MOT revising EV road tax for Malaysia, current rates too expensive

The
Ministry of Transport (MOT)
 is currently working on a new road tax structure for electric vehicles (EV) in Malaysia, according to transport minister Anthony Loke. This new structure is scheduled to be unveiled by the end of this year, 2023, and will also be featured prominently in the MOT’s Budget 2024 proposals, reported Bernama.
“Consumers are generally concerned about the EV road tax structure because if based on the old formula, the cost impact is high and can reach RM4,000 to RM5,000 a year,” said Loke after attending the Green Mobility and Transport Forum in Cheras on
May 16
,
2023
.
The transport minister also added, “I have directed officers at MOT to study this matter based on feedback from consumers and companies providing EVs. This is part of our efforts to encourage users to switch to this type of vehicles.”
This new EV road tax structure is an important one for Malaysia, according to Loke, as the previous government had given road tax exemptions for EVs which will expire by the year 2025. EV usage policies should be clear in order to facilitate efforts to migrate to a more sustainable transport mode, said the transport minister.
RELATED:
Malaysia driving license now renewable up to 10 years, 10% discount
For context, road tax for EVs in Malaysia is calculated by the power output of the electric motor, using the Kilo Watts (kW) unit. Below is a breakdown of how road tax for EVs with rated outputs of 80 kW and above is calculated:
Above 80 kW to 90 kW
RM160, and RM0.32 for every 0.05 kW (50 watt) increase from 80 kW
Above 90 kW to 100 kW
RM224, and RM0.25 for every 0.05 kW (50 watt) increase from 90 kW
Above 100 kW to 125 kW
RM274, and RM0.50 for every 0.05 kW (50 watt) increase from 100 kW
Above 125 kW to 150 kW
RM524, and RM1.00 for every 0.05 kW (50 watt) increase from 125 kW
Above 150 kW
RM1,024, and RM1.35 for every 0.05 kW (50 watt) increase from 150 kW.
So let’s say you are looking into purchasing a
BYD Atto 3
, which electric motor produces a total output of 150 kW. Based on the calculation method mentioned above, you will be paying RM524 + RM500, which totals up to RM1,024 of road tax for the Atto 3.
The MOT has been looking at the adoption of the sustainable mobility concept for land vehicles. However, Loke mentioned that the ministry will also be looking to adopt sustainable mobility concepts for air and maritime transports as well.
“The concept of using sustainable fuels has also become a choice in the aviation sector, and this matter has gained the attention of the MOT, especially at LIMA 2023 (Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023),” said Loke.
Malaysia will continue to work with Sweden to enable both nations to learn and cooperate on initiatives that promote sustainable transport modes. This was mentioned by Loke during his keynote address at the forum.
“We can leverage Sweden’s best practices and expertise in EV adoption, charging infrastructure, and smart traffic systems, among others, to accelerate the transition to e-mobility in Malaysia,” said Loke.
“I believe that cooperation is key to solving this challenge, and I am glad to see that our two nations are strengthening our relations within the transport sector, particularly in the green transition, in addition to our previous partnership in road safety,” he added.
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Puspakom monopoly ends: New providers to charge fixed rates, cannot be workshops


The upcoming BMW M3 Touring is now the fastest wagon around Nürburgring

The all-new
BMW M3 Touring
 is almost upon us. And as if there’s still not enough hype surrounding the sports wagon, BMW has announced that the upcoming M3 Touring is now the fastest production wagon to ever lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a time of
7:35.06 minutes
 around the Green Hell in the hands of BMW M driving dynamics development driver Jörg Weidinger.
To put it into context, that’s more than 10 seconds faster than German rival
Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Estate
 (unofficial by
Sport Auto
, 7:45.19), and about half a second quicker than the 1,020 hp
 Tesla Model S Plaid
 (7:35.579). You can check out the full list of official record times
here
.

It’s still some ways off the incredible 7:20.207 lap set by the
M4 CSL
, but make no mistake – the 7:35 time is still incredibly quick, especially for a car that can carry five adults fairly comfortably, with enough luggage room for a weekend trip at the back.
For the record to count, the car has to be exactly the same as it’ll eventually come out from the assembly line, even though it’s wearing a camouflage wrap. TÜV Rheinland was on-site to inspect the car before the run, and a notary was also present to validate the information and measured time.
RELATED: I might have to move to Europe now that the first-ever BMW M3 Touring is a thing
Screenshot:
BMW M/YouTube
The BMW M3 Touring, which will make its debut at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed, is expected to use the same powertrain found in the G80 M3 Competition xDrive, with an S58 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six engine underneath its bonnet delivering 510 hp and 650 Nm.
Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission (and probably a six-speed manual, too), and an M-specific xDrive all-wheel drive system.
Goodwood Festival is only a couple of days away from now, but we really, really can’t wait already.


Next generation of Porsche Macan to be fully electric!

This comes after the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG had decided to reserve the
Macan
as a fully electric series and will be the first all-electric compact SUV from Porsche when it’s introduced early next decade.
This will add to Porsche’s portfolio of electric vehicles, following the introduction of the
Taycan – Porsche’s first purely electric sports car
due to be launched at the end of this year – followed by the
 Taycan Cross Turismo
.
“By 2022 we will be investing more than six billion euros in electric mobility, and
by 2025 50% of all new Porsche vehicles could have an electric drive system
,” said Porsche AG, Chairman of the Board of Management, Oliver Blume.
“Nevertheless, over the next 10 years our focus will still be on optimising petrol engines, plug-in hybrid models, and purely electrically-operated sports cars,” he added.
Porsche will continue to produce the new Macans at the Leipzig plant in Germany, where currently over
 90,000 units are built annually
 to fuel the global demand for the compact SUV.


New Golf GTI TCR Concept premiered at the largest GTI gathering in the world

At the recently concluded 2018 Wörthersee Festival in Austria, Volkswagen premiered the Golf GTI TCR, a concept that took inspiration from the race car of the international TCR series.
The GTI TCR Concept makes
290 hp
 and
370 Nm
 from as low as 1,600 rpm, delivered through a 7-speed dual-clutch (DSG) transmission. While its 0 to 100 km/h time has not been revealed, top speed is electronically-limited to just 250 km/h, which can increased to 264 km/h by removing the Vmax electronic speed limiter – making it the fastest GTI of the current model.
On the outside, Volkswagen claims the future production model will wear a set of 18-inch forged “Belvedere” alloy wheels, a 19-inch set is available as an optional upgrade. The GTI TCR will be fitted with two extra radiators to ensure sufficient cooling for the engine.
An optional performance package can be had, for racetrack use, which will include an even more dynamic sport chassis and adaptive chassis control.
What denotes the TCR from the regular GTI is the newly-designed front bumper with sharply contoured splitters. The new front end design is continued through the sides with newly-designed side skirts, onward to the rear where it meets the diffuser.
It will also sport the “TCR” wordings on the side along with a TCR logo projected on the road upon opening the front doors. The Golf GTI TCR is still in its concept stage and technical details so far are merely “predictive values”.
IMAGE GALLERY


Nissan Malaysia opens doors to brand new RM20mil 4S Centre in Glenmarie

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) has just opened the doors to their brand new 4S Centre in Glenmarie, a facility that they claim will attend up to 100 cars per day and an average of 3,000 vehicles a month.
The full-fledged
RM20 million centre
 has a total built-up area of
165,318 square feet
, comprising a Showroom, Service and Spare Parts Centre as well as a Body and Paint Centre. This centre also exclusively provides services from MUV Certified Nissan Pre-Owned and Used Vehicles, Hire Purchase and Insurance Division, including a Vehicle Distribution Centre.

Nissan owners living around Glenmarie will be pleased to know that the Service Centre has
27 service bays
 manned by 22 technicians, six service advisors and a head of workshop, whereas the Body and Paint division is overseen by three technicians. New and prospective Nissan customers on the other hand will be attended by any one of 26 sales advisors.
Visitors can also make use of the WiFi enabled lounge whilst enjoying a cup of coffee courtesy of the dedicated Coffee Bar. There is also a kids’ corner and, for the first time, a
Gintell Zen lounge
, V-Kool and official
 NISMO and IMPUL accessories boutique
.
The addition of ETCM’s newest 4S Centre brings their showroom tally to 100 across Malaysia, including 60 Tan Chong Express Auto Service Workshops. The
showroom is open daily
 from 8.30am to 8pm from Monday to Saturday, however on Sunday it’s only opened from 10am to 5pm. Its service centre operates from 7.30am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday and 8.30am to 5pm on Sundays and Public Holidays.
It is located right in the heart of Glenmarie – No. 39, Jalan Pelukis U1/46, Temasya Industrial Park, Shah Alam. For additional information, you may call Nissan’s Customer Care Centre Hotline at 1-800-88-3838.
IMAGE GALLERY


The Toyota Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition is mostly just a body kit with no extra power

Toyota has just unveiled a
Gazoo Racing-badged Prius
, but don’t get too excited. It’s called the Toyota Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition, but aside from the aggressive body kit, it’s unfortunately mostly a visual makeover with no extra power.
The GR Edition model is still a concept for now, designed as a homage to mark the 100th anniversary of the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans race, thus its name. Interestingly, it’s actually part of a joint exhibit between
Toyota
,
Mazda
, and the Japan National Tourism Organisation, where the car will be displayed at the race village over the weekend.
Toyota says that the new GR-ified Prius (
sorry, we’re not repeating the name
) boasts “excellent driving performance” thanks to its new aerodynamic devices, consisting of a new front splitter, front and rear canards, a carbon fibre bonnet for weight savings, rear diffuser, and a new fixed rear wing that’s made of carbon fibre, of course.
Tying up its new “go fast” looks are the new larger honeycomb lower grille up front, flanked by motorsports-inspired multi-headlamps clusters, and new decals all around the exterior, including one that reads “Racing Hybrid” – which, sadly, doesn’t really mean anything at all here.
That’s because the only mechanical upgrades here come in the form of a new “wide tread” suspension set-up, which widens the tracks by 40 mm both front and rear while lowering the car by 30 mm, promising excellent grip and manoeuvrability.
The new suspensions are also paired to a set of new 18-inch alloy wheels, shod in wider (and stickier) 235/50R18 Micheline Pilot Sport 4S rubbers for increased grip around the corners.
READ MORE:
 Toyota says you will “fall in love at first sight” with the 5th-gen Prius – gets new 2.0L PHEV drive
Otherwise, the powertrain underneath the bonnet is still the
 same hybrid unit
 consisting of a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine and a powerful electric motor, for a combined system output of
223 hp
. Granted, it’s still fairly quick, taking just
 6.7 seconds
 to reach 100 km/h from a standstill – but it’s no GR-quick.
So why does the Toyota Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition even exist? Aside from the obvious celebratory reason, it’s also perhaps Toyota’s way of reinforcing its point that
electric cars aren’t the only way forward
, for now.
The Japanese carmaker has been busy experimenting with various other propulsion methods recently, even going as far as racing with liquid hydrogen fuel in a
 modified GR Corolla
. With the advancement of
 alternative renewable fuels
, the GR-ified Prius could also serve as a rolling testbed for Toyota, combining the “e-fuels” with electrification for net-zero mobility in the near future.
Or, you know, it could just be a way for Toyota to judge public response to the long-rumoured GRMN Prius…


Experience Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance system at Desa Park City this weekend!

Have you ever wondered or experienced what it’s like when you car brakes on its own to prevent a collision? Have you ever experienced how Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive system works? Ever felt what its like to use cruise control in stop-go traffic conditions? Ever experienced all of the above in a safe environment?
Well, this is your chance as TC Subaru, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in Malaysia, will be hosting a
Subaru Advanced Technology Drive
event from today (8th of July 2022) till Sunday (10th of July 2022), at Plaza Arkadia, Desa Park City, to showcase the updated Subaru XV that now comes with the EyeSight driver assistance system, along with various courses to safely test and experience the vehicle’s safety features.
Among the activities the public can experience with the new Subaru XV are:
Pre-Collision Braking
: When the system senses an obstacle ahead, it will alert the driver and automatically apply the brakes until the vehicle comes to a complete stop, if necessary.

Pre-Collision Throttle Management
: If the car in front moves ahead but stops abruptly, the system immediately reduces power from the engine, giving the driver additional time to react to the situation and apply the brakes if necessary.

Adaptive Cruise Control
: When the system detects that the vehicle ahead is slowing down, the system will adjust the speed accordingly to maintain the preset distance from the vehicle ahead. Once the vehicle ahead starts moving, the EyeSight system will get the vehicle moving again to the preset speed.

Aside from the said activities, there are also ramps to showcase how the ‘X-Mode’ and Symmetrical All-wheel Drive system works in slippery or wet driving conditions. If you want to know more, watch the video below or better yet, head to Plaza Arkadia this weekend!


Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific 2015, Aussie Steve Wyatt dominates Round 1 at Sepang

Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific
 is back!
Round 1
 for
Season 2015
 started off in
Sepang International Circuit
 on the bright and sunny weekend of
14th and 15th March 2015
. Using the
Ferrari 458 Challenge Evo
 race machines, each round consists of two races of three classes:
 Trofeo Pirelli
,
Pirelli AM
, and
Coppa Shell
.
For
Race 1
 on Saturday, in
Trofeo Pirelli
 class only three out of five cars finished the race. Pole sitter
Steve Wyatt
 from Austalia lost his position momentarily to
Phillipe Prette
 from Italy but eventually regained his spot and held a comfortable lead towards the chequered flag while
Renaldi Hutasoit
 from Indonesia secured the final place on the podium.
Ziad Ghandour
 from Lebanon won the
Pirelli AM
 class followed by Thai driver
Voravud Bhirombhakdi
 who muscled through from seventh position while keeping
 Xu Wei
 from China in third place. First place in
Coppa Shell
 goes to
Xin Jin
 from China ahead the two Japanese drivers
Ken Seto
 and
Tadakazu Kojima
 in second and third place respectively.
On Sunday,
Steve Wyatt
 took pole position again for
Race 2
 in
Trofeo Pirelli
 class, ahead of
David Tjiptobiantoro
 from Indonesia and Italian Philippe Prette. The first two positions remain the same as the starting grid, but Philippe retired on lap 11 and third place goes to
Renaldi Hutasoit
.
Meanwhile in
Pirelli AM
 class,
 Ziad Ghandour
 and
Voravud Bhirombhakdi
 had to settle for second and third position as
Xu Wei
 managed to clinch himself the top spot on the podium.
In
Coppa Shell
,
Xing Yan Bing
 from China finally took his first win since he joined in 2011 after successfully overtook his fellow compatriot
Jin Xin
 halfway through the race. Jin Xin kept his pace until the end of the race, landing him the second place on the podium ahead of
Ken Seto
.
The next leg of the Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific will be in Fuji Japan on the 24th to 26th of April, followed by Shanghai, Zhuhai, and Sentul before finishing it off
back here in Sepang
 on the
28th to 30th of August
.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
Race 1

Race 2


Mitsubishi UK’s SVP Division unleashes the new “Barbarian II”

Mitsubishi Motors UK has extended it’s L200 range (essentially the
Triton
 for us) with the unveiling of a new special edition Barbarian SVP II, the second vehicle to be produced by its SVP (Special Vehicle Projects) division with the
first introduced just last year
.
Only
250 units
 will be made – half in a pearlescent Diamond Black appearance with the remaining in metallic Atlantic Grey – both supplemented by Orange accents. The Barbarian’s facade is enhanced with a set of bespoke 17-inch wheels, also finished in black and orange, together with wheel arch extensions, a new SVP grille and roof rails.
Elsewhere, for added convenience, the Barbaric Triton comes fitted with load bed illumination and a spring-assisted tailgate with soft-opening damper.
Inside, not much is different from the
Triton VGT Athlete Edition
 we have locally, except that each SVP II’s individual limited-edition number, plus the SVP logo, is stitched onto the headrests of the Barbarian-inspired ‘six-pack’ leather seats with suede-like ‘Alston’ inserts. There’s something about those seat insert arrangements that remind us of those seen in a Ferrari F430. The distinctive theme continues with orange illuminated door entry guards and front and rear foot-well mood lighting.
Standard equipment includes the Mitsubishi Smartphone Link Display Audio (SDA) system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, cruise control and a reverse camera. Power is sourced from a 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine with
178 hp
 and
430 Nm
 of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic with steering-wheel paddle shifters. Prices for the limited production “Barbarian” starts from £29,830 (RM 164k) before taxes.


2016 Audi RS Q3 Performance unveiled, now packs 362hp & 465 Nm!

So if the Audi RS Q3 wasn’t hot and sensible enough for you – which it still is, not sensible that is, then the folks at Ingolstadt have just the remedy for you. Behold, the 2016 Audi RS Q3 Performance.
This Performance model sits at the top of the Q3 lineup, just like the range toppers
RS6 Avant and RS7 Performance
 duo that were launched not too long ago. Of course, to be at the top you have to have what it takes, and this RS Q3 Performance has a few things to shout about.

First off, it’s powered by the same award-winning
turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder

TFSI
 engine, but makes
27 horsepower
 more for a grand total of
 362 hp
 thanks to a new fuel pump and the radiator’s improved cooling capacity. Peak torque is rated at
465 Nm
 and is available from 1,625 to 5,550 rpm. But how fast can it sprint? It will do 0 to 100 km/h in just
4.4 seconds
 – about 0.4 seconds quicker than the ‘standard’ RS Q3, before
maxing out at 270 km/h
. The run-off-the-mill RS Q3 had its top speed electrically limited to 250 km/h.
Besides having a hotter engine, the Performance moniker also comes with a quicker-shifting
seven-speed close-ratio dual clutch

transmission
 that sends power to all four wheels via Audi’s quattro technology.
A new set of RS suspension
lowers ride height
 by 20mm over the standard RS Q3, though the damper controls can be optioned for. This allows the driver to alter dynamic parameters between the Comfort, Auto or Dynamic drive modes.
There are also several distinguishing parts externally, such as the RS-specific front bumper with large air intakes and aggressively styled diffuser for the rear. The matte titanium finish around the car is also an exclusive touch to the Performance variant, but this shade of
Ascari Blue Metallic
 paint job is perhaps the most telling differentiation.
Rounding off the Performance package are
20-inch Performance Exclusive
 alloy wheels, red RS callipers, sports seats wrapped in a mix of leather and Alcantara, carbon twill blue inlays and more blue-accented elements within the cabin.
The Audi RS Q3 Performance is now on sale in the UK with a starting price of £49,175 (about RM295k as per current exchange rates). In Malaysia,
the Q3 is offered in two flavours
 – a 1.4 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI quattro, with pricing starting from RM218k.
IMAGE GALLERY


Honda CR-V gets updated colour palette in Malaysia – Ignite Red and Meteoroid Grey

Following in the footsteps of the other Honda models here in Malaysia, the
CR-V
‘s exterior colour offerings have now also been updated for our markets, with the introduction of the Ignite Red Metallic and Meteoroid Grey Metallic colours. The two new hues will replace the existing Passion Red Pearl and Modern Steel Metallic colours respectively.
Honda CR-V in Meteoroid Grey Metallic
Honda Malaysia says the decision to introduce the two new colours on the CR-V was due to their popularity on its other models including the
City
,
City Hatchback
,
Civic
,
BR-V
, Accord (only Meteoroid Grey), and the
all-new HR-V
.
In a statement published today, Honda Malaysia Managing Director and CEO, Hironobu Yoshimura said, “Both colours were the popular options in these models; the Ignite Red Metallic colour contributed an average of 18% to the sales of each of the five models, while the Meteoroid Grey Metallic colour contributed an average of 24% to the sales of each of the six models.”
RELATED:
Honda City, Accord now offered with new colours in Malaysia
Honda CR-V in Ignite Red Metallic
With the CR-V included, Honda Malaysia has now completed the expansion of the two new colours into the line-up, which means the Passion Red Pearl and Modern Steel Metallic colours are no longer offered on any Honda models here on our shores.
Launched in November 2020
, the facelifted Honda CR-V has already contributed more than 27,000 units to the total sales to-date (63,000 units) for the fifth-generation model. The popularity of the CR-V is also still going strong, with the C-segment SUV contributing 12% to the company’s sales from January to July 2022.
ALSO READ:
2020 Honda CR-V facelift launched in Malaysia – now cheaper across the board!
Honda CR-V Black Edition
The Honda CR-V is offered in three variants; the entry-level model gets a 2.0-litre inline-four naturally aspirated mill making 154 hp and 189 Nm, while the two higher-end variants are powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-banger rated at
193 hp
 and
243 Nm
 of torque.
There’s also a unique
Black Edition model
, which bases itself off the 1.5L TC-P 2WD variant, but gets blacked-out trims on the front grille, front bumper garnish, rear bumper garnish, and 18-inch alloy wheels, paired to a Crystal Black Pearl exterior paint job.
All-new sixth-generation Honda CR-V
Honda has already unveiled the sixth-generation Honda CR-V globally, which will be available with an e:HEV powertrain in addition to the regular petrol variant, making a combined
207 hp
 and
335 Nm
. The all-new Honda CR-V boasts a much more modern design on the outside, alongside a completely reworked interior based on the 11th-generation Civic.


Michelin Primacy 4 Premium Touring Tyres now available in Malaysia

Michelin has just officially launched the Michelin Primacy 4 for the ASEAN region here in Pattaya, Thailand. The new premium touring tyres is now available for sale in Malaysia at selected Michelin authorised distributors.
The Primacy 4 replaces the outgoing Primacy 3 model and the main technological focus of this latest generation tyre is to create a tyre that provides consistent safety levels throughout the lifespan of the tyres. With the tagline “Safe When New, Safe When Worn”, Michelin has introduced multiple innovations to ensure that the Primacy 4 can maintain its wet braking performance even when the tyre is worn to the tyre wear indicator level (~1.6 mm tread depth).
To create this revolutionary tyre, Michelin has adopted the EverGrip technology which uses a new tyre sculpture and new-generation tyre bonding compound. The new tyre groove has 50 per cent more water evacuation space and a squarer design that can effectively disperse water even when it is worn.
The latest-generation rubber compound bonds the rubber and silica atoms in the tyres more strongly and evenly to give better road holding capabilities on wet roads even when there is little tread depth left. All these are coupled with Michelin’s second-generation Silent Rib Technology, inter-locking bands that helps minimise the deformation of tread blocks when the tyre is rolling to reduce air pumping effects to create a quieter and more refined ride.

As for key performance index compared to its predecessor, the Primacy 4 brakes 4 per cent better in dry conditions when new and when the tyres are worn, it still performed 2.3 per cent better than the Primacy 3. Wet braking is where the new Primacy 4 shines, being able to stop 1.3 per cent better in the wet when new and a staggering 5.2 per cent improvement when the tyres are worn.
The new Primacy 4 is also 0.3 dB quieter and has 4 per cent improvement in grip levels compared to the Primacy 3. Clearly, Michelin’s goal here is to create a tyre that is safe (better wet grip and stopping power) even when the tyres are worn with little tread depth left.
Managing Director of Michelin Malaysia Pascal Nouvellon revealed: “A tyre’s grip and braking performance – especially on wet roads – is critical to road safety in our country. Malaysian consumers today choose their tyres based on their characteristics when they are new. But what happens to grip and braking performance after 50,000 kilometres, or after a few years of use?”
“In the tyre industry, performance tests are typically conducted on new products. Michelin is a step ahead. We want to demonstrate that our performance is maintained with mileage and time” added Pascal.
The Michelin Primacy 4 is now on sale in Malaysia with available sizes (full list of sizes
here
) ranging from 15 to 19-inch. At the moment, Michelin Malaysia has sizes ranging from 16 to 18-inch in the market while other sizes will only be available later in the year. All Michelin Primacy 4 tyres are imported from Thailand and carry the “ST” print on the side wall to denote that these tyres are made for the ASEAN region.
IMAGE GALLERY


Limited edition Nissan Juke Tekna Pulse and N-Connecta Style introduced, only 1,500 units for UK market

The uniquely styled Nissan Juke appeals to a very niche group of people. The off centred headlamps, large fog lamps and fastback-esque silhouette are certainly an acquired taste and perhaps that is precisely why Nissan has added two limited edition models to the Juke range.
Limited to
only 1,500 units
, the
Juke Tekna Pulse
 should interest fellow audiophiles as it comes equipped with a
sound system by Focal
, a respected French audio company. This system upgrades the main speakers from 40 watts to 120 watts while the tweeters gets upgraded to 100 watt units. Available in two exterior shades – Metallic Black and Dark Grey, the Juke Tekna Pulse is dressed with black exterior personalisation pack and black 18-inch alloys.

Another special edition available for the Juke is the
N-Connecta Sytle
 which adds on
 xenon headlights
, colour co-ordinated bumper, headlight finishers, mirror covers and Tokyo Black 18-inch alloys. Inside, the Juke N-Connecta Style features sports seats with Tokyo Black trim to match the centre console and door strips.
Two engine options are available on both limited edition models – a
1.2-litre turbo petrol
 unit with
 113 hp
 and
 190 Nm
 and a
1.5-litre turbodiesel
 with
109 hp
 and
260 Nm
. Prices for the Juke Tekna Pulse starts from
 £20,700
 (RM114k) while the N-Connecta Style starts from
£18,755
 (RM103k). Locally, if you want a Nissan Juke, you’d have to turn to the parallel importers to source one for you.


This Volkswagen Arteon “Big Sur” makes the standard model look boring

The Volkswagen Arteon is one handsome fella, there should be no dispute there but a group of Volkswagen enthusiasts wanted more so together with Volkswagen USA, here’s what they came up with.
What you see here is called the
Arteon Big Sur
; named after the scenic coastline in California.
“Hey, I’m here!”.
“We wanted the car to make a loud statement and stop people on their tracks,” the enthusiast group said.
What’s sure to stop Volkswagen fanboys on their tracks are the
20-inch, gloss black Rotiform TUF-R cast monoblock wheels
 that match the car so well, you’d think they were factory wheels.
Starting life as an Urano Gray Arteon, it now wears a
Forest Green wrap
; a colour we think Volkswagen should bestow upon the Arteon for the brand’s younger customers.
“It was more of an aesthetic design makeover than a performance upgrade. We wanted to keep it in the boundaries of something someone could easily achieve,” said the enthusiast group.
“We took all the doors off the vehicle – along with the front hood and rear hatch – and spent a good
50 to 60 hours
 to make sure that the wrap was applied perfectly. We want it to look like a paint job from afar”.
Supplementing the R-Line body kit by Volkswagen is a custom front splitter, custom panels for the side and a custom rear spoiler. The car has also been
lowered by around 40 mm
 with a set of coilover suspension.
Find out more about the Volkswagen Arteon in Malaysia here!


Volvo Car Malaysia broke its own sales record again with 3,194 units delivered in 2022

Volvo Car Malaysia
 has just announced its 2022 sales performance, where it recorded a total of 3,194 units sold. The achievement marks the seventh consecutive year of sales for the company, and a record high annual sales figure for the company, representing a growth of 43% compared to the
previous year
.
The company says that its sales growth is attributed to the launch of the
XC40
 and
C40 Recharge Pure Electric
 models here in Malaysia – the latter already receiving more than orders in just 10 days since its local debut.
Both cars are also locally assembled in Volvo Car Malaysia’s manufacturing plant in Shah Alam, making them the firs two full EVs to be assembled in Malaysia.
GALLERY:
 Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric, RM289k AWD EV
Commenting on the achievement, Volvo Car Malaysia Managing Director, Charles Frump said, “The launches of our first two locally assembled electric vehicles have been the catalysts of our sales growth. With an increased market share of our fully electric vehicles globally, we are optimistic the same will apply in Malaysia.”
“In ending a successful 2022, we are excited to drive an all-electric future as we reinforce our commitment to offer Malaysians freedom to move in a personal, sustainable and safe way,” Frump added.
In line with its global ambitions, the company is committed – and on track – to becoming a fully electric vehicle company by 2030. Volvo Car Malaysia has also previously announced its target for achieving
75% of sales from EVs by 2025
.
Globally, Volvo Cars achieved a total sales of 615,121 units in 2022, a result that it says was unavoidably affected by challenges across the supply chain, including production restraints caused by component shortages and Covid-related lockdowns.
However, the company says that demand for its overall Recharge line-up remains steadfast, with its fully-electric models accounting for 20.1% of global sales in December 2022. Together with the plug-in hybrid models, the Recharge line-up accounted for 43.8% of total sales in the same month.
READ MORE:
Volvo Car Malaysia aims for 75% EV sales by 2025, EX90 to launch next


Want to know EVERYTHING about your BMW? Talk to a BMW Product Genius

BMW Malaysia has deployed
seven BMW Product Geniuses in three BMW dealerships in Klang Valley: Auto
Bavaria Kuala Lumpur, Auto Bavaria Glenmarie and Ingress Auto Damansara.
These trained BMW Product
Geniuses are not your usual sales advisors. Their role is to take you through
the world of BMW and tell you everything you would want to know about the brand
and the BMW vehicle portfolio to completement the sales advisors.

Managing Director for
BMW Group Malaysia, Harald Hoelzl said: “Conventionally, stepping into a car
dealership can be an intimidating experience for customers, as they may feel
pressured into making purchasing decisions before being allowed to familiarise themselves
fully with the products. With this in mind, our BMW Product Geniuses are on hand
to provide customers with a pressure-free experience. From these highly personalised
interactions, we aim for customers to derive Sheer Driving Pleasure from the
very beginning of their BMW Ownership Experience.”
“In addition to being
a friendly face, the Product Genius is equipped with the expertise to explain
and demonstrate the use of each feature and function of a BMW vehicle, and offer
insights on product benefits suited to a particular customer’s specific needs. Overall,
BMW Product Geniuses occupy a key role as neutral customer consultants, ambassadors
for the brand, and knowledge touchpoints within the dealership,” added Hoelzl.


Leaked: Here are photos of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N before you’re supposed to see it

Hyundai is currently counting down as the
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
 will be unveiled tomorrow at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Prior to this,
Hyundai
 has teased the car at least twice, showing the car wrapped in camouflage and being tested
on the track
 and even
in the snow
. However, just before the car is supposed to be revealed to the world, pictures of the hot EV have been mistakenly (or not) shared by Hyundai Australia but were then removed not long after.
Looking at the pictures of the performance electric vehicle (EV), it has a much sportier-looking set of front and rear bumpers, together with aggressive-looking side skirts to go along with it. The bumpers are painted in black to give the hot EV a dual-tone look, and together with the side skirts, are given red accents too.
The red accents can be found just under the front grille and rear lights, the front and rear body kits, and along the side skirts. The rear spoiler is also shaped to be sportier, with what seems to be a fog lamp or third brake light being housed in the middle.
The rims fitted onto the Hyundai
Ioniq 5 N
 are comparatively larger than its regular counterpart, which we think looks rather good on the car. To go along with the Ioniq 5 N’s sporty identity, the car is also given a set of red brake callipers.
RELATED:
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N will have fake engine sounds with pops and bangs
Hyundai has previously announced that the Ioniq 5 N will be getting bigger brakes with 400 mm discs. The braking system has also been said to be mainly done using regenerative braking, with hydraulic brakes to provide assistance when necessary.
Both the flush door handles and the body claddings which are present on the regular Ioniq 5 are here to stay. However, the body claddings have been painted in body colour, with a cut-out at the back, which we think is there to aid with aerodynamics.
Inside, the Ioniq 5 N’s design is naturally based on its regular counterpart, albeit with some “performance” touches. First up, the steering wheel has been swapped out and replaced by a much sportier-looking steering wheel which features a myriad of buttons.
The steering wheel also has the N logo imprinted at its centre rather than the regular four dots featured in the regular Ioniq 5. And just in case you didn’t know, the four dots translates into the letter “H” in Morse code.
There are also what looks to be “paddle shifters” at the back, which should function as a controller for the car’s regenerative braking system. To hold the driver and occupants better during spirited driving, Hyundai has given the Ioniq 5 N with bucket seats at the front.
Other unique systems that will be fitted onto the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N include the “N e-shift” system which simulates the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) of petrol-powered cars. This system is mainly created to help make the driving experience more immersive, and closer to regular ICEs rather than EVs.
RELATED:
The upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5 N ‘hot’ EV will help you drift better
There will also be an artificial sound system known as the “N Active Sound +”, and it comes with three sound profiles – “Ignition”, “Evolution”, and “Supersonic”. The “Ignition” sound profile is perhaps the most entertaining one as it will simulate the sound of Hyundai’s 2.0-litre turbo engine complete with pops and bangs.
As the first Hyundai N model to feature all-wheel drive (AWD), Hyundai will also be equipping the Ioniq 5 N with the N Drift Optimiser and N Torque Distribution systems. These systems work together with the e-LSD to help drivers drift the car easier, as well as distribute power to all four wheels to provide instantaneous torque.
What do you think of this interesting-sounding hot EV crossover? Share your thoughts in the comments!
RELATED:
Hyundai Ioniq 6 teased for Malaysia again – official launch imminent?
GALLERY


Facelifted Toyota Passo launched in Japan [+Video]

Toyota has launched the redesigned Passo in Japan. Boasting a new 1.0 litre engine, it can now yield up to 27km/L, approximately 30% better than its predecessor. Toyota managed to achieve this by raising the engine’s compression ratio, optimizing valve timing, reducing engine friction, and using cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).
In fact, now standard across the range for the two wheel drive models is the Toyota Start & Stop System, which cuts the engine at approximately 9km/h when slowing to a stop.
In terms of safety kit, the safety features across the board includes Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control and Emergency Brake Signal system. Higher specification models get electronic retractable side mirrors, and front door windows which rejects UV rays.

Interestingly enough, the Passo comes with 2 very different models, one for the Passo X and Passo G, while the other is the Passo +Hana. The Passo +Hana features softer front profile than the other Passo models, and has round motifs around the car.
Toyota Japan plans to sell 5,000 units of the Passo per month.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Shell is giving you up to 4X BonusLink points until the 31st of July

Although this year’s Hari Raya celebrations have already passed,
Shell Malaysia
 is keeping the festive spirit up by extending its “Ekstra Ganjaran Setiap Hari” BonusLink loyalty programme promotion until the
 31st of July 2021
.
The promotion awards customers with up to
4X BonusLink points
 every time you refuel at Shell during the campaign period. The more you refuel, the more points you’ll earn as the points multiplier increases from 1X up to 4X every visit!
To participate, customers just need to swipe their BonusLink card, or use the BLINK app at any Shell petrol station nationwides, and pump a
minimum of RM50
 of Shell FuelSave 95, Shell V-Power 97, or Shell V-Power Racing fuels in a single receipt.
The point multiplication will be reset on a monthly basis, on the 1st of every month – So you’ll have just one week to build up your multiplier before it gets reset for June. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how the system works:
Visit
BonusLink Points
1
st
visit (min. spend of RM50)
1X
2
nd
visit (min. spend of RM50)
2X
3
rd
 visit (min. spend of RM50)
3X
4
th
 visit (min. spend of RM50)
4X
In addition to the extra BonusLink points, Shell is also offering special in-store redemptions from as low as 100 points for a limited time for items including Yeo’s canned drink, Coca-Cola, and many more.
Shell Malaysia Trading and Shell Timur Managing Director, Shairan Huzani Husain said: “With the traveling restrictions being enforced, we understand that it may be challenging for Malaysians to truly experience up to 4x points with BonusLink every time they refuel at Shell. We hope with this extension, Malaysians will be able to make the most out of their journeys with Shell.
“The extension is also Shell’s way of helping out in the economic uncertainties Malaysians are experiencing with the nationwide MCO. We understand it has not been easy for all; we will continue to stand with our customers, and by providing them with the extra value every time they refuel at Shell, we hope to help more Malaysians to make the most of their Ringgit.”


Tata Motors in India trolls Suzuki – it may have backfired

Automotive rivalries aren’t a new thing. For years we’ve seen big brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi taking cheeky jabs and little swipes at each other to make a statement, over the silliest thing but they’ve always threaded on the side of caution, good taste, and class. On that note, we’re a little on the fence with this Twitter post by Tata Motors in India earlier today.
The post on Twitter took aim at its rival Maruti Suzuki over the Swift’s poor results in the LATIN NCAP crash test. It scored 0-stars and only received 15.53% rating for Adult Occupant Protection and 0% for Child Occupant Protection. Just to give you an idea of where it stands, the Perodua Ativa scored over 40% for Child Occupant Protection and a total of 5-stars in the ASEAN NCAP tests.
Here’s how the post looked like:
Without going into the specifics, it’s safe to assume that our opinions of the post are the same. Even though Tata adopted a relatively ‘friendly tone’, it could be interpreted very differently.
The post was clearly aimed at the Swift with some clever alphabet play and a hint of vulgarity. It’s smart and really creative, especially with the “DON’T GAMBLE WITH SAFETY” tagline and the slot machines.
This is more like it. We miss this!
Credit:
 CarThrottle
Adding to the post was the caption, “Latest NCAP safety test shows that it’s not safe to ride ‘Swift’ly. Yet another reason for you to book New Tiago – the #SeriouslyFun hatchback rated 4 stars for safety by Global NCAP.”
We’re guessing that it didn’t sit well with some quarters because as we’re writing this, Tata’s post which was uploaded just today has been removed. Stay tuned for more!
Remember how Honda took a friendly jab at Toyota before the new City was launched in Malaysia?


Facts & Figures: New Mini Electric facelift launched in Malaysia – RM217k

Alongside the new MINI 3 and 5 Door, as well as the MINI Convertible, MINI Malaysia today also unveiled the updated MINI Cooper SE, or simply called the MINI Electric, here on our shores.
The facelifted fully-electric MINI Cooper is now priced at
RM217k
 on the road, without insurance and inclusive of the sales tax exemptions, making it just a touch more affordable than before – not that its fans needed any more reasons to buy one, since the
30-unit limited run
 on its predecessor here in Malaysia was snapped up almost instantly after its launch last year!
EXTERIOR
The new MINI Electric is given a slight makeover on its exterior featuring the new
 goatee-like front fascia
, in line with its other petrol-powered siblings. Complementing the new hexagonal grille are the restyled front bumpers, which jettisons the round fog lights for vertical integrated air curtain slits for improved aerodynamics.
To bring the MINI Electric more in line with its other siblings, the ‘e’ badge on the front grille is now replaced with a regular Cooper ‘S’ badge in bright lime yellow colour; the electric logo on the charging port cover and the rear tailgate still remains as before, however.
Features wise, the following equipment comes as standard on the new MINI Electric here in Malaysia:
Adaptive LED headlights with matrix functionality
LED tailights with Union Jack graphics
New side scuttles (fender decorative plates) with MINI Electric-specific inserts and LED indicators
Blacked-out tailgate handle
17-inch MINI Electric Power Spoke wheels
Exterior colour choices: White Silver with black roof and Energetic Yellow accents; British Racing Green with black roof and black mirror caps; Midnight Black with white roof and Energetic Yellow accents (pictured)
PERFORMANCE
The front-wheel drive electric powertrain from its predecessor is unchanged on the new Mini Electric.
Engine: Front-axle electric motor
Transmission: Single speed
Peak horsepower: 135 kW/184 hp
Peak torque: 270 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 7.3 seconds
Top Speed: 150 km/h
Battery capacity: 28.9 kWh
Electric range: 232 km (WLTP)
The MINI Electric requires approximately 36 minutes to charge from zero to 80% at a standard DC charging station, or approximately two and a half hours at an AC charging station or using the MINI Wallbox Plus home charger.
During charging, the progress can be viewed on the side of the charging flap, through the digital instrument cluster, or via the new MINI mobile app.
INTERIOR
Changes to the interior of the new MINI Electric are fairly minor, with the most visible one being the new decor panel on the dashboard, now featuring a geometrical design and reworked air vents.
There are also new ambient lighting details throughout the cabin, including the new round stylised bezel surrounding the central infotainment display and on the doors. The infotainment controller on the centre console is now finished in black, alongside the multi-function buttons on the new steering wheel.
Standard features inside the MINI Electric include:
Updated 8.8-inch MINI Navigation System touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay connectivity
Full MINI Connected suite: Concierge Service, Teleservice, Remote Services, Intelligent Emergency Call, MINI Online
Digital instrument cluster
MINI Head Up Display
12-Speaker, 360-watt Harman Kardon Sound System
Dual-zone climate control
SAFETY AND CONVENIENCES
Similar to the outgoing model, the new MINI Electric is also equipped with the Driving Assistant system as standard. The camera-based advanced driving assistance suite includes the following features:
Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and oncoming traffic detection
Lane departure warning between 70 and 210 km/h
Speed Limit info
Digital high-beam assistant
Adaptive cruise control
Park Assistant with front and rear park distance control
PRICING
The New MINI Electric is priced at
RM217,470.73
 on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the SST exemptions (
extended until end of 2021
). Included in the price is a four-year unlimited mileage warranty, as well as eight-year/100,000 km high voltage battery warranty with free scheduled service.
With BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia’s Balloon Financing plan, the New MINI Electric starts from
RM2,418 per month
, based on estimates of a 80% loan on a five-year tenure.
The new MINI Electric is now available at all authorised MINI dealerships nationwide. However, due to the recent implementation of the new
MCO3.0 “total lockdown
“, the dealerships will be closed for physical viewings. Customers are encouraged to view the new MINI Electric online through MINI Malaysia’s website, linked
here
.
Customers can also book the new MINI Electric directly online via the MINI eShop platform (linked
here
) with a booking fee of RM1,000.
GALLERY


Season 3 of Toyota GR Festival concludes with season finale cancelled

In the interest of the health and safety of the fans, race teams, and personnel, UMW Toyota (UMWT) has officially concluded season three of the
Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge
, unfortunately cut short in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, Tengku Djan Ley, Hayden Haikal, and Shawn Lee are crowned champions for the Super Sporting, Sporting, and Promotional Class respectively, as a reflection of championship standings before the break.
Season three of the Toyota Vios Challenge concludes with
 75% of the scheduled races completed
. The season finale, originally scheduled on the
17-19 April at the Sepang International Circuit
 had to be unfortunately cancelled in response to the Movement Control Order (MCO), as well as advice from authorities against holding any public activities and gatherings until the end of the year.
UMWT Chief Motorsports Officer, Akio Takeyama said, “It is certainly not the most ideal way to conclude what has traditionally been a closely-contested championship. […] Season three had again demonstrated this spirit of competition, but inevitably the final race must yield to an even greater agenda which is to place national interest and public safety ahead of all other matters.”
UMWT Chief Motorsports Officer and Deputy Chairman also races in the Promotional Class.
Takeyama, who is also the Deputy Chairman of UMWT, clarified that the final results were made after careful deliberation in adherence to all provisions underlined by the technical and sporting regulations of the championship, as well as in discussion with the country’s motorsports governing body, Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM).
Tengku Djan Ley’s overall win in season three marks his second title in the Toyota Vios Challenge’s Super Sporting Class. Driving for Team 23 Motors, Tengku Djan finished the season 11 points clear of second place winner Mark Darwin (Laser Motor Racing), with Freddie Ang (Telagamas Toyota) a further 14 points behind rounding up the top three positions.
In the Sporting Class, 16-year-old Hayden Haikal took the championship in just his second season of the Toyota Vios Challenge, and more impressively second year driving a saloon car after transitioning from karting.
Hayden Haikal took home overall champion with a 12 point lead over second-place Bradley Benedict Anthony (Dream Chaser), also a teenage driver. Haji Sutan Mustaffa (SMS Motorsports) took third place, one point behind Benedict Anthony.
As for the Promotional Class, Shawn Lee also claimed his second championship victory in the series. Lee was crowned champion in season one of the Toyota Vios Challenge Promotional Class, and was promoted to the more competitive Sporting Class in season two.
Returning to the Promotional Class in season three, Lee adopted a more patient and strategic method, which resulted in one of his most dominant season, ending the season 15 points ahead of second place, actor Shukri Yahaya. Third place goes to TV personality Nabil Ahmad, with eight points adrift.
The company is already in the advance stages of preparing for the fourth season of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge. “Season 4 will be an entirely different experience, offering racers, teams and participating dealers not only an enhanced racing format but also prize and reward structure,” said Takeyama.
“Without revealing too much too soon, I would also like to announce that the Toyota Gazoo Racing spirit will extend beyond the Toyota Vios Challenge and provide racers with additional racing programs to compete in. Another element we are closely looking into is talent development and expansion of
TGR e-Racing
.”


Video: Mitsubishi Xpander vs Honda BR-V 7-seater comparison!

Since the
Honda BR-V
 was launched in early 2017, it has gone on to become a firm favourite for those looking to own a compact 7-seater under RM100k. In the first three months following its launch in 2017, Honda received over 10,000 bookings for the SUV and with the 2020 facelift model, the response was just as encouraging.
Having spent a week in it, it’s obvious why. For starters, it’s got the SUV look that everyone seems to go for these days and cabin space (whether it’s head, knee, or legroom), is more than generous for a young family of five.
We also liked how the second row seats effortlessly tumble forward to allow passengers into the 3rd row.

But it now has a worthy competitor; in the form of the
Mitsubishi Xpander
. Launched last year in a single variant, it’s priced at RM91k excluding SST. As for the BR-V, the 1.5 E variant goes for RM86k while the 1.5V goes for RM93k. Both prices are excluding SST.
Both are powered by 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated engines with more or less the same output but their similarities end there.
Just how different are they? Which works better as a compact 7-seater? Watch the video and find out!


First ever Tesla Model 3 to be completed this Friday, wait list is 400,000 long

The iPhone equivalent in the world of motoring is most certainly the Tesla Model 3. With a starting price of USD $35,000 (before incentives!), it’s no wonder that the waiting list is over 400,000 long.
Touted as the BMW 3 Series rival (the entry level 320i variant starts at USD $33,000), the Model 3 will be the most affordable product in Tesla’s stable, making the brand significantly more accessible to an even wider pool of potential customers.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the Model 3 is specifically engineered to combined range, performance, safety and utility. It will be cleverly designed to fit five adults and all their belongings, and at the same time be powerful enough for a 0 to 60 mph sprint of
under six seconds
. As comparison, the BMW 320i does that in 7.1 seconds. “Tesla doesn’t make slow cars”, said Musk, and this is one way of proving it. The other, it seems, is that faster versions will be introduced in later stages.
The Model 3’s lithium-ion battery pack will provide enough juice for a distance of over 320 km, and upon completion will be the safest car in its class. Entry-level variants will be rear-wheel drive, while those opting for the more complex dual motor AWD version will have to wait a little longer.
Production is said to take place in phases, with the earliest starting August this year albeit with a limited capacity of 100 units a month. Musk aims to ramp up the process with hopes of producing up to 20,000 units a month by year end.
And oh, like all other Teslas (that would just be the Model S and Model X), there will be two boots – front and rear. More details will surface come Friday, so watch this space!
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Shooting Brake is an AMG we may never get

It’s true that Mercedes-AMG
will fiddle with any Benz they can get their hands on. Their latest creation,
the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC Shooting Brake. Although, we won’t be able to get
our hands on one because Malaysians favour SUVs over Shooting Brakes/Wagon/Estates.
Motivated by the uprated M260 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with
306 hp
 and
400 Nm
, the CLA 35 Shooting Brake is the fastest and most versatile (505 litres of boot space) Compact Car to date. That is until the CLA 45 S debuts with the
416 hp
 and
500 Nm

M139 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine
.
A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and AMG Performance 4MATIC fully variable all-wheel-drive system allows the CLA 35 Shooting Brake to go from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.9 seconds
, identical to the CLA 35 Coupe. Like the Coupe, the Shooting Brake also gets 5 AMG Dynamic Select drive programs – Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.
The standard AMG exhaust
system has an exhaust flap that alters the tone ranging from discreet to antisocial
depending on the drive modes selected. AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers and AMG
Track pace data logger are however optional items.
Other personalisation
items include the AMG Aerodynamics Package, AMG Night Package, 19-inch AMG
alloy wheels in various design, two-tone AMG Leather interior package, AMG
Performance Seats and AMG Performance Steering wheel in different finishes.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC Shooting Brake


Why are you not changing your defective Takata airbag?

Even if you have been living under a rock for the past five years, you would still have a gist of the on-going global Takata airbag crisis that has affected more than 10 major car brands. Otherwise, to fill you in, Takata Corporation has been supplying defective airbag inflators that will rupture upon deployment and send metal shards in the direction of the occupants.
Both driver and passenger front airbags are susceptible to this defect and this saga has affected more than 100 million cars worldwide. In Malaysia, five carmakers – Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Mazda – have issued recalls over this airbag concern.
What’s saddening is that despite the extensive effort by manufacturers to publicise their respective airbag replacement initiatives, there are still owners who are oblivious about the whole recall exercise. There are even reports of owners not bringing their cars to a service centre for a replacement citing “expensive to replace
la
, takes up a lot of my time” or worse “it won’t happen to me”.
Enough is enough.
 Malaysians, please wake up and stop being ignorant of this situation. All charges relating to the airbag recall or any official recall campaign for that matter is completely borne by the manufactures,
FREE OF CHARGE
. The airbag replacement exercise takes
less than an hour
 to have both driver and passenger side modules replaced – quicker than your average office lunch breaks.
Metal shards that explode upon deployment

To date, there have been
seven Takata airbag-related deaths
 recorded here in Malaysia with the most recent incident involving a 2004 Honda City that
took the life of the driver last week
 (21 May 2018). How many more innocent lives must these airbags take before we as owners realise the magnitude of the situation that can be mitigated by a simple visit to the respective dealerships?
Newly-appointed Transport Minister, Anthony Loke has announced that from today (4 June 2018) onwards, owners who have yet to replace their faulty Takata airbags will not be allowed to renew their road tax. The Ministry will require affected owners to produce a certificate from an authorised dealership to prove that they have completed the airbag replacement – certainly a welcomed move from Loke.
As of 29 May 2018, Honda Malaysia has completed 445,000 units of the faulty airbag which translates to 75 percent completion ratio but there 71,315 Honda models on-the-road that have not responded to the recall. UMW Toyota Malaysia, on the other hand, reported 91 percent of Lexus models have completed the airbag replacement but only 53 percent of Toyota models have done their replaced. Which means almost half of the Toyota models you see on the road have not replaced their killer airbags.
If you are still unsure whether your car(s) are involved in this Takata Airbag recall campaign, log on to these online VIN checkers provided by the affected manufacturers in the link below and follow the instructions provided:
Honda –
Product Recall Honda
Toyota –
Special Service Campaign
Nissan –
Recall Campaign
Mazda –
Takata Airbag Recall
Mitsubishi –
Mitsubishi Field Fix Campaign
Subaru –
Takata Airbag Recall
All it takes is one phone call, one trip to the dealer and one hour to remove a time bomb in your car. Come on people, it’s time to get those faulty Takata airbags replaced, it has claimed one too many lives…


2016 Proton Saga launched, 4 variants, 6 colours, from RM37k to RM46k

With a model life spanning 31 years, the Proton Saga you see here is now in its third life cycle, and is repositioned as an A-Segment sedan to take on the
Perodua Bezza
. It is available in four trims (exactly like the
Proton Persona
) – Standard MT, Standard AT, Executive and Premium.
If you think this Saga looks familiar, that’s because it shares the same chassis and body as its predecessor, though largely redesigned to complement Proton’s latest product portfolio. As a result, the Saga is 74mm longer (
4,331mm
 overall length),  9mm wider (
1,689mm
) and its height is reduced by 11mm to
1,491mm
. Wheelbase is exactly the same as before, at
2,465mm
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Proton Saga Standard (MT)
Proton Saga Standard (CVT)
Proton Saga Executive (CVT)
Proton Saga Premium (CVT)
Engine
1,332cc; inline-4, DOHC with VVT
Transmission
5-speed manual
CVT
Max Power
 94 hp @ 5,750 rpm
Max Torque
 120 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel Consumption
 5.4 litres per 100km (MT); 5.6 litres per 100km (CVT)
Price
RM36,800
RM39,800
RM42,800
RM45,800
EXTERIOR
Externally, the Saga bears a familiar face, particularly of the second-gen Saga FL. Standard across the range here are halogen reflector headlamps, rear fog lamps, front and rear sensors, chromed front grille as well as side mirrors with integrated signal indicators.

The range topping Premium is the only variant to be fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels that’s wrapped with 185/55 series tyres. It’s also the sole recipient of a chromed rear garnish and reverse camera. One trim down is the Executive which rides on 14-inch alloy wheels (185/60 tyres), whereas the Standard variant get 13-inch steel rims with 175/70 rubbers. Only the Executive and Premium variants get a rear spoiler as standard.
INTERIOR
The seats are draped in grey fabric, contrasted by a dashboard finished in a darker shade of grey. In place of the driver seat is a tilt-only polyurethane steering wheel, but this time it is nicely contoured so as to fit your palms better while driving. The Premium variant is the only one to come with a steering wheel with integrated switches that control audio volume, toggle driving information and even answer phone calls via Bluetooth connection. Others won’t even get audio controls.

New additions to the Saga include dual rear USB ports for charging mobile devices (1.5A and 2.1A outputs), six cup holders, powered windows (all four doors) and ECO Drive Assist. Speaker count amounts to just two for the Standard, whereas the Executive and Premium will both get four speakers. Regardless of your choice, the rear bench can be folded down in one configuration only, but it won’t fold completely flat.
Lastly, the Premium comes with a Double DIN head unit while the rest make do with a Single DIN system. All variants however, support Bluetooth connectivity, USB and auxiliary inputs, radio, CD, MP3 and iPod/iPhone audio playback. Neat.
PERFORMANCE
The Saga is powered by an
Iriz-sourced

1.3-litre four-cylinder engine
 with variable valve timing, outputting
 94 hp
 at 5,750 rpm and
120 Nm
 that peaks at 4,000 rpm. This engine replaces the IAFM+ lump of yesteryear, and adopts the same
three-point mountings
 as the Persona for better NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).
Power is delivered to the front wheels through a
five-speed manual
 or
CVT
, the latter benefitting from an improved TCU which reduces the unpleasant droning noise and gives it a more responsive acceleration. Proton claims the Saga CVT will consume about
5.6 litres of fuel per 100km
 travelled (5.4l/100km for the five-speed MT), but this is based on a constant cruise at 90km/h. Comparatively, the Bezza 1.3L is rated at 4.5 litres per 100km.
Approximately 60 percent of the second-gen Saga’s mechanical components have been carried over. Though the chassis remains the same, revisions such as new dampers, springs and more interestingly a front strut bar (this is standard across all variants) help keep stability in check. If anything, the Saga’s dynamics are a tad more superior now than before, as observed during our brief test drive at Proton’s private test track. Its hydraulic power steering is slightly quicker (and more assistive) as well – 16:1 as opposed to the old 20:1 setup.
SAFETY
As for the safety kit, the Premium variant is equipped with ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, ESC, Traction Control and Hill-hold Assist. The Executive gets just ABS with EBD, however the Standard variant gets all these passive safety features omitted. Standard safety features are dual front airbags, Isofix mounts and audible seatbelt reminder (driver-side only).
Also, Proton is offering a complimentary tint film for Premium buyers only.
WHAT ELSE?
The third-generation Saga can be had in six exterior shades: Cotton White, Fire Red, Metal Grey, Topaz Blue, Sterling Silver and Midnight Black. It is awarded a four-star ASEAN NCAP crash safety rating, and comes packaged with a 5-Year manufacturer’s warranty.
So, what do you think of the new Proton Saga, dear readers? The Saga is part of a four-model launch this year, with the Ertiga scheduled for arrival sometime in October.
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BMW Concept 8 Series on display in Kuala Lumpur, like how it looks?

Following the
cheeky little teaser
 last month, BMW Malaysia has finally let the cat out of the bag. Lo and behold, it is indeed the
BMW Concept 8 Series
 under the wraps. This marks not only the concept car’s maiden appearance on Malaysian soil but also in South East Asia.
First presented to the world in 2017, the 8 Series Coupe will be positioned as the brand’s flagship model which is slated for its global debut sometime this year. The Concept 8 Series represents BMW’s pinnacle of sports performance and exclusivity which resulted in a product that not only delivers sheer driving pleasure but also appeals to the customer’s emotions.

Taking on a luxury coupe body style,
prototype testing
 is still underway before the production model hits the showroom floors. The Concept 8 Series will also spearhead BMW’s next-generation of design language which is already apparent on the
X7
. New design cues include the flipped kidney grille, angular sculpture and slim LED headlamps.
The doors open to a driver-focused cabin with modern luxury. One of the key design highlights is the fluid transition between the centre console and instrument panel – the latter’s futuristic graphics will find its way into future BMW models.

The carbon fibre shell leather sets, hand-polished aluminium spokes, red-anodised shift pedals strike a sporty intent to encourage the driver to tap into the driving performance of the 8 Series Coupe. In case you’re wondering, BMW has also confirmed that an M8 and M8 GTE race car are already in the pipelines.
Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia, Mr. Han Sang Yun said, “It is an absolute pleasure for us to be able to share our new brand presence and expression for our luxury cars here at the BMW Luxury Excellence Pavilion. From Toronto, Canada to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we hope to share our vision of the luxurious appeal of our brand through this one of a kind experiential programme, further demonstrating how we have redefined the idea of modern luxury in the auto industry.”
Members of the public can catch the BMW Concept 8 Series in the metal at the BMW Luxury Excellence Pavilion at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur from 22 February (Thursday) to 7 March (Wednesday) 2018. There will also be BMW’s full line up of iPerformance plug-in hybrid models on display.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW Concept 8 Series in Malaysia

BMW Concept 8 Series Official Photos


Toyota Hilux finally outsells Isuzu D-Max in Thailand – 9,242 units sold in June 2023

In June this year, the
Toyota Hilux
 finally outsold the
Isuzu D-Max
 in terms of monthly sales with a total of
9,242 units
 sold. The D-Max in comparison, recorded a total of 9,093 units sold last month. In the first 5 months of 2023, the Isuzu D-Max consistently lead the monthly sales chart for pickup trucks in Thailand.
In June, the pick-up truck segment in Thailand was led by the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max, followed by the Ford Ranger with 2,034 units sold. The rest of the pack includes the Mitsubishi Triton with 1,350 units, the Nissan Navara with 245 units, the MG Extender with 80 units, and the Mazda BT-50 with 78 units.
In terms of year-to-date sales figures, however, the Isuzu D-Max remains the chart leader with a total of 66,680 units sold from January to June 2023. The Hilux follows behind with 58,782 units sold. In third place is the Ford Ranger with 13,783 units, the Mitsubishi Triton with 7,601 units, the Nissan Navara with 1,672 units, the Mazda BT-50 with 552 units, and the MG Extender with 551 units.
The month of June saw a dip in total sales of pickup trucks with 22,122 units sold compared to 22,424 trucks sold in May. June is currently the second lowest in terms of monthly sales of pickup trucks in Thailand, although the Toyota Hilux leads the pack.
RELATED:
Toyota’s latest concept could mean that a fully-electric Hilux pick-up is coming soon
In Malaysia, the situation is quite the opposite of Thailand for the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max. As of last year, the Toyota Hilux is still the best-selling pickup truck in Malaysia. For the Malaysian market, the Toyota Hilux is offered in single-cab and double-cab versions with either the 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine or the 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine. There is also a GR Sport version of the double-cab pickup truck.
The latest development on the Toyota Hilux is that it will soon be offered with a mild hybrid system. The mild hybrid system will be paired with the 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine and improve the efficiency of the Toyota Hilux.
RELATED:
Toyota Hilux to get 48V mild hybrid system with 2.8L engine, to debut in 2024


The Kia Carnival’s great looks recognised with a Good Design Award 2021

When the fourth-generation Kia Carnival was
unveiled
, its exterior design was quite a big talking point. While still a distinct two-box styling, the key elements such as the lighting units and C-pillar garnish really made the grand utility vehicle (GUV) pop out. As such, the global jury panel at GOOD DESIGN has awarded the Kia Carnival with top honours.
Penned at Kia’s California design studio, the Carnival wears a bold and boxy appearance and conveys the visual language found on the brand’s recent and highly successful line of rugged utility vehicles such as Telluride,
Sorento
 and
Seltos
, the four-row GUV delivers a premium level of refinement, savvy technology, and flexibility.
And with best-in-class passenger room and best-in-class cargo room there is enough space to accommodate people, playthings, or plywood, depending on the day’s errands or adventures.

Karim Habib, Head of Kia Design Center, said, “Securing these GOOD DESIGN awards is an endorsement of the approach we took with the styling of the
Kia EV6
 and Kia Carnival, and is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of our talented international design team. It truly has been a pivotal year for us; we launched our brand new design philosophy ‘Opposites United’, the ethos of which is already transforming our cars, and we are determined to ensure Kia keeps challenging the boundaries of automotive design.”
Joining the all-new Carnival in the 2021 GOOD DESIGN Awards is the Kia EV6. This fully electric premium car is said to be introduced by
new Malaysian principal distributor
 Bermaz Auto/Dinamikjaya Motor within this year thanks to the full duty exemption under Budget 2022.
The two accolades are the latest in a string of design awards handed to Kia by the GOOD DESIGN jury in recent years, acknowledging the integrity of the brand’s evolving design ethos. Just last year, the panel awarded the third-generation
Kia K5
 and the fourth-generation Kia Sorento with the same honour. Prior to this, previous iterations of the K5 and Sorento have been awarded GOOD DESIGN awards, alongside models including the Telluride and the Soul crossover.
The all-new Kia Carnival is on sale now in Malaysia priced from
RM196,341
. Buyers have access to a 2.2-litre turbodiesel unit with outputs of
199 hp
 and
440 Nm
 with drive to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Inside, the seating configuration can be as little spacious as a six-seater, expanding up to 11 seats. The flexibility come via the two middle seats that can also be folded to make a walk-through aisle to the fourth row. The fourth row of the new Kia Carnival meanwhile can be neatly hidden and level with the boot floor when not in use.


Top Gear trio Clarkson, Hammond and May signed deal with Amazon Prime

Hot off the press, former BBC Top Gear trio landed a sweet deal with Amazon Prime, Amazon’s video streaming service. The news broke out when Amazon posted a picture of the trio with the caption that read, “The ink is dry and we’re #backonthetrack in 2016.”
This news comes as a relief to most fans of the plucky motoring show, when the show’s patriach, Jeremy Clarkson was involved in a fracas with one of the show’s producers, after which the BBC responded by axing the show.
Pic credits: Amazon Prime
Many moons have past since then, and the trio were initially approached by
 iTV
 to do a reboot of the motoring show, however there is a clause in their old contracts that is said to
block them from hosting a car show
 on a
British channel for two years
. So the boys faced a predicament, which was to either wait till
April 2017
 or sign with a non-brit network such as
 Netflix
or
 Amazon
.
After months of speculations, the burning question as to where the trio will end up has been answered. Clarkson, Hammond and May have signed a
three-season deal
 alongside former executive producer
Andy Wilman
.
Wilman, who has been credited for turning the show around into the format that made Top Gear into the most watched factual show – over
350 million viewers annually
. Production on the first series will begin soon and it will launch
next year
. The new show does not have a name yet, with the
Top Gear
 brand belonging to the broadcasting giant.

It also dawned recently that in the quest to replace the former co-hosts, its been said that former F1 world champion Jenson Button is being considered as a host to join
Chris Evans
. Other notable names that has been thrown into the mix includes the likes of
 David Beckham, Rowan Atkinson, Steve Coogan
 and bombshell model,
Jodie Kidd
. However at this juncture, BBC has yet to finalize the decision.


Facts & Figures: BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport now in Malaysia – RM441K

BMW Malaysia has introduced the all-new BMW X5 hybrid as a follow up to the
hugely-popular plug-in hybrid variant of ‘The Boss’
 in our country. Available in a single M Sport trim, the locally-assembled PHEV X5 xDrive45e – now dubbed ‘The New Boss’ – is priced at RM440,745 on the road without insurance,
sales tax exempted
.

EXTERIOR
We should all be familiar with how the latest-generation BMW X5 looks by now, with the launch of the
X5 xDrive40i M Sport
in May last year. The all-new PHEV variant, also optioned in the M Sport trim level, comes equipped with pretty much identical exterior kit.
Slim Adaptive LED headlights with BMW Selective Beam
LED fog lights
20-inch M light alloy Wheels in Star Spoke style 740 M Bicolour
Signature M Sport brake
M Aerodynamics package
Roof rails – Aluminium satinated
M Sport-specific tailpipe finishers
PERFORMANCE
With this being the plug-in hybrid variant, the biggest difference obviously lies underneath the sheet metal. The all-new BMW X5 hybrid pairs a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine (same as the aforementioned xDrive40i) with an additional electric motor for an additional power boost and better fuel economy.
Engine: B58 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged inline six – 286 hp, 450 Nm
Electric Motor: 113 hp, 265 Nm
Transmission: 8-speed ZF automatic
Drivetrain: xDrive all-wheel drive
Battery capacity: 24 kWh
Suspension: two-axle air suspension
Total system max horsepower: 394 hp
Total system max torque: 600 Nm
0-100 km/h: 5.6 seconds
Top speed: 235 km/h (pure electric: 135 km/h)
Electric range: 77 km
Combined fuel consumption: 2.5 l/100km
Compared to its predecessor, total system output has been increased by 86 hp and 150 Nm of twist. As a result, the century sprint time has been shortened by a whole 1.3 seconds(!).
The 24 kWh battery is also significantly higher than the 9 kWh on the outgoing model. As a result, the pure electric range has more than doubled from its predecessor (30 km).
The larger battery takes six hours and 50 minutes to top-up from empty, using a BMW i Wallbox with a 3.7kW output. On a regular domestic 240v socket using the supplied charger, 0-100% charge takes roughly 10 hours and 30 minutes.
INTERIOR
Similar to the petrol-powered variant, the new X5 xDrive45e M Sport gets a Black Vernasca leather upholstered interior, paired with a fine-wood ‘Fineline Stripe’ trim with brown high-gloss. Interior equipment include:
12.3-inch Live Cockpit Professional digital instrument display
12.3-inch touchscreen display with gesture control
10.2-inch Rear Seat Entertainment Professional
Four-zone automatic climate control
M leather steering wheel with paddle shifters
Sport front seats, memory function for driver seat
BMW M sill plates
Panoramic sunroof
464W 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system
FEATURES AND CONVENIENCE
The all-new BMW X5 PHEV SUV is packed to the brim with convenience technology features, such as the standard BMW Display Key which displays vehicle status such as range and other key vehicle information, and provides convenient access to the vehicle’s climate control system before entering the car.
The X5 xDrive45e M Sport is also equipped with Comfort Access 2.0, which uses sensors to detect the car key in proximity and automatically unlock or lock the vehicle without the need to grab or touch the door handles. The car will be automatically locked when the key moves more than two metres away from the car.
Other comfort-oriented amenities include:
Wireless charging pad
Automatic tailgate with contactless opening and closing
BMW Digital Key on selected Android smartphones
Parking Assistant Plus with Surround View Camera
Reversing Assistant
SAFETY
The all-new BMW X5 hybrid in Malaysia comes equipped with a pretty extensive list of advanced driver assistance systems. The system, dubbed the BMW Personal CoPilot, includes:
Frontal Collision Warning with brake intervention
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Changing Warning
Rear Cross Traffic Warning
Rear Collision Prevention
speed limit information
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
Four exterior colours are available for the all-new BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport: Phytonic Blue, Black Sapphire, Mineral White and Artic Grey.
As an added option, ‘The New Boss’ can also be specified with additional M Performance parts and accessories, including:
Carbon fibre front air inlet
Carbon fibre exterior mirror cap
Carbon fibre front and rear winglets
Carbon fibre rear diffuser
Side decals, side skirts in Frozen Black
Jet Black Matte Star Spoke alloy wheels
PRICING
The all-new BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport is priced at
RM440,745
 (sans sales tax), and will be available at all authorised BMW dealerships nationwide from 20th June 2020.
With BMW Group Financial Service Malaysia’s Balloon Financing Plan, the new PHEV X5 can be yours with a monthly instalment plan starting from
RM5,028
 (based on estimates of an 80% loan, on a five-year tenure).
As standard, all new owners of the BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport will receive the complete
BMW Group Malaysia
 Premium Ownership experience, which includes:
BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme
BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme
BMW 8-Year/ 160,000KM Battery Warranty (whichever comes first)
BMW 2-Year/ 24 Month Tyre Warranty Programme for its Run Flat Tyre offering andservices
BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline
The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW White Card
BMW Service Online
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Updated 2022 Mazda 2 available in Thailand, gets powered seat with memory!

Mazda still sees plenty of strength in its compact Mazda 2 sedan and hatchback models, and with that, introduced a host of new features for the Thailand market.
This is the first update on the
facelifted Mazda 2
 design that was made available in Malaysia back in March 2020. To keep the model looking fresh amongst the highly competitive compact models in Thailand, Mazda is extending the
Platinum Quartz
 light gold paintwork as an option for both sedan and hatchback.
Fans of Polymetal Grey can only select the sedan design to pair that unique colour with.
Among the key upgraded feature is the seven-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a wireless smartphone charging pad and a first-in-segment- six-way powered driver’s seat with a two-position memory system.
All five variants of the updated 2022 Mazda 2 also get LED projector headlamps with automatic levelling, G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus), i-STOP and i-ELOOP start-stop system, a security system with burglar alarm and acoustic-glass windshield.
At the other end of the spectrum, the two higher variants, which are SP and XDL, get a 360-degree birds-eye view parking camera system and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The ‘S Leather’ variant in the middle gets the best mix of goodies such as gearshift paddles, head-up display, cruise control, the new powered driver’s seat and wireless charging pad.
Although Mazda has increased its visible comfort, convenience and safety features, the compact sedan and hatchback models are still only equipped with just two airbags when competitors have already long offered up to
seven airbags
.
Being positioned as an Eco-Car in Thailand, the Mazda 3 comes with either a 1.3-litre SkyActiv-G engine with outputs of
93 hp
 and
123 Nm
 of torque or a 1.5-litre turbodiesel SkyActiv-D engine generating
105 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque. Both engines are paired to only a six-speed automatic transmission.
Last month, Mazda Europe introduced an all-new Mazda 2 Hybrid, essentially a rebadged Toyota Yaris! More here.
Mazda Thailand has not increased the prices of the 2022 Mazda 2 sedan and hatchback improved models, priced from THB546,000 (approx. RM68.6k) for the entry 1.3 E variant to THB690,000 (approx. RM87k) for the 1.3 SP variant and the range-topping high-torque 1.5 XDL variant at THB799,000 (approx. RM100k).
Bermaz Motor in Malaysia offers the Mazda 2 with a 1.5-litre engine (114 hp, 149 Nm) priced from
RM103,670
.
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MINI Cooper 3 & 5 Door facelift teased, new trims & 7-spd DCT, launching soon

MINI Malaysia released a teaser on its official Facebook page hinting at the imminent arrival of the MINI Cooper LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) or facelift in BMW Group speak. The refreshed MINI Cooper will be available in both 3-door and 5-door guise, featuring minor visual enhancements inside and out as well as a new double-clutch transmission.
Exterior changes include a new full-circle LED daytime running light design that double ups as the turn signals as well as a half Union Jack LED taillamp design that have garnered split public opinions. What is your take on this colonial taillamp design?

We can also expect new alloy wheel design as well a more extensive range of the
MINI Yours Customised parts
 that covers the side scuttles, door sills and wheel caps.
Inside, the changes are more apparent with new steering wheel trim, electronic gear selector (similar to the
BMW X2
), 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a new user interface and an illuminated Union Jack motif interior trim that changes colour according to the ambient lighting.

Other subtle changes such as the repositioned drive mode selector (now on the centre console) and revised fuel gauge display are already present on
newer (pre-facelift) MINI variants
.
The
Cooper
 soldiers on with a 1.5-litre MINI TwinPower three-cylinder turbo petrol engine while the
Cooper S
 gets the same 2.0-litre MINI TwinPower four-cylinder turbo petrol, developing
136 hp
/
220 Nm
 and
192 hp
/
320 Nm
, respectively. Both engines are paired to a new
seven-speed dual clutch
 (wet) transmission that promises quicker gear shifts, better refinement and improved efficiency.
While MINI Malaysia did not reveal an official launch date, registration of interest for the refreshed MINI Cooper is up on the brand’s
microsite
.
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Infiniti exits Western Europe, to focus on North America and China

Infiniti is exiting Western Europe so that the brand is able “to restructure operations to drive profitable growth in North America and China”. In other words, Nissan’s premium division hadn’t found enough customers in the most competitive markets in Europe to remain viable as a business.
The QX Inspiration concept is expected to become Infiniti’s first fully-electric model.
As a result of the withdrawal, the slow-selling Q30 and QX30 models (image above), which are based on the Mercedes-Benz GLA, will cease production by mid-2019 at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK, with operations (including dealerships) to close by early 2020. However, Infiniti pledges to continue supporting customers in after-sales, including maintenance and warranty claims beyond 2020.
Five new Infiniti models are planned for China; looks good but will it be available as RHD?
Infiniti’s Europe withdrawal also means it will discontinue its diesel offerings and fully focus on electrifying the model range from 2021 onwards. Suffice to say, Infiniti’s eggs will also be firmly in the SUV basket for the North American market and electrified models which are specific to China. With UK soon to be out of the picture, the fate of future right-hand drive models hangs in the balance with only Japan, Australia and a handful of countries driving on the left side of the road.


Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 4MATIC (CKD) launched in Malaysia, priced at RM325k

With the launch of the
fully imported Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 4MATIC
 early this year, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has sold more than 600 units of the premium SUV. With promising demand for the GLC, MBM has decided to locally assemble the GLC 250 4MATIC.
The GLC will be the first premium Mercedes-Benz SUV to be assembled in
the company’s assembly plant in Pekan
, Pahang. As such, the SUV will receive more kit and a slight reduction in price.
RM3,000 cheaper
to be exact.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 4MATIC
Engine
1,991cc; turbocharged inline-four
Transmission
9G-TRONIC, 9-speed automatic
Max Power
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
0 to 100 km/h; Top Speed
7.3 seconds; 222 km/h
Tentative Price (OTR without insurance)
RM325,888
To commemorate the launch of the locally assembled GLC 250, MBM organised a drive for the media to experience first hand the GLC 250. The drive to their Pekan plant went smoothly and comfortably, as expected of a car bearing the three pointed star emblem. To find out how the GLC drives, read our in-depth review of the car
here
.
Despite being locally assembled, the GLC is not a completely-knocked down (CKD) unit. Instead, it is a semi-knocked down (SKD) unit. What this translates to, is that every part and panel is imported from Germany. The imported parts are then put together in Malaysia. Hence, SKD. However, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will be introducing the GLC as fully CKD when the paint shop is fully renovated and operational. There’s no official statement on the whether or not the price will be brought down further, but we can trust MBM’s management to deliver just that.

With RM3,000 slashed, the
equipment and specifications are as per CBU
 units, and more. Exterior wise, the GLC wears an AMG-line kit and sits on 20-inch AMG wheels. Drivetrain is the same as well – a
2.0-litre turbocharged
 inline-four that produces
211 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque. The engine is mated to a 9G-TRONIC automatic. As the 4MATIC badge denotes, the GLC comes with permanent all-wheel drive system. With a fuel economy rated at 7.1 litres per 100km, the premium SUV qualifies as an EEV.
New to the SKD GLC is a
Touchpad with Controller
 on the centre console to provide a more intuitive experience in navigating the infotainment system. Besides that, full
LED ambient lighting
 with three different colours is added, as well as a new
stowage space package
. The package includes a tensioner strap in the centre armrest storage, map pockets at the back of the front seats as well as a collapsible box and netting for the boot. A lovely premium touch to the SKD unit are additional
door sill panels
 finished in brushed stainless steel.

The GLC 250 4MATIC SKD is not only more convenient and cheaper, the car is also available with
Mercedes-Benz Agility Financing
. This will allow customers to finance the GLC with a monthly instalment of only
RM3,258
 (terms and conditions apply)! Bookings are now open for the SKD GLC.
MBM’s decision to introduce a SKD GLC will definitely contribute to their already astonishing
half-yearly results
. No doubt that MBM is gearing to achieve yet another record breaking year.
IMAGE GALLERY


What makes the new Rolls-Royce Phantom, the most silent car in the world?

The name Rolls-Royce needs no introduction – as the beacon of luxury and refinement in the automotive realm, it continues to set the standards for unrivaled ride quality. Also because royalties and industry leaders need absolute silence to hear themselves think.
With the aim of creating “the most silent motor car in the world”, extremely meticulous measures have been implemented on the new eight generation Rolls-Royce Phantom including the incorporation of 6mm two-layer glazing all around the car, together with more than 130 kg of sound insulation and the largest ever cast aluminium joints in a body-in-white for better sound insulation.

Road noise is also dampened with employment of double skin alloy on areas within the floor and bulkhead of the aluminium spaceframe chassis construction – a feature unique to new Phantom. Taking things a step further, dense foam and felt layers are inserted between these skins for increased sound insulation – a method not witnessed before in the car industry.
On the inside of the Phantom, high absorption layers within the headliner, in the doors and boot cavity have further aid insulation and reduce reverberation. Rolls-Royce also worked closely with its tyre supplier to invent something called “Silent-Seal” tyres – featuring a specific foam layer placed inside the tyre to reduce overall tyre noise by 9db for effortless conversation in the vehicle’s cabin.
This contributes to approximately 10 per cent quieter than its predecessor at 100km/h. When Rolls-Royce’s acoustic test engineer first reviewed results road and vibration tests, the sound levels were so low they had to check their instruments were calibrated correctly.
With the focus on creating the most silent motor car in the world, the Phantom also benefits from a completely new 6.75-litre V12 engine which is now twin-turbocharged. This replaces the previous naturally-aspirated V12 engine, for higher low-end output at lower revs to ensure that silence.
Also as a result, the V12 powertrain produces a blinding 900 Nm of torque from as low as 1,700 rpm on top of 563 hp, delivering power through an 8-speed ZF gearbox.
The new Rolls-Royce also comes with something called the Flagbearer, a stereo camera system integrated in the windscreen to see the road ahead, adjusting its suspension proactively rather than reactively up to 100km/h.
With that, the new Rolls-Royce Phantom resets the benchmark not only as ‘the Best Car in the World’, but as the world’s leading luxury item.


Renault recalls its diesel cars, a new twist in the ‘Dieselgate’ saga

Renault has announced that they will recall approximately 15,800 cars to fix pollution-control systems on one of its diesel-powered models. This news follows the recent
Dieselgate
 scandal that plagued Volkswagen and some of its subsidiaries.
It was found that the affected engine is Renault’s
1.5-litre dCi engine
 which powers the
Captur
 diesel variant. All diesel Capturs will be recalled to make amendments to the engine’s calibration unit. The current filters in the Captur will turn on between 17°C and 35°C, just enough to be activated during the European emissions test which are usually conducted between temperatures of 20°C to 30°C.
At the same time, the company offers voluntary emissions-system updates for about 700,000 vehicles to reduce NOx emissions.  The engine adjustments will be available for vehicles with the latest Euro 6 generation of diesel engines.
Just last week, authorities raided Renault’s facilities where several computers belonging to the company’s directors have been seized. Although investigators found “no evidence of a defeat device” installed, the French automaker’s stock tumbled by nearly a fifth of its value.
Last Saturday, French newspaper
Les Echos
reported that some diesel models from Mercedes-Benz, Renault and Ford were shown to far exceed laboratory tests, prompting further scrutiny from the authorities. The Captur was one of the vehicles with emissions exceeding the official limit.
Renault’s chief competitive officer, Thierry Bollore, said “We are not cheating, we are meeting the norms, and we are not trying to trick the consumer.”
Bollore also adds they are among the first to admit their mistake and will make plenty of room for improvement. A classic case of
mea culpa
from Renault? Meanwhile, when will the other two will take action on this?
The diesel-powered Captur is not offered in Malaysia, instead the 1.2-litre petrol variant is offered by TC Euro Cars at RM123,000. Read our
review of the Renault Captur
.


Shell and Porsche launches first 180 kW EV charger in Johor

After announcing the project in
March 2021
, Shell and Porsche have officiated the first high-performance charger (HPC) network in Southeast Asia and Shell’s first cross-country electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in the ASEAN region.
The first of six HPC bays to be located in Shell stations will begin operations today in Tangkak, Johor. Customers will be able to charge their EVs quickly along the North-South Highway in Malaysia for a reliable and seamless drive from Singapore and to Thailand later this year.
The other five stations planned will be at the Shell stations in Seremban (Northbound and Southbound), Jalan Ayer Hitam in Johor, Simpang Pulai (Northbound), and Tapah (Southbound) in Perak under Phase 3.
Shell’s new 180 kW high-performance chargers with two CCS Type 2 connectors are capable of charging EVs faster speeds with shorter waiting times. For example, the
Porsche Taycan
 will only require 30 minutes to replenish its battery from zero to 80%, with up to 390 km of range (under WLTP test cycle).
Porsche Taycan owners will be automatically registered as Platinum members as part of the partnership program, entitling them to a 50% discount rate for the first 12 hours of charge per year as well as value-added benefits from Shell in both Malaysia and Singapore.
Owners of other EV makes can register for the Shell Recharge Gold subscription plan which includes a 40% discount for the first 10 hours of charge per year, which is RM12 per 5 minutes for the first 25 minutes.
Pay-per-use is rated at RM20 for every 5 minutes of use. More information can be found
h
ere
.
Similar to the current
Shell Recharge
 wall box bays in Malaysia, booking of the HPC bays can be done via the
ParkEasy smartphone app
. Customers can use the amenities at the Shell station while waiting for the EV to be charged. Usage of the HPCs in Singapore meanwhile is done via the Shell-Greenlots app.


Ford just designed an actual race car model based on internet polls

If you’ve heard about the “Boaty McBoatface” incident, you’d probably think that taking advice for anything official off the internet probably isn’t a very good idea. But somehow, Ford managed to make it work, and they even made it into an actual physical model to show for it.
This here is the P1 Concept, released under the Team Fordzilla umbrella – Ford’s own esports team. The Fordzilla P1 Concept is designed in part by the team’s Twitter followers, who were given the chance to vote on different aspects of the P1 Concept’s styling through a series of eight polls on the social media platform.

After 250,000 votes, Ford’s designers then went to work based on the design brief, while also opening up opportunities for designers to submit their own fan-based renders. Four proposals were released in April where fans can vote for their favourite one, and the final render – designed by Arturo Ariño and Robert Engelmann was chosen as the final winner.
As the Fordzilla P1 Concept is designed to be a virtual race car first and foremost, it is able to try things that are just not possible in the real world. And the results of it is just simply stunning.
Based on a monocoque structure, the Fordzilla P1 Concept features a large “hyper-transparent jet fighter-style” canopy covering the cockpit, a front-end design inspired by the Ford GT, and the most impressive of all, a completely exposed rear-end – somewhat like the
Bugatti Bolide
, but a lot more extreme.
But despite its digital design brief, that doesn’t mean that the car won’t look good in the flesh too. Ford also took the design and made it into a full-sized physical model, which they will hopefully tour it at shows and events throughout Europe in 2021 so gamers can see their creation in the metal.
Ford Europe’s Design Director Amko Leenarts said during the presentation of the concept: “It was a really incredible process for the whole team here at Ford. Not just because it’s something that none of us has done before, but also because we discovered gamers make the perfect co-designers.
“It makes perfect sense when you think about it. Gaming, especially esports, is all about the thrill of movement, being fast, agile, competitive and most of all being enjoyable.”
GALLERY


Listen to how the V8 of the Lexus LC500 “lights up” a carpark

We love the Lexus LC500; we love it so much that we featured it in our
AutoBuzz Best Car’s of Malaysia video
 last year. Where do we even begin – it looks absolutely stunning, it’s as swanky as a luxury superyatch and most of all, it sounds thunderous.
We may have drooled over the Radiant Red on the Lexus LC500, also featured in
GC Mah’s full review video
, it’s hard to not be swayed by this alluring Naples Yellow, our new favourite colour for the
470 hp
 grand tourer.
In the video you’ll see the Lexus LC500 doing multiple 0 to 100 km/h runs inside an empty car park, a feat it achieves in just 4.4 seconds and if you dare, you’d find the top speed capped at 270 km/h.
Power comes from a 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 – good for
 540 Nm
 of torque – mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Yes, 10.


Watch this Hennessey Performance Velociraptor 6×6 in action for the first time!

You may have read about the
Hennessey Performance Velociraptor 6×6
 making its appearance in SEMA a couple weeks back but if you missed it, there’s now a video to see it in action.
At USD 371,000 (RM 1.56 million), it’s a bargain for the load of metal (and wheels) you’re getting – it’s nearly half the price of a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6, valued at nearly 1 million Dollars, without lacking any less presence (or wheels).
Backed by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, with an option of a 600+ hp ugrade, the Velociraptor is said to be capable of a
4.9 second
 sprint to 100 km/h. The 600+ hp upgrade package comes with upgraded twin turbochargers, stainless steel exhaust modifications, a front-mounted intercooler and a re-tuned ECU.
“It really drives a lot like the stock Raptor but you can just feel more to the vehicle”, said founder, John Hennessey. (You don’t say!) He also added that only
50 units
 will be built for the domestic market with another
50 units
 for the international market