#ABC2022: AutoBuzz Best Cars of 2022, in pictures

Despite the challenges, we thought 2022 was still a pretty good year, especially with the amount of new car launches we’re getting here in Malaysia. Still, we can’t actually call it a good year until we’ve had our
 AutoBuzz.my
 year-end extravaganza, so we brought along seven of our favourite cars of the year (
it was a struggle to pick, trust us!
) to
Sepang International Circuit
 for a boys’ day out.
If you haven’t watched the video yet, we’d recommend you to go watch that first (
here!
) – because in addition to just the cars, it’s also your opportunity to get to know the
AutoBuzz
 boys a little more too!
This year’s cars selection is perhaps our most diverse yet, ranging from the usual supercars to not one, but two EVs, and even a pick-up truck. While we didn’t necessarily have a criteria for our picks, here are some justifications for why they deserved to be in our #ABC2022 line-up, along with some pretty pictures for your consumption!
Ferrari 296 GTS
The automotive industry is rushing towards electrification, and Ferrari is no different. But instead of chasing ultimate efficiency, the
Ferrari 296 GTS’
 hybrid system is designed for maximum fun and outright performance.
Together with the new “picollo V12” 3.0-litre V6 engine, the entire hybrid-assisted powertrain pushes out
830 hp
 and
740 Nm
 in total. And in practice, that means the long straights of Sepang just disappear in a blink of an eye.
McLaren Artura
Just like the Ferrari, the
McLaren Artura
 here is also a plug-in hybrid. But what makes the McLaren stand out is its undivided devotion to driving feel – so much so that it doesn’t even have regenerative braking in the name of pedal feel, and it also still uses the good ol’ hydraulic steering.
And of course, its performance is nothing to scoff about too –
680 hp
 and
720 Nm
 might not sound like much compared to the 296 GTS, but it’s also quite a bit lighter, so it’s really not as far off as you’d imagine…
Volkswagen Golf R
Volkswagen redefined the hot hatch segment with the Golf R32 back in 2003. Now 20 years later, the
Golf R
 is still on top of almost everyone’s list when it comes to track toys. It’s got
320 hp
 and
400 Nm
and all-wheel drive, which mean a 0-100 km/h sprint of just 4.8 seconds.
But the most impressive aspect of the car, to us, is its duality in driving characteristics. When you’re chasing lap time, just tidy up your inputs and the car will happily carve through corners like it’s on rails. But when you feel like you just want to have some fun, it’s also capable of letting you slide around a bit – there’s a reason the car even has a “drift mode” in other countries.
Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+
The four remaining cars in the list is, well, let’s just say you wouldn’t normally see it at the track. But like we’ve said before, our only criteria was that we liked it, and we certainly liked the
Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+
.
It’s the kind of car that you’ll want to be in when you’re not driving hard on track, but even then, its performance doesn’t disappoint, too. Powered by a single motor on the rear axle, the EQS 450+ is capable of outputting
333 hp
 and
565 Nm
, enough for a 0-100 km/h time of
6.2 seconds
. And you’d be surprised at how well it can still handle itself on track despite its weight.
Kia EV6
The most impressive EV we had on hand was, surprisingly (or not?), an SUV. With two electric motors, the
Kia EV6
makes a total of
320 hp
 and
650 Nm
, enough to propel it to 100 km/h in
5.2 seconds
. But just like any other EVs, their pièce de résistance is the instant torque from the slightest squeeze of the accelerator. You can already imagine how addictive it is on track…
Land Rover Defender 110 P400
The
Land Rover Defender
just exudes presence wherever it is, be it off roads, or on the track out of its natural habitat. Land Rover diehards will chide that the all-new Defender has lost its soul, but for everyone else, it’s still a very impressive SUV with added style and a chassis that can go anywhere.
Ford Ranger Raptor
What’s a truck doing on Sepang, you ask? Well, it’s only because the
Ford Ranger Raptor
 has a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 engine underneath its bonnet. Not only does it look imposing, it also sounds angrier than even the Volkswagen Golf R.
The Ranger Raptor is truly a sports car hidden inside of a pick-up truck’s body, and doesn’t feel out of place at all when placed amongst the other cars we have on track, despite what its size and appearance might suggest.


Hyundai teases all-new Ioniq 5, to debut in next month

Hyundai has released teaser images of their upcoming electric car, the Ioniq 5. Set to be fully unveiled in February, the
crossover Ioniq 5
 is the first model in Hyundai’s
Ioniq sub-brand
 that offers only battery electric vehicles (BEV).
The design of the Ioniq 5 closely resembles the 2019 Hyundai ‘45’ concept vehicle. The front end of the Ioniq 5 features arrays of
pixel-inspired lights
 suggestive of the digital technology within. The midsize crossover also features aero-optimized
20-inch rims
, the largest fitted to a Hyundai EV.
Ioniq 5 is also the first Hyundai to introduce a
clamshell hood
 that spans the entire width of the car, benefiting aerodynamics through minimizing gaps as well as creating a clean and high-tech look.
While there are no images provided for the interior, the promotional video showed sketches and key words like “living space” which also mirrors details from the ‘45’ concept vehicle.
“Ioniq 5 presents an all-new customer experience through innovative EV design that is evocative of the icon that established Hyundai’s design DNA,” said SangYup Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Center.
The Ioniq 5 will be the first model to utilize
Hyundai’s dedicated electric-global modular platform
 or E-GMP. We will need to wait until the full unveiling for details on the powertrain of the Ioniq 5.
One of the key features in the E-GMP as equipped on the Ioniq 5 is the on-board Integrated Charging Control Unit which allows for
vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature
. The Ioniq 5 will deliver as much as 3.5 kW from its battery to
power other electrical equipment
.

Another feature highlighted in this teaser is the 800-volt ultra-fast charging system, providing over
100 kilometres of range with just 5 minutes of charge.
Lee added, “Beginning with Ioniq 5, our dedicated BEV lineup brand will redefine the relationship between people and their cars, establishing a new standard against which all BEV design experiences will be measured.”
Hyundai plans for the Ioniq brand include the Ioniq 6 sedan in 2022 and the Ioniq 7 large SUV in 2024.


RM16k more, what does the Honda Civic e:HEV RS add from the turbo version?

With the Malaysian electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure still in its infancy, your next best option for something that delivers that EV driving experience would be a hybrid car. And Honda has quite the car if you’re interested in trying out something electrified- the
Honda Civic
 e:HEV RS
.
The thing is, at
RM166,550
, it costs
RM15,800
 more than the turbocharged Honda Civic RS which costs RM150,700. So, what does the additional cost give you? Well, let’s get straight into it.
More Power
The hybrid Honda Civic e:HEV RS is powered by a an electric motor and a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine. The star of the show is the electric motor which packs 135 kW (
184 hp
 metric) and
315 Nm
. It is mainly the electric motor that does the driving in the Civic e:HEV RS. The 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine only produces 105 kW (143 hp metric) and 189 Nm. The transmission in use is an electric Continuously Variable Transmission (e-CVT).
The electric motor in the e:HEV RS alone is more powerful than the turbocharged 1.5-litre engine in the Civic RS 1.5 turbo. The turbocharged 1.5-litre engine produces a maximum output of 134 kW (182 hp metric) and a maximum torque of 240 Nm. The hybrid RS produces 2 hp and 75 Nm more than the turbo RS. As for 0-100 km/h acceleration times, the hybrid RS clocks
7.9 seconds
while the turbo RS clocks 8.5 seconds.
Despite all that though, the turbo RS wins in terms of top speed as it is able to do 200 km/h while the e:HEV RS’s top speed is
180 km/h
. So that’s one reason to not go hybrid.
ALSO WATCH:
2022 Honda Civic 1.5 RS review – Felt good driving it like an Ah Beng
Better fuel efficiency
Weirdly, the e:HEV RS uses less fuel despite making more power than the turbo RS. Well, perhaps not so weird once we consider that it has a hybrid powertrain. On paper, the hybrid e:HEV RS can do 4.0 l/100 km while the turbo RS uses more fuel at 6.3 l/100km. In another unit, the e:HEV RS does 25 km/l while the turbo RS does 15.8 km/l. We’ve tried hypermiling the e:HEV RS and even managed 30.1 km/l.
Dual-zone climate control
One luxury feature that the hybrid e:HEV RS adds would be its dual-zone automatic climate control. With this, both the driver and front passenger will no longer have to bicker and what the temperature should be. It’s a small matter to some, but for others it could be worth the extra cost of the car.
Wireless mobile phone charging
While the turbo RS version of the Honda Civic comes with wireless Apple CarPlay, it oddly doesn’t come with wireless mobile phone charging. Hence you get a clutter free cabin when your Apple phone is fully charged, but not quite when it is not. This is where the hybrid e:HEV RS appeals a bit more as it comes with a wireless mobile phone charger. With a wireless mobile phone charger and wireless Apple CarPlay, the cabin can be clutter free (as long as you’re an iPhone user).
10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster
Another benefit that the e:HEV RS adds would be the fully-digital 10.2-inch instrument cluster as opposed to the RS turbo’s 7-inch version. The screen also has some intelligent features that seem to recognize the type of vehicle around it. For example, when it detects a lorry, a lorry icon will pop up in front of the car.
Key card
Perhaps not such an important feature to most, the Honda Civic e:HEV RS also adds a key card that can be used to replace the typical key fob. Not that the car doesn’t come with a key fob, but you do have the option to lock and unlock the car, and even start it with just the key card which as Honda says, is 2 credit cards thick. It should be able to fit in easily in your wallet.
Of course, the bulk of the additional cost of the hybrid e:HEV RS would be due to its more complex powertrain. The Civic e:HEV RS also has several cosmetic enhancements to help you differentiate it from the turbo RS. Part of it being the different wheel design, chrome trims, blue accents on the Honda emblem, and an “e:HEV” emblem on the tailgate. Interested to give electrification a try? You might want to start with the Honda Civic e:HEV RS.
RELATED:
Honda Civic e:HEV RS hybrid – more than 180 units delivered in one month since launch
GALLERY


Facts & Figures: New Porsche Panamera facelift launched in Malaysia- from RM1.027 mil

The new Porsche Panamera celebrated its local Malaysian debut last night via a digital premiere on Porsche Malaysia’s social media platforms.
Pricing for the new Porsche Panamera by Sime Darby Auto Performance (
SDAP
) starts from
RM1,026,735
 with SST exemption.
PERFORMANCE
On sale now is the standard fastback Panamera rear-wheel drive variant, powered by a
2.9-litre
 twin-turbocharged V6 engine with outputs of
330 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque. Paired to an eight-speed PDK (dual-clutch transmission), 0 to 100 km/h sprint can be achieved in
5.4 seconds
 with the Sport Plus mode and a top speed of 270 km/h.
The coasting function of the eight-speed PDK has been improved in the new facelift, enhancing efficiency and driving comfort.
Plenty of work has also been done on the chassis. The adaptive shock absorbers, electronic roll stabilisation, steering system and revamped engine and axle mounts have all been optimised, with the objective to make the middle ground between sporty driving and comfort as expansive as possible.
Specially developed
high-performance tyres
 in 20 and 21-inch sizes are also available to maximise the performance of the new calibration of the chassis. Confident braking is ensured with six-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at the front, and four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at the rear.
EXTERIOR
It is indeed a challenge to tell apart between the
outgoing
 and the new facelifted outlook, as changes are minimal. The new Panamera now has standard fitment of the previously optional
Sport Design
 front end, which features larger air intakes, a reworked front grille, and a single-bar daytime-running light signature.
At the rear, the new facelift Porsche Panamera’s fullwidth lightbar taillights have been reworked, with a
new light signature
 that runs seamlessly across the bootlid, along with a dynamic coming/leaving home function.
INTERIOR
Inside, the most noticeable update is the
steering wheel
, featuring the same item used in the
992-generation Porsche 911
. The introduction of the new Porsche Panamera also debuts the
Porsche Connect
 smartphone app service in Malaysia.
The new Panamera offers an extensive range of advanced light and assistance systems, such as the now-standard Lane Keeping Assist with road sign recognition as well as Night Vision Assist, Lane Change Assist, LED matrix headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus, Park Assist including Surround View and head-up display.
PRICING
Pricing for the new Porsche Panamera begins from
RM1,026,735
 with SST exemption. All Porsche vehicles sold via SDAP come with a four-year warranty and free maintenance package, which includes complimentary service, labour and parts.
The Panamera line-up also includes the Sport Turismo bodystyle and
various engine outputs
 with
electrification
. More information about the availability of the rest of the new Panamera line-up to follow later.
GALLERY


Bugatti says no to EVs and SUVs for at least another ten years

While most luxury performance brands have at least one EV or one SUV in their line-up,
Bugatti
 is giving a firm “No” to both EVs and SUVs. And this is the brand’s firm decision for at least another ten years. In an interview with
Automobilwoche
, Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac said, “A purely electric version is not included in our ten-year plan for Bugatti. There will also be no SUV”.
Bugatti-Rimac was formed in July 2021 with Croatian company Rimac owning 55% and Porsche owning 45%. Previously for over two decades, Bugatti was owned by the Volkswagen Group. Porsche is currently expanding its EV lineup with an EV Porsche Macan next year. Also in the pipeline for the Stuttgart company is an
all-electric Porsche Panamera set to debut in 2027
, alongside a new
Porsche Taycan
.
Rimac on the other hand has shown the world just how capable they are of producing high-performance electric cars. The Rimac Nevera accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in a blistering 1.97 seconds. Had the Croatian company focused on building a one-trick pony for the drag strip, they could have even made a car capable of
0-100km/h acceleration in less than one second
. Despite the EV ambitions and EV capabilities of both owners of Bugatti-Rimac, it seems no Bugatti EV is in the plan for the next ten years.
Not one to follow the crowd, a Bugatti SUV is also not in the plan (at least for the next ten years). On the subject matter, Mate Rimac says, “If it’s comparable, then it’s not a Bugatti”. Looking at other luxury performance brands,
Aston Martin
,
Lamborghini
, and
Porsche

all have performance SUVs already. Soon to join the bandwagon is Ferrari with its upcoming
Purosangue
.
A hybrid concept may be previewed in the next generation of sports cars, but it has to offer a usable electric range. Rimac says that it wants to increase the previous maximum range of 20 km for hyper hybrids to at least 50 km. As for now, Bugatti fans can rejoice with the fact that the brand has no plan for an EV or an SUV.


All-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class teased for Malaysia – launch imminent!

The new year is already right around the corner, but it seems like Mercedes-Benz Malaysia isn’t quite done with 2021 yet, as the company has just
published a teaser
for the
all-new W223 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan
 up on their Facebook page hinting at an imminent launch.
As with most teasers, there is virtually zero technical information available to the public at the time of writing, although the video does show off some of its key features.
The main highlight of the video are the all-new headlights on the S-Class, which will feature Mercedes-Benz’s new Digital Lights technology. The range-topping headlights option uses 1.3 million micro-mirrors to refract and direct more than 2.6 million individual light beams onto the road.
If you’re counting, that’s more “pixels” than your regular 1080p screen, and the genius of the Digital Lights system is the ability to project information such as warning symbols directly onto the road surface, or even highlight pedestrians on the road.
Screenshot: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia/Facebook
Aside from the new fancy headlights, the other main highlight of the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is most definitely its
 new interior design
, said to be inspired by lavish yachts. The dashboard is dominated by a portrait-oriented 12.8-inch touchscreen central display, which now runs on the marque’s
 latest MBUX software
.
The updated MBUX boasts improved processing speed, new gesture-based controls and a newly-designed interface, and even comes with biometric authentication systems (fingerprint and facial recognition) to access and customise your personal settings profile.
The all-new S-Class has been launched in Thailand earlier this year, only available with a diesel powertrain. Learn more here!
As for powertrains, the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class was launched globally in September last year with four options – two petrol and two diesel mills. We’re expecting to see only the petrol engines being offered here in Malaysia, both powered by a 3.0-litre M256 turbocharged inline-six engine, making
367 hp
 and
500 Nm
 on the S 450, and
435 hp
and
520 Nm
on the S 500.
The 4Matic all-wheel drive system is standard on both variants, as is the EQ Boost 48V mild-hybrid system, providing an extra
22 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of motivation when needed. Paired to a nine-speed automatic gearbox, the S 450 completes the century sprint in 5.1 seconds, while the S 500 does it in just 4.9 seconds.
Indonesians meanwhile get the long-wheelbase variant of the all-new S-Class, in a sole S 450 option. Check it out here!
No, it’s not broken.
Other interesting features of note include the E-Active Body Control active suspension system, which uses the cameras to scan the road ahead and adjusting the suspensions on the fly in reaction to the road conditions, as well as a rear-wheel steering system that can turn the rear wheels by up to a whopping 10 degrees!
The exact specifications of our Malaysian-market Mercedes-Benz S-Class will only be available at launch, but it seems like we don’t have to wait too much longer any more.


Watch out, Proton X50 – Chery Omoda 5 confirmed for Malaysia launch

The B-segment SUV space in Malaysia is now the hottest market segment in Malaysia, with everyone wanting a slice of the pie. Just last month we saw the launch of the
Peugeot 2008
 and
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
, and now Chery Malaysia has announced that the Omoda 5 will also be making its debut here, making us one of the crossover’s first international destinations alongside Australia, Europe, and Russia.
Production for the Omoda 5 has already begun, with the first unit rolling off the assembly line at Chery’s manufacturing headquarters in Anhui, China, last week.
Chery says that the Omoda 5 is their “first global model developed based on international demand”, and represents the beginning of the marque’s new Chery 4.0 era that is said to appeal to “young consumers in the 25-30 age group”.
According to Chery’s deputy GM Gao Xinhua, the Omoda 5 has been in development for 18 months to be a truly global product. It made its global debut only last year at the 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show, and since then has received good feedback both in China and abroad.
Chery’s international aspirations aren’t just marketing speak, too, as they’re clearly seen on the Omoda 5 from design to standard equipment with a significant focus on fancy styling touches and modern technology.
RELATED: Toyota Corolla Cross, the next big thing for Toyota? – Quick Review
On the outside, Chery’s Art in Motion styling philosophy is highlighted through the massive borderless front grille that extends all the way to the slim Thor’s hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights, as well as funky sharp angles throughout the exterior.
As for tech, the Chery Omoda 5 is also fully loaded with modern equipment, including the matrix LED headlights and two 12.3-inch displays in the posh-looking cabin for its instrument cluster and infotainment display – the latter also supports
Apple CarPlay
 connectivity.
Underneath the bonnet, the Chery Omoda 5 is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces
197 hp
 and
290 Nm
 of torque, with drive sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The company is also planning to introduce a hybrid-powered variant in the future.
No information has been provided on the Malaysia-bound model yet, but it seems like we don’t have to wait too much longer. Keep your eyes peeled!
GALLERY


New BMW M135i xDrive aims to take on the Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC

BMW is going front-wheel drive with their next-generation BMW 1 Series, making the
F20/F21 1 Series
 the last of its kind. While fans are mooting the dismissal of a rear-wheel drive hatchback, the German automaker has its eyes on the competition, especially with the new BMW M135i xDrive.
The new 1 Series will ride
on the all-new FAAR (
Frontantriebsarchitektur
in German) platform designed for front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive models.
The new architecture that builds upon the UKL platform’s agile handling with
improved packaging.
BMW claims that rear legroom has increased by a massive 33 mm while rear headroom has grown by 19 mm. Boot space is also now up 20 litres to 380 litres, besting the
A-Klasse’s
 boot by 10 litres.
At launch, the M135i xDrive will sit at the top of the 1 Series range, packing a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol making
306 hp
. With the xDrive all-wheel-drive system on board, it seems that the M135i is looking to give the new
Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC hatch
 a good run for its money.
Head of Driving
Dynamics at BMW Group, Peter Langen said: “Our customers will directly feel the
fast and precise responsiveness that provides for an optimised driving
experience. The BMW 1 Series will be a genuine BMW with an individual character.”
The engineers have employed the help of trick electronic systems to give the 1 Series a more direct handling response with ARB technology (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation) – which in layman terms, a very clever traction control system – BMW Performance Control (torque vectoring) and additional “boomerang strut” on the rear axles.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW M135i xDrive Testing in France


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia opens doors to RM53 million Kuching Autohaus

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) and authorised dealer partner, Hap Seng have launched the Hap Seng Kuching Autohaus. The RM53 million facility is the first ever integrated one-stop centre for sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, commercial vehicles and after sales.
The 3S centre has a built up area of 18,383 square metres and is managed by 40 personnel. It’s capable of servicing up to 510 vehicles a month and has 16 work bays as well as a dedicated spray booth. The Kuching Autohaus is also equipped with a full length work pit, enabling extensive servicing for the full range of commercial vehicles.

But why Sarawak, you ask? According to President and CEO of MBM, Dr Claus Weidner, Sarawak is the fourth largest market in Malaysia for their Commercial Vehicles after Klang Valley, Johor and Penang.
Hap Seng currently operates in 11 locations, with three being in East Malaysia –
Kota Kinabalu
, Miri and now Kuching. The Hap Seng Kuching Autohaus is located at Lot 11298, Section 64, KTLD, Jalan Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak.
IMAGE GALLERY


Facts & Figures: Proton X50 launched in Malaysia – from RM79,200

At long last, the highly-awaited Proton X50 is now launched in Malaysia. Pricing for the compact SUV starts at
RM79,200
 for the 1.5T Standard variant, topping out at
RM103,300
 for the 1.5 TGDi Flagship.
EXTERIOR
Based on the Geely Bin Yue, the exterior of the Proton X50 is not too dissimilar to its Chinese cousin, but just like its elder brother – the X70, several changes have been made to the exterior to give it a “more Malaysian Identity”.
These changes include the iconic infinite weave grille replacing Geely’s expanding cosmos design, “cradled” by a ethereal bow trim with red pinstripe lining. Smack in the centre of the grille is the Proton’s new circular badge, unveiled in
September last year
 – the logo is also found on the wheels, which are 17-inches in diameter on Standard and Executive variants, and 18-inches on the Premium and Flagship.
Standard across the board are the full-LED headlights (automatic on Executive and higher) and LED taillights, rear roof-mounted spoilers, as well as quad tailpipe exits – yes, they’re actual functioning tailpipes!
In terms of dimensions, the Proton X50 measures in at 4,330 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,609 mm tall. That makes it 4 mm (length) shorter, 10 mm wider, and 4 mm taller than the
Honda HR-V
, it’s key rival. Wheelbase is also 10 mm shorter compared to the Honda compact SUV.
The Proton X50 is available in six different exterior shades: Snow White, Armor Silver, Ocean Blue, Jet Grey, Citric Orange, and Passion Red. Jet Grey and Citric Orange is only available from the 1.5T Executive variant and up, while Passion Red is only reserved for the Premium and Flagship variants.
The Proton X50 1.5 TGDi Flagship stands out even further in the model line-up thanks to its variant-exclusive dual-tone exterior (black-painted roof) and panoramic sunroof. The Flagship variant also gets automatic windshield wipers.
PERFORMANCE
The Proton X50 is available with two powertrain options. Both engine are identical except for its fuel delivery system – the lower three variants (with the 1.5T designation) receiving a Port Fuel Injection (PFI) version, while the Flagship variant gets a direct injection engine, resulting in an increase in horsepower output.
Variant
1.5T Standard, Executive, Premium
1.5 TGDi Flagship
Engine
1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder, port fuel injection
1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder, direct injection
Transmission
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Max horsepower
150 hp @ 5,500 rpm
177 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max torque
226 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,000 rpm
255 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,000 rpm
0-100 km/h
N/A
7.9 seconds
Fuel consumption
6.5 l/100 km
6.4 l/100 km
Both engines are paired to the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission as seen on the Proton X70. The national carmaker said that model-specific tunings were made to suit the weight and engine performance of the Proton X50 better. The three-cylinder engine was also
engineered specifically
 to reduce noise and vibrations, and are
designed to last
 over 15 years and 350,000 km.
Aside from the powertrain, Proton also says that more than 400 parts were changed during the localisation process of the Geely Bin Yue. Chiefly, the suspension has been tuned to be more pliant “for Malaysian roads”, so it’s not just a plain LHD to RHD conversion!
We had the opportunity to take the Proton X50 for a short taster at the Sepang International Circuit earlier this month for a quick assessment of its performance – do check out our
video here
.
INTERIOR
Geely says that the design of the Bin Yue – and by extension the Proton X50 – is inspired by fighter jets, and the motif is most noticeable on the inside, as seen on the jet engine-like air conditioning vents. Standard interior equipment across the range include:
Two-layer dashboard with brushed-aluminium styled surface
Flat-bottomed steering wheel
Pistol-style electronic gear lever
Rear air-con vents
N95 cabin air filter
Only the Standard variant gets fabric seats and a urethane-wrapped steering wheel; all other variants are equipped with Leatherette upholstery, while the steering wheel is wrapped in leather. The Premium and Flagship variants take it to the next level with a dual-tone black and red leatherette interior with six-way powered driver seat, and a red dashboard top.
Both the Standard and Executive variants receive an eight-inch floating infotainment display in the centre of the dashboard, paired to an analogue instrument cluster with a digital multi-info display at the centre. Premium and Flagship variants meanwhile gets a larger widescreen 10.25-inch infotainment display, paired to a seven-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel.
The infotainment system on the Proton X50 runs on the
GKUI 19
 system with a cleaner tile-based layout (think BMW iDrive 6), promising improved speed thanks to the new E01 64-bit quad-core processor and a dedicated graphics processing unit. The updated infotainment system includes features such as Joox music streaming, online navigation with the Alibaba AutoNavi app (with data from Here Maps), as well as QDLink smartphone mirroring.
Always on connectivity is enabled with an eSIM located within the infotainment system on the eight-inch units, and inside the telematics box on the Premium and Flagship variants – the latter allowing for a wider range of “Hi Proton” functions including opening the windows, and even allowing for remote engine start through the mobile phone application.
SAFETY
The Proton X50 range kicks off with four airbags on the Standard variant, while all other variants receive six airbags as standard. The tyre pressure monitoring system and 360-degree around view monitor is also only available on the Premium and Flagship variants; Standard and Executive only get a reverse camera.
The Standard variant does not come with front parking sensors; Executive and Premium variants get two, while the range-topping Flagship variant gets four parking sensors in front.
However, the key selling point on the Proton X50 is its
level two autonomous driving system
, which is
one step higher than even its own elder brother
, the Proton X70. By using a millimetre-wave radar and high-definition cameras, the system is able to accelerate, brake, and even steer the compact SUV in certain driving situations, along with the following functionalities:
Intelligent Cruise Control (level two)
Auto park assist with support for both parallel and perpendicular parking (level two)
Adaptive cruise control with stop-go functionality
Lane keep assist
Lane departure warning
Blind-spot information system
Intelligent high beam control
Autonomous emergency braking
Forward Collision Warning
PRICING
The Proton X50 range starts at
 RM79,200
for the Standard variant,
RM84,800
 for the Executive variant,
RM93,200
 for the Premium variant, and topping off at
RM103,300
 for the 1.5 TGDi Flagship.
Prices are inclusive of the
sales tax exemptions
, which are applicable for all purchases until the 31st of December.
All purchase of the Proton X50 will include a five year unlimited mileage warranty, a five-year data package with 1 GB/month, and the Proton Insurance Programme.
The Proton X50 will be offered with interest rates starting from 2.22% pa. The first 30,000 bookings before the 31st of December will also receive a five-time free labour service package.
GALLERY


Sime Darby Auto Selection partners with MyTukar to expand used car operation

Sime Darby Motors’ pre-owned cars subsidiary, Sime Darby Auto Selection (SDAS), have signed on an exclusive partnership deal with online car bidding platform MyTukar to “revolutionise the pre-owned car trading experience for customers”.
The collaboration will see SDAS expand their network nationwide, giving them access to a wider procurement grid, as well as an online used car transaction database which would provide transparency and improved accuracy on actual market transactions.
“The digitalised process that MyTukar provides ensures that our customers will receive the highest trade-in value, through a seamless and transparent experience for peace of mind in selling their cars and buying used cars,” said Sime Darby Motors, Managing Director Retail and Distribution Malaysia, Jeffrey Gan.
The collaboration with MyTukar is also expected to enhance SDAS’ management of its inventory by anchoring on MyTukar’s proprietary big data analytics of used car transactions.
MyTukar, CEO, Fong Hon Sum said, “MyTukar is excited to begin this journey with Sime Darby Auto Selection and we welcome their inspectors onto MyTukar’s technology-enabled platform. I strongly believe that this partnership will reinforce our mutual vision of giving customers a seamless and transparent process of purchasing and selling their cars.”
SDAS began as a certified BMW Premium Selection dealer and has since grown to a multi-brand dealer for pre-owned vehicles, with three branches in Klang Valley and one in Johor Bahru.
MyTukar also recently partnered with CapBay
 to offer a new financing programme to support their 1,900 authorised dealerships in reducing financial impact and business risks during these challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell EV unveiled, 800km range, 5 mins refuel time!

Hyundai Motor has officially announced its
all-new Fuel Cell EV (FCEV)
 during a press conference at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The new FCEV will be officially called Nexo and will replace the outgoing
ix35 Fuel Cell
 (Tucson Fuel Cell in some markets).
The eco-friendly vehicle will spearhead the brand’s growing portfolio of alternative energy vehicles and accelerate its development of low emission vehicles. The new Nexo boasts an all-new design, improved performance and driving range as well as autonomous driving technology.

Measuring at 4,671 mm in length, 1,859 mm in width, 1,630 mm in height and 2,789 mm inn wheelbase, the Nexo is marginally larger than the ix35 FC it replaces. The fuel cell battery powertrain packs a healthy
181 hp
 and
395 Nm
 of torque. Sprinting from zero to 97 km/h takes
9.5 seconds
; a full three seconds quicker than the ix35 FC.
The Nexo also benefits from increased driving range of
800 km
 from 590 km in the previous-gen FCEV. Thanks to an improved hydrogen storage system, the Nexo can be
refuelled within five minutes
 – almost as quick as a conventional petrol pump.
Hyundai has also addressed the issue of extreme temperatures by subjecting the Nexo to temperatures ranging from -28 to 50 degrees Celsius. Even after overnight in the cold, the Nexo is capable of starting and can operate as per normal within 30 seconds – an industry-leading achievement.
The Nexo is also equipped with Hyundai’s latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems which includes Blind-spot View Monitor that uses cameras to stitch a rear view of the vehicles blind spot and Remote Smart Parking that allows the car to autonomously park and retrieve itself from a parking space without a driver in the car.  Lane Follow Assist and Highway Driving Assist is also equipped on the Nexo
The Hyundai Nexo FCEV will go on sale in selected markets this year itself and is first of 18 eco-friendly models to hit global markets by 2025 according to a long-term plan by Hyundai Motor Group.
IMAGE GALLERY


11th-gen Honda Civic captures 81% market share in Malaysia – nearly 7,000 units sold since launch

At the launch of the new
 2022 Honda Civic e:HEV RS
 today, Honda Malaysia Managing Director and CEO, Hironobu Yoshimura announced today that the 11th-generation model has sold nearly 7,000 units since its
launch in January this year
.
The volume places the 2022 Honda Civic at the top of the leaderboard in terms of sales within the C-sedan market segment, and translates to roughly an 81% market share as of September 2022.
With the launch of the new hybrid variant, the numbers are expected to rise further, as the company announced that it has already received over 100 bookings for the 2022 Honda Civic e:HEV RS.
The model line-up now consists of four variants – E, V, RS, and e:HEV RS, with prices ranging from RM126k to RM167k. The 11th-generation Honda Civic is offered with two powertrain options here in Malaysia, the former three are powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four powertrain paired to a CVT gearbox, delivering
182 hp
and
240 Nm
to the front wheels, while the latter gets a new 2.0-litre e:HEV hybrid powertrain, boasting
184 hp
 and
315 Nm
.
Video:
 Hybrid Honda Civic e:HEV RS – How much faster vs Civic Turbo RS?
For a detailed breakdown of the specifications of each variant, do check out our launch coverage
here
(E, V, and RS) and
here
(e:HEV RS). Test drive reports for both the turbo- and hybrid-powered Honda Civics are also available, which you can find
here
 (Turbo RS) and
here
 (e:HEV RS).


Feature: 3 reasons why Perodua should be Toyota’s global small carmaker

“Daihatsu will be like Mini for BMW. That’s the sort of goal we should aim for.”
Those were the words of Toyota’s President, Akio Toyoda at a press conference following the company’s full acquisition of Japan’s minicar-making expert, Daihatsu. While Toyoda aims to spearhead Daihatsu’s return to the American and European market as a premium small car brand, it leaves us wondering what would happen to the gap that is the low-cost small car market. All things point towards a very promising potential –
Perodua
.
Daihatsu currently owns a quarter of Perodua’s shares, and Malaysia’s second automotive manufacturer has been a crucial contributor to Daihatsu’s coffers. Perodua could, technically speaking, be the final piece of the puzzle in Toyota’s quest for automotive supremacy.
Photo courtesy of
motorme.my
Here are three reasons why we think Perodua should represent Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) as its budget small car brand.
1. Everybody can focus
Toyota recently
scrapped the Scion
 brand in the US, choosing to sell them instead as Toyota-badged cars. For the premium market, TMC has Lexus, and now Daihatsu joins the ranks. Daihatsu hasn’t been doing so well elsewhere, but they company reaped just enough to sustain business from Japan and South East Asia.
While it’s logical to expand the Daihatsu reach into developing markets (note: they have a production plant in Indonesia), this may contradict Toyoda’s plan to make the Daihatsu brand as the next Mini.
The Axia will make good sense in emerging markets like India
This is where Perodua fits perfectly into the picture. Perodua, being based in Asia Pacific, can begin by exploring regional markets, most notably India, which is the second most densely populated country in the world. Small cars rake in hundreds of millions of profit in India, and brands like Maruti Suzuki have capitalised on it for the longest time.
It would make perfect sense if Perodua were to represent Toyota and Daihatsu in India. Products like the Axia and Myvi (not forgetting that they’re powered by Toyota’s powertrains) would certainly give Maruti Suzuki a serious case of sweating palms.
If so, Toyota can start channelling all their focus on making larger cars, leaving the smaller ones to the expertise of Daihatsu and Perodua.
Focus
 is the deciding factor in the automotive industry, and Perodua understands and mastered it well as it consistently produces reliable compact cars since its inception in 1994.
2. It’s a proven model
To be a huge and successful automotive conglomerate, you essentially need a variety of brands within your portfolio. Case in point, Renault. While the French manufacturer caters to the mid-range market, the lower-end market is handled largely by Dacia. The Romanian car manufacturer has been under Renault’s umbrella for decades, offering affordable cars such as the Sandero hatchback and Duster SUV in Europe and they both sold in relatively
decent numbers
.

 Dacia Sandero

 Skoda Octavia
Skoda also shares the same success story. Before making it big, the Czech carmaker was once the butt of many jokes in Europe. That is, until Volkswagen bought them over. Today, it is one of the most successful brands in the Volkswagen group, offering high-quality cars in Europe that don’t cost an arm and a leg.
Doubt will surely exist regardless of whether the model is proven or not. But like Renault and Volkswagen has shown us, it’s certainly doable and brings about greater potential for Malaysia’s second automaker.
3. Perodua has the infrastructure
Over the past two decades, the relationship between Daihatsu and Perodua has grown exponentially, and it’s definitely more than just your typical master and apprentice. Shortly after launching the Axia (Perodua’s tenth model, hence the X in Axia), Perodua announced that a sedan model is in the works, and that could spell a big change in the Malaysian automotive scene. To do that, an infrastructure is needed, and an infrastructure was made.
In January 2016, Perodua officially launched their
RM1.3 billion Perodua Global Manufacturing
 (PGM) in Sendayan TechValley, Negeri Sembilan. Perodua’s aim is to mirror the levels of production efficiency of Daihatsu Motor Kyushu (DKC) in Japan, and to be better than Daihatsu’s plant in Indonesia. It all sounds very ambitious, but PGM, located just adjacent to their original factory, boasts the ability to produce about
200,000 units of cars per year
! What’s more impressive is its Defect Per Unit (DPU) – 0.1 unit to be exact!
Image Source: Perodua
These are crystal-clear examples showing that Perodua is ready for the next big thing, but we won’t know for sure if talks of undertaking a move this big is happening behind closed doors.
CONCLUSION
While the public is still divided between
Proton’s
 most recent efforts, there’s no denying the huge progress Perodua has made over the past twenty years. Last year alone, Perodua sold an incredible
213,307
 units of cars in Malaysia with
just three models
. There is no surprise, at this juncture, to see why Malaysians are more comfortable with Perodua representing Malaysia in the automotive world.
Perodua is currently spearheading its efforts in producing their first compact A/B-segment saloon (based on the Buddy concept – pictured above), and we never know if this could be the car that could potentially wear the Toyota or Daihatsu badges in markets abroad. Now that’s some real progress for a young car manufacturer whose humble beginnings started with rebadging a Japanese Kei car.


The Fiat 600 returns as a crossover – 600e EV with 400km range, 100kW DC charging

Fiat
 has just announced the debut of its new fully electric crossover- the Fiat 600e. The 5-door crossover continues the legacy of the original Fiat 600, which was a two-door fastback sedan/four-door mini MPV sold between the mid-50s and 80s.
The new fully electric Fiat 600e is offered in two trims, the top-of-the-line La Prima trim, and interestingly, the (RED) variant. Yes, this is the same (RED) branding you have seen on certain red-coloured Apple devices. For the Fiat 600e, Fiat has partnered with (RED), an organization that has been funding to fight AIDS since 2006, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic since 2020.
Like its other models such as the 500 hatchback and the Topolino quadricycle, Fiat has applied its “Dolce Vita” design philosophy to the 600e’s exterior and interior designs. On the outside, the 600e carries Fiat’s new LED headlight design language.
There are also colours of the Italian flag on the rear bumper to proudly show the 600e’s Italian identity. The Fiat 600e also comes in wheel sizes up to 18 inches.
ALSO WATCH:
2023 Renault Zoe from RM165k, the French EV returns – 5 Things
Powering the fully electric Fiat 600e is a front-mounted electric motor, paired with a
54 kWh
 battery. This setup sends a total of
154 hp
 and
260 Nm
 to the front wheels. 0-100 km/h acceleration can be done in under
9.0 seconds
, and the car comes with three driving modes too – Eco, Normal, and Sport.
As to how far the Italian crossover can carry you, the 600e has up to
400 km
 of combined WLTP range. Charging-wise, the Fiat 600e supports
100 kW
 DC fast charging, which will take less than
30 minutes
 for the battery to reach 80% state-of-charge (SoC). The 600e can also be charged to full in under
6 hours
 using an
11 kW
 AC charger. Besides the fully electric 600e, Fiat will also be releasing a hybrid variant of the 600 next year.
Fiat’s “Dolce Vita” design language continues on the inside. Customers can select up to 8 different colours for both the ambient light and the radio ambience, together with a series of default combinations.
The Fiat 600e also comes with a 7-inch digital instrument display, as well as a 10.25-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. The driver seat is power-adjustable and comes with heating, and back-massage functions too.
Fiat says the 600e is not just made for “city lovers” but also the outdoor enthusiasts, which is why it has made the fully electric crossover to be spacious enough to accommodate its customers’ active lifestyle. Measuring 4,171 mm in length, the Fiat 600e can carry up to 5 occupants, including the driver, and also comes with 360 litres of boot space.
Safety-wise, Fiat has equipped its new crossover with a level 2 assisted driving system. This includes safety features such as adaptive cruise control (ACC) with stop&go function, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), as well as blind spot monitoring.
RELATED:
Peugeot unveils new interior design – Panoramic screen, touch-based controls in upcoming 3008
GALLERY


Toyota Japan launches the new “GR” Sportscar series – sportier exhaust, suspension and interior

They sure know how to keep us on our feet when it comes to fueling excitement around the sportscar culture – the newly launched GR sports car series will be replacing the “G Sports” performance car series as the new torch bearer of cultivating the enjoyment of cars through driving experience.
The greatest, most exciting piece of information from this news is that TMC plans
 to gradually deploy the GR series outside of Japan
! This follows after the launch of the
new Innova 2.0X in Malaysia
 just last week which looks radically-enticing.

Established as a company within TMC,
GAZOO Racing’s cars
and personnel have been refined and trained through their exploits in motorsports such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race in Germany and the All-Japan Rally Championship.
The line-up of cars in Japan consist of the highest spec
“GRMN”
, the mid-range
“GR”
 and the entry-level
“GR-Sport”
. While the GRMN range features
tuned engines
, the GR-Sport will be more tame, seen as a simple means for ordinary drivers to “enjoy a casual sportscar driving experience”. Aside from extending the GR-Sport range to minivans, aftermarket “
GR Parts
” will also be available for owners to customise their own cars.
The GR-Sport series involves the
Vitz
, Prius PHV, Harrier, Mark X,
 Voxy
and Noah with standard equipment including special tuning suspension, brace addition, aluminium pedals and a smaller diameter steering wheel. The Prius PHV, Harrier, Mark X, Voxy and Noah also comes with a special tachometer imprinted with a
 GR logo
. The Vitz, Harrier and Mark X models will get
additional spot welding
 for increased chassis rigidity while a
specially-tuned exhaust
 will be applied to the Harrier alone.
The GR and GR-Sport series will be offered for the Vitz, while the GR-Sport series is available for the Prius PHV, Harrier, Mark X, Voxy, and Noah in Toyota dealerships in Japan effective today. Later on, TMC will be adding the Vitz GRMN, GT 86 GR, Aqua GR-Sport and Prius GR-Sport to the performance line-up.
IMAGE GALLERY
Vitz GR-Sport

Prius PHV GR-Sport

Harrier GR-Sport

Mark X GR-Sport

Voxy VR-Sport

Noah GR-Sport

Vitz GRMN

Vitz GR

86 GR

Prius GR-Sport

Aqua GR-Sport


Mercedes-Benz to counter Tesla by introducing four new EVs

It seems that more and more car manufacturers are hopping onto the electric vehicle (EV) bandwagon; the latest being Mercedes-Benz. With Tesla Motors enjoying its domination in the field of EV, the tide could begin to turn with four possible EV models bearing the three-pointed star.
Following rivals Porsche and Audi’s electric plans with the
Mission E
and
Q6 e-tron
, Mercedes is not left behind in the EV fray. The board was just given the green light to its new
Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA)
 program, with
 two passenger EV saloons
 followed by
two SUV
 models slated for introduction sometime in the future.
While no specific model has been revealed for this electrification plan, it’s likely that the C- and E-Class saloons including their crossover counterparts – the GLC and GLE – will be selected for the program. If all goes well, Mercedes-Benz will execute “Phase 2” which will see its flagship S-Class and another large SUV joining the pack.
Reports also suggest that the EVs will share Daimler’s current MRA platform of which include the suspension, body, electrical components and so on. The
400 kg battery pack
 will be integrated into the floor pan, supplying power to either a rear-wheel or all-wheel configuration. The RWD models will be propelled by a single
300 kW (402 hp)
 rear-mounted motor, whereas the AWD models will benefit from having two electric motors rated at
90 kW (120 hp)
 or
150 kW (201 hp)
. The EVA cars will be priced around
 £70-80,000
(roughly RM445k to RM508k) in the UK.
Also, Mercedes-Benz’s New Electric Vehicle (NEV) collaboration with China will see the Stuttgart carmaker build an EV model exclusively to China by 2020, filling a void
caused by Tesla last year
.
Elon Musk, you’ve been warned. The Germans are coming after you!


Volkswagen UP! GTI: a nostalgic iteration of the original Golf Mk1 GTI, 113 hp & 230 Nm

During the annual GTI Meet that took place at Lake Wörthersee, Austria, Volkswagen has taken the opportunity to unveil the new UP! GTI concept. As a tribute to the first ever GTI ever made (the Golf GTI MK1), the UP! GTI follows the same recipe as the original GTI.
Let’s recap on what the Golf GTI MK1 was all about. Launched back in the 1970s, it tipped the scale at 810 kg and packs a modest
108 hp
. With a century sprint time of
 9.0 seconds
 and a top speed of
182 km/h
, the little hatchback quickly established its presence at the high-speed German motorways.
The UP! GTI is very much like the original GTI and weighs just 997 kg. Motivation comes from a 1.0-litre three-cylinder TSI engine that develops
113 hp
 and
230 Nm
 of torque. Power is channelled to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG. Getting to 100 km/h from standstill takes just
8.8 seconds
 and flat out it will hit
197 km/h
. Very much like the Golf GTI MK1, isn’t it?
To ensure that the GTI drives as good as it looks, VW installed a sports suspension that lowers ride height by 15 mm and a larger roof spoiler that provides greater downforce on the rear axle. Volkswagen claims that these collectively give the car the agility akin to that of a go-kart, without sacrificing high levels of comfort.
Bearing the GTI badge, the UP! GTI gets dressed in typical GTI insignia, including a honeycomb grille with red stripe running across, gloss black wing mirror caps and 17-inch alloys. Inside, the cabin is instantly recognisable by its GTI gear knob, “clark” seat design and leather wrapped sports steering wheel.
Volkswagen has announced that the production version of the UP! GTI will be available in early 2018. Several colour options include Tornado Red, Pure White, Dark Silver, Black Pearl and Costa Azul Blue.
IMAGE GALLERY


The Polestar 1 is now the first car you can buy with art!

In these challenging times, we’ve seen car manufacturers adopt all sorts of marketing and sales methods; not just to boost sales but also to stay relevant but Polestar being Polestar, has other ideas.
The Swedish automaker has announced that it will be accepting art as an alternative method of buying its halo performance electric car, the
Polestar 1
, with a price tag of approximately RM776,734.
Polestar CEO, Thomas Ingenlath said, “I love the idea of letting artists and collectors buy a Polestar 1 with art. It is such a special car and we wanted to find a unique way of celebrating it before its production ends this year. It is hand-made, precious and tangible, much like a piece of art.”
Have you seen the Polestar 2? It looks completely different from what you’re seeing here. Check it out!
The company will consider all forms of art, including
paintings, sculptures, photography, installations, and more
. “Offers” will be evaluated by Theodor Dalenson, a leading private art advisor who will as Polestar’s advisor in this campaign.
If necessary, the art will undergo a valuation estimate by the two largest auction houses in the world, Sotheby’s and Philips.
No, these art pieces will not be displayed at the company’s headquarters in Gotherburg, Sweden because employees aren’t paid with hopes and dreams.
Instead, the company
intends to sell the art after a period of ownership
 either via auctions or through dealers that represent the artists.
“Going back several hundred years in time, art trading mainly took place between artists and patrons. Painters like Picasso were known to trade sketches for restaurant meals. Polestar’s initiative is essentially a very natural extension of the tradition of art being used as payment for precious goods,” the company said.
Find out more about Polestar here!
GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz C-Class facelift debuts, new look with semi-autonomous tech

The
W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
 has been around for the better part of five years now and the company has given it a refresher to keep the brand’s most successful model relevant for many more years to come.
The facelift exercise gives the C-Class a refreshed design, new tech and a host of advanced driver assist systems and will be extended to both the sedan and wagon body styles. On the outside, the front bumpers now feature a more angular sculpture furnished with either a silver trim strip as standard, chrome-plated trim strip for the Avantgarde Line or three-part chrome strip for the Exclusive Line. Models with the AMG Line will get the diamond radiator grille as standard.

The headlamps feature a new shape and the Multibeam LED headlamps with 84 individual LEDs are available as an option for the first time. At the rear the dual taillamp graphics have been replaced by a C-shaped design, setting itself apart from its larger siblings.
New equipment on the C-Class include fully digital instrument display (first seen on the
S-Class
), new steering wheel design with touch-sensitive controls, Energizing Comfort Control, touchpad controller with haptic feedback and 3D real wood veneer on the centre console. New interior colours Magma Grey/Black and Saddle Brown (AMG Line only) are available.
The refreshed C-Class also benefits from the brand’s latest advanced driving assistance systems that allow for
semi-autonomous driving
 in certain conditions. The
Active Distance Assist Distronic
 uses map information and predictively adjusts the speed when approaching a bend or junction for a more intuitive driving experience. Other driving systems include Active Lane Change Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist and Active Steering Assist. These, of course, are an option.
Mercedes-Benz has hinted new powertrain options for the refreshed C-Class but full details will only be revealed at the upcoming 2018 Geneva International Motor Show happening in March.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Facelift AMG Line Sedan

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Facelift Exclusive Line Wagon


Dieselgate repairs allegedly causing multiple Volkswagens to break down

Since the dieselgate saga was brought to light, Volkswagen AG carried out a massive rectification programme to ‘undo’ the rigged software and has done so to over 600,000 cars (all diesels, of course) in the UK alone. But there is a major setback.
According to
Auto Express UK
, the repairs caused owners’ cars to break down and suffer from drops in fuel economy. An online poll involving 542 VW owners revealed that over 87 percent experienced mechanical problems, 66.9 percent of which are related to EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) and 14 percent are DPF (diesel particulate filter) failures. The former is most common in cars with over 60,000km on the clock, and the cost of repairing is close to RM4,500!
The Porsche Cayenne 3.0L diesel (MY 2013-2016) is also among the cars affected by dieselgate
The situation even prompted several netizens to pass on the dieselgate fix altogether, with some claiming to be advised by their dealers. Volkswagen UK however, defended the allegations by saying that less than 1 percent of the 600,000 rectified vehicles have reported issues. A VW spokesperson even said, “That means over 99 percent of customers are satisfied with the technical measures, which of course are carried out free of charge.”
As a recap: In 2015, Volkswagen was accused of installing a ‘defeat device’ to over 11 million diesel cars (including the Audi A3!) to the US and Europe (3 million and 8 million cars respectively). Vehicles fitted with this device would emit significantly less carbon dioxide when put through emissions tests, but details of exactly how the software worked remains a corporate secret.
We do know that the software takes into account speed, engine operation, air pressure and steering position. When convinced the car is being lab tested, the software automatically sends the car into ‘safety mode’, making the engine run below normal power and performance. Real world road tests revealed that the actual emissions level are at least 40 times higher than what’s allowed in the US.


This WALD-kitted Mercedes-AMG G63 is just frightening to look at

Today’s a day for big SUVs. You’ve seen the sleek
BMW X7
 dressed in an
M Sport kit and finished in Ametrin Metallic paint
 earlier but we’re now visiting the darker side – the far end of the SUV spectrum – from elegant and sporty to cynical and downright intimidating.
We have here the latest version of the G63 AMG, which was
launched in Malaysia
 and
reviewed
 over
a year ago
, but it has gone under the knife in the hands of WALD – a Japanese tuning company that was established in the 1990 – known for their pompous and bizarre body kits. Their portfolio simply sparks envy – catering to the likes of Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Maserati, Toyota and
even Suzuki which interestingly, is called the Black Bison too
.
Right away, you can tell that there are two variations in this “Black Bison” series – an iconic series nameplate that WALD has retained from past G63s it has meddled with over the years.
Making up the Black Bison kit is a front bumper with more vents than a laboratory, a rear bumper with diffusers and an integrated brake light much like the one on the new Toyota Supra. It also gets more aggressive wheel arches, a roof spoiler and triple exhaust tips on the side-exit exhaust – triple exit! As a result the Black Bison looks like the imaginative drawing of every 7 year old’s dream war machine.
But the similarities between the two (black and white) end there. One sports a vertical “Panamericana-like” grille while in the white G63, they’re horizontal slates, much like the twin-louvre look of AMG-inspired Mercedes’. Not only that, the latter G63 also gets an unnecessarily bulky and elaborate front bonnet but we’ll forgive them, in the name of being different.
Contradictory to that, WALD said exactly this. “There is a design policy of WALD to keep pursuing the design to which
ultimate simplicity
 and tiredness never come. The status which you look for will be certainly found in the ultimate simple design.”
Forgive Google’s wonky translation but you get the gist.
WALD also said the design of the G63’s body kit was curated to cater to the “big demand” of its VIP and celebrity owners and nothing screams fabulous more than a jacked-up ride height and chunky off-road tyres wrapping the massive multi-piece Illima forged wheels.
Source:
Wald
GALLERY


Petronas Lubricants unveils next-gen Iona EV fluids – improved efficiency, for OEM use

EVs are the future, and with electrification becoming more and more commonplace in the automotive industry, petroleum and lubricant companies also need to adapt to even stick around in the future. With that in mind, Petronas Lubricants International (PLI) has unveiled its next-generation Petronas Iona fluids specifically designed for
EVs
, with an emphasis on efficiency.
The Iona fluids range was actually first launched two years ago in 2019. In this new second-generation Iona range, Petronas has further developed the lubricants and coolants to further keep up with the rapid changes in EV technology – particularly in friction and wear control within electric drive units and e-axles, thermal management, energy efficiency, and reliability.
“We believe that e-mobility is expanding at a rapid pace. With this rapid growth, innovative solutions are key to accelerate the move towards e-mobility for a more sustainable future,” said PLI Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, Giuseppe D’Arrigo.
The company has been working with a wide range of partners – including Imperial College, FEV Group, and IAV – since 2018 to co-engineer safe, high-performing, and dependable fluids specifically for electric powertrain. The new second-generation Petronas Iona fluids, which will be tailor-made to suit each carmakers’ demands, are borne directly from this collaboration.
The new range of Iona EV Fluids is in line with PLI’s commitment towards sustainability, first announced back in 2018. According to its roadmap, 75% of its Research and Technology investments will be directed at reducing emissions, which in turn supports its larger goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.


Toyota GR Corolla launched in Thailand with only 9 units – RM498k, first ASEAN debut

A new ‘GR’ by Toyota has debuted in ASEAN and it is the
Toyota GR Corolla
. The lucky ASEAN country to first receive the Toyota GR Corolla is Thailand with the car fetching a price of 3.949 million baht (approx.
RM497,567
). The price of the GR Corolla was officially announced at the 39th Thailand International Motor Expo, and only nine fully-imported (CBU) units will be brought in for now, as Headlightmag reports.
Like its smaller brother, the
GR Yaris
, the GR Corolla is powered by the same 1.6-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, albeit tuned to make
304 hp
 (metric) and
370 Nm
 (43 hp and 10 Nm more than GR Yaris). The 3-banger engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. With an all-wheel drive (AWD) system, the GR Corolla does the century sprint in
5.5 seconds
.
The Toyota GR Corolla was globally revealed on March 31, 2022, in California and was launched in Japan in June this year as the ‘GR Corolla RZ’ and the limited-series ‘
GR Corolla Morizo Edition
’. The Morizo edition weighs 30 kg lighter, bumps the torque to 400 Nm, and uses different gear ratios.
Thailand gets the ‘standard’ GR Corolla as only 200 units of the Morizo Edition were made and were only made available in the US and Japan. The Thai-spec GR Corolla sits on MacPherson strut front suspension and double wishbone rear suspension. The wheels are 18-inch alloy wheels and are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
RELATED:
Limited-edition Toyota GR Corolla ‘Morizon Edition’ could be more exclusive than the GR Yaris!
Peaking behind the 18-inch alloys are 4-pot 18-inch ventilated disc brakes in front and 2-pot 16-inch ventilated disc brakes in the rear. The GR Corolla also gets Torsen limited slip differentials (LSDs) in the front and rear.
Toyota GR Corolla Thailand customers also get ‘GR Service Package’, ‘GR Roadside Services’, and ‘GR Experience’. ‘GR Service Package’ is a car-maintenance-by-distance package that includes free periodic maintenance, labor, and spare parts for 3 years or 60,000 km.
‘GR Roadside Services’ is a five-year emergency assistance service. As for ‘GR Experience’, it is the right to train for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Academy Thailand course and participate in driving activities at the world-class Chang International Circuit.
RELATED:
Toyota will only be making 8,600 GR Corollas this year – 2,000 for global market
With the GR Yaris being previously sold in Malaysia, one could expect the GR Corolla to also be offered, also in very limited numbers. The GR Yaris was sold for RM299,000 (
with SST
), and RM286,896 (
without SST
). Do expect the GR Corolla to cost more should it enter the Malaysian market.
RELATED:
Toyota GR Yaris powers into Malaysia; yours for RM299k!


First Drive: Honda BR-V 1.5 V, the compact crossover to suit all needs

Every once in a while, we come across a car that just becomes an instant hit among Malaysians, be it a foolishly good bargain or a stunningly good looking car. More often than not, the demand for these gems will overwhelm supply. Case in point, the highly tax incentivised
W212 Mercedes-Benz S400h
 and the space-ship like
Honda Civic FC
; both of which had an extended waiting period shortly after their debuts.
Most of these cases are one hit wonders, two if the manufacturers are lucky. When Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd (HMSB) launched the
Honda HR-V
 back in 2015, it singlehandedly popularised the compact crossover segment. Strike one. The 10th-generation Honda Civic revitalised the shrinking C-segment sedan market and became the
most popular C-Segment sedan in Malaysia
. Strike two.
With the newly introduced
Honda BR-V
, a B-segment seven-seater, Honda raked over 8,500 bookings of it in two short months. If that’s not a hat-trick, I don’t know what is. Surely, with over 8,500 individuals putting their money down, you can’t go wrong with the BR-V right? We join Honda Malaysia for a drive up to Penang Island to find out.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Honda BR-V 1.5V
Engine
1,497cc; 4-cylinder SOHC i-VTEC
Transmission
Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT)
Max Power
118 hp @ 6,600 rpm
Max Torque
145 Nm @ 4,600 rpm
Price
RM92,800
HMSB has kindly prepared 10 units of the range topping V-spec BR-V for the purpose of this drive. However, it is worth mentioning that both the entry level E-spec and V-spec share most of the features and differ very little in creature comforts. Mechanically, both variants are powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder SOHC with i-VTEC, pushing out
118 hp
 and
145 Nm
 of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels through an Earth Dreams CVT.
Our range topping V-spec BR-V gets extra goodies such as front fog lamps, chrome door handles, chrome side protectors, keyless entry and the
RM3,750 optional
 Modulo body kit. This package admittedly adds a touch of athleticism that complements the BR-V’s muscular appearance very well. Especially how the additional chrome bits tie in with the sporty 16-inch alloy wheels.

COMFORT, ERGONOMICS & CONVENIENCES
The extra
RM7,000
 for the V-spec BR-V makes all the sense once you step into the cabin. Inside, you’ll find a neat cabin with quality finishing, which is definitely a welcome surprise for cars in this segment. The leather upholstery and 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system elevate the impression of the cabin. Mind you, the leather, although a mix of synthetic leather, feels good in quality. However, the 6.1-inch infotainment system’s user interface feels a tad dated and does not operate as crisp as the one found on the
Toyota Sienta
.
Regardless, the additional creature comforts found in the V-spec BR-V such as push start, steering wheel audio controls, reverse camera and automatic climate control all give a nice touch of convenience as a daily driver.

Getting in and out of the Honda BR-V is convenient for most people, but elderly folks would find ingress not as comfortable due to the relatively high ground clearance of (31 mm taller than the
CR-V
). The Sienta, with its powered sliding doors and lower side step makes ingress and egress a more convenient affair. Although, the ground clearance certainly helps in clearing all the bumps and humps that our roads are notoriously known for.
Hop into the second row and the sliding and reclining function offers great amount of flexibility for a comfortable seating position. The ceiling mounted air vents with dedicated blower controls are certainly not an afterthought because the rear passengers will definitely feel the chill. The third-row seats will satisfy averaged height adults just fine, even on long journeys. I had ample knee and head room in the third row, as did the second row occupants.

However, if you’re planning on a weekend getaway for seven, be prepared to pack light as the boot space, while measures at 223 litres (with all the seats folded up), is very shallow, meaning most of the luggage will have to be in upright position to be able to fit into the back of the BR-V. With the rear seats folded down however, boot space expands to 539 litres and wouldn’t be an issue to fit in a massive amount of cargo as demonstrated in the picture.
If you have the right equipment to strap extra cargo onto the roof rails, Honda has spent massive effort in ensuring that the roof rails are able to support up to 30kg of load.
THE POWERTRAIN
Another major concern for most buyers would be whether the puny 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four pot from the Honda City is up to the task of moving this people carrier. Despite putting out only
118 hp
 and
145 Nm
, it was enough to take the BR-V up to the last number on the speedometer. Those who intend to ferry seven would not have to worry about getting up to cruising speed.
According to Atsushi Arisaka, Project Leader for the BR-V, Honda’s move of equipping a CVT instead of a regular slush box is to provide consistent power delivery across the rev range, thus improving acceleration under load. And in practice, this formula compliments the seven-seater compact crossover very well.
Arisaka-
san
 added that during the development phase, they focused on acceleration, handling and interior packaging – in that very order. On trunk roads between Tanjung Malim and Ipoh, the BR-V maintained its composure surprisingly well with minimum body roll. Steering feedback from the BR-V was unexpectedly decent for a car that accommodates seven.
BUT WHAT ABOUT SAFETY?
To demonstrate the breadth of the BR-V’s ability, Honda devised an instrumented test called Emergency Lane Change exercise. At a speed of
 50 km/h
, the BR-V managed aggressive manoeuvre without so much as breaking a sweat. Even as I increased my entry speed to
70 km/h
, the BR-V managed the manoeuvre with little drama. Even if you so dare prod the mechanical limits of the BR-V, its Vehicle Stability Assist and dual frontal airbags should keep you and your passengers safe.

If you’re still not convinced that this is an impressive feat, allow me to give you a little perspective: we drove the Nissan Grand Livina during the same session and it spun 180 degrees at just
60 km/h
. Even at the expert hands of Ivan Khong, the lead driving instructor and motorsports veteran, the Nissan fared the same. Proving once again, this is not just a half-baked, stretched Honda Brio.
THE DRIVE
As mentioned earlier, the BR-V is a compact crossover with good driving dynamics. Grip levels were high with the limitation of mechanical grip available from the Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 eco tyres. Due to the tall ride height and large body, the BR-V is susceptible to wind drift at speeds above the legal speed limit, though this shouldn’t bother most people. The plus side is, the cabin is well insulated at high speeds, a trait unique to the Malaysian market as HMSB has added additional sound deadening materials for better NVH levels.
Like all CVT-equipped cars, the transmission works best with a gentle right foot. Hard on the throttle and the gearbox stays in the high end of the rev range, which causes an unpleasant noise. Drive it sedately and you will be rewarded with a refined and comfortable journey.
Over bumps and humps, the BR-V is well sorted and the ride leans on the plusher side despite its astonishing handling capabilities. Families that upgrades from cars a segment below will be pleasantly surprised.
JUST WHAT ARE ITS FLAWS?
The one thing I simply can’t get over is that its rear end looks like an Autobot’s face, and the overly tall ride height. But in all honesty, those are subjective, and the BR-V is a well packaged car that is more suited for families with an active lifestyle. It handles well, rides comfortably and most importantly versatile.
Be it for those
balik kampung
journeys, fishing trips or even for some light camping, the BR-V will be able to accommodate most, if not all your lifestyle needs. It will fit seven adults without complaints and kids will be happy to be in the back seats of the BR-V. It truly is as versatile as you are.
To plug the Toyota Sienta as the BR-V’s closest rival is an unfair comparison for the two. Yes, both fall under the same price bracket and yes, both can ferry seven people in one go. But they each serve a distinct group of individuals whose needs vary few and far between.
For the active and outgoing families, the BR-V is definitely the most ideal alternative to a sedan. However, if you’re constantly ferrying senior citizens and use the back seats nine out of ten times, perhaps the Toyota Sienta makes better sense.
With bookings already way over the 8,500 mark and a waiting period of two months, the BR-V is no doubt an instant hit with Malaysians. Perhaps the only question you should ask yourself before buying this is: how are you going to use your BR-V?
IMAGE GALLERY


One-of-a-kind Ferrari F12 Berlinetta SG50 made to celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday

To celebrate
Singapore’s 50 years of independence
, the country’s official Prancing Horse importer
Ital Auto
 has commissioned a bespoke Ferrari
F12berlinetta
 through Ferrari’s
Tailor Made
 vehicle customisation program.
Aptly named the
F12berlinetta SG50 Edition
, the 6.3-litre V12 stallion is decked out in the nation’s flag colours both inside and out. There’s no visible alteration to the external panels, but they’re finished in a special shade of red called
Rosso Singapore
. Meanwhile,
Bianco Italia
 is used on the wheels and stripes on the body as well as the skirting all around the car.
No mention on whether there was any modifications done to the engine, but even if the engine was left untouched, the
6,262 cc naturally-aspirated V12
 powerplant is already giving out at least
730 hp
 and
690 Nm
 of torque, redlining at a hair-raising
8,700 rpm
. It will shred any 100 metre stretch in Singapore from standstill in just
3.1 seconds
, although achieving its claimed top speed of
340km/h
 will prove to be quite a challenge.
The cabin also receives the red and white theme on the trim panels and seats. Wrapped in black
leather and technical fabrics
, the seats also feature the
Singaporean lion emblem
 on the headrests. Marking the exclusivity of this model is the “
Singapore 50th Anniversary Edition 1/1
” plaques on the door sills and on the steering wheel.

Whether or not the one-off Super-GT has been sold remains in the dark. As for its price, well, let’s just expect a healthy bump over its base SGD 1,500,000 asking price for the regular F12 Berlinetta.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen to hold an Instagram-exclusive sale on 12.12

In conjunction with the double 12 online shopping carnival, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) will be joining in the celebration with an Instagram-exclusive sale.
In what the company calls a first-of-its-kind sales, 12 units of the
Volkswagen Polo
 and 12 units of the
Beetle
 will be sold through Volkswagen
Malaysia’s Instagram page
 at a
special discount of RM12,000
. The former will come with the
JOIN accessories package
, while the latter comes with a free spoiler and VW Tint.
To enjoy the deals, customers will need to place a booking fee of
RM500
 for the Polo or
RM1,000
 for the Beetle through the payment platform via credit card. Once processed, a Volkswagen representative will contact you for arrangements to complete the purchase at your preferred dealership.
VPCM Managing Director, Erik Winter believes that purchasing a car online is now the norm due to the rise of e-commerce platforms. “Volkswagen Malaysia were pioneers in this when we partnered with Lazada to sell the
special edition Beetle
 and
Polo
 during their 12.12 sale the past two years.
“Both editions sold out almost immediately, and this year, we continue our trailblazing streak as the very first automotive brand in the country to sell products on Instagram,” he added.
The offer will be available for 24 hours, starting from
 12:01 am to 11:59 pm
 this coming
12th December
. More information can be found on Volkswagen Malaysia’s
Instagram Shop page
.


This video of the BMW M1 on a hill climb will blow your mind and ear drums!

The
BMW
 M1 Procar is simply the stuff of legends. Built for a one-make series that never took off, these bad boys are capable of pushing out anywhere between 500 hp to over 1,000 hp from a mid-mounted 3.5-litre engine.
Purely based on this 2018 video, the car you see makes
470 hp
 and
390 Nm
 of torque. Due to its weight of just over 1,000 kg (perfect for hill climbs), that’s enough to propel the
BMW M1 Procar
from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds before it tops out at 310 km/h.

Impressive numbers but an AMG A45 would look at it and just smirk, perhaps even laugh but that’s not what this is about. It’s about the M1’s 9,000 rpm rev limit, the sound it emits while doing so and the way this BMW is driven to its absolute limit on a hill climb.
And I mean absolute limit. No gear changes are made until the straight-six engine is absolutely screaming on top of its voice and the way the driver utilised every inch of the road, especially through the corners, is nothing short of phenomenal.
On certain stretches, considering the speed of the M1, you’d cringe watching how close the car is to the edge of the road. Scary stuff when you realise there’s nothing to prevent the car from plunging into ditch or smashing into a forest of trees.
Enjoy!


Federal Court rules automatic insurance compensation for accident victims – even in sambung bayar cases

A landmark ruling by the Federal Court now holds that road accident victims should be automatically compensated without having to sue the respective
insurance

companies. One impact of this ruling is that even in
sambung bayar
 cases, third-party road accident victims are still able to claim compensation from the insurance companies.
This development follows eight appeals involving eight different motorists (of which seven were injured) where the court allowed all eight appeals and awarded
RM150,000
 in costs to each of the successful parties.
Image for illustration purposes only and does not involve cases mentioned.
The appeals came about as the insurance companies had obtained a declaration in the High Court to nullify policies of motorists due to allegations of misconduct on the part of the vehicle owners. This had denied accident victims monetary compensation that had been due to them.
One of the eight cases involved a
sambung bayar
 vehicle (not belonging to the third-party victim).
Sambung bayar
 is when a car is “sold” by continuing the monthly bank loan installment without changing the name of the owner on the Vehicle Ownership Certificate (VOC) and naturally not informing the insurance company. The practice is illegal, just in case you were wondering, but the court has explained that its decision serves to protect innocent third parties.
RELATED:
Driving over flooded roads and getting additional coverage for your car
Image for illustration purposes only and does not involve cases mentioned.
Free Malaysia Today
 reports that Federal Court judge Abdul Rahman Sebli said the provisions in the Road Transport Act 1987 should be construed to protect all motorists, including victims of road accidents. He said the intention of Parliament in enacting the Act was to also protect innocent third-party road users.
Rahman said the Act had to balance two competing interests. The first was to protect innocent third parties against the risks. On the other hand, he said, the law had to protect an insurance company from being victimised by fraudulent claims. In setting the balance between these two competing interests, at the end of the day, the loss had to fall on one party – the Act had decided that such a loss should be borne by the insurer.
Image for illustration purposes only and does not involve cases mentioned.
In response to the judgment, a lawyer said that in the last decade, many grey areas had sprung up in motor accident cases. “This uncertainty has caused huge problems for innocent road victims. This case resolves those difficulties in one fell swoop,” the lawyer, who asked not to be named, told FMT.
RELATED:
Full liberalisation of motor premiums? Not yet, prices still fixed by BNM according to PIAM


Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia: Young Malaysian wins round 4!

Lamborghini has long been associated with drama and flare. With its fighter-jet appearance and equally sonorous engines, Lamborghini definitely knows a thing or two in motorsports. Last weekend, the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia series invaded Sepang for round 4 of the 2016 series. The experience was nothing short of a sensory overload.
Since the inception of the Super Trofeo Europe series in 2009, the series has now expanded to 2 other regions, namely Asia and North America. This year, the series kick started in Shanghai International Circuit (CHN) subsequently moving on to Suzuka Circuit (JPN) and Chang International Circuit (THA) before arriving at Sepang International Circuit (MAS) for round four. The race will then take the teams to Fuji Speedway (JPN) with the final stop at Valencia (SP). Winners from each region will then have a final showdown at the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo World Finals in Valencia (SP) from the 1 to 2 December 2016.
Pic credit: Lamborghini
Now in its fifth year (Asian series), the one-make series boasts a full line-up of race prepped
Lamborghini Huracan LP 620-2 Super Trofeo
. Using the same engine from the road going LP 580-2, the naturally aspirated V10 is tuned for a healthy
620 hp
. With those large wings and body kit for aerodynamics, it was a sight to behold when the cars blitz through Sepang’s main straight.
The championship consists of three categories,
Pro-AM
 (seasoned drivers),
 AM
 (intermediate drivers) and
Lamborghini Cup
 (beginner drivers). We are proud to report that out of the 20 participants, two are Malaysians.
Afiq Yazid
, the 25-year old from Kuala Lumpur is an alumni of
Lamborghini’s Young Driver Program
. Together with his partner Toshiyuki Ochiai from Japan, the duo in car #12 has the podium in their sights. Zen Low together with his partner Max Wiser from Italy steers car #69.
With the sun blazing upon Sepang and the tarmac bone dry at around
41 degrees Celsius
, conditions were perfect for a heated morning race. As the cars line-up after their warm-up lap for a rolling start, spectators held their breath (and ears) for what is to come. The nanosecond the lights turn green, all 12 competitors unleashed the full
620 hp
 grunt onto the track. Spectators were treated to an orchestra of naturally aspirated V10’s. The experience was only second to the good old Formula One V12’s.

In round one, Yazid and Ochiai battled Dilantha Malagamuwa from Sri Lanka and Armaan Ebrahim from Indonesia into pole position for
Pro-AM
class. Meanwhile, Yudai Uchida from Japan and partner Jono Lester from New Zealand pulled a spectacular performance making their way up to third place from their grid position (started 10th on the grid). The Low and Wiser pair came in a close fourth. For the
AM
class, Andrew Haryanto from Indonesia emerged at the top, beating George Chou from Taipei and Samson Chan from Hong Kong. Coming in at third for the AM class was Vincent Wong from Hong Kong and Sanghwi Yoon from Korea. Lastly, in the
Lamborghini Cup
 class, Supachai Weeraborwornpong from Thailand flew solo for 50-minutes to beat lone ranger Sam Lok of Hong Kong.
Round two of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia series commenced at 2:20p.m. when the sun is most brutal. The second race is more physically demanding for the participants as they brave through 50-minutes of sprinting at a track temperature of
50 odd degrees
. This time, we again witnessed our local hero bagging first place for
Pro-AM
 class together with his teammate from the Land of the Rising Sun. Consequently, they finished first place overall.
Uchida/Lester who started sixth on the grid ploughed their way through to second place followed closely by Malagamuawa/Ebrahim pair. Once again local competitor Low and teammate Wiser came in a close fourth as they battled their way from a seventh grid position. Moving to the
AM cup
, Wong/Yoon took came out on top while Keong Wee Lim of Singapore came in second. Completing the podium is the Chou/Chan pair.
Pic credit: Lamborghini
After the race, Yazid said it was his first ever race on the newly resurfaced Sepang track. It’s much smoother and helped Yazid up his rhythm one notch. “Racing on my home turf always feels great and I’m overjoyed with the end result,” said Yazid. The young Malaysian also shared with us his experience in Lamborghini’s Young Drivers Program. He jokes that it is akin to a university degree as racing is not the only thing that he does.
In
Lamborghini Accademia
,
drivers are taught more than just to race. It is a complete immersion of the brand. From track set up to handling the media, the Young Drivers Program is aimed to develop
young ambassadors
 for the brand. When asked what is next for Yazid, he hints that he will be working closely with Lamborghini as their test driver. With his extensive experience on track, he is looking forward to help develop
 next-gen vehicle technologies
 which will be deployed on race cars and subsequently trickle down onto production cars. To think that a Malaysian will have a part in the development of next-gen Lamborghini’s is truly a proud moment for the
Jalur Gemilang
.
The next stop for Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia series will be at the iconic Fuji Speedway in Japan. We at
AutoBuzz.my
 would like to extend our support to the Malaysian drivers as well as our best wishes to those participating!
IMAGE GALLERY

 Pic credit: Lamborghini

 Pic credit: Lamborghini

 Pic credit: Lamborghini


Mercedes-AMG EVs are coming – first model to debut this year

If you’re still not convinced that electric is the future, then perhaps this will.
Mercedes-AMG
, best known for stuffing massive powerful engines in their cars, is now working on EV performance models. The first fully-electric AMG offering will be unveiled this year.
Announced in Mercedes-AMG’s presentation of their electrification roadmap today, the AMG EVs will essentially be derivatives of the new Mercedes EQ models, based on the new
Mercedes Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA)
– similar to how most of the current crop of AMG performance models are based on existing Mercedes-Benz cars.
In true AMG fashion, these fully-electric luxury models will feature extensive modifications to pretty much every single (electro)mechanical part of the car, including drivetrain, chassis, design, and even the batteries itself.
While they are not quite ready to reveal the actual car just yet, we’re guessing that it will most likely be a model based on the EQS, which is set for its global debut this year.
The company is also proud to declare that the overall performance of the fully-electric powertrain will be on par with “the most powerful Mercedes-AMG Performance models” using its current 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine – probably referring to the
GT Black Series
, which currently makes
730 hp
 and
800 Nm
 of torque.
The Mercedes-AMG EVs will feature a fully-variable all-wheel drive system with modular torque distribution, powered by two independent motors – one on each axle. Century sprint is completed in “
well under 4.0 seconds
“, while top speed is rated at
250 km/h
 with the electric motors spinning at 18,000 rpm.
The 400-volt lithium-ion battery pack also gets customised with its own wiring harness, adapted specifically for the higher performance capacity of the AMG EVs. There’s also a new electric-exclusive AMG i-Booster function, combining electric recuperation and hydraulic braking during deceleration.
The first Mercedes-AMG EV will most likely be based on the upcoming
 EQS fully-electric sedan
.
As is standard on a Mercedes-AMG model, the air suspension on the EVs will also receive performance-oriented tuning specifically for spirited driving, and to tie up the whole experience, these performance-oriented EVs will even get a specially-composed “AMG Sound Experience” with additional hardware such as loudspeakers and shakers to replicate the feeling of a combustion engine – just in a more electric way.


The Polestar 2 BST Edition 270 is what happens when you let engineers run wild

Remember the
 ‘Beast’ that Polestar showed off
 in last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed? Well, it was originally only supposed to be an experimental model, to test the limits of their engineering capabilities. But the public’s response towards the car was apparently so good, that they had “no choice other than to put it into limited production”, or so they say…
It’s called the Polestar 2 BST edition 270 – where ‘BST’ obviously stands for ‘Beast’, and ‘270’ for the fact that only 270 units will be built, and it’s exclusive to Europe, North America, and China.
Kicking things off is the electric powertrain, which has been tuned to now make
350 kW (476 hp)
 and
680 Nm
 of torque, or 50 kW (68 hp) and 20 Nm more than the
 regular car
. Power is sent to all four wheels via a dual-motor set-up, with a 78 kWh battery pack providing electric juice.
More important than that, however, are the chassis upgrades. The BST also gets a set of specially-developed Ohlins two-way adjustable dampers, a front strut bar, 25 mm lowered ride height, as well as 20% stiffer springs all round.
ALSO READ: Polestar 2 debuts in ASEAN with Singapore launch, cheaper than XC40
All of these changes were initially designed to handle the tight twists and turns of the Goodwood circuit, and now 270 lucky people will get to experience it on the open roads too. To round it all off, the Polestar 2 BST Edition 270 also gets a set of matte black 21-inch alloy wheels shod in bespoke Pirelli P Zero tyres, with four-piston Brembo brakes hiding behind.
The limited-edition model is available in either Thunder or Snow exterior colours, and can be paired to a matte black stripe (with a negative-spaced ‘2’ on the bonnet) across the entire length of the car for an additional USD1,000 (approx. RM4,391) if you so wish.
Want to take it to the next level? Polestar will also let you wrap the entire car in a Battleship Gray satin wrap – but no matter which exterior colour you choose, the bumpers, wheel arch claddings, and side skirts will all be fully-painted/wrapped according to the exterior colour as opposed to gloss black on the regular model.
The Polestar 2 BST Edition 270 will have a starting price of USD76,900 (approx. RM338k), and deliveries are scheduled to start near the end of this year. Just too bad we won’t be able to get one here.
GALLERY


Peugeot 508 facelift launched in Malaysia, priced from RM175k to RM205k

Nasim Sdn Bhd, the sole importer and distributor of the Peugeot brand in Malaysia has just officially launched the 508 facelift, bearing an exterior package that resonates rather nicely with the French automaker’s current design language.
It’s offered here in three trim levels and two body styles now, while the top-of-the-line GT variant will no longer be offered in a wagon form. Dimensions wise, the 508 sedan retains the same 2,817mm wheelbase, but the car is
38mm longer
 at 4,830mm – up from the previous 4,792mm. This growth however, translates to a longer front (16mm) and rear overhang (22mm).
QUICK FACTS
Name
Peugeot 508 THP Sedan
Peugeot 508 THP SW
Peugeot 508 GT Sedan
Engine
1,598cc; inline-4 with twin scroll turbo and VVT
1,598cc; inline-4 with twin scroll turbo and VVT
2,179cc; turbocharged inline-4 with VVT
Transmission
6-speed auto
6-speed auto
6-speed auto
Max Power
163 hp @ 6,000 rpm
163 hp @ 6,000 rpm
202 hp @ 3,500 rpm
Max Torque
240 Nm @ 1,250 – 4,250 rpm
240 Nm @ 1,250 – 4,250 rpm
450 Nm @ 2,000 – 2,750 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
9.2 seconds; 220 km/h
9.2 seconds; 220 km/h
8.4 seconds; 235 km/h
Price (OTR with insurance and GST)
RM
RM
RM
EXTERIOR
The changes done unto the car is very visually telling, as you can see here. New on the
D-Segment contender
 is its front fascia, of which includes a pair of all-new
full-LED headlights
, a revised grille where the Lion badge now sits (previously on the bonnet), redesigned lower intake and a pair of slender LED DRLs (that doubles as signal indicators) built above the LED fog lamps.

A view from the side reveals a new set of
18-inchers
 for the petrol powered variants, wrapped with
235/45 series
 Michelin Primacy HP tyres. At the back, the sedans get the tail lights redesigned while still retaining the brand’s signature three-clawed look. The wagon on the other hand, gets the same tail lamps as before, and the exhausts pipes – as with most French cars – are hidden, save for the GT variant which gets dual rectangular pipes.

On that front, the GT carries forward the same wheels as before, measuring
19-inch
 wrapped with
235/40 series
 Continental ContiSportContact 3 rubbers. Telling this variant apart from the rest can be easily done by spotting the GT badges placed on the grille and the fenders.
INTERIOR
Those of you who are familiar to the outgoing 508’s cabin will agree that not much has changed, well that’s because the car isn’t entirely new. But to go along with the brand’s direction of a less cluttered dash, the 508 facelift now comes with a
7-inch HD multifunction touchscreen
. Like the recently launched
308 THP
, it groups the following functionality into one space – GPS navigation, air conditioning, radio, USB, Bluetooth and DVD playback.

This inclusion means forgoing the knobs in the centre panel from before, making way for a mind bogglingly small
storage box
 (slide to open and close). Completing the interior kit list are colour heads up display,
quad-zone auto air conditioning
, electric parking brake, keyless entry with push-start button, leather upholstered 8-way electric front seats with 4-way lumbar support and smart beam technology.
Also standard across the range is the
10-speaker JBL HiFi
 surround sound system with Arkamys audio processing software. Exclusive to the wagon is a class-leading (size wise) panoramic glass roof, whereas the GT variant gets
Nappa upholstered seats
 with memory and massage function (for driver only). Pop the sedan’s trunk and you’ll find a cavernous
545 litres
 of boot space, while in the wagon you get up to
758 litres
 with the rear seats up. Fold them down and you get
1,244 litres
 in the sedan and
1,865 litres
 with the wagon for all your hauling needs.
PERFORMANCE
Two engines can be had here – either a
1.6-litre THP
 or the
2.2-litre turbodiesel HDi
 unit. The former is a carryover lump, but instead of making the 156hp of old, it is now tuned to make
163 hp
 at 5,000 rpm and
240 Nm
 of torque from 1,450 to 4,250 rpm. It’s paired to a
six-speed automatic
 transmission
with paddle shifters
 and
Sport mode
, which together propel the car from 0 to 100 km/h in
9.2 seconds
 before maxing out at
220 km/h
. Fuel economy is rated at
7.1 litres per 100km
.
Like before, the GT variant will be powered by a
2.2-litre oil burning motor
 that makes
202 hp
 at 3,500 rpm and
450 Nm
 of torque from 2,000 to 2,750 revolutions. This gets the same
six-speed slush box
, but manages the century sprint in
8.4 seconds
 while sipping
5.7 litres of diesel per 100km
. Its top speed is
235 km/h
. Both engines channel drive to the
front wheels
.
The petrol variants are sprung on
Macpherson struts
 at the front, while the GT gets a
double wishbone
 setup; the exact configurations as before. All variants however, share the same multi-arm suspension at the rear. Peugeot explains that the Macpherson-setup provides great road holding and ride comfort, whereas the GT’s setup allows for better rigidity and driving accuracy.
SAFETY
Here, the 508 excels. It’s got
six airbags to boot
, two Isofix fixtures for the rear seats, a new ‘curved’ head restraint, collapsible front structure to better absorb energy transfer in the event of an accident and
Blind Spot Sensor System
 (BLISS; ironic, we know).
Other safety features include ESP, traction control, Dynamic Stability Control, Emergency Braking Assist and ABS with EBD. Also added as driving conveniences are
cruise control with speed limiter
 and front and rear parking sensors.
WHAT ELSE?
The 508 comes packed with a
5-year unlimited mileage warranty
 and Peugeot 24 hours assistance. Customers can also benefit from the Peugeot Privilege programme, granting them the brand’s premium services such as the usage of Peugeot Lounge at Subang Skypark Terminal.
IMAGE GALLERY
2015 Peugeot 508 Launch

2015 Peugeot 508 GT

2015 Peugeot 508 THP Sedan

2015 Peugeot 508 THP SW