remain tight lipped as to what this model may eventually be. Some say that this low-slung two-door, front-engined coupe could be the rebirth of the RX badge. But is it really?
This sports car concept, according to Mazda, embodies the company’s sports car lineage and is an encapsulation of the company’s vibrant sports car history. We’d be lying not to assume that it could actually be the
next-generation RX-7
, considering that the company will celebrate its
100th birthday by 2020
. We’re also certain that the coupe is not a derivative of the
ND MX-5
 – the tail lights are a dead giveaway.
Our friend Daniel of
Carlist.my

detailed the outlook of this concept via Photoshop
 (though much is yet to be seen) and drew several close comparisons to other makes. Will we see the return of the RX badge and the rotary engine? Maybe. But don’t hang on to that strand of hope just yet.
Appearing alongside the mysterious sports car are Mazda’s complete Skyactiv/KODO range of products, including the Koeru concept. Mazda will also be displaying race-spec MX-5 and an “MX-5 special needs vehicle with hand control” as well as the
rotary-powered 1967 Cosmo Sport 110S
.
The Tokyo Motor Show is scheduled to take place at the end of this month from 30 October to 8 November.


Mercedes-AMG G63, Lexus LX570 and a Volkswagen Touareg battles out in the snow!

The Russians sure know how to have a little fun with all that snow and money, don’t they?
Unlike the
G63 AMG
 we had the privilege to test last year, the ones in the video are
previous generation G
63 AMG
s
 with
571 hp
 and
760 Nm
 but was no less inferior – as the snowy hills found out.
Excelling at both hill climbs and a tug-of-war against the Volkswagen Touareg, which was completely toyed with on the slippery surface, the G63 AMG does meet its match in the form of the enormous
Lexus LX 570
. While it was clearly a tie between the two in the tug-of-war, the hefty LX570 showed it was no pushover and shouldn’t be judged solely based on its pretty face at the hill climb.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO-CKdKuLns&feature=youtu.be
Those with a little mechanical sympathy might roll their eyes in dismay while some of you might cheer such antics on seeing as the G63 AMG is beyond reach from most with its RM1.4 million price tag. It was however, good to see these monstrosities being used (albeit recreational) as what they were intended for.
In other news, Mercedes-Benz recently announced that it would be utilising the new Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system to
update its customers in South Korea on the status of face mask stocks in pharmacies
.
The company also released
new images of the highly-anticipated Mercedes-Benz GLA
, which is now taller and longer for more head and leg room, to whet your appetites before its arrival in Malaysia. Back home, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has announced that
selected service centres have resumed operations
.
Source:
YouTube


Take a look at the upcoming Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift in official 24-minute video

The 2020
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
 (W213) facelift is slated to be officially unveiled next month at the Geneva Motor Show, but the three pointed star has just released a video on its YouTube channel that dives into the major changes planned for the D-segment sedan’s mid-life update.
The video, hosted by German YouTuber
fünfkommasechs
, includes a walkaround of the updated E-Class, as well as a drive, with E-Class chief engineer, Michael Kelz. Do remember to hit the “CC” button for English translated subtitles!

Mercedes-Benz brought out three cars out to the Nevada desert to showcase the different “lines” of styling specification, including the AMG line body kits, as well as a Night Package which deletes most chrome trims. There was also a plug-in hybrid variant on display, as denoted by the charging port at the rear bumper.
In terms of styling changes, the updated E-Class will feature a new front fascia that resembles the latest Mercedes-Benz line-up such as the
A-Class
, with a more angular front grille and new headlights featuring the new daytime-running lights design.
The taillights also get a major makeover, although it is heavily obscured with camouflage tape. On some variants, the front hood also features two prominent “power bumps”, similar to that of the Mercedes-AMG models.
Perhaps the biggest change to the D-segment sedan is the engine options, with the introduction of the new
M254 four-cylinder engine
, as well as the M256 inline-six engine, previously seen on the
 CLS
.
The M254 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine now comes with a
Integrated Starter Generator
 (ISG) and
48V mild-hybrid
 technology. The ISG is mounted between the engine and the gearbox to provide electric power assistance at launch, start-stop situations, and reduce fuel consumption while driving with the “Gliding 2” technology.
Inside, the changes are less obvious. General dashboard architecture remains the same, though the infotainment display now supports
touchscreen and gesture control
, featuring the new
MBUX
 system.
The driving assistance package also now includes an
updated parking assistant
, which Kelz says that it is now probably faster than a human. The new sensors behind the bumpers also helps enhance the active driving assistance features.
The steering wheel has also been updated, and the two touchpad controls have been improved. On the AMG-line model as seen in the video, the car now features a newly-designed steering wheel, characterised by twin spokes on the three- and nine-o’clock sides.
Michael Kelz explains that most changes done to the E-Class are for the purpose of
 improving driving efficiency
, such as the new powertrain options, and driving technologies. The overall drag coefficient has also been reduced by lowering the E-Class by a hair.
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class will be officially unveiled at next month. The refresh will see an introduction of
seven plug-in hybrid variants
, improved “next-generation” driver assistance features, latest-generation MBUX infotainment system with advanced voice command, as well as the new engine options.
IMAGE GALLERY


Watch Bentley hoon a Continental GT around an abandoned military air field

When you think of
Bentley
, the first word that pops into your head is probably “elegance”, or “stately”. But Bentley is convinced that its car is perfectly capable of hooning about, too, so much so that they went all the way out to film a short video at an abandoned military air field at Sicily, Italy, just to prove their point – featuring a very yellow
Continental GT Speed
.
Called “Continental Drift”, the video was filmed specifically to show off “the scope of performance of Bentley’s pinnacle GT, including incredibly precise drifting through dramatic locations”.

According to Bentley, the stunt was filmed in a day during the GT Speed’s recent global media drive event. The Comiso Air Base featured in the video was a former NATO base, but has since been abandoned for almost 30 years – so Bentley brought it back to life in the best way possible by converting it into a “gymkhana-like track”, and filled it with tyre smoke and adrenaline-pumping exhaust fumes.
Bentley partnered with Akrapovic to create a lightweight titanium exhaust exclusively for the Continental GT Speed! Check it out here.
While the former military base is used to launching ground-based missiles, the Bentley Continental GT Speed is a whole different kind of monster – powered by the marque’s iconic 6-litre twin-turbo W12 engine with
659 hp
and
900 Nm
 of torque on tap.
Power is sent to all four-wheels via an eight-speed dual clutch transmission for a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.6 seconds, but specifically on the GT Speed, its rear-biased torque split means that most of the engine’s grunt is sent to the rear wheels, making the driftmania film possible for Bentley.
The Bentley Continental GT V8 is now available in Malaysia. Learn more here.
Other GT-speed specific goodies include a new electronic-LSD, all-wheel steering, and a retuned ESC system to help improve the car’s cornering dynamics and extra grip, which in turns helps to deliver deliberate, controlled slides.
It’s not often you get to see a Bentley hooning its mind out – and the stark contrast between a shiny new Bentley Continental GT Speed against the backdrop of a rundown abandoned air field just makes it that much more interesting. Be sure to check out the video above!
GALLERY


Ford is helping the blind “to see” out of the window through vibrations

Ford in Italy along with a start-up specialising in visual aid solutions have revealed their latest creation called Feel The View. It’ll allow the blind or those with minimal vision to “visualise” the views outside a car’s window.
And they’ll be able to do so by touch, from
255 different levels of vibration
. The device which comes with a built-in camera is attached to one of the car’s windows and captures snapshots of the view outside the car before
converting them into a greyscale image
.
The greyscale image is then defined by 255 different shades of grey. When the device detects the users touch as he or she runs their fingers across the window, it will trigger a different vibration for each of the 255 shades to allow the visually-challenged to feel the passing scenery.
The device is also accompanied by an AI voice assistant, to enhance the user’s experience. As intriguing as it sounds, there is however, no word on whether the prototype will actually be put into production.
Source:
Ford Europe


BMW Shop Online and BMW Engage launched to digitalise the car buying experience

The ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic
 have forced us all to adopt a “new normal” for the foreseeable future, and that includes car brands too. In an effort to embrace the contactless lifestyle, BMW Malaysia today launched two new online platforms, BMW Shop Online and BMW Engage, to digitalise the car buying experience for its customers.
First up is the BMW Shop Online, which promises to offer a “seamless digital showroom experience from the comfort of your home”. The new online shopping platform was launched with a showcase of two cars – the
BMW 530e Sport
 and
530e M Sport
.
The new
BMW 840i Gran Coupe
 and the
all-new X6 xDrive40i M Sport
 was also launched on the new “showroom” today, joining the two 5 Series variants before the rest of the model line-up is made available online.
Meanwhile, the BMW Engage website is a first-of-its-kind online financing platform from BMW Credit Malaysia to complement customers’ contactless car purchase experience on the BMW Shop Online.
Essentially, BMW Engage enables customers to apply and obtain pre-approval for their car financing plans, all from the comfort of their home. The platform boasts a simple and seamless application process.
In conjunction of the launch, BMW Malaysia is offering an enhanced online-exclusive version of its existing
‘Unplug & Play’ campaign
. Both the BMW 530 e Sport and 530 e M Sport are available with an
interest rate of 0.00%
, alongside
cash rebates of RM10,000 and RM20,000
 respectively.
That’s not all – any purchase on the BMW Shop Online platform will also net you a chance to drive home a brand-new
BMW i8 Coupe
!
New owners of the 530 e Sport and 530 e M Sport purchased on the online showroom will receive a BMW ChargeNow card, granting access to 24/7 charging facilities and
over 270 charging stations nationwide
 via partner ChargEV.
BMW Malaysia will be bundling in a BMW i Wallbox for every purchase of the 530 e Sport. As for the 530 e M Sport, new owners will receive the BMW i AC Fast Charging Cable.
The online-exclusive promotion is available now until
30th June 2020
. Customers can make bookings with only a
RM1,000 booking fee
 on the BMW Shop Online website
here
. To get financing pre-approval before purchase, the BMW Engage platform is available
here
.
BMW Group Malaysia Managing Director, Harald Hoelzl said, “We are pleased to introduce our new digital touchpoints, BMW Shop Online and BMW Engage to continue providing a seamless ownership experience for our customers during this period.
“Though we are not all able to physically serve our customers at our dealerships at the moment, we hope that they will find joy in our digital world, and later, joy in a new era of mobility when the MCO is lifted.”
BMW Credit Malaysia Managing Director, Tobias Eismann added, “We are all doing our part to #StayAtHome and #FlattenTheCurve. However, we believe that staying at home should not be a limitation.
“With the BMW Shop Online and BMW Engage, our customers will be able to browse and interact with the brands that represent the BMW Group in a manner that is responsible and safe. The fully-digital experience will ensure that we are able to provide the premium ownership experience to our customers from a safe distance in this period.”


Mazda2 wins Germany’s illustrious 2014 Golden Steering Wheel Award

And so it continues to impress. The
Mazda2
, or known as Mazda Demio in Japan, has just added another prestigious award to its belt, this time by picking up the
2014 Golden Steering Wheel
 award in the small cars category all the way in Germany.
This achievement marks Mazda’s fourth Golden Steering Wheel title, three of which were won with the
Mazda 323
 in 1985 and 1989, and
Mazda 626
 in 1992.

Mazda’s Managing Executive Officer Takahisa Sori said, “It’s a great honour to receive this outstanding award for the all-new Mazda2, even before hitting the European shores. It’s wonderful to see that the key features that define Mazda vehicles, such as exceptional design, the fun-to-drive factor, and excellent environmental performance, are being recognised in Germany as well.”
The
Golden Steering Wheel Award
 is an automotive award organised by a German Sunday newspaper
Bild am Sonntag

and automotive magazine
Auto Bild
. The awards first came about in
1976
 and has gone on to become one of the country’s most prominent automotive awards.
The Mazda 2 was the
only Japanese vehicle
 to walk away with an award in all the categories this year. It also won the
2014 Japan’s Car of the Year award
.
Bermaz Motor
 held a brief preview of the Mazda2 in one of their roadshows earlier in October, where visitors learned that the car will be offered in both
hatchback
 and
sedan forms
. It’s currently priced tentatively at
RM85k
 for the hatchback and
RM87k
 for the sedan, and both will be powered by the promising
1.5-litre Skyactiv-G
 engine, paired to Mazda’s
six-speed Skyactiv-Drive
 automatic transmission.
It is slated to be launched here in February next year. Read
here
to know all about the Mazda2 that we will be getting.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota GR Vios Challenge returns for Round 2 this weekend under Sepang night lights

The Toyota GR Vios Challenge, as part of the
 Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival
, is set to return for Round 2 this weekend, from 3-4 June, under the floodlights of the
Sepang International Circuit
. Similar to Round 1, the night race will also be streamed exclusively online, across all Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia’s social media platform and on its website (linked
here
).
Now in its sixth season, the 2023 Toyota GR Vios Challenge sees 45 drivers competing across four classes, ranging from Super Sporting for the professional racers, to the Promotional Class where local celebrities duel it out against each other on track.
With no clear favourites emerging from the field just yet at the halfway point of the season, drivers and teams will all be vying to amass as many valuable points as they can before the championship finale in September, making this race a definite spectacle for racing fans.
RELATED:
2023 Toyota GR86 launched in Malaysia – 6MT and 6AT options, from RM295k
“The excitement of the GR Vios Challenge is in its unpredictability – no one, no matter in which class they are in, has a clear advantage because they are all competing on a level playing field (one make race),” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K.
“As we’ve seen in seasons one through five, the fight for the championship will always be decided at the very end and the live stream of the racing action will ensure that spectators will not miss out on any of the battles on track.”
The live stream will kick off at 6.30 pm on both days with jam-packed racing action starting with the sporting class. Viewers will also be treated to special performances by local celebrities Janna Nick (Saturday) and Khai Bahar (Sunday).
Round 1 of the GR Vios Challenge
 saw a total of 3.5 million online viewers across all platforms, making it one of the most viewed racing series in the country.
READ MORE:
Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival Season 6 kicks off with fiery Round 1 in Sepang


Ford pays tribute to the Mustang of the early 90s with Ice White Editions

Ford has revealed the new Mustang and Mustang Mach-E with the Ice White Edition Appearance Package. It’s the first time in 28 years that Ford is offering a white-on-white Mustang and the first time ever for the coupe.
The Mustang and
Mustang Mach-E
 is finished in a
Star White Metallic
 tri-coat paint, and 19-inch aluminium wheels in the same colour.
Just like the Mach-E, the Ice White Mustang coupe comes with Oxford White pony badges on the grille and fender. The petrol-powered Mustang stands out with iced-out taillamps and 19-inch heritage-inspired wheels.
Mustang Club Malaysia sets the largest Ford Mustang gathering record with 137 cars…check out these pictures!
Thankfully, the inside of the Mustang Mach-E isn’t covered in Ice White but instead, in Light Space Grey upholstery. As for the petrol-powered Mustang, it gets Black leather and Oxford White upholstery.
The Ice White Edition Ford Mustang pair were made to pay tribute to the Triple White Fox-body Mustang in the early 1990s where only 1,500 units were made. The Triple White Fox-body Mustang was only available as a convertible.
The most powerful variant of the fully electric Mustang Mach-E produces
459 hp
and
 830 Nm
. 0 to 100 km/h is said to be under 3.5 seconds.
This is how you open the doors on the Ford Mustang Mach-E….check it out!


What’s the Buzz: Are Malaysian drivers ready for automation?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you would’ve come across the news regarding the grounding the Boeing 737 Max series of passenger jets following the tragic crashes involving Lion Air and
Ethiopian Airlines
, with the issue centred around Boeing’s Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) and the manner which pilots respond to its workings.
Without wading into the technical deep end of MCAS, just think of it as the equivalent to a car’s lane keeping assist or frontal collision mitigation system, devised by Boeing to prevent the 737 from stalling in mid-air and falling out of the sky. And while the world awaits conclusions from investigators, pilot training has also been called into question.
Technology in modern cars saves lives, but are we equipped to handle them?
No, this isn’t about not trusting automation, because
technology does save lives, proven across many different fields and industries.
The question is: are Malaysian drivers ready for it, especially over this period
where more mainstream models (no longer just premium brands) are sprouting semi-autonomous
driving functions?
Can we expect a new driver who had just earned his or her probationary licence on a modest Perodua Viva to be able to discern the pitfalls of being over-reliant on technology, and to operate a vehicle with adaptive cruise control and lane keeping aid safely? Maybe it’s time to update the syllabus.


1.9-litre turbo diesel engine compatible with MU-X, says Isuzu

During our test drive of the
new Isuzu D-Max
 from Krabi to Phuket, we got to speak to Isamu Tetyama, General Manager of Isuzu Technical Centre of Asia’s Engine Design Department on the new engine and a question was raised on the compatibility of the new RZ4E-TC engine for the MU-X.
Tetyama explained that the “new” engine, 6-speed automatic and manual transmission is compatible with the MU-X but there isn’t a timeline as to when it would be implemented, if ever.
The new 1.9-litre engine is not only more powerful than the 2.5-litre engine it replaces with
150 hp
 and
350 Nm
, it’s also lighter by some 56 kg which reflected really well on fuel economy.
Our 200km drive from Krabi to Phuket, with a mix of urban driving and “heavy inputs” on the throttle along the highways barely caused a dent to the D-Max’s fuel reserves as you can see in the picture above.
Annually, it would be easier on the wallet too when road tax renewals are due. Isuzu said the new 1.9-litre D-Max would
save owners 52% in road tax renewals
 compared to the 2.5-litre engine –
from RM839.20 to RM 399.20
 – almost RM4,000 in savings throughout 9 years.
Prices for the new D-Max starts from as low as RM80,149.20 and those who book the new 1.9-litre or 3.0-litre Isuzu D-Max between 18th of September to 31st of October 2019 will be given 5-years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with up to 8-years or 80,000 km Free Maintenance.


The new Mercedes-AMG GLC63S Coupe 4MATIC is unmistakably cool

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has flexed yet another fibre of its high-performance SUV muscle with the introduction of the new GLC 63 S 4MATIC alongside the GLC 63 S Coupe 4MATIC and the G63 wagon at the Sepang International Circuit.
Like the GLC 63 S 4MATIC, the Coupe draws power from a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 paired to the 9-speed Speedshift MCT transmission, with 510 hp and 700 Nm. In terms of the 0 to 100 km/h burst and top speed, it’s identical with the GLC 63 S.
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S Coupe 4MATIC
Engine
4.0-litre Bi-turbo V8
Tranmission
9-speed AMG Speedshift MCT
Max Power
510 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Power
700 Nm @ 1,750 – 4,000 rpm
0 to 100 km/h; Top Speed
3.8 seconds; 270 km/h
Price
RM 933,888 (OTR without Insurance)
Unlike the panoramic roof in the GLC 63 S 4MATIC, the Coupe likely restricted by design, only gets the sliding sunroof but is equally treated to an AMG steering wheel, Nappa leather upholstery, carbon fibre and brushed aluminium trims.
As it rests on the AMG sports suspension with Air Body Control, decorations on the outside are also provided for by the AMG Night Package kit which consists of the 21-inch AMG cross-spoke forged wheels, an AMG spoiler lip, the AMG performance exhaust and the Multibeam LED headlamps.
For driving information and entertainment, both the Burmester sound system and head-up display are similarly offered in the GLC 63 S Coupe.
Its list of driving aids are just as comprehensive, with the aforementioned surround view camera, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Adaptive Brake Lights, Active Parking Assist and Cross Traffic Alert in the GLC available here as well.
IMAGE GALLERY


Range Rover is considering a two-door luxury coupe SUV – for what though?

In a time when SUVs are all the rage, Range Rover is considering the opportunities to bring a new variation to its range – an exclusive two-door, limited production Range Rover built by their Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) department.
While the reason may be valid to plug the gap for a two-door super luxury SUV in the market, we’ve all seen how “practical” the previous two-door Evoque and Evoque convertible can be.
Unless the elites can be convinced to shell out large sums for a car that would merely appear as a trend-setter rather than a flashy supercar, it’s hard to see it make any business sense for the brand as most looking to buy the Range Rover (even the elites) would get it for its family-friendly practicalities.
Range Rover recently patented the
Range Stormer
 name, from the original Range Stormer concept revealed more than decade ago – hinting the imminent reality of a two-door super luxury SUV.
The market certainly lacks a car to fill that uber-niche segment with the new
Lamborghini Urus
 resembling a coupe the most, despite affording five-doors – although the possibility of a
Ferrari SUV
 could change all that.
The new model could even top the latest
 557 hp

extended-wheelbase Range Rover SVAutobiography
 introduced recently with a whopping
1.2 metre of rear leg room
 in an airplane-like cabin.


Hyundai i30N to rival VW Golf GTI, gets 247 hp and 353 Nm, 6-speed manual!

Everyone wants a piece of the
Volkswagen Golf
, even from the Korean folks. They’ve launched the regular
Hyundai i30
 sometime back but hinted that a more powerful variant would come along to properly rival the
Golf GTI
. Introducing the new Hyundai i30N hot hatch.
The i30N is officially the first performance road car from Hyundai’s skunk works division, N. Horned at the Nürburgring Nordschleife with the expertise poached from rival companies (one of them is Albert Biermann who was formerly from BMW M), the i30N is doing everything it can to go against the Golf GTI for hot hatch supremacy.

It’s based on the ongoing
 third-generation i30
and can be had in two forms – the standard
N
 and the hardcore
Performance Package
. The exterior gets clothed in an aggressive bodykit, wider intakes, black rear spoiler and rear diffuser with dual exhausts. The signature
cascading grille
 here enhances air flow for improved engine cooling. Standard wheel size measure at 18-inch for the N, while the Performance Package receives larger 19-inches.
Underneath the hood is a
2.0-litre Theta turbocharged
 petrol engine, delivering
 247 hp
 and
 353 Nm
 of torque, with drive sent to the front wheels via a
six-speed manual transmission
. The Performance Package gains an additional 24 hp, making for a total of
271 hp
. The normal i30N completes the century sprint in
6.4 seconds
, while the Performance Package is
0.3 seconds
 quicker. Top speed for both variants is electronically limited to
250 km/h
.
The i30N comes together with a host of electronic driver’s aids, including launch control, rev-matching function, variable suspension damping, and
Electronic Limited Slip Differential
 (for Performance Package only). The
electronic sound generator
 is located at the base of the windscreen that provides some extra acoustic drama. Not really a driver’s aid, but it’s a brilliant tool to impress your friends. Also included are dual screen (5.0- and 8.0-inch) infotainment systems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnNNys828UY
The Hyundai i30N will be produced at Hyundai’s production facility in Czech Republic and will go on sale later this year.
IMAGE GALLERY


MOT: E-driving test system coming end of 2023, currently in POC stage

The electronic driving test system (e-driving test system) is expected to be introduced throughout the country at the end of this year, according to the Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke. However, the system is currently under the proof of concept (POC) stage, and there are still procedures and details to be refined before it is officially utilised, reported
The Star
. With the e-driving test system, driving tests will still be conducted using an actual car, but with cameras and sensors around the car to determine the candidate’s performance.
“There is no problem with the concept because we have been through the phase but there are several policies and procedures that we need to set and refine,” said the Transport Minister at a press conference after the launch of the Malaysian Driving Institute Association (PIMA) 23rd Annual general assembly at Ibis Hotel on
July 22
.
Loke added, “I have discussed with the Transport Ministry secretary-general on the matter so it can be implemented soon, hopefully at the end of this year. So after this, we can decide, gazette the changes on the procedure and then implement the system at all driving institutes across the country.”
Loke also mentioned that there are several driving schools that have prepared to implement the e-driving system. This includes five driving institutes thus far, with one each in the states of Penang, Kedah, and Johor, as well as two driving institutes in Selangor. And as mentioned above, the system is still currently at the POC stage.
The Transport Minister also ensured that the driving schools won’t be required to implement the system from a selected vendor when the e-driving test system is approved. He also added that it will not be mandatory for the students and driving schools to go for the e-driving test system.
RELATED:
MOT: EV road tax to be cheaper than petrol car road tax, special “EV” plates proposed
“We are not going to tell the driving schools there is only one vendor to implement the e-driving test system because that could raise elements of monopoly. So we decided not to choose any specific vendors, as long as the system adheres to the specifications and standards set by JPJ, the institutes and schools are free to choose,” said Loke.
“For example, PIMA has its own system for members to use or they are free to choose another vendor. But when the ministry audits the system, it must follow the standards,” he added.
The e-driving test system is also said to be able to help reduce unethical practices such as “Lesen Kopi”, driving licences attained via corrupt means. The JPJ officers and driving schools can also be protected from being accused of being involved in corruption. Students will also be protected as they will be allowed to review their tests if they fail.
RELATED:
No plans to abolish tolls in Malaysia for now due to high cost, says Works Minister


Volvo S60 T6 launched in Malaysia, a RM281k 306hp Swedish sedan

Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has just unveiled the updated S60 model, now featuring the company’s modular Drive-E powertrain. This mechanical update also comes with a new transmission – an eight-speed torque converter automatic.
The S60 is a direct competitor to the
BMW 3-Series
,
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
 and
Audi A4
. Previously, VCM offered the S60 in two trims, the T4 and T5, both of which are now no longer offered. In their places is this T6 variant, powered by a transversely mounted
2.0-litre four-cylinder engine
 that is
 turbocharged and supercharged
 to produce
306 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque.
This striking shade of red will not be offered here, unfortunately
Drive is sent to the front wheels (no all-wheel drive here) through a new
Aisin-sourced eight-speed automatic
. Given the price, the S60 certainly has plenty to write home about in the performance department. It sprints from 0 to 100km/h in
 5.9 seconds
, maxes out at
 230km/h
 and consumes just
6.7 litres of fuel per 100km
 travelled. Comparatively, the pricier BMW 330 (RM298k) and Mercedes-Benz C300 (RM308k) match the S60’s 2.0-litre displacement, but the Germans pack just 252 hp and 245 hp respectively.
The cabin of the S60 remains identical to the facelift model introduced here back in early 2015, so it still comes with the digital instrument cluster. One thing the T6 has over the older T4 and T5 is paddle shifters – fitting toys to fiddle with, considering the amount of grunt you have up front.
As with any Volvos, safety is of the utmost priority. Here, the S60 T6 is equipped with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection technology, City Safety, Active Cornering Light, Blind Spot Information System, Cross Traffic Alert, Road Sign Information and
two new systems
 – Park Assist Pilot and Lane Keeping Aid.
The S60 T6 is locally assembled at the Swedish Motor Assemblies in Shah Alam and is priced at RM280,888.00 (OTR without insurance). It can be had in five colours, namely ice White, Seashell, Ember Black, Saville Grey and Bright Silver. There are plenty more genuine accessories to complement your purchase, so be sure to drop by your nearest authorised Volvo dealership today!


How would BMW’s New Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline benefit you?

As of the 1st July 2017, all BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad owners with vehicles registered from 1st January 2017 will receive the Roadside Assistance (RSA) coverage program; with a total of 5 years coverage for BMW and MINI owners and 2 years for BMW Motorrad owners, at no cost.
The program introduced by BMW Group Malaysia recently essentially provides professional and expert support for emergency situations on the road for all BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for an absolute peace of mind ownership experience.
This program follows up with the previously introduced 5 Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Program, the comprehensive and still the only of its kind 2-Year or 24 Month Tyre Warranty program as well as the Ultimate Protection Insurance Program which completely covers the vehicles as well as prioritises the safety of its drivers and passengers.
The program, enables BMW Group Malaysia to be the first premium automaker in the region to offer a complete offering over a longer period (5 years). Now, with a single call, your every need and support will be tended to by qualified specialist in the event of a breakdown or accident.
The new Roadside Assistance program is specially designed to provide all BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad owners an added level of safety and convenience on the road. All that’s require is a single call and qualified specialists from the call centre will take care of absolutely everything that needs to be done in the event of a breakdown or accident.  The program offers lifetime phone assistance and organisational support, as well as comprehensive mobility services in case of an emergency, immobilisation or break down at no cost for new owners.
For vehicles registered between 1
st July
 2015 and 31
st December
 2016, the existing Roadside Assistance Program (RSA) will still be valid for 24 months from the date of the vehicle’s first registration.
So how does the Roadside Assistance Program benefit you?
HELP ON THE PHONE, ON THE SPOT
A team of qualified customer contact specialist are always on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide lifetime phone assistance.
ACCIDENT HOTLINE
In the event of an accident, the BMW Roadside Assistance team can help call the police or other emergency services, notify an authorised BMW, MINI or BMW Motorrad dealership and if required, organise towing services.
TOWING SERVICES
The Roadside Assistance program will cover the cost of towing your vehicle to the nearest authorised BMW or MINI dealership if repairs can’t be done on-site. Once the vehicle has been diagnosed, the service team will follow up with the repairs and owners will be kept informed of the latest developments.
REPLACEMENT VEHICLE, ACCOMODATION AND OTHER MOBILITY SERVICES SOLUTIONS
The “seamless mobility” solution here includes providing 24/7 call centre and organisational support, on-site breakdown assistance where immediate repairs will be arrange, as well as providing alternative travel arrangements. A replacement vehicle will also be arranged for the entire duration of the service or repair. If breakdowns occur at a distance of more than 200km from a customer’s residence and an overnight accomodation is required, the program can assist to accomodate customers at a nearby hotel if required.
REPATRIATION
If the breakdown occurs abroad or at a distance of more than 200km away with the owner needing to be somewhere urgently, repatriation services will be offered by the BMW Roadside Assistance team whereby arrangements will be made to get the owner to the pre-destined location if the vehicle cannot be repaired on-site.
For BMW Motorrad owners, the BMW Roadside Assistance program serves as an accident hotline and towing service, providing assistance only through the phone and on the spot.
The dedicated toll-free BMW Roadside Assistance number is 1800-88-8808. For more information, as well as terms and conditions regarding the new BMW Roadside Assistance program, kindly visit
www.bmw.com.my
.


Fully electric Genesis GV60 previewed, gets sleek side cameras as mirrors

With the cancellation of the New York International Auto Show that was scheduled to happen this week, we are seeing staggered dissemination of new model previews and introductions. The latest model to be previewed is the Genesis GV60.
Genesis, which is Hyundai Motor Group’s premium brand to compete with Lincoln, Cadillac, Lexus, and the German trio in the USA, will be marketing the GV60 with a unique design identity called “Athletic Elegance”.
Destined as the model with the smallest numeral in the current Genesis lineup, the GV60 will emphasise athleticism and dynamism. Being their
first fully electric
 product, it is no surprise that the Genesis GV60 will use Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, which currently serves the
Hyundai Ioniq 5
 and
Kia EV6
.
Should the dimension of the Genesis GV60 not deviate much from the mass market siblings (4.7 m length with 3.0 m wheelbase), then models like
Tesla Model Y
,
Ford Mustang Mach-E
,
Mercedes EQC
 and even the next-generation
Porsche Macan
 group of fully electric premium SUVs will see the Genesis GV60 as a threat.
Genesis says the exterior design of the GV60 highlights its high-performance image along with a dynamic and smooth appearance. Thanks to just the cooling requirement for the batteries and relatively minor electrical systems, the
huge grille
 associated with Genesis models is shrunken on the GV60.
Called the Crest Grille, it is placed below the quad headlamps and also allows the fitment of a clamshell-type hood. Being a significantly smaller model than the current line-up, Genesis is also creating a new wing emblem for the grille, with the thickness reduced by nearly 80% from previous models. It still features the same unique Guilloche pattern often seen in many luxury watches.
The Genesis G90 is the Johor royalty’s new choice of transportation! Take a look at the stretched limousine here!
From the side, the silhouette is similar to the Kia EV6, featuring a sloping roofline that gradually bows steeper to the rear windshield, rear spoiler and tail lamps.
Similar to the larger GV70 SUV, the C-pillar on the GV60 features a decorative trim to emphasise design, which for this fully electric car, embodies the image of electric or spark.
One feature that should make the GV60 stand out from the competition is the sleek side cameras that replace the traditional mirrors. The image from the cameras are feed to dedicated screens at the top corners of the doors to project a virtual side mirror, which offers a lot more information with better vision in the dark and poor weather conditions.
Inside, the Genesis GV60 promises plenty of space and craftsmanship. The most noticeable feature in the interior is the Crystal Sphere, a sphere-shaped Shift-by-wire controller that intuitively informs the driver when the GV60 is ready to drive. Almost every surface in the interior is lined with high-quality materials, with the dashboard being more compact and slimmer thanks to the absence of an engine.
Genesis is known for big SUVs. It’s mass-market parent company, Hyundai, is planning to launch the large Palisade SUV here soon. More info here.
No mention of the performance figures, but expect the Genesis GV60 to have similar ballpark numbers with the E-GMP products such as Ultra-fast charging (100 km range in under 5 minutes),
585 hp/740 Nm
 output for a 0-100 km/h sprint time of
3.5 seconds
 and over 500 km range.
GALLERY


The Nikola Badger is a hydrogen-powered pick-up that doesn’t look weird

Despite the name, the only relationship between Tesla, Inc. and Nikola Motor Company are that they are rivals in the electric vehicle space. Confusing, we know. Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s move on.
Nikola Motor, an EV startup focused on “building” big electric and hydrogen fuel cell-powered trailer trucks, have just released their first pick-up truck – the
Nikola Badger
.
We say “building” in quotation marks, because even though the company first unveiled its prototype
 back in 2016
, no finished product has been delivered yet, as far as we can find.
However, the company allegedly has several billion US Dollars worth in truck bookings, with
800 units reserved by Anheuser-Busch
, a large brewing company in the states. We digress.
Nikola says that the Badger is “designed to target and exceed every electric or petrol pickup in its class,” though Nikola’s CEO, Trevor Milton also said that it is designed to take down the Ford Raptor in a
tweet
.
The company says that the Badger pick-up truck will have a
 hauling capacity of over 3,600 kg
 (at a 30-degree grade), thanks to the four electric motors with a combined peak output of
 906 hp
 and
1,329 Nm
 (!) of torque.
Century sprint is done in a claimed
2.9 seconds
, and Nikola also promises a combined range (hydrogen fuel cell and lithium-ion battery) of
965 km
. On just battery power itself, the Badger has a claimed range of 483 km.
As part of the Badger programme, Nikola is also planning to build a network of 700 hydrogen stations across North America.
Trevor Milton said in the announcement, “Nikola has billions worth of technology in our semi-truck program, so why not build it into a pickup truck?” The Badger programme will also help drive down the cost of the fuel cell components for its trailer trucks.
The Badger will be built “in conjunction with another OEM utilizing their certified parts and manufacturing facilities.” Trevor Milton estimates that the price will be
between $60,000 to $80,000 US Dollars
.
The Nikola Badger will be entering a segment with stiff competition from a slew of new EV pick-up trucks from Rivian, Hummer, and of course, Tesla. At the very least, it doesn’t look like the
Cybertruck
…


Hennessey will modify the Porsche Taycan, but not how you imagined

Texas-based tuning house Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE), famed for their bonkers modifications such as the
600 hp 6×6 Velociraptor
,
1000 hp Camaros
, and
“Fastest Car In the World” challengers
, have announced that they will be modifying their first EV –
the Porsche Taycan
.
Although recognising that most of their customers still want raw and powerful internal combustion engines, HPE founder and CEO John Hennessey said, “We’ve been planning to do something with electrified vehicles for a while now. We felt that the new Porsche Taycan was the right platform from which to modify our first EV.”
However, the modified Porsche Taycan will not be what you expected, for now at least. At this stage, HPE will only be carrying out simple modifications such as wheels, tires and interior upgrades as well as exterior modifications such as more aggressive front and rear bumpers.
Don’t fret though, as Hennessey promised that they will be looking to see what is possible in terms of adding more power. Understandably, the electric vehicle arena is still fairly new, and extracting more power might result in catastrophic outcomes without proper research.
Hennessey added that “We don’t want to reinvent the wheel in the electrified market, we just want to make it roll a little faster and cooler!”
As a recap, on what Hennessey is getting their hands on soon, the
recently unveiled Porsche Taycan
 is powered by two permanent synchronous motors, pushing
625 hp
 and
1050 Nm
.
With an overboost function offering up to
761 hp
 for the Turbo S, the electric Porsche does 0-100 km/h in just
2.8 seconds
, all the way to a top speed of 260 km/h.
We can’t wait to see what Hennessey can do with the Taycan in their experienced hands!


New Nissan Serena S-Hybrid, over 2,500 bookings made

Three weeks after the debut of the
all-new Nissan Serena S-Hybrid
, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has revealed that the company has collected over 2,500 bookings as of 8 June 2018. Of that, 757 units have been registered.
This positive market response mirrors the success of the Serena in its home market where it holds the title of the No. 1 MPV in Japan. Sales and Marketing Director of ETCM, Christopher Tan said: “Bookings for the All-New Nissan Serena S-Hybrid has demonstrated the great acceptance of a hot model from ETCM and we thank all our customers for their support. We will continue to deliver quality products; and at the same time, we are increasing our production to ensure that All-New Nissan Serena S-Hybrid are delivered on time to our valued customers.”
The locally assembled Nissan Serena S-Hybrid is jammed packed with premium features such as first in its class 360-degree Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM), Intelligent Moving Object Detection (I-MOD), Hands-Free Dual Power Sliding Doors,
seven USB-Powered Ports
, Dual Back Door and six-airbags.
Powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol hybrid engine and XTRONIC CVT, the Serena S-Hybrid packs
 150 hp
 and
200 Nm
 of torque. With the current
zero-rated GST
 and Duit Raya Savings, the Serena S-Hybrid Premium Highway Star is priced at RM135,195.59 while the Highway Star variant of RM123,874.84, both on-the-road without insurance.
IMAGE GALLERY
Nissan Serena S-Hybrid Premium Highway Star

Nissan Serena S-Hybrid Highway Star


Ferrari celebrates 70th anniversary with a tear jerking tribute [+Video]

Seven decades ago, inside a small factory somewhere in Maranello, an engine was fired up for the first time. The roar came from a 125 S, which is the first car Enzo Ferrari built. This year, Ferrari is celebrating its 70th anniversary, which also means we can expect something big to happen this year.
Before that, let’s shift the attention to the momentous occasion. Did you know that the 125 S was dubbed the “promising failure” by Enzo himself? That’s because the car – armed with a V12 making 118 hp – went through multiple failures before it started going on a winning streak.
For their 70th birthday, Ferrari has
tailored 70 special cars
, with each car being a tribute to its glorious racing heritage.
Happy turning 70, Ferrari.


All-new Hyundai Kona Electric specs unveiled – gets frunk, V2L, 490km range

Following
Hyundai
’s unveiling of the all-new Kona in December and January, the company has now released official details of the next-generation
Hyundai Kona Electric
 along with a new set of images. Key highlights of the next-generation Kona Electric include the addition of a frunk, a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, and a tad more electric range.
The all-new Hyundai Kona Electric is available in two battery sizes. The ‘Standard Range’ is equipped with a
48.4-kWh
 battery. The ‘Long Range’ gets a
65.4-kWh
 battery that provides up to
490 km
 range on the WLTP test cycle.
As for performance, the Standard Range gets a front-mounted single electric motor that makes 114.6 kW (
156 hp
 metric) and
255 Nm
. The Long Range also gets a front-mounted single electric motor, albeit making a bit more power at 160 kW (
218 hp
 metric) and
255 Nm
. New to the Kona is a one-pedal driving feature which is called the i-PEDAL.
In terms of charging, the Kona is built on a 400V architecture. Full charging details have yet to be released, but Hyundai does state that it takes
41 minutes
 for the Kona Electric to charge from 10% to 80% at its fastest.
We’ve seen the exterior design of the Kona Electric when it was teased together with the internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid versions of the Kona. Following the Staria, Stargazer, and Grandeur, the Kona gets the continuous LED light treatment for that new signature Hyundai look.
RELATED:
All-new Hyundai Kona – No new engines, EV specs to be revealed in March
Despite being available in ICE and hybrid versions, the Hyundai Kona is built as an EV first. Thanks to that, the Kona Electric now gets a frunk, which was never available in its predecessors. Also new on the Kona is a V2L function with sockets available inside the car and on the charging port itself. The maximum output for the V2L function is
3.13 kW
 (Europe).
Inside, the all-new Kona Electric gets a twin 12.3-inch panoramic display with full over-the-air (OTA) updates and Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC). The Kona also gets an eight-speaker Bose Premium Sound System. As seen in previous images released, most controls are now located near the steering wheel (including the gear selector), to create a more spacious cabin.
RELATED:
All-new Hyundai Kona unveiled with Robocop looks, 4 powertrains, LED light bars
As for safety, the all-new Hyundai Kona Electric gets Hyundai’s SmartSense Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and safety systems, including Level 2 autonomous driving, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM), Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) and Driver Status Monitor (DSM).
GALLERY


The upcoming Geely Xing Yue L will come with a massive 1 metre-long screen!

Geely is building up the excitement to the launch of their latest SUV which is the Xing Yue L. Previously known as the
KX11
, the dashboard of the
Xing Yue L
 has been shown and with it a measurement of its lengthy display screen.
Screen sizes are measured diagonally, such as the 12.3-inch driver’s display in the Mercedes-Benz and BMW models, thus this
100-cm
 or 25-inch screen that is measured horizontally, is certainly going to have a larger figure when assessed in the similar diagonal method.
Feeling some déjà vu? Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz previewed the
MBUX Hyperscreen
 that is said to measure as long as
141 cm
 – however, that is the entire size of the Gorilla glass that protects the three individual screens. As such, Geely truly has something breathtaking (and not glaring the eyes) if the screen indeed is a continuous unit measuring almost 100 cm in length.
Mercedes-Benz’ MBUX Hyperscreen, to be available in the EQS
If the
Xing Yue
 (or Tugella in Russia) crossover-coupe was targeted at owner-driver, then this more conventional ‘L’ should be looking at more practical users. We are however not sure if the intended user who would be seated at the second row can appreciate the metre-long display at the dashboard. Perhaps Geely is keeping something even more spectacular for the second-row occupants.
Based on news reports, the Xing Yue L has similar dimensions with the lesser Hao Yue or Okavango SUV, which falls into the competitive mid-size SUV pool of Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-8 and Peugeot 5008. Built on the
CMA platform
, the Xing Yue L is expected to have a turbocharged
2.0-litre
 engine with outputs of
238 hp
 and
350 Nm
 channelling drive to either front- or all-wheel drive via an eight-speed automatic as seen in the Xing Yue/Tugella.
The Geely Xing Yue L is scheduled to be launched at the upcoming
Shanghai Motor Show
, scheduled to start from the 20th of April.


The Ford Mustang is the world’s best-selling sports coupe….again.

It’s the Ford Mustang and there could be no greater gift to celebrate the Mustang’s 55th anniversary today as the world’s best-selling sports coupe of 2018 with a total of 113,066 units sold last year, according to data by IHS Markit.
What’s even more impressive is that this marks the 4th consecutive year the Mustang has claimed this title and it’s a sign of even better things to come as sales in Europe are up by more than 27% so far this year.
If you love the sound of V8s, you need to
watch this video
!
2,323 units of the Mustang were sold in the UK alone last year – a 5% increase from 2017 – while in Europe, Ford moved over 2,300 units in Q1 of 2019 alone. That’s nearly
twice the amount of cars Volvo Malaysia sold
in the whole of last year!
Unsurprisingly, the Mustang was also the best-selling sports coupe in the United States where over 75,842 units were sold last year.
The Mustang
 you can afford
.
The Mustang was sold in more than 146 countries (out of 195 countries in the world) last year and over 500,000 units of the 6th generation Mustang have found new homes since its introduction in 2015.


The BMW iX’s Bowers & Wilkins speakers have actual diamonds in them

Electric cars are quiet –
really
 quiet. And you know what else is also similarly quiet? Recording studios, which got BMW’s engineers thinking – why can’t we put the same speakers they have in studios, straight into our cars?
Okay, fine, they most probably didn’t say that. But what they definitely did, is put studio-grade speakers into the
all-new BMW iX
. Specifically, the same type of speakers that’s used in the world-famous Abbey Road studios, courtesy of British loudspeaker company Bowers & Wilkins.
The coolest thing about this set of speakers – called Diamond Surround Sound System – is that the two Diamond Dome tweeters are actually made out of real diamonds to increase rigidity, which in turn enhances its ability to better recreate the sound waves accurately. The term “sparkly sound” might not be too abstract after-all.
The diamond domes are complemented by B&W’s “Nautilus Swirls” technology, which are spiralling channels behind the tweeter that dissipate reflected sound waves from the rear of the drive unit to minimise distortion.
Check out the BMW iX’s new infotainment system in action here!

In addition to the two Diamond Dome tweeters, the BMW iX is also equipped with three aluminium dome tweeters, five “Aramid Fibre” midrange speakers mounted at the uppermost areas of the cabin, and eight speakers that are integrated directly into the headrests of both the front and rear seats, which can be individually adjusted to create a personalised audio signature for each passenger.
In keeping with the minimalist theme of the iX’s interior design, the tweeters are covered with brushed stainless-steel covers, complete with a laser-etched logo and a discreet lighting effect. The door speakers, meanwhile, are discretely hidden behind acoustically optimized fabric.
BMW’s electric M cars will have their sound signature designed by Hans Zimmer. Maybe that’s why they need fancy speakers.
Tying it all up are four bass speakers, joined by 4D Shakers strategically positioned within the interior to make you literally feel your skull shake to the thumping bass.
The result of all these fancy speaker technology is a sound system that’s ultra-accurate, while also maintaining low distortion, giving you an audio experience that feels as though you are “there with the artist in the studio”, a concept that B&W refers to “True Sound”.
Unfortunately, the BMW iX that was
launched here in Malaysia
 last month only comes with a more rudimentary set of Harman Kardon speakers (which we’re sure still sounds good), although there’s nothing a little money can’t solve…
wink
.


Facts & Figures: Mercedes-Benz GLB launched in Malaysia, from RM269k

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today unveiled the
latest addition to its compact vehicle range
, the GLB seven-seater SUV, through a digital live premiere on its social media channels.
Available in two variants – GLB 200, GLB 250- alongside the
Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4Matic
, prices for the compact SUV starts at
RM269,118.15
 on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the
sales tax exemptions
 effective until the end of the 2020.

EXTERIOR
Taking inspiration from the brand’s
G-Class
, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is designed with significant off-road focus styling cues. These include its upright bodystyle compared to its other siblings such as the GLC, visible skid plates on the front apron, as well as chunky body cladding on the sides.
The GLB 200 is equipped with the Progressive Line exterior package, while the GLB 250 4Matic gets a sportier AMG Line exterior kit, which includes the larger 19-inch AMG Line wheels, as opposed to the 18-inch five-spoke design on the GLB 200.
Further differences between the two variants include the front grille – AMG Line gets a single-louvre design with diamond studs grille design, while the Progressive Line is equipped with a double-louvre front grille design with a simpler mesh backdrop.
The AMG Line on the GLB 250 4Matic also comes with the sportier front and rear bumpers in line with other Mercedes-Benz models, the latter dressed with mesh pattern and more pronounced diffusers. Otherwise, exterior highlights standard on both variants include the High-performance LED headlights, LED taillights, and a raised aluminium roof rails.
PERFORMANCE
The standard Mercedes-Benz GLB range will be offered with two different petrol powertrains under its hood. Starting at the lowest end is the 1.33-litre turbocharged inline-four engine for the GLB 200. Meanwhile, the GLB 250 4Matic gets access to a two-litre turbocharged inline-four mill.
Model
GLB 200
GLB 250 4Matic
Engine
M282 1.33-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol
M260 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol
Transmission
7G DCT 7-speed dual-clutch
8G-DCT 8-speed dual-clutch
Drivetrain
Front engine, front-wheel driven
Front-engine, 4Matic all-wheel drive
Max horsepower
163 hp @ 5,500 rpm
224 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max torque
250 Nm @ 1,620 – 4,000 rpm
350 Nm @ 1,800 – 4,000 rpm
0-100 km/h
9.1 seconds
6.9 seconds
Top speed
207 km/h
236 km/h
The main difference between the two, aside from the higher engine output, is the addition of 4Matic all-wheel drive on the GLB250. The permanent all-wheel drive system with a fully-variable torque split between the front and rear axles should help with surefootedness during slippery situations during rain, and with the Off-Road Engineering package which comes as standard, the GLB 250 should even perform sufficiently in off-road conditions.
INTERIOR
The interior of the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLB is not unlike all other modern Mercedes-Benz models, highlighted by the twin widescreen cockpit display. Aside from the sports seats wrapped in leather and Dinamica microfibre fabric, and the Nappa leather flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, both variants are identical on the inside, with the following highlights:
Twin 10.25-inch displays with Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Mercedes me telematics and connected services
Dual-zone climate control with rear vents
Burmester sound system
Tubular design elements on dashboard and door handles for extra off-road touch
The most significant feature of the Mercedes-Benz GLB is the addition of the third-row seats, a first for the brand in the compact SUV segment. Mercedes-Benz says that the rear most seats can accommodate adults up to 168 cm in height, and even comes with ISOFIX mounts, which means you’ll be able to fit up to four child seats at the back passenger compartment.
The third-row seats also comes with several creature comfort features such as cup holders in between the seats, as well as two USB ports. Three-point seat belts are standard, and the side curtain airbags also extends all the way to the back to ensure safety of the third-row passengers.
With the third-row seats in the usual seated position, the GLB still has approximately 130 litres of cargo space. With them folded down, the GLB boasts a rear cargo area of 500 litres, extendable by 140 litres by sliding the second-row seats forwards. With all seats folded down, the GLB can swallow up to 1,680 litres of goods at the back when filled to the roof height.
SAFETY
Safety and assistance kit is standard between the two variants, which includes the following features:
Active Braking Assist with lane turn-off support for oncoming traffic
Active Parking Assist with Parktronic
Pre-Safe
Keyless-Go
Tyre pressure monitoring system
Easy-Pack tailgate
PRICING
The Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 is priced at
RM269,118.15
, while the GLB 250 4Matic brings it up to
RM318,009.26
. Both prices indicated are on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales tax exemptions in place until the end of 2020. Included in the price is a four-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.
With the Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia’s Possi-B-ilities Financing plan, The all-new GLB can be yours starting at RM2,688 per month, based on estimates of a five-year tenure and approximately 19% downpayment for the GLB 200.
GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4Matic
Mercedes-Benz GLB 200