Lexus NX 200t Special Edition launched, all NX variants updated, same price!

Lexus Malaysia has just introduced the updated
Lexus NX range
 along with a new Special Edition variant, bringing the total number of variants to six – NX 200t, NX 200t Premium, NX 200t Luxury,
NX 200t F Sport
 and NX 300h.
Despite the weakening Ringgit, Lexus Malaysia has managed to maintain the pricing of the NX range while providing significant value added features to the base NX 200t model. Prices start from RM310k for the base variant and goes all the way up to RM398k for the range topping NX 300h.
QUICK FACTS
Name
NX 200t
NX 200t Special Edition
NX 200t Premium
NX 200t Luxury
NX 200t F Sport
NX 300h
Engine
1,988cc; 4-cylinder twin scroll turbo
2,494cc; 4-cylinder hybrid
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Max Power
235 hp @ 4,800 – 5,600 rpm
197 hp
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 1,650 – 4,000 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
7.1 seconds; 200 km/h
9.2 seconds; 180 km/h
Price (OTW without insurance)
RM309,900
RM311,900
RM340,800
RM361,900
RM387,900
RM397,800
While mechanically unchanged, Lexus said the updated NX comes with progressional upgrades, a process they call
kaizen
 (constant improvement).
Like before, the NX is available with two powertrains – a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin scroll turbo with VVT-iW producing
235 hp/350 Nm
 and a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid with
197 hp
. The hybrid motor is mated to a CVT while the blown motors are fitted with a six-speed automatic developed in-house.

The base
NX 200t
 benefits from the most number of upgrades, including full LED headlamps and fog lamps (previously LED and halogen combination and no fog lamps), automatic wipers, Lexus Smart Card key and 18-inch five-spoke alloys wrapped in 225/60 profile tyres. On the other hand, powered tailgate and panoramic sunroof are also fitted as standard across all variants.
The
NX 200t Special Edition
 commands a
RM2,000 premium
 over the base NX 200t adds an exclusive black theme to the exterior, including blacked out front grille, black wing mirror caps, dark film interior trim and blacked out 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels.

A total of
five exterior colours
 are available to choose from – Sonic Quartz, Platinum Silver, Sonic Titanium, Graphite Black Glass Flake, and Red Mica Crystal Shine. On the other hand, Lava Orange Chrystal Shine and Heat Blue are exclusively reserved for the NX 200t F Sport. All new NX purchased will come with a
5-Year unlimited mileage warranty
 while the NX 300h gets an additional
8-Year battery assurance programme
 for the hybrid battery.
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Mercedes-Benz X-Class pickup truck a reality, may come as early as 2018!

Mercedes-Benz has, rather interestingly confirmed that their pickup truck,
the X-Class
, will indeed make it to the production phase. According to Mercedes-Benz UK, early demands for the X-Class are so overwhelming that they’ve resorted to launching a reservation service for the seriously interested.
For a small refundable sum of
£1,000 (est RM5.5k),
customers can begin placing their orders on a dedicated website
. The X-Class is the result of a joint venture between Daimler AG and Nissan-Renault, which means the luxury pickup truck will share the same underpinnings as the Nissan Navara and Renault Alaska.
What’s concrete for now is that the X-Class will be powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel driving all four wheels. Apparently, Mercedes-Benz have also shortlisted a few four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines for the entry level variants. The V6 boasts a payload of over 1,100kg and a towing capacity of 3,500kg!
The Mercedes-Benz X-Class will be produced at the company’s plant in Barcelona late this year, while deliveries begin as early as 2018. If this comes to Malaysia (which we think it will), you can bet it’s going to fly off the shelves.
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Get up close and personal with the Volkswagen ID.4 EV at VW Fest 2022!

After a two-year hiatus, the Volkswagen Fest will finally be returning for 2022, happening on
October 15 and 16
 at the Sentul Depot. And as a special treat for its fans,
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia
 has also confirmed that it’ll be previewing the
 ID.4
EV at the upcoming event.
The VW Fest 2022 promises to be “even bigger than before”, with a range of activities being offered for fans and visitors, including a classic Volkswagen display, live performances, as well as a Volkswagen Driving Academy programme for juniors to earn their “very first driver’s license”.
Attendees will also be able to test drive Volkswagen’s range of units, from the
all-new Golf
 and
Arteon
, to its entire SUV line-up here in Malaysia.
RELATED:
Volkswagen Malaysia kicks off ‘We Drive Football’ promo – up to 20% off on wear-and-tear parts
Aside from the teasers for the event, all specifications and details on the Volkswagen ID.4 still remain under wraps. The fully-electric SUV was recently sighted here in Malaysia, however, and spy shots suggest that we’ll at least be seeing (or getting) the ‘Pro’ variant.
In this specification, the Volkswagen ID.4 gets a single electric motor on the rear axle to put out
204 hp
 and
310 Nm
 of torque, translating to a 0-100 km/h time of 8.5 seconds.
ALSO READ:
The ID.4 is Volkswagen’s first global electric car
The motor is fed by a 77 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, giving it a range of
 520 km
 based on the WLTP test cycle. As for charging, the ID.4 accepts up to 11 kW of AC power, or up to 125 kW via a DC fast charger.
More information should be available once the car goes on display next weekend, so keep your eyes peeled!


Continental MaxContact 6 MC6 launched in Malaysia, available for 16 to 20-inch

Following the launch of the
Continental ComfortContact 6 (CC6) and UltraContact 6 (UC6)
, Continental Tyres Malaysia (CTM) has just introduced the MaxContact 6 (MC6), completing the full range of Generation 6 tyres. MC6 is the brands ultra-high performance (UHP) tyres that succeeds the MC5 that most of us are familiar with.
Produced at CTM’s plant in Alor Star, the MC6 Continentals ultra-high performance (UHP) tyres that succeeds the MC5 most of us are familiar with. Compared to the MC5, Continental has poured their R&D focus towards improving wet braking, dry handling and mileage while maintaining the same high levels of comfort and rolling noise.
Developed for rim sizes ranging from 16- to 20-inch in diameter, the MC6 features the brands latest innovation in tyre technology for superb acceleration, braking and cornering. The inner tyre walls features a
Chevron Grip Element
 designed to provide even pressure distribution on the inside tyre walls for enhanced grip at the limit.
To further improve the tyres performance under demanding situations, the inner tyre grove has what Continental calls them
Stabiliser Bars
 that stiffens the tyre’s overall structure during hard cornering. The MC6 also features new
Adaptive Grip Control
 and
Xtreme-Force
 Construction where special adhesive polymers have been applied to the tyre compound resulting in higher levels of predictability and higher grip threshold.
Despite the improved performance, the MC6 is equally as quiet and comfortable compared to its predecessor thanks to Noise Breaker 2.0 technology which breaks down the sound waves that flows through the grooves.
Prices of the tyres have yet to be announced but CTM ensured that their new MC6 will carry a
highly competitive
 price tag. Production will go into full swing by the end of 2017 so it’s not too soon to head over to your nearest Continental dealership for a fresh set of UHP MC6. For full list of sizes, head on over to
CTMs website
.
AVAILABLE SIZES
MC6
Section
Rim Size (inch)
Load Index
Speed Rating
205/45
16
87
W
205/40
17
84
W
245/40
17
95
W
205/45
17
88
W
215/45
17
91
W
225/45
17
94
W
235/45
17
97
W
245/45
17
99
W
215/50
17
95
W
225/50
17
98
W
215/55
17
94
W
225/55
17
101
W
255/35
18
94
Y
265/35
18
97
Y
225/40
18
92
Y
235/40
18
95
Y
215/45
18
93
Y
225/45
18
95
Y
235/45
18
98
Y
245/45
18
100
Y
225/50
18
95
W
235/50
18
101
W
235/55
18
104
Y
265/30
19
93
Y
275/30
19
96
Y
285/30
19
98
Y
245/40
19
98
Y
275/40
19
105
Y
245/45
19
102
Y
295/30
20
101
Y
245/35
20
95
Y
255/35
20
97
Y
275/35
20
102
Y
285/35
20
104
Y
295/35
20
105
Y
245/40
20
99
Y
265/40
20
104
Y

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AIA Family Drive offers discount to households with multiple cars

AIA General Berhad has just launched the Family Drive comprehensive car insurance, promising to provide all-round on-the-road protection, convenience, as well as savings for Malaysian drivers and their families.
A first in the Malaysian car insurance market, Family Drive offers a
5% family discount
 if two or more cars in the family are insured under the same household. The family discounts are also perpetual, as long as you renew your coverage annually with AIA General.

In order to take advantage of the discount, just provide the same address during the purchase, and the discount will automatically be applied. The discount can be enjoyed by
up to four cars
 in one household.
The Family Drive car insurance also includes
Personal Accident Protection for all occupants
 in a vehicle – up to RM25,000 per person, with double indemnity on national public holidays. The Personal Accident Protection is capped at
RM250,000
 per policy.
In the event of an accident which involves loss of use of your vehicle, policy holders of the new Family Drive will receive an
Inconvenience Allowance of RM600 per accident
 in cash.
What’s more, the Family Drive plan also includes Transportation Assistance in the form of e-hailing vouchers, in addition to the 24/7 roadside assistance in the event of an accident, to safely help customers and their family get home safely after the accident.
Other add-on benefits of the Family Drive insurance include the ability to insure to an agreed value – as opposed to market value, betterment cost waiver, as well as natural disaster coverage, which protects the cars against loss and damage caused by flood, storm, landslide and other acts of nature.
AIA General Berhad, Chief Executive Officer, Eric Chang said at the launch of Family Drive today, “Our market research identified various customer concerns where we saw the growing trend of expanding families who were worried about their family’s safety and inconveniences caused by car accidents. With these insights, we developed Family Drive as a way to meet the protection needs of our customers on the road.”
“Family Drive is the first of many innovative insurance plans and policies that will be rolled out by AIA General Berhad,” added Eric Chang.
The Family Drive car insurance can now be purchased through AIA General’s nationwide network of agents and branches, as well as through the
AIA General website
.
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So long and goodbye, WRX STI – Subaru UK launches the Final Edition

Whether it’s on a rally course or simply on the tarmac of our roads, the Subaru Impreza is a stature instantly recognisable with its signature rumble and iconic blue paint/gold rims combination. It’s sad that due to regulations and lack of demand, these things aren’t as prominent on our roads as they used to be back in the 1990’s all the way up to the mid-2000’s.
To commemorate the end of its modern incarnation, the WRX STI, Subaru UK has just launched the WRX STI Final Edition – to mark the end of an era of glorious Boxer melody.
On the outside, wheel size has been increased to 19-inches to house the new, larger Brembo brakes with yellow calipers. The front bumper features larger openings for improved cooling. The Subaru wing design which flows through to the C-shaped headlights has been incorporated, hinting at the Boxer engine under the bonnet.
The front end is also fitted with bi-functional projector LED lights with a single bulb enabling High Beam Assist, which operates via a single lens camera installed in the front windscreen – allowing high and low beams to be switched automatically.
Inside, the Final Edition comes with an electronic-controlled Multi-Mode Driver’s Control Centre Differential (DCC), an upgrade from the old mechanical unit. High gloss black inserts have been fitted to the instrument panel, gear stick surround, door panels and steering wheel.
Strictly limited to just 150 units, the WRX STI retails at £33,995 (
RM 224k
). Goodbye scooby, you will be sorely missed.
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Hi Proton… Can you take me to China ah?

Of course
can lah
. This time, we can add another share to our well-received
Proton X70
 GKUI video and it’s from none other than the
major stakeholder of Proton itself
, Geely Auto.
Seen on the official Weibo account of Geely,
the post
cheekily reminded the Chinese audience of their university English test while also urging them to check out our unique Malaysian English.
Watch it on Weibo
here
!
The video featured local motorsport darling
Leona Chin
, comedian
Vikarworld
, and singer/host/comedian
Luqman Podolski
 who were invited to test out the
 Proton X70’s GKUI system
, which served as commanded, like a butler.

At the time of writing, the video has accumulated close to 10,000 views on Geely’s Weibo account and unsurprisingly, there were a few “gems” in the comment section:
“It understands Malaysian English, but not necessarily my Chinese English”
“The logo of the car is obviously better looking than the one it’s based on.”
“Are you bullying the AI system because it is well-tempered?”
Also, we are actually serious about the headline, as you’re reading this, there’s actually
a convoy of Proton X70s making their way to China!


UMW Toyota Motor transfers 3 outlets to dealers

Back in October 2017,
UMW Toyota Motor
 announced that it would transfer all of its retail operation branches to its dealers. Following that announcement, the company has, as of today, transferred three of its own outlets in the Klang Valley, Sabah, and Sarawak.
In the Klang Valley region, PCM Subang Motor will take over the Subang Jaya branch while new dealers in East Malaysia, Borneo Mobility Sabah and Borneo Mobility Sarawak, will take over the respective outlets in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.
Save up to RM469 on servicing your Vios with the
Toyota Service Savers
!
“It is essential for us to continue achieving high customer satisfaction standards. This allows us to increase intensity on high value-added upstream activities such as product development, marketing and dealer network support, while dealers continue to dedicate themselves towards delivering customers satisfaction,” said UMW Toyota, President, Mr. Ravindran K.
“We are now working ever more closely with our dealers now to realise a shared vision for UMWT which is to deliver the concept of “Best In Town”, meaning more focused on one-to-one customer engagement,” he added.
Following the Sales Tax Exemption announcement, for the latest price list of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, click
here
.


The 2021 Lexus ES facelift finally gets a touchscreen infotainment system

If you’ve read our
reviews
 for any
 recent Lexus models
, you probably would have seen us complaining about its horrid touchpad control system for its outdated infotainment software. Well, it’s high time Lexus realises that it was a mistake, because the Japanese carmaker is finally going with a touchscreen display for its new Lexus ES facelift – but we’ll talk more about that in a bit.
Firstly, the exterior. The new Lexus ES facelift has been given a mild aesthetic touch-up with most changes reserved for the front fascia. The grille still retains its iconic spindle shape, but receives a new L-shaped mesh pattern, along with a more exaggerated forward extrusion which supposedly “heightens the sense of quality” of the car.
Flanking the grille are the newly redesigned headlights, which now also features the BladeScan adaptive high beam system (as seen on the
 RX
 and
LS
), using millions of spinning blade mirrors to accurately reflect the LED light source onto the road ahead.
Wrapping up the exterior changes are the new 17- to 19-inch alloys, which have all been redesigned, alongside two new coats of paint: Sonic Iridium, which “takes advantage of strong shadows to further accentuate the shape of the vehicle”, and Sonic Chrome, which meshes metallic paint qualities into a high-gloss finish.
Moving onto the interior, the one big change is of course the aforementioned new touchscreen infotainment display, which comes in a standard 8-inch unit, upgradeable to a 12.3-inch display depending on variant – both touchscreen enabled.
In order for the driver to reach every corner of the screen naturally without stretching, the screen has been moved closer to the driver by more than 100 mm, and tilted approximately five degrees towards the driver.
Other interior changes are just materials and colours, with the trim pieces getting either a walnut material or a laser-etched “hairline ornament”, while the upholstery is slathered in either Hazel or a new “brown grayish-tone” called Mauve.
The trackpad is still here, but at least you don’t have to use it any more.
Despite this being a facelift model, Lexus says that it has done significant below-the-surface changes to the new ES to make the driving sensation “more linear and faithful to the driver’s intentions”.
A key part of that grandiose claim is the use of a new “proprietary Lexus method” to increase the rigidity of the suspension-member braces at the rear, which enhances steering stability in tricky situations such as high-speed lane changes.
The F Sport model of the new ES also gets a new adaptive variable suspension (AVS) system, featuring a new actuator that is supposedly more responsive to low damping forces, helping it to achieve both good ride comfort while improving steering response and stability.
Other performance improvement is in the braking department, where Lexus says the brake controllability on all powertrain options of the ES facelift have been improved. On the pure ICE side, the idle stroke of the brake pedal is reduced, while the brake control software on the hybrid models is retuned so that the switch from regenerative braking to actual, physical braking is more easily controlled.
The shape of the brake pedal pad itself has also been expanded, giving drivers a larger contact area to improve the sense of stability under heavy braking, while the mounting method for the brake pedal itself has also been revised to give a better sense of lateral rigidity.
Speaking of powertrains, all options have been carried over from before, though the ES is now available in a new ES 300h F Sport variant in the United States, which is said to have a combined output of 218 hp from the PHEV powertrain.
On the safety front, the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 advanced driver assistance suite sees improvements across the board, thanks to the improved single-lens camera and millimetre-wave radar modules.
The Pre-Collision System can now detect oncoming vehicles from the opposite lane at the junction, while the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system gets a new “smooth overtaking” function allongside a Curve Speed Reduction function – the latter automatically reduces the speed of the car based on the curvature of the road ahead.
Lane Tracing Assist on the new Lexus ES facelift has also been improved with a new AI-powered software, while the digital side-view and rear-view mirrors (available in selected regions) gets a new noise-reduction process for clearer image especially in low-light or mixed-light situations.
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Plug-in Hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander Juro updated, why aren’t we getting this?

Would you believe us if we told you that the UK’s best-selling plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is the
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Juro
? Well, believe it, because it’s about to get better. For a slight price hike of £750 (RM4,104), the Outlander PHEV Juro gets improved convenience, comfort and safety.
On top of the standard equipment previously available, the 7-seater SUV now gets electronic parking brake with auto brake hold, EV Priority mode, DAB Smartphone Link Display Audio with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and reverse camera. A new Cool Silver has been added to the colour palette.
The new EV Priority mode allows drivers to operate the vehicle in full-electric mode without the petrol engine kicking, provided the car has sufficient charge. This function should be particularly useful for those who want to make full use of the Outlander PHEV Juro’s
51 km pure electric driving range
.
Besides that, regenerative braking has also been refined in the 2017 model. Charging time from flat to 80 percent battery only takes a mere
25 minutes
. That’s even quicker than our average lunch breaks!
No changes were made to the Outlander PHEV’s powertrain. It is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder MIVEC petrol engine that produces
119 hp
 and
190 Nm
 of torque coupled with two electric motors fitted onto each axle that generates
80 hp
 and
137 Nm
 at the front and
80 hp
 and
195 Nm
 at the rear. Combined output is rated at
200 hp
 and
500 Nm
. Transmission of choice is a single-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four-wheels.
With the enhanced equipment and faster charging time, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Juro may very well soldier on as UK’s best-selling PHEV for years to come. Meanwhile, our Mitsubishi Outlander remains powered by a
2.4-litre naturally aspirated
 four-cylinder engine, and it’s quite unlikely that the Outlander Juro will find its way here.
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The new Renault Megane R.S. is now in Malaysia to challenge that white Honda

The new Renault Megane R.S is finally here in Malaysia and will be available for booking at RM279,888 for the manual transmission model and an estimated RM299,888 for the EDC Automatic model.
Unlike before, the Megane R.S is now fitted with a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine paired to either a 6-speed auto or manual transmission; making
280 hp
 and
390 Nm
 of torque for a 0-100 km/h time of just 5.8 seconds, onward to a 250 km/h top speed.
The Megane R.S. raises the bar in the hot hatchback game with its new 4CONTROL technology with 4-wheel steering that’s a world first in its segment. The result of which offers quicker steering response, allowing the car to be more nimble and agile in the lower speeds.
At higher speeds the system ensures higher stability, better traction and higher cornering speeds.
Offered with the Cup chassis, the Megane R.S.’ dampers are 10% stiffer with cornering performance aided by a new Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential.
Braking performance is taken care of by enlarged brake discs which are 15mm larger than before at 355mm. Made of a mix of aluminium and cast iron, its weight has been reduced by 1.8 kg per wheel.
On the outside, the Megane R.S. is fitted with 19-inch wheels, with a lowered ride height by 5mm from before. Another highlight of the car’s exterior is the new R.S. Vision lighting system that’s integrated into the front bumper, first found in the Clio R.S.
Equipped with nine LEDs per block, the system is capable of offering various functions where it serves as side lights, cornering lights, fog lights and long range high beam lights.
With a range of 460 metres (17% more than the old Megane R.S.), the high beam feature perfectly complements the full-LED headlamps.
The Megane R.S. is available in four colours – Diamond Black, Pearl White, Liquid Yellow and their new signature colour, Orange Tonic.
For those of you who’d like a closer look at the Renault Megane R.S. should head on over to Mid Valley Shopping Centre where the car will be displayed from 24-28th of April 2019.
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Jaguar C-X75 debuts in London, piloted by Spectre stunt driver Martin Ivanov

If you’ve seen the
recent Bond instalment Spectre
, there’s no way you’ll miss the car chase scene involving two ultra-rare supercars, one of it being the Jaguar C-X75. The Brit-built hybrid supercar recently made its first ever public debut in London at the 800th Lord Mayor’s Show.
The bespoke concept car was conceived by Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering, and the lucky person who got behind the wheel for this 3 kilometre parade is none other than Spectre’s stunt driver Martin Ivanov. He later highlighted that driving it during filming in Rome was truly memorable, and he was beyond excited to see the public’s reactions.
Accompanying the Jaguar C-X75 were the
new XE
,
F-Type
 and two bespoke Range Rovers. The appearance marks the start of Jaguar Land Rover’s partnership with HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy’s future aircraft carrier and flagship.
Captain Simon Petitt, Senior Naval Officer of the Royal Navy’s future flagship, which is being built at Rosyth in Scotland, said: “I am delighted that Jaguar Land Rover is supporting HMS Queen Elizabeth and I look forward to a long and fruitful association.”
HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carriers will be the biggest and most powerful warships ever constructed for the Royal Navy. They will be utilised by all three sectors of the UK Armed Forces and will provide eight acres of sovereign territory which can be deployed around the world. Both ships will be versatile enough to be used for operations ranging from supporting war efforts to providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
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Hyundai’s new Casper Turbo is even smaller than the Perodua Ativa but we still want one!

The crossover or SUV market is just going to be expanded to every segment. If we thought the Perodua Ativa/Daihatsu Rocky/Toyota Raize is pretty much as small as it can be, Hyundai has further gone down in product sizing.
The new Hyundai Casper is even smaller than the
Bayon
, Venue and the
Stonic
from its affiliate Kia. In terms of numerical dimensions, the Hyundai Casper is 3.6 m in length over a 2.4 m wheelbase and a width of 1.6 m. For perspective, a Japanese ‘kei’ car such as the
Nissan Dayz
 occupies a slightly smaller footprint of 3.4 m by 1.48 m, length and width respectively.
Crossovers or SUVs from 3.6 m to just 4.1 m in length.
Although smaller than a
Perodua Ativa
 (4 m x 1.7 m) and

Volkswagen T-Cross
, the new Hyundai Casper will be offered with options of turbocharged and non-turbocharged engines, both displacing 1.0 litre. No mention of the performance of the engine units.
The designers have done a good job to mask the compactness of the Casper, with a futuristic parametric pattern grille and two-tier lighting arrangement. For models with the turbocharged engine under the Active variant, the front grille will have four circles thanks to the intercooler with a circular intake grille.
At the other end of the scale, Hyundai has launched the Santa Cruz pick-up for those who are erm, anti-truck? More about the true SUV here.
The DRLs are located within the large circular lower lamp, providing a happy looking ‘face’ for the youthful and active look. The rear tailgate not only has a repeat of the parametric pattern and circular lighting units but also a wide opening for added convenience.
Overfenders have also been cleverly stamped onto the rear doors, which also hides away the door handles like the
Honda HR-V
 and
Toyota C-HR
. Hyundai designers managed to add some identity on the tiny rear door handles too by including the ‘Casper’ logo which resembles a smiling person.
The name Casper is however not inspired by the cartoon, but instead from a major skateboard flipping trick invented by Bobby “Casper” Boyden.
There are no images of the interior, but it looks like there will be a free-standing central infotainment display based on the overhead images of the dashboard. Hyundai is only planning to deliver the new Casper to customers closer to the end of the year.
Hyundai has built a robot that will tell you to wear a mask! Totally need more of these here! Find out more about the robot called Dale here!
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Mercedes-Benz retains premium leadership in 2019, Volvo and Tesla on the up

The pecking order at the top of the global premium segment for 2019 remained the same as 2018, with the two German powerhouses –
Mercedes-Benz and BMW
– announcing best-ever annual sales achievements amidst
modest year-to-year growth
, with BMW narrowing the gap slightly to Mercedes-Benz.
One in three Mercedes-Benz sold is an SUV.
No stopping the Germans
Mercedes-Benz delivered 2,339,562 cars
 last year – a
1.3% increase
 over 2018 to confirm its number one position held since 2016;
BMW delivered a total of 2,168,516 cars
 to customer, a
2.0% increase
 over 2018, while Audi managed
1,845,550
,
up 1.8%
 from 2018.
BMW forecasts modest growth in 2020 as part of its new model offensive.
All three German brands experienced an uptake in China despite the Chinese auto market experiencing a slowdown, with
SUVs driving sales
 for all three German brands. For example, one in every three Mercedes-Benz sold in 2019 was an SUV, while 44% of all BMWs sold were an X model.
Volvo global sales volume rises past 700,000-unit mark, a new record, again.
Volvo marches on
While Volvo’s
705,452 sales total in 2019
 doesn’t constitute even half of what any of the top three Germans’ total,
breaching the 700,000-unit
 mark is a watershed for Volvo – an increase of
9.8% compared to 2018
 and may have exceeded Lexus’s total (yet to be announced). Again, the key models which drove sales were its SUVs, across multiple markets.
Tesla delivered 367,600 cars in 2019, poised to surpass that in 2020.
Tesla ends year on a high
A strong final quarter of the year saw Tesla end 2019 on a high with approximately
367,500 cars
 delivered – which is
over 50% more than 2018’s total of 245,240
, powered by the new
Model 3 sedan
. With its Shanghai plant ready to churn out new cars at 3,000 units per week, expect Tesla’s volume in China to pick up considerably in 2020.


Alfa Romeo brings back the GTA nameplate with new Giulia GTA and GTAm

Alfa Romeo is celebrating its 110 year anniversary this year. As an anniversary gift to itself and also humanity in general, Alfa Romeo is bringing back the legendary namesake, ‘
Gran Turismo Alleggerita
‘, with the introduction of the new Giulia GTA and GTAm.
Sticking true to its name (‘
Alleggerita
‘ is the italian term for ‘lightened’), Alfa Romeo said that the GTA shed about
100 kg
 compared to the regular Giulia. This is done by using lightweight materials such as aluminium and carbon fibre down to the drive shaft.
The GTAm takes it even further with the use of a polycarbonate resin for the side and rear window frames, along with the removal of the back seats, dropping the weight down to just
1,520 kg
. Funnily enough, the GTAm still gets four doors.
Pair that to an updated 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo engine that now pumps out
 540 hp
, the Giulia GTAm has a power-to-weight ratio of
2.82 kg/hp
, which translates to just
3.6 seconds
 for the century sprint.
The GTAm also comes with some over-the-top aero parts, such as an almost comically-large carbon-fibre rear spoiler, along with a new larger front splitter. The GTA goes for a more “sleeper” look, but the aerodynamics have also been tuned specifically by Formula 1 outfit Sauber Engineering to increase downforce.
Handling has been refined with a new set of springs, shock absorbers, and bushings, while the front and rear wheel track has also been widened by 50 mm to help in high-speed stability.
New 20-inch centre-locking wheels, along with a new titanium Akrapovic central exhaust system, neatly integrated into the carbon fibre diffuser, complete the audio-visual package.
On the inside of the new GTA twins, Alcantara is used generously on the dashboard, door panels, glove compartment, side pillars, and the central trim on the seats.
The “extreme version” Giulia GTAm features a roll-bar inside and no door panels, and the door opening handles have been replaced by a belt – probably in the name of weight saving. The rear bench seats have also been removed, now replaced with an Alcantara-upholstered basin, moulded specifically to hold helmets and a fire extinguisher.
Only
500 units
 in total will be built for the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA and GTAm, all numbered and certified – which also means that resale and second-hand value has just shot off the roof.
No pricing information was announced, but if you’re one of the lucky 500 owners, you’ll also be getting a “personalised experience package”, which includes a Bell helmet in special GTA livery, a full racing outfit set from Alpinestars, along with a personalised Goodwool car cover for protecting their prized possession.
IMAGE GALLERY


Porsche unveils special edition 911 Turbo S to celebrate 20 years in China

Porsche has unveiled a special edition of their
most trouble-free model
 at the Shanghai motor show to celebrate 20 years of the brand’s presence in China and you’ve guessed it right, it’s literally called the
20 Years Porsche China Edition
.
The commemorative model is based on the
911 Turbo S
, with a 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged flat six serving up
650 hp
 and
 800 Nm
 via an 8-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox.
With plenty of traction from its all-wheel drive system, the fastest 911 to date will obliterate the 0 to 100 km/h run in just 2.7 seconds, before hitting its 330 km/h top speed.
The special edition stands out with Porsche and the number “20” liveries on the side, complete with a unique “20 Years Porsche China Edition” badge on the rear glass.
The special edition model, made by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, also gets racing stripes that run along the centre of the car and a slightly different rear spoiler; with kinks on the edges.
The 20 Years Porsche China Edition 911 Turbo S is expected to go for around 3.1 million yuan (approx. RM1.9 million).
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The Honda HR-V is still as popular as ever

Despite a relatively
quiet launch
, the Honda HR-V facelift is still garnering positive market response in Malaysia. Honda Malaysia has announced that the HR-V facelift has sold more than
14,800 units
 between January and November 2019.
Based on internal data collected, Honda claims that the HR-V maintains its first position in the Compact Sport Utility Vehicle segment, capturing
79%
 of the market share as of October 2019.

Honda Malaysia also claims to have remained at the top of the compact SUV market for four consecutive years since its launch in 2015. Over the years, the crossover achieved an average market share of 76%, and total sales of the model has exceeded
87,000 units
.
The positive sales performance also made the HR-V the second best-seller in Honda Malaysia, contributing
19%
 to the total sales for the company.
Internal findings revealed Klang Valley contributed the highest sales at 49%, while the Southern and Northern region each make up 18% and 17% of total sales respectively.
Launched in January this year, the facelift Honda HR-V was introduced with two new variants – RS and Hybrid.
The RS, as with the other petrol variants, is powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC engine, generating
142 hp
 and
172 Nm
 to drive the front wheels.
The Hybrid on the other hand, pairs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC engine ( 132 hp/156 Nm) to a single electric motor (29.5 hp/160 Nm), pushing out a combined output of
152 hp
 and
190 Nm
 of torque. The hybrid variant uses a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, while all other variants uses a CVT gearbox.
The newly introduced Passion Red Pearl colour option, which is exclusive to the range-topping RS variant, also appears to be the favourite colour choice among buyers, being selected in
29%
 of all HR-V sales.
 Pricing for the Honda HR-V ranges from
RM108,800 to RM124,800
 on-the-road without insurance. As part of Honda’s Year-End Power Extras promotion, the petrol-powered HR-V can be had with rebates up to
RM4,000
, while the Hybrid variant is discounted up to
RM10,000
.


BMW is teaching you how to use its Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT)

Firstly, did you know that the BMW M4’s M DCT with Drivelogic does not come with a “Park” function? Apparently it’s because BMW wanted to replicate the regular manual transmission as closely as possible.
When in standstill, simply leave the car in gear and switch off the engine, and the gear would automatically shift to Park; as indicated in the instrument cluster.
There’s more to it but I supposed you’re better off watching the video than read my explanation on it. Only problem is, aside from the obvious lacking of a BMW M4 to put this new lesson to use, the video is in German. Sorry about that.
In recent times, the M dual-clutch transmission had found its way to M models such as the
 F80 M3
,
F82 M4
 and the
F87 M2
. However, the
newly-launched F90 BMW M5
 in Malaysia still utilises an 8-speed Steptronic transmission.


1,000,000th BMW X1 produced at brand’s Regensburg plant – iX2 EV production to start end of 2023

BMW Group
 has achieved a new production milestone at its Regensburg plant- having built its 1,000,000th
BMW X1
. The milestone vehicle is specifically the carmaker’s smallest fully-electric SUV – the
BMW iX1
 in Alpine White. The BMW iX1 has also become the company’s first fully-electric model to have been produced at the brand’s Regensburg plant.
BMW Group’s Regensburg Plant Director, Carsten Regent said, “The BMW iX1 is proof that we can build highly attractive electric vehicles for the premium compact class at our plant in Regensburg. This a very popular car with customers around the world.”
“To meet different market requirements worldwide, we rely as a company on technological diversity. Specifically, here in Regensburg, we have the flexibility to produce different types of drive trains for the BMW X1 on a single production line – models with a combustion engine and plug-in hybrid systems, as well as with a pure electric drive train,” Regent added.
Starting from the end of this year, The German luxury carmaker’s Regensburg plant will be producing another fully-electric SUV – the BMW iX2 as well. “Electromobility is a growth driver for our plant. We are currently operating at full capacity and hope this trend will continue,” said Regent.
RELATED:
2023 BMW iX1 xDrive30 launched in Malaysia, RM286k – 440km range
BMW iX1 xDrive30
BMW produces a total of up to 1,000 units of the
BMW 1 Series
, BMW X1, and
BMW X2
 models at its Regensburg plant every single workday. The plant also produces various types of drivetrains on a single production line, which includes vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), as well as fully-electric (BEV) models.
BMW Group announced in March that it will be investing more than 350 million Euros in its Regensburg plant’s vehicle production by the end of this year. This will help create permanent jobs for around 500 new employees.
BMW iX1 xDrive30
“We are still recruiting production staff for our plant. In November, we will add an additional night shift and transition to three-shift operation. We are already working extra shifts on certain Saturdays,” said BMW Group Plant Regensburg’s Head of Human Resources, Davide Vitolo.
In Malaysia, the 2023 BMW iX1 xDrive30 was
just launched in May this year
. Offered in a single variant only, the iX1 is currently sold at a price tag of
RM285,800
 (OTR, without insurance).
RELATED:
BMW X1 M35i xDrive debuts – First M-labelled X1, up to 317 hp, 400 Nm, 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds


Frankfurt 2015: A complete look at the fourth-gen Renault Megane [+Videos]

Just as promised, Renault has released more info on the fourth generation Megane at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. We’ve already seen how the
new Megane
 inherited the
Talisman
‘s charm, but now we got the full details about the Golf challenger from France.
The overall
height
 has been cut by 25mm to
1,447mm
, but the new Megane has been stretched horizontally, increasing the total
length
 to
4,359mm
. The
wheelbase
 have grown by 28mm to
2,669mm
, and the front and rear tracks have been pushed outwards by 47mm and 39mm respectively to 1,591mm and 1,586mm.
Along with the more planted stance, the Megane has been styled with more flair. The front is characterised by the signature
C-shaped headlamps
 with extended section for the LED DRL. Full-LED lights at the front is optional, but the rear LED lamps are standard. The strong shoulder lines follow the Clio, exaggerating its dynamic proportions.
The interior is a huge departure from the outgoing third-generation Megane, not only in terms of design, but on material quality as well. Soft touch plastic is used for the dash, and top spec variants get the steering wheel wrapped in
Nappa leather
 as well as seats covered in plush velour developed with
Alcantara
. The cabin is further enhanced with the glowing
 LED lighting strip
 at the edge of the center console and on the doors.

The dashboard is angled towards the driver, and there’s a retractable
full-colour Head-Up Display
 in the driver’s line of sight. Some interior bits are lifted from the Talisman such as the
TFT instrument cluster
 and the tall center panel. The center panel houses a 7-inch display by default, but an upgrade to a
portrait-style 8.7-inch tablet-like screen
 is available and it brings the
R-Link 2
 infotainment system with voice recognition.
Not only the R-Link 2 enables the owners to choose from five interior ambiance lighting colours, they can also change the
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
 (ADAS) settings from here. This includes the
adaptive cruise control
 and the
automated emergency braking system
. The new Megane will also be equipped with
Multi-Sense technology
, allowing drivers to choose from
five driving modes
; Sport, Normal, Comfort, Perso and Eco.
There’s more space for everyone inside, rear passengers in particular gain extra knee room than before, and the
434 litres boot capacity
 is among the biggest in its class. Meanwhile, providing the soundtrack for the occupants is a nine-speaker
Bose audio system
 specifically tailored for the Megane’s interior.
Three
petrol TCe
 engines with
100 hp
,
130 hp
, or
205 hp
 and three
diesel ENERGY dCi
 engines with
90 hp
,
110 hp
, or
130 hp
 will be available at launch. A
six-speed manual transmission
 is standard, but there’s an option for a
six-speed EDC
 dual clutch transmission on the dCi 110, or a
seven-speed EDC
 on the TCe 130. However, the seven speeder is standard on the TCe 205.

Additional diesel mill will be added to the range next year, which is the
dCi 165
 paired with the six-speed EDC; while another
diesel with ‘Hybrid Assist’
 will join sometime in 2017 with a targeted fuel consumption of
3.0 litres per 100 km
!
The
Renaultsport-inspired GT
 variant you see here is using the
TCe 205
 powerplant. It gets uprated dampers, springs and brakes as a part of the
chassis tweak
, and it will also be the first car in its segment to feature
4Control four-wheel steering
. Tuned by the engineers from Renaultsport, the 4Control steering promises to deliver a precise and dynamic handling at higher speeds together with boosted maneuverability at lower speeds.

Other Renaultsport touches on the Megane GT include
Launch Control
,
Multi Change Down
, which enables rapid downshifting, and an
R.S. Drive mode
 replacing the Eco drive mode on the Multi-Sense technology settings.
What about the RS you ask? Renault has confirmed that the current
Megane RS
 will soldier on for at least another year, but they won’t announce exactly when the new RS will come out. Word on the grapevine is that the next Megane RS will follow
Clio
‘s footpath, which means a 5-door body style and dual-clutch transmission. Yes, we also hope that’s not true, but in case you’re worried, you may want to consider getting the current
Megane RS
.
VIDEO GALLERY
IMAGE GALLERY
Renault Megane

Renault Megane GT


Cooper Tires now available at Goodyear Autocare stores in Malaysia

Following the acquisition of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company by
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
 last year, tires by Cooper Tires are now available at selected Goodyear Autocare stores in Malaysia. The brand’s tires are mainly for 4x4s and pickup trucks.
Tires that are currently in the Cooper Tires line-up for Malaysia include the Discover AT3 4S/LT, Evolution CT, Discoverer UTS, Discoverer ATT, and Zeon RS3-G1. All tires come with a 5-year Manufacturing Warranty from the date of purchase for consumers’ peace of mind on the road.
In celebration of Cooper Tires joining the Goodyear family, Goodyear Malaysia is having a ‘Cooper Tires Promotion’ for consumers that will run from now until
May 31, 2023
. Customers will receive a free Petronas Gift Card worth
RM40
when they purchase 4 pieces of Cooper Tires, while stocks last.
Cooper Tires is an American company that was founded in 1914. The company has now been acquired by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and full integration began early this year.
Goodyear Malaysia Managing Director, Alex Ng said, “Now with Cooper Tires on board with Goodyear, we are able to merge our specialty as the top-tier replacement tires alongside theirs so it’s a valuable outcome for us as well as our consumers. We foresee the synergy of both our brands will bring about an increase and wider spectrum of product offerings to consumers – at the same time expanding further in the local tire industry market.”
RELATED:
Goodyear Assurance ComfortTred premium touring tyres launched in Malaysia – 16-19 inch sizes
“When it comes to off-road and on-road driving, we are confident that the durability and quality of Cooper Tires will deliver commendably, that’s why we’re proud to continue the Cooper Tires’ legacy by encouraging Malaysian drivers who value their 4x4s/pick-up trucks to choose our tires for their next adventure. With Cooper Tires now available at selected Goodyear Autocare stores, everyone can now experience the satisfaction and reliability that Cooper Tires is known for,” he added.
RELATED:
Goodyear Malaysia launches official online stores on Lazada and Shopee


BMW M8 confirmed for production, flagship luxury coupe, bound for Le Mans too!

BMW has confirmed two major news in relation to the
Concept 8 Series
 – that the M8 model is currently being developed and it will compete in the GTE class for next year’s 24-hour Le Mans endurance race.
We’ve had our first glimpses at the 8 Series, but all we’re allowed to see here are pictures of a fully camouflaged M8 prototype. According to the President BMW M Division, Frank van Meel, the M8 is concurrently developed with the 8 Series. Expected big fat brakes, sports exhaust with quad tailpipes and massive air intakes.
At Le Mans, the M8 will go up against formidable rivals like the
Ferrari 488 GTB
,
Porsche 911
,
Aston Martin Vantage
 and the
Ford GT
. The M8 will get its first taste of motorsport as early as January 2018!
IMAGE GALLERY


The Lynk & Co 05+ is a 265 hp SUV with real carbon fibre bits

Welcome to 2021, where – aside from a pretty-much unprecedented health pandemic that’s still ravaging the entire globe – SUVs have 265 hp and real, genuine carbon fibre parts. This is the Lynk & Co 05+, and I guess this is the world we live in now.
As the name suggests, the 05+ is a souped-up version of the Lynk & Co 05 SUV that was unveiled in China back in 2019. Aside from the green paint job, which genuinely looks incredible, the 05+ also gets a set of larger blacked-out wheels, accentuated by the large brake callipers behind in neon green.
But of course, the highlight here is the completely bespoke body kit on the outside, which includes a redesigned front bumper with unique front splitter, new side skirts with an aero flic near the rear fender, new rear bumper with an aggressive diffuser element, plus a new fixed rear wing.
According to
Car News China
, all of these parts have been made from real, actual carbon fibre! On an SUV! Sorry, we’re still in a state of disbelief.
Super sporty looks seem to be the new motif across all Geely’s brands. Check out the recently-updated Geely Bin Yue here!
Lynk & Co has yet to release images of the car’s interior, but it’s pretty safe to assume that it’ll be fitted with a few custom variant-exclusive touches, possibly even made of carbon fibre since it seems to be the theme here on the 05+.
Powering the Lynk & Co 05+ is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, as with the standard 05. However, with this being the “Plus” variant, it’s been given a slight power bump to now output
265 hp
 and
380 Nm
, up from the usual 251 hp and 349 Nm.
The Lynk & Co 03 Cyan Concept lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in just 7:20.143! Check out the video here.
The engine is coupled to an Aisin-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission, with power sent to all four wheels. No performance figures have been published yet, but the Lynk & Co 05+ is supposedly capable of reaching a top speed of 230 km/h, and is slated to go on sale in China sometime next month at
270,000 yuan (~RM176k)
, according to the same publication.
GALLERY


Renault Subscription: All the car, none of the commitment

TC Euro Cars, the official
distributor of Renault vehicles in Malaysia has just introduced the first-ever car
subscription plan directly from a manufacturer in the country. Called Renault Subscription,
the subscription plan(s) offers customers an alternative mobility solution
without having to commit to long-term loan tenures, rigid lock-ins and depreciation
costs.
Presently, the Renault Captur and Koleos are available under Renault Subscription and customers have a choice of two plans – Fixed and Switch. The former is a straightforward subscription plan where customers place a security deposit, determine the subscription tenure (1- or 2-years) and pay the monthly fee.
Under the Fixed Plan, the Captur can be had from as low as RM1,299 monthly and the Koleos from RM2,299 monthly. The subscription fee is inclusive of Insurance, Road Tax, Maintenance and a mileage cap of 20,000 km per annum.
TC Euro Cars also
offers customers the flexibility to switch between its compact (Captur) and flagship
(Koleos) SUV under the Switch Plan. With a security deposit of RM3,500 and a monthly
subscription of RM1,999, customers can subscribe to the Captur for 1-Year with
the option to switch to a Koleos for 2 months. Like the Fixed Plan, the fee covers
Insurance, Road Tax and Maintenance with the addition of unlimited mileage wear
and tear coverage.
Renault Subscription
is not the first of its kind in the country. Earlier, GoCar introduced a
monthly subscription plan for its fleet of vehicles. However, the biggest
difference between the two here is the support from the manufacturer (distributor)
itself with the Renault Subscription which guarantees the customers a worry-free
and zero additional costs (Switch Plan) ownership experience with matters
related to aftersales service throughout the subscription.


Ford is developing a “Lane-Keeping Bed” to stop your partner from invading your space

Sharing a bed with your other half can be a love/hate affair. On one hand, you’d want to be close – to snuggle up to them – on the other hand, there’s the issue of “space invasion”.
Most times it may be nothing more than an inconvenience, but if it occurs too often, your precious hours of rest could be affected.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfSYjbODGUc&feature=youtu.be
Studies have shown that one in four of those in relationships sleep better alone while sleep loss have shown to increase the likelihood of an accident.
Behold Ford’s “Lane-Keeping Bed”; which ensures that even the most invasive of partners stay on their side of the bed.
Inspired by the Lane Keeping Aid feature found in most Ford vehicles, the Lane Keeping Bed uses pressure sensors to identify when your partner has invaded your space and returns them to their side with the use of an integrated conveyor belt.
Independent sleep expert, Dr. Neil Stanley said, “When sleeping together, many couples each have less space than a small child has in a single bed…such instances have been known to ruin relationships.”
The Lane-Keeping Bed prototype is part of a series of Ford Interventions that apply automotive expertise to tackle every day issues.


1 week toll exemption at Malaysia/Singapore borders from 1st of April

For those of you who are unaware, the land borders between Johor and Singapore are set to reopen on the
1st of April 2022, and fully
vaccinated individuals can now travel between Malaysia and Singapore without going through quarantine or Covid tests before or after their journey.
With that, the government has also announced that there’ll be a one-week toll exemption for Malaysians, in all types of vehicles, entering or returning from Singapore, at the Sultan Abu Bakar and the Sultan Iskandar Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) checkpoints.
The one week toll exemption was to ensure smooth traffic.
The decision for this was to ensure smooth traffic at both the toll plazas after the reopening of the land borders. According to a report by Malay Mail, Plus Malaysia estimates that at least 42,000 vehicles will enter/exit Malaysia daily at the borders once the land borders reopen.
Singaporean-registered vehicles entering Malaysia via both the entry points at the Sultan Abu Bakar and Sultan Iskandar checkpoints will also be exempted from the road charge.
The government also urged cross-border public transportion services between both countries to start preparing for services to resume, including renewing all relevant permits and licenses, with the relevant authorities.


Tired of Grab? Here are 4 other alternatives you can opt for

Ever since the
acquisition of the Uber
 operations in South East Asia back in March 2018, Grab has been ubiquitous in the ride-sharing scene in Malaysia and many other South East Asian countries.
Since then, Grab has expanded their service to other areas of business, including the introduction of GrabPay, Grab Food and even their own logistics service, GrabExpress.
However, with the lack of competition, Grab also leaves consumers with little choice when they silently restructured their rewards system and increased ride fares. With the incoming requirement of
PSV license for e-hailing drivers
, users have been warned to expect
increased fares and longer waiting times
 due to reduced drivers on the road.
Worried that your daily commute will be affected? Here are four other alternatives to Grab that you should try now.
MyCar
MyCar is probably the biggest e-hailing service available in Malaysia after Grab. Although having just celebrated their first anniversary this year, MyCar already boasts a monthly ridership of more than 1.2 million, 70,000 drivers, and claims to own 15% of the local e-hailing services market share.
Similar to Grab, MyCar offers a variety of vehicle types, including larger vehicles capable of ferrying up to six passengers depending on your needs. Upon my own comparison, I’ve found that MyCar offers their rides at a lower price than Grab on most routes (KL to KLIA airport at only RM59!), particularly at peak hours. MyCar is available in most major cities in Malaysia.
MULA
MULA was initially launched in 2016 as a driver-hire service; offering their own fleet of vehicles to ferry users. They have since expanded their service to a more typical e-hailing service, offering Instant Rides as well as Chartered Vehicles by the hour. To position themselves uniquely in the market, MULA offers large MPVs capable of carrying up to 10 passengers.
Besides, MULA also offers a female-only MULA Pink service to make their journeys feel a little safer. However, upon using the service, I find it confusing to differentiate between their fleet vehicles and the e-hailing services powered by MULA Mate. Perhaps MULA can benefit from making it clearer for customers to book their preferred ride. MULA accepts cash and Touch n’ Go eWallet payments, and is available in Penang, Klang Valley, Johor, Perak, Seremban and Melaka.
Dacsee
Arguably the most unique entry in this list, Dacsee is a ride hailing service fully based on the blockchain technology. Dacsee allows riders and drivers alike to build their own community or “circle of friends” as Dacsee calls it, allowing you to earn loyalty rewards through referrals. Riders can directly re-book from drivers saved in your friends list, or conversely block any unsatisfactory drivers from previous trips from being re-booked again.
As Dacsee is built upon their own blockchain network, all transactions will be recorded on their public ledger, resulting in a fair and transparent way to resolve issues. Dacsee allows payment through their own “cryptocurrency token” in addition to cash and credit card options, and is now available in Klang Valley, Ipoh, Penang, Johor Bahru, Sabah and Sarawak.
EzCab
EzCab stands out from the crowd by integrating the regular metered taxi in addition to their own fixed fare e-hailing fleet. Taxi drivers have the option to accept a fixed fare trip as well, providing a win-win situation for both the consumers and drivers. EzCab offers a wide range of vehicles ranging all the way up to a 9-seater EzVan.
As an added bonus, EzCab supports most of the e-payment facilities in Malaysia, including Maybank’s QRPay, even on metered taxi rides. No surprises though, EzCab does not support GrabPay as a valid payment method. Generally, the application is a fairly standard e-hailing service with reasonable prices and regular functionalities, however the biggest complaint online is the lack of drivers available on the service.
With the number of cars on the roads today, the ride-hailing industry can be a very lucrative business in Malaysia, hence the rise in competitors vying for a slice of the e-hailing pie. Fortunately for us consumers, this means that we will likely not be stranded while looking for transport to your next destination anymore.


Subaru Outback 2.5L facelift now in Singapore, Malaysian debut in Q2 2018!

Unveiled alongside the
Subaru XV 2.0L with EyeSight
 at the 2018 Singapore Motor Show is the facelifted Subaru Outback. The facelifted SUV gets refreshed looks, better tech and most importantly the award-winning Subaru EyeSight Advanced Driver Assist Technology.
Externally, the facelift introduced a reshaped front bumper, hexagonal grille with
Active Grille Shutters
 and light-weight, aerodynamic-friendly turbine-shaped rims. Elsewhere it soldiers on with full LED headlamps, roof rails, bumper guard, keyless entry and roof rails with integrated crossbars.
Inside the car now benefits from a new 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as front and side view monitors in addition to the rear-view camera. Other standard items include a multifunctional steering wheel with paddle shifters, power adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, Harman Kardon speakers, keyless entry and start, powered tailgate and more.
Motivation remains unchanged, coming from a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed naturally aspirated four-cylinder Boxer engine that produces
172 hp
 and
235 Nm
 of torque. However, the engine benefits from a new and lighter alternator that returns three percent better fuel economy.

The Lineartronic CVT has been revised from a CVT chain to a short pitch chain to reduce vibration and noise. The transmission also gets a new mapping, now with seven virtual ratios for a sportier acceleration feel.
Like the XV, Singapore-bound Outbacks comes equipped with the
EyeSight system
 as standard, bundling Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Sway Warning and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.
Motor Image said that the Subaru Outback facelift will make its debut in Malaysia sometime in
Q2 of 2018
, and will be fully imported from Japan like before.
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton to spawn hotter version of the facelifted Proton Iriz?

The letter “R” in motorsports
sends a strong message to others that the car has every intention to be in front
of the pack. Utter the words Type R or GT-R and you know what I mean.
Within Proton, the
letter “R” also holds much significance as their motorsports division (albeit in
cold storage) is called R3 – Race, Rally, Research.
In the
facelifted Proton Iriz
, the national carmaker has introduced not only styling enhancements and new features, but they’ve also redesigned the Iriz logo with a bold red font for the letter “R”, in capital letter no less.
Chief Designer for Proton,
Azlan Othman answering to a question on the new logo in a media Q&A session
said that the new logo “is a teaser to what’s to come in the future”, without
elaborating further. Possibly Proton has plans for a performance-oriented Iriz?
Considering that Proton
recently took home the championship title at the 2018 Sepang 1,000 km endurance
race with the Iriz, the arrival of a performance, road legal Iriz is pretty
timely as the story ties in well with their recent win.
Here’s hoping that a Proton
Iriz hot hatch turns into a reality and please Proton, if you’re reading this,
make it a manual.


Kia bags top prizes at the 2021 Russian Car Awards

The Russians have shown their love for Kia vehicles as the company scooped up awards in six categories out of 23 in the Russian Car of the Year Awards.
Over 1.5 million Russian citizens cast their votes online on all vehicles currently sold in Russia from 1st of February to 1st of June 2021. It is the largest research project in the country’s automotive industry.

For the first time, the Korean car manufacturer also picked up the “Favourite Brand in Mass Segment” award. The other awards conferred to Kia are as follows:
Kia Carnival – Winner of Minivans category
Kia K5 – Winner of Mid-size SUV and Business Class SUV
Kia Seltos – Winner of Compact SUV category
Kia Picanto – Winner of Urban car category
“The requirements for a car among Russians are much higher than in other markets due to difficult road and climate conditions. As such, Russians have higher expectations for a car as a reliable assistant for all occasions,” said the company’s spokesperson.
Find out more about the all-new Kia Sportage here!
All this isn’t a fluke. The Picanto for example has been scooping up the “Urban Car” award for the 6th year in a row now. The Seltos on the other hand, launched in Malaysia not long ago, beat its rivals to the award for the second consecutive year.
Kia remains Russia’s best-selling foreign brand for seven consecutive years, with over 200,000 units sold annually for three years in a row. Recently the company achieved a milestone of two million vehicles cars sold in Russia since 2009 (the year when the local distributor office was founded).


Review: 2016 Toyota Vios 1.5 GX, second time’s the charm [+Video]

B-Segment cars are arguably the most densely competed segment in the whole automotive industry. Be it an upgrade from a budget hatchback or a first car for a young family, B-segment sedans are typically the go-to choice for most.
However, in recent years, manufacturers are struggling to meet the demands and expectations of consumers. Besides having a mandatory big boot, buyers are taking into account the styling, driving performance, features, safety kit and most importantly fuel efficiency. The
Honda City
 took the market by storm by offering exceptional value and has been instrumental in dethroning UMW Toyota as Malaysia’s number one non-national car manufacturer last year.
More than a year later, with the Toyota Vios Facelift, UMW Toyota has finally caught up with the competition. Or have they? We joined UMW Toyota for a drive down to Malacca to experience first-hand what the updated Vios brings to the table.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Toyota Vios 1.5 GX
Engine
1,496cc; inline-4 DOHC with Dual VVT-i
Transmission
CVT with 7-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic
Max Power
106 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
140 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Price (OTR with insurance)
RM92,800
The 15-car convoy down to Malacca was made up of a mix of Toyota’s two top Vios trims, the 1.5 GX and 1.5 TRD Sportivo. Carried over from the outgoing model lineup, the TRD Sportivo remains as the range topper while the GX is a new offering sitting just between the TRD Sportivo and the G variant. With the keys to a 500-odd km mileage Crimson Spark Red Metallic Toyota Vios 1.5 GX in hand, we began our journey to the south.
EXTERIOR
It was hard to tell the TRD and GX apart, even when parked next to each other. Both variants are equipped with a five-piece aero kit (albeit differing in design), beginning with the front bumper, side skirts, trunk spoiler and rear bumper. Upon closer inspection, the TRD packs a little more aggression with the blacked out grille and front lower lip while the GX is much more tastefully designed, at least to me.

According to UMW Toyota, the TRD kit is designed entirely by Toyota Racing Development Japan for a little taste of genuine JDM flavour. On the other hand, the GX’s aero kit is designed and engineered locally. Possibly the more reserved styling of the two, but again, this suits my palette better.
Another beef I have with the TRD kit is the 15-inch flowing design wheels which suggests that it’s smaller than it actually looks. The GX’s 15-inch multi-spoke wheels on the other hand looks a tad more like the ones on the
Camry Hybrid
, and looks classy without overdoing it.
When finished with the Crimson Spark Red Metallic paint, the Vios is quite the looker. It even turned some heads while we were in Malacca. However, I personally find the Soul Red finish on the Mazda2 more appealing, especially when it comes with the LED headlights.

There is really nothing to complain about the facelifted Vios, especially when it comes fitted with smoked projector headlamps, front and rear fog lamps, chrome door handles, LED daytime running lights, power folding wing mirrors with integrated turn signals and keyless entry.
INTERIOR
The interior is carried forward from the pre-facelift model and here too, I reserve no complaints. Well made, well laid out and well put together, just as expected of a Toyota. Hard plastics and fake stitching are expected of cars in this price bracket, but the build quality is more satisfying than some of its competitors.
New to the facelift model is the saddle and tan coloured perforated leather combination seats. The seats get the job done in providing ample support and comfort for long drives but they aren’t as comfortable as the Honda City nor as body hugging as the
Mazda2
.

Seating position in the Vios is decent but not ideal, as the steering lacks telescopic function (adjusting for reach). It’s not so much of a deal breaker because most of us can do without, but if you’re very particular about your driving posture, it’s something worth noting.
Interior space is more than sufficient to ferry five adults comfortably especially with centre armrest for the front and back. With the driver’s seat fixed to my driving position (I’m 174cm tall), I have more than enough legroom and headroom at the back for a decent stretch. The rear bench in the Vios is much more comfortable than the ones on the Mazda2 Sedan but the City takes the cake.
It’s not all bad news for the Vios as there are a number of cool features to fiddle with. For one, the upgraded (but optional 7-inch touchscreen) unit is linked to six speakers and makes for a rather pleasant aural experience. The Android-based infotainment system is way more polished than the ones you get on the City, though. It’s responsive and intuitive to use. However, Mazda’s MZD command system with a centre control knob is still uncontested in the segment.
PERFORMANCE
The most exciting update to the Vios happens under the hood. The old 1.5-litre 1NZ-FE VVT-i engine and four-speed automatic combo has finally been swapped out for an all-new aluminium 1.5-litre 2NR-FE Dual VVT-i unit and a brand new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). This combination is identical to what you find in the seven-seater
Toyota Sienta
.
UMW Toyota claims that the new powertrain will return
18 percent
 better fuel economy, give more refined NVH levels and superior overall performance compared to the old mill despite being slightly less powerful. The engine produces
106 hp
 and
 140 Nm
.
While enthusiast may whine over the application of CVT, but believe me, after experiencing the powertrain myself, the benefits of incorporating a CVT are tangible. Due to the mechanical nature of a CVT, the gearbox is always in the “right gear” at any rpm. Therefore, it does not suffer from torque dips, which saves you the hassle of downshifting to get the car moving again.
To demonstrate the CVT’s superiority, we pitch the pre-facelift against the facelifted model to an acceleration test from
70km/h
. Pedal to the floor, the CVT equipped Vios (despite being
 1 hp
 and
1 Nm
 short) pulls one car’s length ahead of the four-speed Vios as we hit the three digit mark. Where the four-speed upshifts and suffers from a dip in torque, the CVT remains at the ideal ratio for acceleration and continues to pull ahead with ease.
As for fuel economy, Toyota has arranged a one-litre fuel challenge to test just how much distance we can cover around the Melaka International Motorsports Circuit. It was an actual contest, so some of the participants went as far as to switch off the air conditioning, even slip streaming to conserve precious fuel. However, most of us kept an average speed of 30-40 km/h around the circuit. To our surprise, the average distance travelled was a stunning 20km per litre. The best result recorded was an unbelievable 24.5 km per litre. That is almost 4.1L/100km!
So the new Vios has proved itself to be faster and more fuel efficient, but what is it like to drive?
THE DRIVE
First thing that caught my attention in the Vios is the brakes. The brakes were very natural to modulate as they are quick to respond with strong biting force. Never once I had to second guess myself when slowing down in town or on the highway.
Getting up to the national speed limit on the highway was pleasantly smooth as well. The CVT works best with a gentle and progressive right foot. When the accelerator is gradually probed, the car accelerates in a very composed manner. However, as mentioned above, if a hard acceleration is needed, the engine maintains revs between 4,000 – 6,000 rpm. The aural note is less than pleasant but for that few seconds of overtaking manoeuvre, it’s bearable.
At 110km/h, the tachometer needle hovered around 1,900 rpm, and engine noise is almost inaudible. In the pre-facelift Vios, the rpm was close to 3,000, again showcasing the refinement the facelift has brought to the table. At that speed, the acoustic windshield fitted to the G, GX and TRD variants help cut wind noise from seeping into the cabin. The only noise you hear are tyre roar. I suspect with a good set of tyres, the Vios is easily the most refined cabin in its class by a huge margin.
The Vios was never known for its handling capabilities despite what the over-the-top
drift videos
 suggest, but it is one of the better ones in the segment. The steering is well weighted but lacks road feel. When thrown into a bend, the chassis and suspension keeps body roll at a minimum with decent driving dynamics. However, it trails behind what the
Mazda2
 and
Volkswagen Vento
 are capable of.
Around town, it drives very similarly to the pre-facelift model and it is not a bad thing by a long stretch. The 5.1m turning radius makes it easy to get around tight spaces, even more so with the reverse camera equipped. Road undulations and bumps are well sorted out on the Vios despite the somewhat stiff suspension setting. I suppose it’s a good compromise to achieve a healthy balance of comfort and handling.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
For the loyal supporters of the Vios since day one, first car buyers and those who are thinking of an upgrade to a B-segment sedan, the third-generation Toyota Vios facelift is finally a choice that your friends and family won’t mock you for.
With prices being lower than before, the addition of a new powertrain, extensive standard equipment and safety features across all variants, the Vios holds its ground a tad stronger now than before, regardless of the variant of choice.
Besides, what more can you ask from a car when it’s known as the “Godcar”? UMW Toyota knows what – five-years warranty with unlimited mileage. Did I mention that there is also a five-speed manual variant available?
WILL I BUY IT?
Yes, only if it’s in Crimson Spark Red Metallic. Besides offering exceptional value and decent driving dynamics, UMW Toyota has responded well to the market’s demand. I can pick any of the six variants and still get a decently specced car. The question is, with this facelift, will the dethroned king of B-Segment be able to reclaim its title?
Matthew’s take: Like Nokia, the Vios (and many Toyota cars for that matter) learned that to survive, you’ve got to stay relevant. Over the course of its existence – in Malaysia at the very least, the Vios was sold with the same mechanical formula for the better part of a decade. Nobody made noise until the competition caught up, and unlike Nokia, Toyota had enough time to prevent the worst. Honestly, the updated engine and CVT are both things that could have come fitted on the Vios when it was first launched in 2013. But at the going rate, Toyota has a lot of catching up to do, and apparently the design team is working on a brand new look for the Vios. For the time being, my B-Segment choice is still the
Volkswagen Vento 1.2 TSI
, to which the Vios trails considerably behind in nearly all aspects.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen T-Cross will come with Lane Assist and AEB as standard

The new
Volkswagen T-Cross compact SUV
 is set to be fully uncovered soon following a series of teaser under the theme “I am more”. Under the fourth teaser “I am safe”, the company boasts that the T-Cross will be launched as one of the safest vehicles in its class thanks to its full suite of advanced driver assist systems.
The T-Cross will feature Lane Assist lane-keeping system and Front Assist area monitoring system with
 City Emergency Braking System
 and Pedestrian Monitoring as standard across all variants. Stepping up the range, it can be further equipped with Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, proactive occupant protection system that closes windows and sunroof, tightens seat belts and increases brake pressure in the event of an accident as well as
 Adaptive Cruise Control
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMEa2PlGBqU

Other key information that has been
revealed prior
 are the T-Cross will adopt the group’s MQB platform, strictly front-wheel driven, has one of the most spacious interiors in its class and will come in no less than 12 exterior options.
Once the Volkswagen T-Cross makes its global debut, it will be measured up against the likes of the
Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3
, both models which are highly popular in the Malaysian market. If Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) offers the T-Cross here, will its funky looks and extensive features sway you away from the popular Japanese brands?


This Liberty Walk McLaren 650S is unlike anything else

Liberty Walk is no foreign name among the automotive tuning scene. Known for their wide and radical body kits fitted onto exotic cars, the brand has gained a strong following in the western hemisphere, thousands of miles away from its home country, Japan.
Fans of the Japanese tuning company will be delighted to know that Liberty Walk will be showcasing their latest show cars at the 2017 London Motor Show happening from 4 to 7 May. One in particular, will be the Liberty Walk McLaren 650S that premiered at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

Taking what is already a mean looking machine, the Liberty Walk designers have given this McLaren 650S the full LB treatment, from the front bumper, flared wheel arches, fixed rear wing and slammed ride height, making the British supercar scream for even more attention. Coupled with the LB livery, it’s no mistaking the wide body design for anything else. Like most of Liberty Walk’s works, the interior remains untouched.
What do you think, dear readers, any of you a fan of the Liberty Walk McLaren 650S? It surely is an acquired taste though…
IMAGE GALLERY


Next-gen Suzuki Swift turbo leaked online, but we won’t be getting it

Pictures of the next-generation Suzuki Swift has just been leaked online, and it looks to replace the existing model as soon as next year. The biggest change here however, is the powertrain – now downsized and turbocharged.
But first, let’s go over the design. Judging from these images, the variant in question is most likely the hotter Swift Sport. It gets a redesigned grille and larger air vents around the fog lights within the front bumper. Things get a little bit more interesting as we move towards the back. Thanks to the small blacked-out portion of the C-pillars, the roof appears to be floating, possibly housing the rear door handles, just like the
Honda HR-V
. The front and rear headlights received LED treatment as well.
Both the Swift and Swift Sport will benefit from turbocharging this time around. The regular Swift will be powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo that makes 110 hp and 170 Nm of torque, but numbers for the Swift Sport’s 1.4-litre turbo hasn’t been revealed thus far.
The Suzuki Swift is no strange car in Malaysia, and was once a big hit thanks to their CKD operations here with DRB-Hicom. However, that chapter ended after three generations of the Swift, following the
demise of Suzuki
 in Malaysia recently. This likely means that we won’t be getting the fourth-generation Swift, so if you’re in the market for a peppy little hatch, it’s best to start looking elsewhere.
IMAGE GALLERY


2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport revealed, Freelander replacement [+Video]

This is it. Say goodbye to the Freelander and say hello to the new
Discovery Sport
. Land Rover is bringing the Freelander replacement into the new
Discovery family
 and even the lettering on the trademark clamshell bonnet and tailgate are now replaced with “Discovery” instead of “Land Rover”. This is the first new generation Land Rover that’s not under the Range Rover line and it has been a long time coming.
Even though the exterior might look like a bloated Evoque, it’s definitely sleeker and less utilitarian than the upright Freelander. It marks a new design direction for Land Rover’s leisure-oriented Discovery line with the new slim double-bar grille in the streamlined nose, fender vents, and a rising beltline that gives the Discovery Sport a sporty appearance, no pun intended. The sleek design results the drag co-efficiency of
0.36 Cd
.

Halogen headlamps with
LED Daytime Running Lights
 (DRL) and LED foglamps comes as standard but
Xenon and LED
 is available with the
Signature
 headlamps while
Signature Plus
 will add Adaptive cornering technology. There’s also a
Black Pack
 that comprise of black grille, door mirror caps, front fender vents, bonnet and tailgate lettering, and a contrasting roof in either Santorini Black or Corris Grey. A choice of 19 or 20-inch wheels are available for the Black Pack too.

The Discovery Sport sits 16 mm lower than the Freelander at
1,724 mm
,
2,173 mm wide
, and measures just slightly longer than the outgoing Freelander at
4,590 mm long
 but the
wheelbase
 has been stretched by 81 mm to
2,741 mm
. The growth in length allows the new Discovery Sport to offer seating for up to seven occupants with stadium-style seating. The middle seats recline and slide by 160 mm to ease entrance to the optional third row seats. Luggage capacity is available from 829 to 981 litres with the third row seats folded down and depending on the second row seat’s position.
Inside the practical interior there are up to four 12v power outlets and six USB charging ports with storage areas everywhere from the center console that’s big enough for a two-litre bottle, front and rear door pockets, convenience hooks in the passenger footwell, and a storage shelf for third row passengers. Depending on the specification, the Discovery Sport comes with
dual-zone climate control
 with vents on the B  and C-pillars for the rear passengers. Another option is a full
panoramic sunroo
f with a dark tint and a special surface treatment that comes with an electrically retracting blind with a solar reflective coating.
The driver is seated in a raised
Sports Command Driving Position
 in the Discovery Sport. The multi function steering comes standard with shift paddles on all auto models and the instrument panel consists of twin dials with a
5-inch colour TFT
 screen in between. There’s also a
Head Up Display
 on the windscreen as well. The dashboard features a new
8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
 with
Land Rover InControl™ Technologies
 that allows access to the owner’s smartphone once connected to the vehicle’s USB port.

Not only does the Discovery Sport is equipped with driver and passenger airbags, knee airbags, and side curtain and thorax airbags inside the cabin, it also comes with a
pedestrian airbag
 located outside at the base of the windscreen. Additionally, the Discovery Sport is decked with driver assistance system such as the
Autonomous Emergency Braking System
, Blind-Spot Monitor & Closing Vehicle Sensing, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Park Assist, Tow Assist and Tow Hitch Assist, Auto wipers and lamps, and Automatic High-Beam Assist.
Underneath the Discovery Sport is a lightweight monocoque with all-new multi-link rear axle that promises to offer “exceptional dynamics, refinement and space efficiency”. Powering the Discovery Sport will be a
2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel
 with two different states of tune, and a
2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol
 engine.
In the
TD4
, the
2,179 cc
 turbodiesel produces
148 hp
at 3,500 rpm and
400 Nm
 of torque at 1,750 rpm while in the
 SD4
 it produces
187 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque. Meanwhile the
1,999 cc
 turbocharged
petrol
 engine in the
Si4
 produces
237 hp
 at 5,800 rpm and
340 Nm
 of torque at 1,750 rpm. The
9-speed auto
 is standard in the Si4, but the TD4 and SD4 can also be had with a
6-speed manual
 gearbox. Acceleration time from
0 to 100 km/h
 with the auto gearbox is
8.2 seconds
 in the
Si4
,
10.3 seconds
 for the
TD4
, and
8.9 seconds
 for the
SD4
 and the top speed is
200 km/h
,
180 km/h
, and
189 km/h
 respectively.
Fuel consumption range from
8.0 – 8.3 l/100 km
 in the
 Si4
,
5.69 – 6.2 l/100 km
 in the
TD4
, and
6.1 – 6.3 l/100 km
 in the
SD4
. Another more efficient
front-wheel-drive diesel
 variant will be offered shortly after launch, called the
ED4
.
Being a Land Rover, you can be assured that the Discovery Sport is capable to venture off road with its
212 mm ground clearance
, 21° breakover angle and the ability to climb 45° gradients as well as wade through water to a depth of
600 mm
. Apart from the front wheel drive ED4, the Discovery Sport is offered in two different four wheel drive systems; the full-time four-wheel-drive
Efficient Driveline
, or
Active Driveline
 that is able to switch between two and four-wheel drive. The four-wheel-drive sytem is supported by a host of off-road technologies including the
Terrain Response®
,
Wade Sensing™
,
Hill Descent Control®
 (HDC),
Gradient Release Control®
 (GRC), Roll Stability Control (RSC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Electronic Traction Control (ETC), and Engine Drag torque Control (EDC).
Land Rover also claims that the new Discovery Sport will provide an “agile and rewarding handling on the road” with the combination of the
electric power-assisted steering system
 (EPAS) that has been “tuned for excellent driver feedback”, multi-link rear axle, optional
Adaptive Dynamics with MagneRide™ dampers
, and
Torque Vectoring by Braking
 (TVB) that brakes the outside front wheel in the event of understeer is detected. The Discovery Sport is expected to go on sale in
 early 2015
 and it will be built at Land Rover’s manufacturing plant in Halewood, Liverpool.
In conjunction with the Discovery Sport reveal, Land Rover also launches an out-of-this-world competition. Literally speaking, Land Rover’s Galactic Discovery competition will give the opportunity for anyone (plus three friends) to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to space and experience zero gravity.
All they have to do is to produce a 30-second video, or a still image, that demonstrates their spirit of adventure, choose three friends to join them on their space adventure and submit it via Land Rover’s website (
http://www.landrover.com/gotospace
). What’s more, British adventurer and Land Rover ambassador, Bear Grylls, will play a hands-on role in helping the winning group prepare for their voyage beyond the final frontier. The winners will be announced in December 2014, but unfortunately the competition is not available for us Malaysian citizens.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Is the Infiniti Q Inspiration Concept Nissan’s answer to Lexus?

After releasing an
extremely ambiguous photo
 of its upcoming concept car, Infiniti has released a new image of the car flaunting its rear end. The name is finalised too – Q Inspiration Concept which will make its debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
At first glance, the Q Inspiration is easily mistaken for a coupe, but Infiniti insists that it is a four-door saloon. The concept car, with its clear and concise lines, is the carmaker’s attempt to
“avoid classical saloon forms”
, giving it a sleeker and athletic silhouette. Infiniti’s new generation of design language will also make its debut here.
With the Q Inspiration, Infiniti presents a vision that will steer the design language for its saloon cars. We expect the new design to be poured over to Infiniti’s line up of coupes.
Infiniti Executive Design Director, Karim Habib said, “We aim to take traditional saloon architecture to its next stage of evolution. Experimenting with new proportions in an established segment with the arrival of smarter, compact powertrains, the Q Inspiration features a shorter hood and elongated body, with all the benefits to interior wellbeing, comfort and space that this layout entails.”


Toyota resumes operations at Bukit Raja assembly plant

Assembly Services Sdn. Bhd. (ASSB), the UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) subsidiary involved in the manufacturing of Toyota vehicles, announced that its vehicle assembly operations have resumed operations starting today.
The announcement follows the company’s approval from the Selangor State Government in relation to the
Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO)
, currently in effect until the 9th of June 2020. ASSB’s Bukit Raja Plant will commence operations starting today, while the Shah Alam plant will resume its operations on the 9th of June 2020.
ASSB will be strictly enforcing a new standard operating procedure (SOP) to protect the health and safety of its approximately 2,000 personnel working at its facilities. These include social distancing practices of at least 1 metre in distance, regular temperature checks, and the provision and use of hand sanitisers and face masks.
The various work areas throughout the plant will also be sanitised three times daily, and where necessary, working hours and work flows have been adjusted to minimise contact between staff.
President of UMWT, Ravindran K. said, “We are grateful to the Selangor State Government for its decision to implement the CMCO with customised details and understand that it is in the best interest of the state and people.
“With the resumption of operations, we hope to help in boosting the economy and add momentum to the automotive industry and business moving forward,” he added.


Petronas opens first EV charging hub in Malaysia – up to 180kW DC fast charging

Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB)
 has opened its first EV charging hub at its Bandar Baru Ayer Hitam station along the North-South Expressway (NSE). The charging hub is in collaboration with
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM)
 and
EV Connection (EVC)
.
The charging hub consists of three DC fast chargers (DCFC) and two AC chargers. Two DC chargers are rated at
180 kW
, and one is rated at
50 kW
. As for the AC chargers, both are rated at
11 kW
. All chargers can be activated and paid via the
Setel
 or
JomCharge
 app, although the former offers extra incentives.
The charging hub comprises 1x 50kW DCFC, 2x 180kW DCFC, and 2x 11-kW AC chargers
In line with Setel’s long-term plan to innovate for inclusive mobility and support global decarbonisation efforts, Setel has added a feature in its app that enables users to locate the nearest EV charging station, activate the charger through their Setel wallet and immediately earn
Mesra points
 with every transaction.
The first 50 customers to recharge at this hub can redeem the ‘Petronas Green Reversible Bag 2.0’ by simply showing their EV charging receipt via the Setel app. Besides EV charging incentives, Petronas is also giving away the ‘Petronas Grow Your Stationery’ sets to the first 1,000 customers who make any fuel or retail purchase at the Ayer Hitam station.
RELATED:
Win a Mercedes-Benz EQA with Petronas ‘Mesra Bonanza Lagi Onz’ Campaign!
At the opening of the charging hub, PDB Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Azrul Osman Rani said, “PDB is committed to doing our part in the greater adoption of EVs in support of Malaysia’s aspiration to be a low-carbon nation by 2040. By establishing an extensive, accessible, convenient, and reliable EV charging network at Petronas stations, we are confident that this will help facilitate the transition to take place at scale, via collaborations and strategic partnerships with like-minded organisations.”
“With the support of our partners, we will continue to expand the number of EV charging points at our stations in tandem with growing market demand for EV charging facilities. Alongside this, we have also integrated the EV charging facilities with the Setel app to ensure a seamless and frictionless customer experience,” he added.
RELATED:
Proton’s PRO-NET and Petronas’ Gentari to build 20 DC fast chargers in 2023
PDB recently entered into two tripartite Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to roll out battery swap stations for electric two-wheelers and charging infrastructure for electric buses at its stations. PDB will also increase the installation of solar panels as well as enhance its suite of non-fuel offerings including the expansion of Café Mesra, to futureproof its business and deliver better value to its stakeholders.
RELATED:
Need a battery replacement or vehicle towing? Setel now does them too


Porsche dominates Top 3 spots in “Performance category” of World Car Awards

In a time when new sportscars are sprouting faster than we can digest, it seems the old guards, Porsche, are still the go-to guys when performance is concerned.
The Top 3 finalists for five different categories of the
World Car Awards
 have been finalised and Porsche seems to have their hand in almost every one of them.

These finalists have been nominated via a secret ballot based on their evaluation of each vehicle by a jury of 86 international automotive journalists.
The five categories are as follow:
World Car of the Year
1. Kia Telluride
2. Mazda CX-30
3. Mazda 3
World Urban Car
1. Kia Soul EV
2. MINI Electric
3. Volkswagen T-Cross
World Luxury Car
1. Porsche 911
2. Porsche Taycan
3. Mercedes-Benz EQC
World Performance Car
1. Porsche 911
2. Porsche 718 Cayman GT4/Spider
3. Porsche Taycan
World Car Design of the Year
1. Porsche Taycan
2. Mazda 3
3. Peugeot 208
Winners from each of the five categories above will be announced on the 8th of April 2020 in conjunction with the New York Auto Show. Now into its 15th year, the World Car Awards (WCA) is initiated, organised and conducted by automotive journalists from all over the world.
The organisation is administered by a non-profit association, under the guidance of a Steering Committee made up of distinguished automotive journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America.


Porsche cars of the future may drive itself as fast as Mark Webber on-track

In an interview with Porsche AG Vice President of the Executive Board, Lutz Meschke released by Porsche, Meschke revealed a juicy feature that may find its way to future Porsche sports cars – the Mark-Webber-Function.
Named after racing driver and Porsche Brand ambassador, the
Mark-Webber-Function
 – what Porsche calls it internally – is an autonomous driving feature that enables Porsche cars to
autonomously lap around racetracks
 such as the Nürburgring just like how Webber would. The software will first load up the exact course driven by Webber and autonomously replicate the “ghost”, from racing lines down to the breaking point.
As good as having Mark Webber in the driver seat?
Drivers can then experience the ideal driving lines first-hand thus learning new things and improve over time with Mark Webber as their “coach”. Porsche envisions the system to also come with a
virtual coach function
 which guides the driver to follow Webber’s driving style at their own pace. With the car (and Webber) showing the driver the ideal course, the driver can then improve their skills as a driver via direct feedback from the car.
Porsche explained that autonomous driving and technology has tremendous potential to further enhance the Porsche driving experience like the Mark-Webber-Function. Meschke expressed that many of its customers are track enthusiast and a function like these will cost an additional four-digit amount which makes it a feasible business case. To have an FIA World Endurance Champion drive you around a track and have him as a virtual coach, the four-digit premium sounds like a bargain already!


White Orchid Pearl now available for Jazz, City, BR-V & HR-V as cost option

Honda Malaysia has just announced that the premium White Orchid Pearl Colour is now available for all Honda models, sans the
Civic Type R (FK8R)
 that comes exclusively in Championship White.
The new colour will replace the existing Taffeta White colour for the
Jazz
 and
City
,
BR-V
 and
HR-V
. Honda Malaysia first introduced the premium colour on the
Civic FC
 followed by the
Accord facelift
 in 2016. Despite costing a small premium over regular shades, the White Orchid Pearl contributed 38 percent for the Civic and 33 percent for the Accord in total sales.

Honda Malaysia subsequently made the premium colour available on the
all-new CR-V
 and has accounted for
26 percent
 of CR-V’s sales to date. Based on an internal survey by the company, Honda Malaysia has decided to offer the White Orchid Pearl for all Honda models sold in Malaysia.
Customers who wish to have their Jazz and City petrol in this exact shade will have to fork out an
additional RM120
 while the tall riding BR-V and HR-V will have
a surcharge of RM300
. Waiting period for these four models is expected to be between one to two months. The White Orchid Pearl of the Jazz and City petrol variants are now available for order while the new colour option will only be available for the BR-V and HR-V starting from the third week of February 2018.


The latest BMW iDrive 8 system could be the best-looking yet!

BMW recently introduced the
i4
 and
ix
 and thanks to the boys at
BMW BLOG
 along with a BMW representative, a Project Manager for the BMW i line-up, we get to find out what the
latest iDrive 8 infotainment system
 is really like!
Larger and cleaner displays
 are perhaps the most notable changes in the new system but that’s not all.

The number of physical buttons and switches have been
 reduced by almost half
 according to BMW.

This is most evident on the
centre console of the iX
 where all the physical buttons have been replaced by icons with haptic feedback, except the main rotary dial and the volume controls…thank goodness. Gesture control is still available.
BMW i4 Gran Coupe with 530 hp – 0-100 km/h in just 4 seconds. Check it out here!
The new iDrive 8 also features a new main menu with a
smartphone-like display
. It’s something users would be familiar with given the current smartphone norm according to the BMW representative.
Gone is the widget-like interface of the previous iDrive 7 like in the
330i we reviewed
, which wasn’t the cleanest-looking in our opinion. The user interface now features larger tiles for different functions – it looks so much simpler.
Find out more about the latest BMW iDrive 8 system here!
The large, curved display panel ahead
consists of two separate displays
; a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch display for the infotainment and climate control systems. The displays sit behind a one-piece glass, while the rear panel is made of magnesium.
The curved displa that wraps around the driver, in typical BMW fashion, is also a first in a BMW.
No more physical buttons for the climate controls; not sure if that’s a good thing!
The new iDrive 8 system will also allow drivers to continue enjoying their preferred settings (seating and climate control for example) via the BMW ID. The BMW ID is linked to the user’s Connected Drive account.
With this, you can jump from the iX and into the i4 for example, and all your preferred settings will be transferred seamlessly.
“This will allow your settings to travel with you,” said the BMW representative.
Lastly, the iDrive 8 also comes with an
IconicSound feature
 that provides an immersive and pleasant cabin atmosphere under the Comfort driving mode, while Eco Pro mode goes into full silent mode.
BMW collaborates with Hans Zimmer from ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘Inception’, to compose sounds for future electric BMW M cars!
Credit:
BMW BLOG
 GALLERY