The 1,165 hp Aria FXE is bringing an American blend to the European Hypercar mix

You may not have heard of them but you’ve certainly heard of Singer, the company made famous for “reimagining” classic 911s – adding modern, sophisticated touches to the ageing body of a timeless sportscar.
Aria has been the company behind all the carbon fibre body panels used by Singer in all their projects. Now that they’ve been established – Aria is set to introduce a hypercar of their own to bring to the fight between the
McLaren P1
,
Ferrari LaFerrari
 and the
Porsche 918
.

Oozing
1,165 hp
 and a whopping
1,784 Nm
 of torque from its 6.2-litre supercharged V8, 0 to 100 km/h takes just
3.1 seconds (La Ferrari Aperta @ 3 seconds/P1 @ 2.8 seconds)
 before it loses its breath at 220 mph (354 km/h).
Power also comes from a twin electric motor mounted on the electronic front axle coupled with a 10 kWh battery, delivered through a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission with Manual Shift mode.
The 2-door mid-engined coupe is built extensively using carbon fibre materials on its monocoque chassis and body panels. As a result, the Aria FXE weighs 1,565 kg (
McLaren P1 only weighs 1.3 tonnes
). Front wheels are 19-inch in size while at the rear arches house a 20-inch pair – all four corners are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres.
Prices for the Aria FXE is expected to be upwards of USD 1 million with deliveries expected to take place late 2019.
IMAGE GALLERY


Faster & more furious: Aston Martin Valkyrie gets Track Pack option

The 1000hp V12-powered Aston Martin Valkyrie has come a long way since it was unveiled back in 2016. The Adrian Newey designed hypercar is expected to hit the roads for testing in the middle of this year and then be homologated in time for deliveries to customers before 2019 is out.
Production volume of the road car is planned at 150 units (all spoken for), with an additional 25 units of the track-only AMR Pro to come later. The 150 customers of the hypercar can now begin to customise their rides with a bewildering array of options, including fitting an AMR Track Performance Pack that’s supposed to yield 8% quicker lap times.
The AMR Track Performance Pack features a new aerodynamic front clam delivering greater downforce and efficiency, a second set exterior body panels, lightweight titanium brakes, track-focused suspension and a matte black magnesium performance wheel and carbon-fibre aero-disk set. The Track Performance Pack isn’t road legal, mind you.
For those choosing to keep their Valkyrie on the road, there are four Designer Specification themes featuring exclusive colours including Slipstream Green, Liquid Petroleum, Ethanol Silver and Maximum Orange, while owners who want to spec it their way can opt for the Ultimate Personalisation programme, which invites owners to work with the Aston Martin design team to refine their specification, supported by the ‘Q by Aston Martin’ personalisation programme.
Aston Martin also providing customers with the opportunity to view their final creations via virtual reality, to be used in real-time during the specification process at Gaydon. How cool is that?
Quick recap: the Valkyrie is powered by a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 made by Cosworth, mated to a 7-speed sequential gearbox (and RWD only) with a battery electric boost system to fill in the torque at lower revs. It has a carbon fibre tub and weighs no more than 1,100kg with a sub-3.0 second 0-100km/h time and a top speed of well over 300km/h. We can’t wait for the hypercar shootout between the Valkyrie and the Mercedes-AMG One.
Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Track Performance Pack

Aston Martin Valkyrie Spirit – Designer Specification

Aston Martin Valkyrie Ultimate – ‘Q by Aston Martin’ Designer Specification

Aston Martin Valkyrie Mantis – ‘Q by Aston Martin’ Designer Specification


Diesel cars are not cleaner for the environment than petrol cars – here’s why

Diesel-powered cars are all the rage in the west albeit only having a faint presence on this side of the world. That said, there is a gradual increase in consumption with improved and increased selection in diesel fuel quality with the likes of
BHP
 and
Petronas
 leading the way locally.
Even the automakers themselves have heeded to the “diesel-variant-demanding customers”; with the introduction of the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel Hyundai Tucson and
Kia Sportage
 recently.
While we’re still licking the wounds over here from not getting the
Honda Civic 1.6L i-DTEC turbodiesel with 300 Nm
 of torque that’s only for the UK,
 some countries leading the way to its eventual ban alongside petrol-powered vehicles.
 Preferred for its ability to provide good mileage, it’s also cheaper and is presumably better for the environment in terms of its carbon dioxide emission.
Well, no. That’s not true – not according to the German Transport Ministry, as reported by
Automotive News.
All-electric hydrogen-powered vehicles are the way forward!
In the similar report, it highlighted an inquiry from German opposition party, Greens (a green political party as the name would suggest)  that claimed that diesel-powered cars registered in 2016 was responsible for emitting
128 grams
 of carbon dioxide per km on average. New petrol-powered cars were just
one gram per km higher
 on average.
One of the reason for the almost identical carbon dioxide figures was because diesel cars were generally
heavier
 and
had more power,
a claim by Greens transport expert, Stephan Kuehn.


All-new, locally assembled Mazda CX-5 rolled out in Kulim, Kedah

The locally-assembled, all new Mazda CX-5 has just been rolled off to the awe of those who were present today at the Inokom assembly plant in Kulim, Kedah.
There are three different engines available across five variants – the 2.0-litre (
162 hp/210 Nm
) GL and GLS, the 2.5-litre GLS (
192 hp/257 Nm
), and the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel (
173 hp/420 Nm
) which is available in 2WD or AWD. All the petrol variants come with 2WD only. All five models come with a 6-speed automatic transmission with Manual Shift mode.

Both the GL and GLS comes with 17-inch alloy wheels while the more powerful 2.5-litre and 2.2-litre diesel variants are provided with larger 19-inch rims. All models come with LED headlights, fog lights and daytime running lights except for the 2.0-litre GL variant which uses a bulb fixture for its DRL’s. The same is applied at the back with all models utilising LED except for the GL model. Elsewhere parking sensors and Mazda Advance Keyless Entry are available across the top 4 variants except for the GL variant.
Inside, you get a leather interior except in the base model GL but while the top 4 variants get metal and wood combination dashboard trims, the entry-level 2.0-litre GL comes with a gun metallic appearance. The Sport mode drive selection switch is only available for the petrol variants and while the diesel variants get a
4.6-inch
 colour TFT multi info display, the petrol variants come with a 4.6-inch TFT LCD standard display.

10-way power adjustable seats
 for the driver are standard only for the top 4 variants as the base model GL makes do with manual adjustments for both the front seats. The rear seats come with a 40:20:40 one-touch fold down configuration and is treated to rear air vents and dual USB ports.
All five models come with a
7-inch full colour touch screen display
 with the MZD Connect Infotainment system capable of voice command. Two additional USB slots are available in the front, together with
6 speakers
 and a reverse camera that comes as standard for all. The 2D and 3D mode for the GPS navigation system is not available only in the base model GL.

All models come with Mazda’s i-Stop Idling Technology and
G-Vectoring Control Technology
. Safety wise, there are
six airbags
 alongside a host of safety systems which include ABS with EBD, Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control System, Auto Hold, Hill-Start, Speed Sensing Lock, Emergency Brake Assist and ISOFIX. The all-new CX-5 has been given a
5-star EURO and Japan NCAP rating
.
Supporting the industry standard safety systems are Adaptive Front Lighting System, Adaptive LED headlights, Blind Spot Monitoring System, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Smart City Brake Support.
The base model 2.0-litre GL is priced at
RM 134,605.50
, the GLS at
RM 148,605.50
, the 2WD 2.5-litre GLS at
RM 160,996.70
, the 2WD 2.2-litre turbo diesel at
RM 164,579.10
 while its AWD counterpart is priced at
RM 175,179.10
. All are on-the-road prices excluding insurance, inclusive of metallic paint finishing.
IMAGE GALLERY


Meet Volkswagen’s smallest SUV, the new Volkswagen T-Cross

After an
extensive teaser campaign
, Volkswagen has finally unveiled their latest SUV offering, the Volkswagen T-Cross. This is the brand’s first-ever compact SUV and is aimed at the younger demographic.
Based on the Group’s MQB platform, the T-Cross measures at 4.11 metres with a 2.56-metre wheelbase – smaller than a
Honda HR-V
. Despite that, the designers have taken clever measures to ensure that the T-Cross will seat five comfortably. One of which is to introduce a sliding rear bench that can be adjusted by 14 cm for more passenger leg room or luggage space, the latter is rated between 385 to 455 litres.

The T-Cross is a tiny car but the designers have penned it in such a way that it appears to be larger than its dimensions suggests. At the front, the T-Cross features Volkswagen’s familiar family fascia on SUVs and buyers can introduce a little more flair to the baby SUV by specifying the R-Line trim.
Over to the rear, the taillamps are connected by a trim that runs across the tailgate while a T-Cross model designation sits below the number plate holder. Funky is the name of the game for the T-Cross, especially when it comes with more than 12 exterior colour options.
For powertrain options, there are three TSI petrol engines and one TDI diesel option. The entry-level T-Cross has the option for two 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder petrol generating
95 hp
 and
115 hp
. The top petrol variant gets a 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI with
150 hp
 while the 1.6 TDI four-cylinder diesel is good for
95 hp
. All variants of the T-Cross is strictly front-wheel driven.
The key USP for the T-Cross compact SUV is its
advanced driver assistance systems that is available as standard fitment
 across all variants including Front Assist area monitoring system with Pedestrian Monitoring, City Emergency Braking System, Lane Assist, Hill Start Assist, proactive occupant protection system and Blind Spot Detection lane change assist system with integrated Rear Traffic Alert.
Other functions such as Driver Alert System, Adaptive Cruise Control and Park Assist are available as an option. With the number of standard safety features available on the T-Cross, the baby SUV is one of the safest vehicles in class.
IMAGE GALLERY


All PLUS highways to begin RFID toll collection starting 1st April

PLUS Malaysia has announced that it will begin offering
RFID payment facilities
 on
all of its 83 closed toll systems
 in the country, starting
1st April 2020
.
A total of
173 RFID lanes
 (including 131 dedicated RFID lanes) will be opened along the
North-South Expressway (NSE)
, as well as the
 East Coast Expressway (LPT2)
.

The move is in line with the government’s vision of Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll collection system, and also marks the completion of the fully-RFID highway ecosystem in the country.
The company says that it has been harmonising the RFID system on their highways with Touch N’ Go for the past 36 months, which lead to the acceptance of the app-based payment system at all of its 10 open toll system highways since 1st January.
Plus Malaysia Managing Director, Datuk Azman Ismail said, “With PLUS now offering RFID, the customer journey, which use to be from Juru to Damansara toll, has now been extended into city, KLCC for example and even to urban and sub-urban areas like Wangsa Maju or even Kajang.
“The journey will be seamless as there is interconnectivity between the intra and intercity highways,” he added.
Although toll transactions via RFID is being introduced, PLUS says that the
existing Touch ‘N Go and SmartTAG payment methods will still be accepted
 at the toll plazas, in order to facilitate the migration of customers towards RFID within this year.
In anticipation of the increased demand in RFID fitment, PLUS will be opening
17 RFID tag fitment centres
 at
selected rest and service areas
 (R&R) along its highways beginning
13th March 2020
.


Lynk & Co and Nio from China awarded full 5-star Euro NCAP rating

After many generations of sub-standard build quality and durability, more and more China-made cars are achieving the highest ranking in the Euro NCAP crash safety assessment.
Both the
Lynk & Co 01
 and Nio ES8 have achieved a five-star rating in the latest
Euro NCAP
 assessment. The Lynk & Co 01 scored a remarkable
96%
 in the Adult Occupant category, with a full score of 16 in the Lateral Impact test, while the Nio ES8 achieved a score of 82%.
Both vehicles then fared very well in the Child Occupant category with the Lynk & Co 01 scoring 87% versus 84% in the Nio ES8. Under the Vulnerable Road Users category which assesses the vehicle’s active and passive safety systems in response to pedestrians and cyclists, the Nio ES8 scored 72% while the smaller Lynk & Co 01 scored similar marks with 71%.
It is however the Nio ES8 model’s advanced driver safety assist system that thoroughly impressed the assessors, scoring full marks on all sub-categories except one which is AEB Car-to-Car, summarised by a final score of 92%.
Relatively unknown, Lynk & Co uses lifestyle and community themes to sell its 01 model. More about their latest showroom here!
The Lynk & Co 01 meanwhile achieved a respectable score of 81%. The previous China-made cars to achieve a five-star Euro NCAP rating are the MG ZS and HS models in the 2019 assessment.
“Lynk & Co and Nio showed that ‘Made in China’ is no longer a pejorative term when it comes to car safety.  Here we have two new cars, both Chinese-developed, performing extremely well in our tests.  It’s clear that all manufacturers know that Euro NCAP will hold them to high standards if they want to sell cars in Europe and gratifying that they are prepared to make the investment to get the best safety ratings,” said Euro NCAP, Secretary General, Michiel van Ratingen.
The Nio ES8 is a crossover or SUV that has similar dimensions with key large three-row premium models such as the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. Seen as a premium EV specialist from China, the Nio ES8 offers up to
598 hp
 and
725 Nm
 of torque in a dual-motor setup.
Performance figures of the Nio ES8 are 0 to 100 km/h in just
4.9 seconds
 and a range of up to 580 km with the long-range battery pack. One of the key selling points of Nio in China is the battery swapping service, with owners able to change to a fully charged battery in just under 90 seconds at one of over 160 swapping stations.
Between the two brands, Lynk & Co has started its European presence last year, with the first showroom or Lynk & Co Club opened in Amsterdam, the Netherlands while Nio will begin sales in Oslo, Norway as soon as this month.
The Nio ET7 sedan looks so good in white, making other 3-box EVs looks mundane. Check out the 653 hp ET7 here!
The Lynk & Co 01 meanwhile is a compact crossover similar in size to a
Volvo XC40
 and is available with either a
197-hp
self-charging or
261-hp
 plug-in hybrid that also serves other Volvo and Geely models.
GALLERY
2021 Lynk & Co 01
2021 NIO ES8


Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE003 sports tyres now available from RM200 to RM800

Bridgestone Tyre Sales Malaysia has officially introduced a new product within the Potenza lineup – the
Adrenalin RE003
which supersedes the longstanding RE002 series. The RE003 as we’re made to understand, took over two years of research and development in Japan to meet the demands of today’s sports oriented road cars and their drivers.
The Adrenalin RE003 furthers  the brand’s Potenza (which means Power in Italian) ethos in proving that the new tyres do in fact perform better overall, thanks to several key enhancements such as the ‘
Triple and Half Groove
‘ technology and a
firmer
and
more rounded shoulder block
. Its silica compound is also improved to provide
better wet handling
, and this is aided with the ‘
Pulse Groove
‘ technology in the centre of the tyre – a
wave-like pattern
 inspired by Formula 1 tyres that is also an existing feature in the RE002.

With the new design, Bridgestone says the new tyre is capable of
delivering better handling precision
 and heightened driver control whilst retaining a strong balance of grip, handling stability and superior quick-lane-changing performance in dry conditions. On wet surfaces, the RE003 offers
better handling
 and
braking

capabilities
 as well, recording a
five percent improvement
 in both regards over the RE002. The improvements may seem marginal but hey, progress is progress, and in reality it’s even more apparent.
The Adrenalin RE003 is competitively priced too, starting from RM200 to RM800, depending on the dealer. A total of
20 sizes
 are being offered, ranging from
15 inch to 18 inch
 wheels. The tyres are flown in from Thailand, Indonesia and Japan; most of the 15 to 17 inch series are made in Indonesia, whereas the more expensive 18 inch rubbers are made in Japan.
The Adrenalin RE003 is supplemented by the tagline
Awaken the sports driver in you
. Again, it is specially designed for drivers who enjoy sports driving and are on the lookout for tyres that provide better all-rounded performance. So for those reading, could this the tyres you’ve been waiting for?
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Gallery: Hyundai Kona Electric from RM149,888 – up to 484 km range!

The Hyundai Kona is no stranger to the local crossover scene but what you may not know is that its lineup now also consists of a fully electric variant –
the Kona Electric
 – that just makes moving to an electric car seamless and effortless, as you’d be able to tell through the pictures. It’s every bit like a purely petrol-powered Kona, only cleaner in its design, and completely silent!
The Kona Electric starts from:
e-Lite – RM149,888
e-Plus – RM169,888
e-Max – RM199,888
Following are the performance figures and charging time of the different variants:
Hyundai Kona Electric e-Lite
Battery pack: 39.2 kWh
On-board charger: 7.2 kW (6.5 hours charging time)
Max output: 100 kW (136 hp)
Max torque: 395 Nm
0-100 km/h: 9.9 seconds
Top speed: 155 km/h
Driving range: 305 km (WLTP)
Hyundai Kona Electric e-Plus
Battery pack: 39.2 kWh
On-board charger: 11 kW (4.5 hours charging time)
Max output: 100 kW (136 hp)
Max torque: 395 Nm
0-100 km/h: 9.9 seconds
Top speed: 155 km/h
Driving range: 305 km (WLTP)
Hyundai Kona Electric e-Max
Battery pack: 64 kWh
On-board charger: 11 kW (7.5 hours charging time)
Max output: 150 kW (204 hp)
Max torque: 395 Nm
0-100 km/h: 7.9 seconds
Top speed: 167 km/h
Driving range: 484 km (WLTP)
All three variants support DC fast charging up to 100 kW. With 50 kW DC fast charging, the Lite and Plus need about 60 minutes to be charged up to 80% while the Max with its larger battery takes 90 minutes.
On the outside, you get full LED lighting front and back including rear fog lamps, along with 17-inch wheels and a roof rack. Unlike the torsion beam rear suspension in the standard petrol-powered Kona models, the Kona Electric gets a multi-link system for a more composed drive.
The Kona can can even be started remotely. There’s also a myriad of colours to choose from – Ignite Red, Dark Knight, Atlas White, Dive in Jeju, Cyber Gray Metallic, Pulse Red Pearl, Galastic Gray, Surfy Blue Metallic, Jungle Green.
Highlights of the cabin include dual digital displays – one for the infotainment and the other for the meter cluster – along with shift paddles on the steering (to adjust regenerative braking), Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, six speakers and a button-styled gear selector. The e-Max variant add powered front seats, a head-up display and wireless charging pad.
As for safety, Hyundai has been very generous with the features and driver aids as all variants come nearly fully-loaded; with features like Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, High Beam Assist, and Rear Occupant Alert. The e-Plus and e-Max variants gets the additional Smart Cruise Control with Stop-Go, Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear-cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, and Safe Exit Alert.
GALLERY


This Rolls-Royce Phantom’s dashboard “decorated” with over 3,000 feathers!

Rolls-Royce is bespoke. Every once in a while though, the purveyors of the most luxurious cars in the world sees the need to remind us of that.
This time, they did it through the Rolls-Royce Phantom “Iridescent Opulence” which was unveiled in Abu Dhabi and craftsmanship that went into the “Gallery” of the car once again cements Rolls-Royce’s position in the world of bespoke motor cars.
The “Gallery” in our laymen’s words, is the space on the dashboard that’s made of glass, ahead of the front passenger. The “Gallery” is assembled in a cleanroom at the Rolls-Royce factory and has been used as a stage to showcase various different artworks.
If you’ve seen the
Illuminated Fascia
, the

Wraith Eagle VIII
, or even this
crazy custom work
, you’d know what we’re talking about. This time around, the artwork displayed is called
Iridescent Opulence
 by Swiss-based design house Nature Squared.
It’s made up of feathers;
real feathers
 and although Rolls-Royce did not reveal its origins, they did say that extensive research was carried out to identify a sustainable species of bird with rich dense feathers.
Over
3,000 tail feathers were used
 for this incredible artwork as they were meticulously positioned according to the colour tone of the feathers. Subsequently, they’re hand-sewn onto an open pore fabric. To complement this, even the surrounds of the clock were finished in pearls.
Is there anything they can’t/won’t do?
GALLERY


Ferrari will build the 500th LaFerrari to aid Italian earthquake victims

The recent 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck central Italy took the lives of 296 individuals. In light of this event, Ferrari extended a helping hand by building an extra of its halo car, the Ferrari LaFerrari, to be auctioned off to raise money for the fallen.
The Ferrari LaFerrari is a hybrid hypercar that is primarily powered by a
6.3-litre V12
. The engine is strapped to a
KERS
 electric motor that together produce
 950 hp
 of visceral power sent to its rear wheels. A century sprint is completed in less than
three seconds
, and has a top speed of
 350 km/h
.
Only 499 units of the LaFerrari have been commissioned and each of them have been sold. Celebrities who are fortunate enough to own one include Lewis Hamilton, Gordon Ramsey and Justin Bieber. Production for the coupe ended in 2015, but a
Spyder version
 (picture as above) is being planned.
The LaFerrari retails for $1.3 million (approximately RM5.3 million) a pop, but this final unit will surely exceed the sticker price when the auctioneer bangs the gavel. All proceeds will go to the quake victims.


Video: BMW i3s Electric Vehicle, Things You Need To Know

BMW Group Malaysia has just previewed their first ever electric vehicle (EV) to be sold in the country at the 2019 Malaysia Autoshow. Available for pre-orders now, let Eu Jin give you a quick overview of the
BMW i3s
.
The “s” moniker denotes the sportier variant of the i3 packing 184 hp and 270 Nm of torque, sports suspension and springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and Sports mode. Century sprint is covered in
6.9 seconds
 with a top speed of
160 km/h
. The BMW i3s offers up to
260 km
 of pure electric driving range on a single charge – roughly enough to cover a one-way trip from KL to Ipoh.

Priced at RM279,000 (estimated), every purchase of the BMW i3s comes with a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme, 2-Years Tyre Warranty, BMW Roadside Assistance and BMW’s White Card privileges.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW i3s Previewed at 2019 Malaysia Auto Show


Need more EV range? Ford patents roof-mounted backup battery for EVs

The average electric vehicle (EV) of today can manage an all-electric range of about 400 km to 500km, which is quite alright for the average road trip. To increase your EV range temporarily, it seems that
Ford
 has patented a roof-mounted backup battery as evident in a patent published on June 8, 2023, through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
The idea is a simple one where a large backup battery pack is mounted on the roof, very much like the average roof box that we are accustomed to seeing. In the patent published, the roof-mounted backup battery is shown on what looks like the Ford Bronco with a charging cable dangling from the end of it.
One look at the patent will make you second guess its feasibility as EV batteries are generally heavy and this looks like it could upset the weight distribution of the vehicle. Having such a heavy object placed on top of the heads of passengers also seems to be quite risky. Skepticism aside, this is a patent for the time being and the battery used could be a small unit, and with battery technology improving in the future, it may weigh a lot less than current high-voltage batteries.
The abstract of the patent reads, “An electrified vehicle backup battery system includes a traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle, and a backup battery assembly that is removably mounted to the electrified vehicle. The backup battery assembly is configured to recharge the traction battery pack through a charge port of the electrified vehicle. A traction battery pack charging method includes recharging a traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle from a backup battery assembly that is mounted above the roof of the electrified vehicle”
RELATED:
Proton Exora given second life as EV Charge Go’s mobile EV charger
Yes, you read that right, the roof-mounted backup battery is also supposedly removable although this may not be something you can do with just a pair of hands. Portable EV chargers are nothing new as we have even seen concept of them in Malaysia by Gentari’s subsidiary
EV Charge Go
 and by
BMW Malaysia and EVC
. It is the idea of making it a removable roof-mounted battery which is new here by Ford.
Although it may trigger questions like weight distribution and safety, do understand that this is only a patent for now and that the EV battery technology may improve in the near future, perhaps making them lighter. This concept, however, does make it possible for you to venture into off-grid areas with more assurance on having enough range. If anything, this is just like carrying extra jerry cans of fuel on a long journey, albeit with a large battery pack.
RELATED:
BMW Malaysia and EVC unveil Mobile Charging Vehicle concept, utilises used EV batteries


Indonesian man buys dream Toyota Rush with RM79k worth of coins

As the saying goes, if there is a will, there’s a way and as we have all encountered at least once in our lives; there’s always a way. A man from Makassar in Sulawesi, Indonesia, and his soon-to-arrive dream car, the
Toyota Rush
 is one such example.
Asriadi Syamsuddin who earns a living as a hawker has been eyeing the Toyota Rush since September 2018 and started saving for it ever since with proceeds from his business. The savings would also consist of tips from his customers.
The savings would go into large bottles meant for water dispensers and in just under four years, both Asriadi and spouse accumulated nine of these large bottles.
Feature Comparison: Mitsubishi Xpander vs Honda BR-V vs Toyota Rush. Read about it here!
They’re filled with IDR 100 and 500 Rupiah coins, along with 1,000 and 2,000 Rupiah notes stored separately in boxes. In total, the couple saved up over 271 million Rupiah (approximately RM79k) to purchase their dream compact 7-seater SUV.
The manager at the local Toyota Kalla Cokroaminoto dealership was happy to accept the coins as payment and said all customers should and will be treated the same.
That said, after three long days of counting since the coins arrived at the end of September, the staff at the Toyota dealership have yet to finalise the 271 million Rupiah which the nine bottles are claimed to contain.
Asriadi however, has paid a deposit of 10 million Rupiah separately to confirm his new, red Toyota Rush.
Video: All-new Toyota Rush can now brake by itself…watch it here!
GALLERY


Review: 2016 Mazda CX-9 2.5L Skyactiv-G Turbo [+Video]

The all-new,
second-generation Mazda CX-9
 is not due for its Malaysian debut just yet. Seeing as how relatively well received the previous CX-9 was, Mazda Malaysia unhesitatingly registered a unit for the press, way ahead of its scheduled arrival.
What you see here is the Australian-spec CX-9, fully built and imported from Hiroshima, Japan. As you read along, you’ll find that it’s not as well equipped as a car its price should be, but also bear in mind that the equipment list is not final.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mazda CX-9 2.5L Skyactiv Turbo (2WD)
Mazda CX-9 2.5L Skyactiv Turbo (4WD)
Engine
2,488cc; inline-4 cylinder, direct injection with Dynamic Pressure Turbo
Transmission
6-speed Skyactiv-Drive Automatic
Max Power
227 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Max Torque
420 Nm @ 2,000 rpm
Price
To Be Announced
To Be Announced
EXTERIOR
Much effort has been put into trimming the bulky SUV, and though it may not seem big in this set of pictures, the CX-9 is every bit as big as a full-size, seven-seater SUV gets. From a stylistic standpoint, Mazda deserves nothing but high praise for making a vehicle this size appear sleek and athletic. A quick comparison between the
Mitsubishi Outlander
,
Ford Everest
 and even the
Audi Q7
 makes for a suitable design benchmark.
Its Kodo theme is immediately recognisable from the front and rear; the fascia adorned with what’s possibly the largest piece of chrome grille ever to roll out of Hiroshima, and this is complemented by a pair of full LED headlamps and LED projector fog lamps. What’s disappointing is the absence of LED daytime running lights. Instead, our test unit came with halogen bulb DRLs which, for a car costing RM300k, is a hugely unacceptable omission.

Mazda has always had a way with styling, and the decision to slap the 20-inch alloys here certainly helps with the whole packaging. Wheel sizes vary from 18- to 20-inches, but whether or not the Malaysian-spec CX-9 will soldier on with the 20″ remains to be seen. Other exterior parts such as slim LED tail lamps, dual exhaust pipes and shark fin antenna are all standard. The only way of telling if it’s 2WD or AWD is through the badge on the tailgate (our test car is 2WD), though they will both be sold here.
INTERIOR
The sense of brand familiarity trickles further into the cabin. Ergonomics are pleasantly sound; buttons and dials are all well made and laid out within an arm’s reach. Affixed to the centre dash is an 8-inch touchscreen panel that can also be operated through the MZD console and with great intuition. Like the top-end
Mazda6
, the CX-9 gets dual-tone leather upholstery, while both front seats receive heating function.

The three-spoke steering wheel is brand new and will find its way down the model range, right down to the Mazda2. Other noteworthy bits include tri-zone air conditioning, push-start button, powered sunroof,
12-speaker Bose premium sound system
 and six airbags. Both front seats are electrically powered with lumbar adjustment, but only the driver side gets memory function. Electric parking brake is also standard.
Passenger comfort and legroom space is fairly adequate for the three-rowed SUV. Proper MPVs will undoubtedly fare better in this regard, but those who can’t care less about the criticisms others lay on their choice of cars (read: the
Alphard
 and/or
Vellfire
) will tend to swing towards SUVs or crossovers with more style and substance.
The second row seats slide fore and aft, reclines and features a one-touch tumble for third row access. Apparently, Mazda claims that the tumble mechanism works so easily that even a child could do it alone. We doubt this, because the seats do have some real heft to it. Our repeated experiences in the third row suggest decent levels of comfort, even for a full grown 80kg adult.
PERFORMANCE
Before this, the Mazda CX-9 was powered by a 3.7-litre Cyclone V6 engine (initially a 3.5L unit) sourced from Ford. It was sufficiently powerful but guzzled fuel and left a large carbon footprint, all things inadmissible for major CX-9 markets. Another problem is that the Skyactiv arsenal had nothing bigger than a 2.5-litre four banger, so the only way forward is to strap on a turbocharger.
Besides force-feeding the engine, Mazda engineers put more effort into making the engine perform like a larger naturally aspirated engine. All turbocharged engines do this, no doubt, but the single biggest difference here is the way power is delivered to the wheels and onto the tarmac. The transversely mounted engine is tuned to produce
227 hp
 at 5,000 rpm (250 hp on higher octane fuel) and
420 Nm
 of torque from 2,000 rpm. It’s paired to a
six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic
. With that out of the way, let’s see how well the theories jive in the real world.
THE DRIVE
Right from the get go, throttle response felt immediate. There’s barely any turbo lag, and believe me when I say it feels almost as though the car isn’t turbocharged. Through various surveys, Mazda found that many urban drivers rarely rev the car past 4,500 rpm, so torque is purposely programmed to be available from just above the idling rev, which peaks quickly (all 420 Nm of it) at 2,000 rpm.
Inching in traffic requires only a slight jab of the throttle, but when the roads clear, the sub-2,000kg CX-9 will sprint to 100km/h in under
8.0 seconds
. All that usable power noticeably tapers down from 4,500 rpm upwards, though by then you’d already be above the legal speed limit. Impressive stuff, but it gets better.
All modern Mazdas live by the
Jinba Ittai
ethos, meaning Horse and Rider as One. Steering is quick, light and precise, though feedback remains largely ambiguous. Drivers can expect outrageously zippy turn-ins and exhilarating propulsion, but keener enthusiasts won’t appreciate the complete lack of steering feel. It’s akin to driving a Daytona simulator at the arcades, because half the time you just don’t know what the front wheels are doing. I’d definitely recommend exercising caution in the corners, especially high speed ones.

I might be nitpicking on the next one, but the air of luxury in the CX-9 doesn’t quite live up to expectations. Mazda is great at making the
Mazda2
,
Mazda3
 and
CX-5
 feel upmarket through use of high quality leather and finely grained soft plastics. The only problem is, the same stuff is found in the CX-9. The plastic panel covering the steering column (the one just opposite the driver’s knees) is flimsy, and to make matters worse, tyre roar is awfully intrusive – another typical Mazda trait.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
If the CX-9 ticks every need on your list of must-haves in a full-size SUV, then this RM300k offering from Mazda surely deserves your consideration. However, those who are willing to spend that amount of money on a sporty-looking family mover, but want more luxury and better comfort all-around, then I strongly suggest taking a peek at the
Ford Everest 3.2L
. Okay, the Everest is more utilitarian than sporty, but it does feel very luxurious inside the cabin.
The Blue Oval ladder-frame SUV also accommodates seven, comes with a full suite of driver assistance technologies and is by far the most impressive SUV for the money. It’s also quite a formidable off-roader, with a water wading depth of 800mm. If you have RM300k to spare, the Everest to me is a no brainer.
WOULD I BUY THIS CAR?
If I were in the market for a full-size SUV, the two reasons that would swing me in favour of the Mazda is its gorgeous design and butter-smooth mechanics. As much as I love what the engineers have done with the engine, there’s just no way I could get over the bones I’ve picked with the CX-9.
IMAGE GALLERY


Aston Martin DBX will be getting a 4.0-litre twin turbo V8!

After announcing that the DBX will be put into production more than
4 years ago
, Aston Martin has finally announced that their first SUV has entered the final stages of development, together with the official announcement of its powertrain!
Just as we’ve guessed, under the hood of the Aston Martin DBX will sit a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, supplied by Mercedes-AMG. Producing
550 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque, the engine in the DBX will be the
highest performing V8 engine
 in the current range!
During extensive real-world driving and high-performance track tests, Aston Martin says that the DBX repeatedly exceeded speeds of
290 km/h
 (180 mph). Official top speed and acceleration figures will be announced when final tests are concluded.
The new Aston Martin SUV has also achieved cornering speeds on par with the
Vantage
 (yes, the performance-focused sports car), and even beat the
DBS Superleggera
 in braking performance! I guess Aston Martin wasn’t kidding when they said the DBX will be “
sports car first, SUV second
“.

The Aston Martin DBX is set to be unveiled in
December 2019
. For now, we can only wait while listening to the roar of that glorious engine.


Ali Baba Group is looking to help reduce traffic in Kuala Lumpur

Ali Baba Group is set to help combat congestion in Kuala Lumpur by setting up a traffic control system using artificial intelligence – the e-commerce giant’s first project of its kind outside of China.
Partnering with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the system will
make live traffic predictions and recommendations to improve traffic flow
 with increased efficiency through data acquired from video footage, public transportation systems and mapping apps.
The “City Brain Project” as it is known is also in partnership with the Kuala Lumpur City Council where the artificial intelligence system will localised and integrated with 500 inner city cameras by May this year.
It is said that there is no guarantee of the City Brain’s impact on traffic in Kuala Lumpur just yet but the system in place in Hangzhou, China had increased traffic efficiency by 15%.
Credit:
 The Star


Facelifted Mazda BT-50 begins production for Thailand and Australia

The Mazda BT-50 has just received its mid-life update and this time, the
Ford Ranger
-based utility vehicle benefits from the company’s Kodo design philosophy. Its exact specifications have yet to be revealed, but we’re told up front that there will be no changes to the powertrain.
As stale as that sounds, let’s not overlook what their existing 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre turbodiesel engines can offer;
148 hp
 at 3,700 rpm and
375 Nm
 of torque from 1,500 to 2,500 rpm for the smaller four-cylinder engine, whereas the
3.2-litre inline five-cylinder
 oil burner makes
 198 hp
 at 3,000 rpm and
 470 Nm
 of torque from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm. Both engines are mated to a
six-speed automatic transmission
 which sends power to
 all four wheels
 on demand.
The current Mazda BT-50 is priced from RM90k to RM107k
Like its specifications, official pictures are also scarce. But what’s obviously different is its exterior styling, which sees the truck getting a new, sleeker front face, updated headlights, new grille and a
new set of aluminium wheels
 believed to be either in 16-inch or 17-inch guise, just like before. Although there are no pictures of its rear end, Mazda assures that the tail lamps are new, and we can expect a mix of LED and bulb combination clusters.
The interior also gets its fair share of upgrades, possibly receiving Mazda’s
MZD Connect System
 for the first time. A
reverse camera
 joins the amenities front, which means we can expect a
7-inch touchscreen unit
 to be fitted just like their passenger car range. Production of the BT-50 facelift started yesterday (13 July 2015) at Mazda’s manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand where it will go on sale soon. Australia is also another market set to receive the ute.


Naza Kia gave 62 lucky winners months worth of petrol

As part of their Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations, Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of
Kia
 vehicles in Malaysia, held a nationwide campaign called ‘Fuel Your Freedom, Discover Malaysia with Kia’.
At the end of the contest period, Naza Kia welcomed
62 winners
 at a prize-giving ceremony last Saturday, where each of the winners walked home with petrol cards worth
RM620
.
Naza Corporation Holdings, Automotive Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer, R. Devaraju said that the contest was designed to “celebrate our customers’ new ownership experience with Kia and concurrently encourage Malaysians to take a road trip and explore the diversity that makes Malaysia beautiful and unique.”
Customers who purchased a Kia vehicle from any Naza Kia dealerships nationwide between 15th August and 30th September 2019 were automatically eligible to enter the contest. The 62 winners were then randomly selected by a judging panel.


Borgward is dead again – declared bankrupt, RM2.95 billion lost in 2021

China-owned German car brand Borgward has been declared bankrupt in China by a court in Beijing this week. Once Germany’s third-largest carmaker, Borgward was founded in 1890, liquidated in 1961, and relaunched in 2015 (by Foton, a member BAIC Group).
The revived Borgward was even seen in Malaysia with a showroom set up in Glenmarie a few years back. Among the cars displayed at the Glenmarie showroom were the Borgward BX5, BX7, and the fully electric BXi7 concept car. The cars even made an appearance at
Malaysia Auto Show 2018
.
Borgward BX5
Upon its revival, Borgward cars were produced at a renovated Foton factory in suburban Beijing and reached peak sales of 55,000 vehicles per year in 2019. The growth was unsustainable as sales shrunk to 3,600 vehicles per year in 2021.
Automotive News Europe
 reports that from 2016 to 2018, Borgward’s losses added up to more than 4 billion Yuan (approx.
RM 2.5 billion
). In 2021 alone, the Sino-German carmaker lost 4.7 billion Yuan (approx.
RM 2.95 billion
) according to Foton’s filings on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, where the company is listed.
RELATED:
2016 BAIC EV200 unveiled, Malaysia’s first CKD electric vehicle
Borgward Isabella Concept Car
In 2018, Borgward started selling the BX7 in Europe which is an SUV that is about the size of an Audi Q5. There were even plans for a factory in Bremen with a 10,000-car-per-year capacity, but it never materialised.
In 2019, Borgward launched the BX5 in Malaysia in 5 variants with prices starting from RM119k. Two engine options were offered for the BX5 which were a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine and a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine.
RELATED:
2016 BAIC D20 previewed in Malaysia, B-Segment hatchback to be CKD
Borgward BXi7 at the previous Glenmarie showroom
When the brand’s showroom in Glenmarie was still operational, the all-electric Borgward BXi7 concept car was displayed, albeit in a left-hand-drive version. A single electric motor powers the front wheels and it makes 272 hp and 400 Nm. Borgward claimed the BXi7 to have an electric range of up to 500 km.
Models listed on Borgward’s official website are the BX7 TS, BX7, and BX5. Several concept cars are also listed including the Isabella Concept, the BX6 TS concept, and BXi7 concept.
RELATED:
China to allow foreign automakers full ownership of brands from next week


Proton to launch three all-new models in the next two years – what might they be?

During the launch of the
new 2022 Proton Saga
 today, Proton CEO Dr. Li Chunrong announced that the company will be launching “at least three” brand-new models in the country within the next two years.
“As we all know, products are the key. In the next two years, we will launch at least three brand-new models” said Li, before clarifying wittily – in Malay, “yes,
tiga
.” However, the CEO stopped short from revealing just which models he was referring to, so we did a little digging (and guesswork) to find out which three.
Back in 2018, Geely disclosed to its public shareholders that Proton has acquired the licences for three of its models to be produced and sold here in Malaysia, namely the NL-3 (
Geely Boyue
), SX11 (
Geely Binyue
), and VF11 (
Geely Jiaji MPV
).
The first two of the list eventually became the
Proton X70
and
X50
 respectively, leaving only the Jiaji that has yet to make its way into Malaysia. Seeing that the
Exora
is currently the oldest model within Proton’s model line-up, it stands to reason that one of the three mentioned by Dr. Li would include the MPV model.
The Jiaji made its debut in China back in November 2018 as Geely’s first-ever MPV model, boasting a stylish and modern design, paired to a high-tech cabin. In its home country, the Jiaji is offered in both a six- or seven-seater configuration, with three different seating layout options – 2+2+2, 2+2+3, or 2+3+2.
For propulsion, the Geely Jiaji is available in three different powertrain options – a 1.5-litre turbocharged mild-hybrid (MHEV), 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid, and a 1.8-litre turbo petrol. The MHEV pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a 48V electrical system to make
 190 hp
 and
300 Nm
of torque, while the PHEV commands
258 hp
 and
385 Nm
 of torque. Both electrified powertrains are paired to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
As for the pure-ICE model, the Jiaji gets a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol mill and a six-speed automatic gearbox to send
181 hp
 and
300 Nm
 to the front wheels – and if you think that sounds a little familiar, that’s because it’s the exact same powertrain found in the Proton X70 as well. If (
or rather, when
) the model makes its way into Malaysia, it’ll most likely be offered with the latter – at least at launch.
Moving on to car number two, we are expecting to see yet another SUV model, most likely to be based off of the
Geely Haoyue/Okavango
 that has already been widely spotted – in camouflaged form – around Malaysian roads.
The seven-seater SUV, rumoured to be called the Proton X90, is also offered with the same 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine as the Jiaji above (and the X70, obviously), which makes it a lot easier for our national carmaker to mass produce here in our country.
Over in the Philippines however, where the Okavango is already on sale, it is instead offered with the 190 hp 1.5-litre MHEV powertrain, as it’s shared with the Geely Azkarra (
Boyue Pro
) that’s also sold in the archipelago.
The last car of the trio is, to be honest, a little out of the left field – because it’s won’t exactly be a Proton model. We’re referring to the
Smart #1 EV
, which only made its global debut last month.
Smart’s re-emergence in Malaysia is not new news, however – it was previously announced that Proton Edar, the national carmaker’s distribution arm, has been
 appointed the new official importer
, distributor, and dealer for the Smart brand in Malaysia and Thailand.
The #1 is built on Geely’s Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA) platform, and features a 66 kWh battery pack that promises a range of up to 440 km on a single charge. Performance wise, the Smart #1 gets a single rear-axle motor with an output that’s rated at
 272 hp (200 kW)
 and
343 Nm
, and will have a top speed of 180 km/h.
Excited yet? Well, unfortunately, it’ll still be a little while before we see a launch from Proton. Speaking to the media after the event, Proton deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah revealed that the two-year period Dr Li mentioned actually refers to 2023 and 2024, which means that any new car launches will only happen next year at the earliest.
He attributes the delay to the worldwide chip shortages that have plagued the company’s production capabilities, alongside the lockdowns that have affected not just Proton locally, but also Geely in China.
Still, it’s set to be an exciting few years for Proton, and we can’t wait to get our hands on the new cars to bring you the latest coverage, so keep your eyes peeled!


Proton makes 1st-time car ownership more affordable for fresh graduates

They say buy a car to get to work and get to work to pay for the car. For those who are starting out life with student loans and living expenses, taking on another commitment such as car ownership can be a daunting prospect. Car ownership is a necessary evil but it doesn’t mean that you have to live on bread and water; not with
Proton’s latest Fresh Graduate Campaign
.
Through its subsidiary, Proton Commerce, the company today introduced a campaign to make car ownership more affordable for fresh graduates with
low-interest rate Hire Purchase loans
.
If you’re looking for an affordable “first car”, you can’t go wrong with the facelift Saga.
To qualify for the loan, the applicant will need to fulfill these requirements:
between the age of 18 to 30 years old
a graduate with a minimum of a Diploma
holding a job with a minimum salary of RM1,500
submit a letter of employment or a month’s salary slip
Interest rates under the Fresh Graduate Campaign start from 2.98%
; one of the lowest in the segment, according to Proton. The offer runs till the 31st of December 2020, coinciding with the
sales tax exemption

initiative.

“We are confident that this package will assist fresh graduates in owning a car, as monthly repayments start from as low as RM239 per month” said Proton Commerce, CEO, Mooi Fi Phang.
For the latest price list of Proton vehicles in Malaysia, click
here
.


New 2021 Nissan X-Trail revealed with a new futuristic look and redesigned cabin

Nissan has revealed the new 2021 X-Trail, known as the Rogue in the US market, featuring a completely new design, with key design elements such as the floating roof, a V-motion active front grille, underbody covers to manage air flow under the vehicle and a unique air curtain that directs air flow from the front to the sides of the SUV.
Towards the side, the Nissan Intelligent Key is now applicable to the rear doors, as well as the front. Both driver or passengers can unlock the rear doors at the touch of a button on the rear door handle (or unlock all doors by pressing twice), rather than needing to unlock with buttons on the front door handles. The rear doors itself now open up to nearly 90 degrees, making it easier to get in and out of the SUV or to get a child seat in and out.
Inside, the X-Trail is offered with a heated steering wheel and heated front and rear NASA-inspired “Zero Gravity” low-fatigue spinal support seats. The split folding seats can even be remote folded.
The cockpit now comes with USB Type A and Type C charging ports, a new electronic shifter design, freeing up extra storage space under the new “floating” center console. The new X-Trail is also offered with a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 9-inch touchscreen display (largest in its class), a 10.8-inch head-up display, ambient lighting and a Bose Premium Audio System.
Aside from the 10 airbags, the new X-Trail also gets adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking front and rear, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist with steering correction, high beam assist and rear cross traffic alert as part of its ProPILOT Assist driver assistance system.
When activated, the “hold time” in stop-and-go traffic has now been increased to 30 seconds from three seconds previously – allowing the vehicle to remain stopped and automatically continue without the driver resetting the function or tapping the accelerator pedal. This is only available for models with ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link. Using the traffic sign recognition feature, the system can also automatically update the vehicle’s speed when the speed limit goes up or down.
The new X-Trail also comes with the new Vehicle Motion Control system that predicts what the driver is trying to do by monitoring steering, acceleration and brake inputs. It works in conjunction with the Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system through different drive modes to provide four-wheel individual control, even by applying a single brake to allow the SUV to corner more smoothly.
Five different drive modes are available – Off-road, Snow, Standard, Eco and Sport – in the All-wheel Drive models while the Front-wheel Drive models come with Sport, Standard and Eco.
The new X-Trail is powered by an updated 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with
181 hp
 and
 245 Nm
, with a 11 hp increase and 8 Nm increase, to go with a new electric power steering rack and new multi-link rear suspension setup.
GALLERY


Grab says 27% of its drivers are now licensed

Ever since
Grab
 drivers were required to acquire the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) license at the beginning of 2019 at the cost of RM115 annually, the primary e-hailing service in Malaysia has returned with a positive report albeit a long way from completing the transition.
Since January 2019, 27% of Grab’s drivers are now licensed. A further 15% are still in the process of completing their RM200, 6-hour PSV course. 17% are still waiting to sit their paper-based examinations while 15% are awaiting their licenses to be issued. To date, Grab has 150,000 drivers registered with them.
The examinations and regulatory processes, which require drivers to be clear of criminal records and undergo medical checks, have weeded out 26% of active drivers. Some drivers have highlighted a lack of time to undergo these processes, with day job obligations to fulfill.
Well tough luck; the safety of Grab riders/users are of utmost importance. No mechanically-unsound vehicle, nor unfit and incompetent driver should come in the way of that.
In the near future, Grab will focus on working with authorities to ease the “screening process” . Let’s hope this will not jeopardise a Grab riders welfare for want of more “approved drivers” and low ride fares.


Mini celebrates 30 years of alfresco driving with the Mini Convertible Seaside Edition

Mini
 has unveiled a new special edition model for the
Mini Convertible
, dubbed Seaside Edition, to celebrate 30 years of top down, hair in the wind driving. Sounds like a decent idea, since anniversary models are the
 hottest
 new
 trend
 these days, but there’s just one problem… the convertible Mini is not actually 30 years old (thanks,
The Autopian
!).
If you trace the Mini Convertible to its original roots, it technically goes back all the way to 1991. And if our math is correct, that’s actually 32 years ago, not the 30 like Mini suggests. The full story can be found in
The Autopian
‘s write-up
, but for now let’s skip the pedantics and just assume Mini had their reasons…
Anyway, the Seaside Edition gets several exterior aesthetic touches to mark it out as the anniversary model, including the 18-inch Pulse Spoke two-tone wheels, unique scuttle plates, decorative stripes along the sides, as well special graphics on the front apron that vaguely looks like “30” if you squint really hard.
The Mini Convertible will only be offered in two exterior colours: Carribean Aqua, and Nanuq white if you’re feeling boring.
READ MORE:
 Stand out from the crowd with the new MINI Convertible Sidewalk Edition – RM286K
Inside, the Seaside Edition features edition-specific decorative trim stripes on the dashboard, alongside the ’30’ graphic badge on the floor mat, steering wheel, as well as a unique key fob.
In the UK, the Mini Convertible Seaside Edition will only be offered with the Cooper S specification, which means a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four mill underneath the bonnet, making 178 hp and 280 Nm of torque (lower than the 192 hp that we get here due to the Euro 6d emissions standard), translating to a 0-100 km/h sprint time of
7.2 seconds
.
The Seaside Edition is priced at GBP34,500 (approx RM183k) in the UK, some 5,000 quids more expensive than the base, entry-level Mini Convertible Cooper S.
GALLERY


Ford Malaysia’s sales improved in May after GST slump in April

Ford Malaysia has announced that their sales performance in May took a turn for the better, recording over 71 percent of growth from the previous month at 639 units.
This feat is achieved through the strong performance of the Ranger, Focus, Fiesta and
EcoSport
 models. The Ranger soldiers on as the brand’s most well received model, with sales almost twice as much as in April at 413 units. Overall year-to-date sales for the Ranger rose about 40 percent compared to the same period last year at 4,128 units. Sales of the EcoSport on the other hand, rose 44 percent over the previous month to 82 units, whereas the
newly launched Mondeo
 had just started deliveries.
Ford Motor Company’s Managing Director of Malaysia and Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Mr David Westerman said, “Through May, we’ve maintained positive growth over our record year in 2014, and we’re confident this momentum will continue to build, as we refresh our current lineup with the new Ranger and Everest, and add the Mustang to our growing showroom.”
Ford Malaysia’s collective year-to-date sales have increased eight percent to 5,623 units so far.


2022 Mazda CX-5 Facelift leaked in China showing minor aesthetic updates!

Images of the purported upcoming
Mazda CX-5
 facelift have found its way onto the interwebs, courtesy of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology once again, our most reliable leaker (
hah
) thus far.
Based on the images we obtained, it seems that the aesthetic changes on this facelift exercise is relatively mild. Up front, there’s a pair of new headlights with C-shaped daytime-running lights, flanking the slightly revised grille featuring a thicker chrome trim.
Below that, the front bumper has been cleaned up for a cleaner, yet – in our opinion – slightly more aggressive look, thanks to the wider lower air intakes.
The next-gen Mazda CX-5 will get straight-six engines, and built on a new RWD platform. Learn more about it here!
It’s also a similar theme at the rear, where the tail lights are slightly reworked with a more angular shape (featuring the same C-shaped light signature), alongside a redesigned bumper. Completing the exterior design changes are the new set of allow wheels.
No interior photos have been spotted thus far, but we don’t expect to see many -if any – updates to the Mazda CX-5 facelift’s cabin. The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display was only added to the CX-5 (in other markets) earlier this year, so expect that to be retained in this updated model.
As for powertrains, the accompanying data sheet from the Chinese government website mentions two naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine – a 2.0-litre unit with 155 hp, and a 2.5-litre mill with 196 hp, both of which should be from the same SkyActiv-G range as the current model.
Is the Mazda CX-5 2.5L Turbo a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Read our full review here!
With the Chinese badging at the rear, you might think that this could be just another China-exclusive model – which, to be fair, isn’t all that uncommon (like the
Mazda CX-4
).
However, the Mazda CX-5 in China has historically been the same global model as the rest of the world gets – so unless there’s a big change in the company’s operational policy, the facelift model you’re looking at here will most likely also make its way into Malaysia sometime soon.
Current, pre-facelift Mazda CX-5 in Malaysia for comparison.
Either way, it seems that we don’t need to wait that much longer, as a recent report by Japanese publication

Creative Trend
 suggested that the updated Mazda CX-5 facelift will go on sale in Japan in December this year.
This minor facelift should also be the last one we see of this generation, before the
all-new rear-wheel-drive model
 makes its debut in the next few years.
[images:
Autospy
,
 易车原创/qq.com
]


Sarawak Energy Bhd purchases two units of hydrogen fuel cell-powered Hyundai Nexo

Following the sale, Hyundai Motor Company and Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors are establishing plans to distribute Hyundai’s flagship hydrogen fuel cell powered crossover in the Southeast Asia region.
The two units will be used by Sarawak Energy for its pilot hydrogen production plant and refueling station project in Kuching. The project will be used to gauge the viability of hydrogen and fuel cells to power Sarawak’s transportation sector in the future.
The refueling station will be the first of its kind dedicated for transportation in South East Asia.
The NEXO leads HMC’s plans in the development of zero-emission vehicles with an on-board electric motor that produces 163hp, drawing power from an under-bonnet fuel cell stack, which combines oxygen from the surrounding air with hydrogen from NEXO’s high-pressure storage tanks.
This creates electricity to power the motor and charge the battery while water vapour harmlessly exits through the exhaust. With full tanks of hydrogen on board, the NEXO is capable of travelling 414 miles (666km) before needing to refuel, which will only take a few minutes.
Apart from its environmental friendly powertrain, the NEXO also has an advanced air purification system which filters 99.9% of very fine dust (PM2.5), of which is displayed inside the car.
The NEXO’s construction is also in-tune with environmental friendliness with the use of bio fibres from sugar cane waste and vegetable plasticisers in the headliner and carpet areas; bio plastics from sugar cane and corn waste in the door, seat, pillar and console trims and bio paint extracted from rapeseed and soybean oils for the dashboard and centre console.
IMAGE GALLERY


Jaguar reveals their fastest and most powerful production vehicle, the F-TYPE Project 7 [+Video]

Jaguar announced a spin-off to the F-TYPE family called the
F-TYPE Project 7
. Previewed last year in the form of Project 7 Concept, the car pays homage to the iconic
 1954 D-type
 racer which is celebrating its
 60th anniversary
 this year. Named in honor of Jaguar’s
 seven wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
, production of the Project 7 will be
 limited
 to only
250 units
 worldwide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXJ2wY0JjzM
Project 7 will be Jaguar’s most powerful and fastest production car to date, courtesy of a
5.0-litre
 supercharged
V8
 under the bonnet. The powerplant lifted right off the F-TYPE R,  has been further tweaked to produce
567hp
 (25hp more than the “standard” F-TYPE R) and
 680Nm
 of torque. Recalibration to the
 8-speed
 gearbox allows the Project 7 to hit
100km/h
 in just
3.9 seconds
 (4.2 seconds in the F-TYPE R).
Top speed
 is electronically-capped at
300 km/h
.
Project 7 gets a new suspension setup with new front and rear anti-roll bars, and revised damper and spring rates, while the front suspension gets a more negative camber. Damper rates is constantly adjusted by the Adaptive Dynamics system to deliver optimum stability on the road at all times.
Project 7’s cornering ability is enhanced by
Torque Vectoring by Braking
 (TVbB) that works together with the
Electronic Active Differential
 (EAD) and the car’s
Dynamic Stability Control
.
Carbon Ceramic Matrix
 (CCM) brakes measuring 398mm up front and 380mm at the back are fitted as standard on the Project 7.
Most of the design elements stay true to the last year’s concept car designed by a team lead by none other than Jaguar’s Director of Design,
Ian Callum
. The fairing behind the driver’s head is inspired by the D-type but unlike the Project 7 Concept which is a strict single-seater, the production Project 7 adopts a more conventional two-seater layout. Compared to the F-TYPE Convertible, the windscreen is shorter by 114mm on the Project 7, and the automatic folding fabric hood is ditched for a Bimini roof that has to be fitted manually.

Carbon fibre is used everywhere on the Project 7 including the front splitter, bonnet vents, side vents, side mirror caps, side skirts, rear diffuser, adjustable rear spoiler, and the rear deck. The aerodynamic bits not only make the car look good, they also generate 177 percent more downforce at 300 km/h than the F-Type Convertible. Special
20-inch
 gloss black
Storm
 alloy wheels is wrapped in Pirelli P Zero or the optional Continental ForceContact tyres.

Inside, the Project 7 features more carbon fibre on the dash, while the steering wheel is wrapped in Alcantara with aluminium shift paddles. Four-point racing harness is an option for the diamond quilted leather-wrapped lightweight bucket seats. A numbered plaque signed by Ian Callum can be found between the seats too.
Each of the 250 F-TYPE Project 7 will be hand-built by Jaguar Land Rover’s
Special Operations
 team with its own dedicated state-of-the-art Technical Centre that reside in the West Midlands. Offered in Ultra Blue, Caldera Red, British Racing Green, Ultimate Black, and Glacier White, Project 7 will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 26th of June 2014. Customers can expect their cars to be delivered from mid-2015.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Four-cylinder Toyota GR Supra may have the sweeter handling

It was only a matter of time before Toyota started offering the new GR Supra with its ‘base’ engine – the BMW-sourced
B48 2.0-litre four-cylinder
 with twin-scroll turbocharger, and Europe will be the first continent to receive it in
March
.
 New 2.0-litre GR Supra in limited edition Fuji Speedway trim; comes with 19-inch alloys in matte finish, white metallic paint work and red wing mirror caps.
Before you label it as the variant for posers, consider that its power output isn’t curtailed in any way by BMW, so the 2.0-litre Supra gets the same output of
258 hp
 and
400 Nm
 as the
Z4 sDrive30i
, likewise the superb
8-speed ZF automatic
 sending drive to the rear wheels. There’s no mention of the availability of a manual transmission, however.
Accelerating from idle to 100km/h takes
5.2 seconds
 in the four-pot Supra, which is just
0.9 second slower
than the full-fat variant. Both have the same top speed, limited at 250 km/h, though the inline-six Supra will get there faster and probably sounds better doing so.
But here’s the thing, with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder under the Supra’s long hood, the car actually
weighs 100kg less
, which isn’t insubstantial, and because the engine is also
shorter in length
, it is tucked further into engine bay and closer to the centre of vehicle.
Toyota quotes a
50:50 front/rear weight distribution
 for the 2.0-litre Supra, which is the same as the more hairy-chested sibling, but also notes that the 2.0-litre’s ‘
inertia characteristics and chassis balance
’ are improved over the 3.0-litre for ‘even sharper handling’. Now add a lower MSRP (prices not yet confirmed), lower road tax and probably lower maintenance costs, the ‘lesser’ Supra may offer more over time.
Toyota GR Supra 2.0L gallery


Video: Mercedes-AMG G63, Things You Need To Know

It might be over the top to call it the Godfather of all SUVs but judging from its bulging proportions and sheer figures, is that really an exaggeration? Here are the things you need to know about the all-new G wagon.
Priced at RM 1,464,888 on the road before insurance, the G 63 is also powered by a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 but instead gets higher output with
585 hp
 and
 850 Nm
 of torque.
While it may be longer and wider, the G 63 is over 100 kg lighter than its predecessor, with a fully-revamped interior featuring all-new tech such as the digital instrument display. Check out the video and find out more about the new G 63!
IMAGE GALLERY


Updated Nissan Leaf warns pedestrians with chimes, up to 30 km/h

As fully electric vehicles (EV) do not have an internal combustion engine (ICE), the lack of noise is harmful to the visually impaired especially when crossing junctions and walking on sidewalks.
Since the first-generation Nissan Leaf was
introduced ten years ago
, EVs have been fitted with a system called Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) that transmit a soft stream of noise to alert pedestrians and cyclists of the presence of the EV.
As part of Nissan’s brand refreshment activity, the updated Nissan Leaf will emit a new AVAS soundtrack. This bespoke sonic identity for Nissan EVs, called “Canto”, has been crafted specifically for the European landscape.
“After engineering the ‘Canto’ sound, we installed it to the latest Leaf to enable us to carry out both subjective and objective evaluations to better match the expectations of the European customer,” noted Paul Speed-Andrews, Noise and Vibration Development Manager at Nissan Technical Centre Europe.

The new soundtrack can be briefly heard from time 0:38
This new material is set to make interiors even quieter! Expect to be in more Nissan models soon!
“It was important that we not only created a sound that aligned with the new regulations, but also matched Nissan’s brand image. We have always been pioneers in safety and innovation and it is great to know we are helping to shape the future of electrification”, continued Paul.
The new soundtrack varies in tone and pitch depending on whether the Nissan Leaf is accelerating, decelerating or reversing. ‘Canto’ is automatically transmitted via a special speaker hidden behind the bumper when travelling up to 30 km/h. It is audible but not alarming to the environment around it as well as occupants inside.
Apart from the new ‘Canto’ soundtrack, the updated Nissan Leaf for the European market comes with in-car WiFi, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the digital Smart Rear-View Mirror as well as Intelligent Blind-Spot Intervention (IBSI).The 2021MY (Model Year) Nissan Leaf will be available from July, and locally produced in Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK. Nissan also recently announced a
USD1.38 billion investment
 dubbed the
world’s-first EV manufacturing ecosystem
 that includes a new EV battery factory and more renewable energy farms all to support the creation of a new EV for the European region.
Nissan uses E-Power technology to bridge the gap transitioning from engine to fully electric. Find out more here!
Globally launched in 2018, the second-generation Nissan Leaf offers up to 311 kilometres of range (NEDC cycle) per charge in a larger 40 kWh battery. Power output from the motor has also increased tremendously, from 109 hp / 254 Nm to
150 hp / 320 Nm
. The new Nissan Leaf can even be driven with just the accelerator pedal called the
 E-pedal feature
!

Edaran Tan Chong Motor has been offering both generations of the
Nissan Leaf in Malaysia
, and the latest Leaf can be had with a
subscription plan
 rather than outright purchasing it.
The plan offers the usage of the Nissan Leaf at
RM2,500 per month
 for a two-year contract and it includes all scheduled maintenance, a wall box charger and first year’s insurance coverage.


BMW shines at 2015 CES with their M4 Concept Iconic Lights, entering production soon

BMW
 showcased the latest development of their
Laserlight
 technology at the ongoing
2015 Consumer Electronics Show
 (CES ) in Las Vegas, fitted to an
M4 Coupe
. While Laserlight is already available as an option on the i8 hybrid supercar, the ones fitted to this M4 have been further developed and is cleverer than before. Not only that, the headlights graphics is an evolution to the trademark twin round corona rings and subtly hints at how future BMW headlights will look like.

One of the many benefits of using laser is that it consumes
30 percent less energy
 than conventional lights. The Laserlight works by directing the rays from the
high-performance diodes
 onto a phosphor plate via a
special optical system
, converting “coherent” monochromatic blue laser light into
harmless white light
. The result is a very bright white light that is closer to natural daylight, with a beam range of up to
 600 metres
.
Drivers will be able to leave the high beam on at all times without worrying about dazzling oncoming drivers with the help of a camera-based
BMW Selective Beam system
. In total darkness, the
Dynamic Light Spot
 will detect pedestrians and in turn notify their presence to the driver. The pedestrians are detected via an
infrared camera
 that works up to 100 metres.
BMW also presented the clever (ahem)
“narrow clearance” lighting
, where it calculates if the path ahead to determine if it is narrower than the vehicle. If it’s not wide enough, the driver will be warned that it’s not safe (or possible) to proceed. How’s that for total assurance when you need to overtake a slower vehicle in narrow roads!
Apart from that, the Laserlight is equipped with the
Adaptive Headlight control system
 that works in tandem with the
navigation system
 to
 illuminate corners
 even before the steering wheel is turned.

The
taillights
 are not left out too, as they now employ BMW’s
Organic light-emitting diodes
 (OLED) technology. They measure just
 1.4 mm thick
 and consume considerably less power, which paves the way for slimmer and funkier taillights design with cool light animation.
BMW mentioned that the OLED technology will be introduced on a production model sometime in the near future. Will it be on the upcoming 7-Series limo? We shall see.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Nissan Qashqai gets new 1.3L turbo petrol & 7-speed DCT, bye-bye CVT

Nissan has just introduced new powertrain options as well as the first ever dual-clutch transmission applied on a Nissan volume model for their popular
Nissan Qashqai crossover
. The highly efficient engine not only delivers improved fuel economy and lower emissions, but it also enhances the Qashqai’s sporty and dynamic appeal.
The all-new 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine is available in two states of tune –
140 hp
/
240 Nm
 and
160 hp
/
260 Nm
. A six-speed manual is standard fitment to send drive to the front wheels, but customers have the option for a seven-speed dual clutch transmission (wet clutch type) – the first ever DCT equipped onto the Japanese carmaker’s volume production model. Qashqai’s equipped with the seven-speed DCT will get a higher torque output of
270 Nm
 over the manual versions.

The DCT replaces the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that was used in the previous engines offers a more refined driving experience, better efficiency and most importantly a more direct driving feel – in Nissan’s words – “so it’s more fun to drive”.
Compared to the outgoing engines (1.2- & 1.6-litre), the turbocharged unit has improved response, stronger in-gear acceleration, refinement as well as smoother and more linear power delivery. The new engines also have extended service mileage intervals from 20,000 km to 30,000 km, saving a pretty penny for customers over the lifetime of the engine.

Developed by the
Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance
, the 1.3-litre engine has undergone 40,000 hours of tests and simulations as well as 300,000 of real working driving in some of the world’s most extreme conditions, ensuring the powertrain offers the highest levels of performance, reliability and durability. The engine was also developed in collaboration with Daimler who will employ the new engine in Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
IMAGE GALLERY


The updated Nissan Kicks might be the brand’s most exciting car we’ve seen in a while

After a short period of slump, Nissan seems to have found their footing again with their latest models. The latest
Sentra/Sylphy
 and
Almera
 wowed everyone with their attractive styling, but we think that the updated
 Nissan Kicks
 might have just taken the cake for the most exciting Nissan car we’ve seen in a while.
And that’s because underneath the hood of the updated B-Segment crossover is Nissan’s e-Power hybrid drive technology, making it one of the first few global Nissan products to carry the technology. With the new Kicks, Thailand also becomes the first country outside of Japan to manufacture e-Power technology-equipped cars.
Unlike regular hybrid vehicles, the new Kicks is essentially an electric vehicle with a built-in battery-charger. The 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine helps charge the 1.57 kWh lithium-ion battery, which in turn powers the electric motor generating a peak output of
95 kW (129 hp)
, and a flat-torque of
260 Nm
.
Thanks to the unique powertrain set-up, the electric motor is able to utilise extra electrical power from the engine when needed, in addition to the battery, resulting in better acceleration. The new electric drivetrain also allows the drivers to use the
One-Pedal driving function
, as seen on the
Nissan Leaf.
Drivetrain aside, the new Nissan Kicks e-Power also looks pretty exciting. Up front, Nissan has given the updated B-segment crossover a much larger V-Motion grille, flanked by slimmer “boomerang” LED headlights with LED daytime running lights.
The front bumpers have also been sculpted to complement the new larger grille, while the rear bumper gets a slight update with less black plastic trims. As with its predecessor, the black-painted pillars give the compact crossover a “floating roof” design.
Inside, the dashboard architecture remains pretty much unchanged, barring a slightly-modified steering wheel, and a redesigned centre console to house the new electric shift module.
Other items on the interior equipment list include the eight-inch infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay, a seven-inch digital information display on the instrument cluster, Intelligent Rear View Mirror, as well as the jazzy dual-tone leather upholstery.
The updated Nissan Kicks also comes well equipped with advanced driver assistance features, including Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning with Auto Emergency Braking, Blind-spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection.
The new Nissan Kicks e-Power is now on sale in Thailand, with prices starting at 889,000 Baht (RM121,140). Hopefully the updated Nissan Kicks will make its way onto our shores this time round!


Malaysian Government set to legalise Uber and Grab, albeit regulated

The Malaysian government looks set to legalise controversial ride-hailing apps Uber and Grab, as reported by
The Sun
. The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) proposed 11 motions to the Cabinet yesterday.
Among those 11 proposals, the Cabinet was keen on improving the existing Teksi 1Malaysia (TEKS1M) model, streamlining the budget cabs fleet and setting up a special fund for new taxi drivers. The Cabinet was also pleased with the initiative of issuing individual taxi permits to applicants with a good and clean background. Besides that, there will also be a new system for cab companies who are looking to improve their services. Full details of the taxi transformation regulations will be released next week.
Amendments to the new legalisation will take place at the next parliament sitting in November before the law gets enforced. It is said that, with the legalisation of ride-hailing services, around 150,000 new individual taxi permit holders consisting of Uber, Grab and conventional taxi drivers will co-exist in the market in the next three years.
Meanwhile, watch our videos of GC Mah during his “part time stint” as an Uber driver.


Peugeot 208 GTi facelift launched in Malaysia, CBU, priced at RM144k!

Not long after the arrival of the facelifted
Peugeot 208 PureTech
 comes its hotter equivalent, the 208 GTi. The 2017 Peugeot 208 GTi packs a tad more power but comes at a slight increase in price.
As facelifts go, the GTi gets a new front grille and headlamps, whereas the rear gets a pair of redesigned tail lamps with the signature tri-bar claw graphics. It runs on a new set of 17-inch “Carbone” wheels that’s finished in two contrasting tones. Inside, the seats are upholstered in Club Nappa leather with Caro Weave fabric, complementing the sporty theme.
Part of this facelift repertoire includes the same
 1.6-litre THP (Turbo High Pressure)
 engine, but power is up by 8 hp and 25 Nm over the older model. The new figures are
208 hp
 and
 300 Nm
! There’s only a
 six-speed manual gearbox
available, which drives the front wheels. The century sprint is now completed in 6.5 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds quicker than before, whereas top speed is rated at 230 km/h.
In the safety department, the 208 GTi gets Peugeot’s latest version of Electronic Stability Program that detects initial signs of wheel slip. Also equipped are six airbags, ISOFIX,  ABS, EBD and the regular suite of three-lettered acronym.
Due to the weakening of our currency, the 2017 Peugeot 208 GTi receives a RM4,000 bump in its sticker price, costing a good
RM143,888
. Two colours are available: Digital White or Rogue Red. Each purchase comes with a 5-Year or 120,000km manufacturer’s warranty, whichever comes first.
IMAGE GALLERY


Europe’s most powerful charging station is called Porsche Turbo Charging

The charging point was developed by Porsche Engineering and sets new standards for charging time where five minutes of charging gets you 100 km of driving range.
It is Europe’s most powerful rapid-charging centre with a total capacity of seven megawatts, from electricity generated from renewable energy sources.
And it’s not just for Porsche vehicles. Twelve rapid charging points with 350 kW (direct current) and four charging points with 22 kW (alternating current) which run seven days a week, round the clock, caters to customers of all vehicle brands.

At least, the “turbo” moniker makes sense here. With their latest electric 4-door supercar, the Taycan is offered in two variants –
the Turbo and the Turbo S
 – when they’re not even equipped with internal combustion engines to begin with.
No matter, the power both make more than justifies it with
625 hp
 and
1050 Nm
 of torque allowing the Turbo to get from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and the Turbo S in just 2.8 seconds.


Proton sends 1000th car to South Africa – 5,028 global exports as of Nov 2022

Only two months after relaunching in South Africa,
Proton
 has now shipped
1,000 cars
 to the country thanks to the popularity of the X50 and X70. As of November 2022, Proton has exported
5,028 cars
 globally for the year.
Proton returned to South Africa after 10 years of absence, now officially distributed by Combined Motor Holdings (CMH). Both the Proton
X50
 and
X70
 are fully imported (CBU in Malaysia) by CMH. After both SUVs from the brand, the
Proton Saga
 will land in South Africa in 2023.
Proton X70 and X50 shipment to South Africa
Proton Director of International Sales, Steven Xu said, “The quick take up of our vehicles in South Africa is proof of the appeal of both PROTON as a brand, and of our model range to car buyers there. We have a strong working relationship with CMH Group, and they have initiated many on-ground activities to give a taste of our current range to as many South Africans as possible.”
“Proton and CMH are confident of being able to grow sales exponentially in South Africa as the response we have received thus far has been very encouraging. We are committed to provide affordable luxury SUVs for South African car buyers and the Proton X50, Proton X70 have the right combination of features and value to compete with other brands. At the other end of the spectrum, we also feel that the Proton Saga will find its own niche with its combination of style, advanced features, and affordability.”
RELATED:
Proton relaunches in South Africa after 10 years – to have 25 dealers in 6 months
Proton X70 shipping to Pakistan
Of the
5,028 units
 exported by Proton so far this year,
2,610 units
 were exported to Pakistan, retaining the country as the biggest export market for Proton. South Africa is the second largest, while Brunei is the third. In terms of global model exports, the most popular car is the Proton Saga followed by the X70 and the X50.
Steven Xu adds, “Proton’s export volume continues to grow aggressively as we enter more new markets and establish a mixture of CBU and CKD strategies depending on market conditions. Export sales is one of the pillars for our sales growth and as such, we will strive to continue to grow aggressively over the coming years and bolster our position as the leading exporter of vehicles for Malaysia.”
RELATED:
The first Saga has rolled off the assembly line at Proton’s Pakistan CKD Plant


Volkswagen could be selling Bugatti to EV hypercar maker Rimac

Bugatti, most famous for their gas-guzzling insane hypercars powered by the iconic 8.0-litre 16-cylinder engines, could be sold off by Volkswagen to Croatian electric hypercar maker Rimac Automobili, according to a report by
Car Magazine UK
.
According to sources close to the matter, the deal has already been approved by Volkswagen Group executives last week, now awaiting for the final proverbial stamp of approval by the group’s supervisory board.
The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport recently
underwent final testing
 at the Nardo proving ground in Italy.
In exchange,
Car Magazine
 reports that VW Group’s darling Porsche will see an increased stake in the Croatian EV company. Currently, the German sportscar maker holds a 15.5% share in Rimac, which makes it one of the biggest shareholders after the company’s founder himself, Mate Rimac, who holds 51%.
Apparently, as Volkswagen realigns their efforts towards electrified mobility, the Group has become disinterested in pouring money in towards luxury petroleum power-focused brands such as Bugatti, Bentley, and Lamborghini – all of which, could also be facing the chopping block at VW alongside Seat (and its sister brand Cupra), Ducati, and Italdesign.
These luxury supercar makers were added into the VW Group portfolio during the reign of former boss Ferdinand Piech, who fell out with the company in 2014, and later passed away in 2019.
So called Piech’s “hobby brands”, it was pretty much impossible to severe ties with them without losing the support of Piech’s surviving family members, who owns 50% of controlling interest in the group. Well, unless Porsche was put in the centre of the deal – hence the exchange of Rimac shares, of which Porsche hopes to acquire up to 49%.
While the deal might sound odd in the perspective of Rimac, the acquisition of the Bugatti brand and its relevant infrastructure could very well be the stepping stone needed to increase its production capacity from just a couple of handfuls since its inception, to
Tesla
-rivaling numbers – especially since its recently-announced
Rimac C_Two
 has yet to enter production.
According to
Car Magazine
, Bugatti’s current CEO Stephan Winkelmann – who will most likely be removed from the position if the deal goes through – recently green lighted the Vision Le Mans concept car to be made as a one-off track-only fully-electric hypercar. Could this have anything to do with the deal? We’ll have to wait to find out…


Sorry, but the solid sound from slamming your car door is faked

How do you gauge the build quality and safety of a new car at the showroom? Apart from physically touching the materials and panels inside the car or intensively staring at panel gaps, we Malaysians are also quite fond of the classic “slam-the-door technique” – the solid, deep thumping sound from closing the doors is the definitive mark of a well-built car, right? Well, not really, actually.
The sound that you hear from closing the doors of a brand-new
BMW

for example is actually engineered specifically to make you feel that way, as reported by
Mel
, thanks to a little something called “psychoacoustics”, which essentially means the study of the psychological, cognitive and sensory responses associated with sound.
Stanford University Centre for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics professor, Jonathan Berger explains: “One of the first things a prospective car buyer encounters is the sound of the driver’s door closing — often inside the showroom. This sound gives a subconscious sense of value.”
Berger has even put the hypotheses to test with his psychoacoustic class students, where he had them rank eight car doors from least to most expensive, just based on the sound that it makes. Respondents felt that a “low, soft thud” with an after sound of some sort (Berger gave the example of a “ker-chunk”) sounds the most premium.
The results mirroring a similar decade-long study from Purdue University, which concluded that tinny door-closing sounds give off the perception of cheap and flimsy cars. Of course, car manufacturers already know that, and thus employ a group of acoustic engineers to make the sound of their doors – among many other things – sound just right.
Lexus
 even made a commercial for their engineered door-shutting sound.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGqG81R1Zds
The practice started about 10 years ago, according to the co-founder of

AutoBead
, James Ford, where changes in the manufacturing process thanks to more stringent safety standards changed the sounds car doors made while closing. “Engineering the right sound of a car door closing was their first opportunity to make buyers feel the car’s quality, craftsmanship and safety and to justify a premium price tag.”
To be fair though, when we say “engineer”, we don’t mean fake sounds – like engine noise – pumped into the cabin via the sound system. Manufacturers use specific combinations of soft materials such as mats or foam on the metal surfaces of the door – and each brand will have their own “blend”, so to speak – to absorb or block unwanted noise, while creating their own unique “thwump” sound.
Without these dampeners, the car door closing would sound more like two pieces of metal clanging together, which we imagine doesn’t sound like a pleasant experience at all. After that, the engineers then alter the locking mechanism to make “just the right sort of
click”
(see:
Mercedes-AMG G 63
) for the perfect after sound as explained by Berger.
So yes, your solid-sounding door is a lie, and it doesn’t directly reflect the safety and build quality of the car. Although, the fact that manufacturers put the effort to craft the sound your car makes when you slam the door is a good indication that the new car you’re planning to buy is well engineered to even the smallest details.
Make of it what you will with this new information, but I know that I probably wouldn’t be slamming on car doors the next time I walk into a dealership.


Volkswagen T-Roc teased in series of sketches ahead of global debut

Seems that SUV’s are all the craze right now that even
Ferrari can’t resist building one
. Volkswagen has just released a teaser of all-new crossover SUV called the T-Roc through a number of sketches ahead of its global debut happening on 23 August 2017.
The T-Roc combines the dynamism of an SUV with the athleticism of a sporty compact crossover. Both characteristics are reflected on the design which is off-road friendly yet befitting of an urban setting. Judging from the sketches it appears that the T-Roc will feature a
fastback like silhouette
 with strong body lines much like the
Range Rover Evoque
.
The wide radiator grille with integrated dual headlamps makes the T-Roc instantly recognisable as a Volkswagen. Interestingly, the turn signals and daytime running lights will be positioned in the bumper where the fog lamps are, creating a distinctive appearance at night that is independent from the
Tiguan
. If we know Volkswagen, a sporty R-Line trim should be among the works too.
Expect a range of 1.5-litre to 2.0-litre TSI and TDI engines mated to the group’s DSG dual clutch and manual transmissions. Front wheel drive should come as standard with the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system option. Keep your eyes peeled for this sleek SUV!
IMAGE GALLERY


MINI Clubman Sterling Edition now in Malaysia – 20 units, online bookings only!

When introducing limited edition models, some manufacturers plaster their cars with stickers, shiny wheels, slap on a “one of” badge and call it a day. That’s hardly any different than taking a regular car to an aftermarket expert eh?
MINI Malaysia understands the significance of the term “Limited Edition” and isn’t about to smear its significance with some 3M stickers – and as such, is appealing to the sophisticated ladies and the fine gentlemen with the 20-unit limited edition MINI Clubman Sterling Edition.
In an unprecedented move, keen buyers can only place a booking for the car online at MINI’s
dedicated website
. The flash sale will go live from
15 August till 26 August 2017
. To secure a booking, potential buyers will have to put down a RM2,000 deposit with an indicative price tag of
RM268,888
.
So, what do you get for a
RM15k premium
 over a regular
Cooper S Clubman
? For starters, it is only available in Melting Silver that’s contrasted with the Black Union Jack roof, mirror caps and side scuttles. It rides on bespoke
18-inch MINI Yours Masterpiece
 alloy wheels, also finished in black.
Inside, aside from all the standard options of a Cooper S Clubman, the Sterling Edition adds on with
Indigo Blue
 and
Pure Burgundy
 leather upholstery, “Walknappa” leather steering wheel and MINI Yours illuminated interior.
Mechanically, it is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making
192 hp
 and
 280 Nm
 of torque. The century sprint is completed in
7.1 seconds
 before the Clubman maxes out at
228km/h
. Power is sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed Aisin-sourced automatic transmission.
Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia, Mr. Han Sang Yun said, “Today, the New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition, is a modern take on one of the most iconic cars in the world. Limited to
only 20 units made available in Malaysia
, this MINI is exceptionally well-made with unique versatility to its body concept and individual style. Known as the car for the vibrant individuals of the modern age, this limited-edition MINI is bound to excite and make its mark in the premium compact segment”
Like all MINI models sold via BMW Group Malaysia, the MINI Clubman Sterling Edition comes with
4-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota confirms sports and luxury EVs by 2026, among 10 confirmed models

During the 2023

Toyota

Financial Results Press Briefing, the company shared a rather interesting detail on its plans for electric vehicles (EVs). While Toyota has previously mentioned that it will debut 10 EVs by 2026, a slide during the presentation suggests 1 sports EV and 2 luxury EVs by 2026. Do take note that the illustrated figures may not represent the actual quantity of the vehicles, and that they could also either be Toyota or
Lexus

models.
Toyota has also previously mentioned that it targets a 1.5-million-unit base volume for its EV sales in 2026. In the recent financial presentation, Toyota President, Koji Sato said that the focus will be on markets like the United States and China. To cater to the increasing number of its EVs, Toyota will secure its battery supply by “increasing its in-house production capacity” and collaborating with its partners.
Among the 10 upcoming EVs that will be launched by Toyota in 2026, the models range from luxury to SUV, Compact/Sedan, Commercial/MPV, and Sports. In the presentation shared by Toyota, the
electric Hilux
 was depicted under Commercial/MPV while the ‘Toyota bZ compact SUV’ and a ‘3-row SUV’ was depicted under SUV. Toyota will also debut several compact/sedan cars which should be about the size of the
Toyota bZ3 sedan
 which is a China-exclusive model.
Interestingly, 2 silhouettes are outlined under ‘Luxury’ with one being of a shooting brake and the other being of a saloon. Whether the EVs will be branded as Toyota or Lexus models is still unknown. Perhaps the most enticing figure in the presentation slide would be the silhouette of the one ‘Sports’ EV that is set to debut by 2026.
RELATED:
Toyota promises to keep making GR sports cars under new CEO
Previously, Toyota had already unveiled its array of EV concept cars. Among possible bases for the luxury EVs are the ‘Lexus Electrified Sedan’ and ‘Lexus Electrified SUV’. As for the ‘Luxury’ EV, it could take inspiration from the ‘Lexus Electrified Sport’ or even the Lexus Sports EV which appears to be a small and fun sports car.
For the EV models that will debut by 2026, Toyota is set to unveil the concept of these cars this year during “Japan Mobility Show 2023” which will happen in late October. The concept will show the totally renewed vehicle base for Toyota which will be built on three new platforms – a new “Body & Chassis” platform, a new “Electronic” platform, and a “Software” platform. In another slide, Toyota teased a side profile of an EV with a text that read “BEVs only a carmaker can offer”, perhaps jabbing at EV makers which started out as technology or battery companies.
RELATED:
UMW Toyota Motor sold 6,767 cars in April 2023, continues to assure Vios’ safety
Lexus Electrified Sedan
Lexus Electrified Sport
Lexus Electrified SUV
Toyota Sports EV
Toyota may have been late to the EV party, but after revealing its 10 electric concept cars at the end of 2021, it seems that Toyota has taken speedy measures to catch up. Although the push may be strong for EVs, Toyota is still firm on its stance of a “Multi-Pathway” strategy which involves HEV, PHEV, BEV, FCEV, H2, and CN fuels.
RELATED:
Toyota & Lexus to launch 30 new battery EVs by 2030
GALLERY