Maxus T60 gets free performance boost for 2022 in Malaysia, but for a limited time only

Weststar Maxus has just unveiled the updated 2022 Maxus T60 here in Malaysia, with the pick-up truck receiving a mild makeover, but more importantly, a power bump, courtesy of a free performance kit.
The fully-imported 2022 Maxus T60 is priced at
RM115,888
 here in Malaysia, on-the-road, and without insurance. For a limited time, Weststar Maxus will also be offering a cash rebate of RM1,500 for the pick-up truck.
PERFORMANCE
For a limited time, the refreshed Maxus T60 in Malaysia will be offered with a complimentary performance kit that significantly increases both power and torque figures. Said to be worth RM3,000, the performance kit boosts the T60’s torque up to
425 Nm
 from the standard 360 Nm, and produces a maximum power of
155 hp
.
The complementary performance kit is applied to the existing 2.8-litre four-cylinder VGT turbodiesel engine (Euro 4), which is paired to a six-speed Punch automatic transmission. The performance kit is also claimed to have slightly reduced the fuel consumption of the Maxus T60, bringing it down from 9.6 l/100km to
9.0 l/100km
.
Equipped with a BorgWarner Electronically Controlled Four-Wheel Drive System, drivers of the Maxus T60 can switch between the modes of 2H, 4H and 4L on-the-fly. Three drive modes are also available – Eco, Normal, and Power.
Eco mode gives a two-percent reduction in fuel consumption, while Power Mode provides a five percent boost in performance. Ensuring the best traction in all conditions is an Eaton mechanical differential lock, often hailed as one of the world’s best.
RELATED:
Weststar Maxus opens first 3S Centre in Bukit Mertajam, launches new V80 Van
EXTERIOR
The refreshed Maxus T60 features a bold new front grille, with the marque’s name dominating its real estate. As standard, the Maxus T60 in Malaysia is equipped with 17-inch wheels. The previously available 19-inch wheels are still available on an optional basis for an extra RM3,000.
The automatic headlight adjustments in the Maxus T60 automatically adjusts the beam level according to road conditions and rotates in correspondence to the steering input to illuminate the road ahead. This in addition to the follow-me-home function, daytime-running lights, and automatic headlight sensing features.
The Maxus T60 is available in a multitude of colours comprising Obsidian Black, Agate Red, Lava Grey, Blanc White, Aurora Silver, and Ocean Blue. Also featured on the exterior are an aluminium luggage rack, a stainless-steel roll cage, side steps, chrome-plated door handles, chrome-plated electric folding mirrors and fog lamps.
RELATED:
Maxus G10 SE launched, 2.0L turbo, 225 hp & 345 Nm, costs just RM158k!
INTERIOR
On the inside, the 2022 Maxus T60 in Malaysia includes power-adjustable front seats, as well as both forward and rearward folding rear seats for extra storage. A total of 15 storage areas within the cabin further add to the convenience and overall cargo volume of 1,188 litres.
Further enhancing the cabin’s premium layout is the multifunction steering wheel with the cruise control audio and switches for the integrated 10-inch HD infotainment touchscreen head unit that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Completing the user-oriented Maxus T60 is a push-start button and automatic air-conditioning.
SAFETY
Safety-wise, the updated 2022 Maxus T60 in Malaysia is equipped with the following:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
Traction Control System (TCS)
Brake Assist (BA)
Roll Movement Intervention (RMI)
Hill Start Assist Control (HAS)
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
Front and side airbags
Automatic headlight adjustment
Rear parking sensors
Reverse camera
Two ISOFIX anchorage points
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) (activated from 30km/h)
PRICING
The Maxus T60 fetches a price of
RM115,888
 here in Malaysia and is offered with a
RM1,500
 rebate for a limited time only. A
five-year/130,000 km
 warranty is offered, together with a
four-year/80,000 km
 all-inclusive free service package (inclusive of parts, lubricants and labour).
GALLERY


Mazda2 Sedan: Official photos released ahead of Thailand Motor Expo

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for, to have a glimpse of the
Mazda2 sedan
. The
2014 Japan Car of the Year
will be making its first motor show appearance at the upcoming 2014 Thailand International Motor Expo on 28 November.

From the pictures here, it appears that the receiving market, in this case Thailand, will be
missing out
 on the LED daytime running lights. It’s unclear if further features will be
stripped
 from both the sedan and the hatch in efforts to bring costs down, but it’s all in due time.
Two engines are offered in the entire Mazda2 range – a
1.5-litre

Skyactiv-G petrol
 engine and a
1.5-litre Skyactiv-D clean diesel
 engine. Thailand is set to receive the latter variant, though. We already know from
our earlier post
that we will be receiving the petrol engine, one that makes
114 horsepower
 and
148 Nm
 of torque.
Bermaz Motor is
taking orders for the Mazda2
 hatch and sedan with a starting price of RM85k and RM87k respectively, and the duo is set to arrive no later than February next year. Which would you pick? Tell us in the comments section below.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Workshops, service centres to stay open during MCO 2.0

Following the announcement of the
second Movement Control Order (MCO)
 by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) today released an updated version of the list of sectors and companies allowed to operate during the MCO period.
The five broad sectors allowed to operate during the MCO period are
factories and manufacturing
,
construction
,
services
,
distribution businesses
, as well as
plantations and commodities
.
On the automotive side of things,
manufacturing and assembly plants
 will be allowed to operate as usual during the 14-day movement restriction period, as is
aftersales services
, which is curiously listed under the factories and manufacturing sector according to the updated list. This is in stark contrast to the first MCO period, where all automotive-related businesses were
ordered to shut their doors
.
A quick check with several car brands in Malaysia has confirmed that their respective service centres located within the MCO zones will still operate as usual with strict standard operating procedure (SOP) in place.
As for
third-party automotive workshops
, Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), an agency under MITI, confirmed to
AutoBuzz.my
 that they will be
allowed to operate
, provided that the workshop has registered with MITI’s Covid-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS).
All companies listed in the list of essential services will still have to comply with various restrictions as stated in the announcement yesterday, including a 30% limit on management-level workforce.
Stay tuned for more updates as we seek for more comments from automotive brands.
OPERATIONAL STATUS ACCORDING TO BRANDS:
Toyota
: All outlets nationwide (including sales, service, body & paint)
operating as usual
.


This replica Ferrari 458 build could be the most accurate Fauxrari we’ve ever seen!

We here at
AutoBuzz.my
 don’t shy away from replicas, because they’re all labours of love and passion, and that’s what we’re here for, right? Admittedly, some of them do
look
 kind of…
rudimentary
, but every once in a while there’s bound to be one that seriously blows us away, and today, it’s this replica
Ferrari 458
.
This Fauxrari 458 is the creation of Russian YouTuber
Ilya Strekal
, and underneath all of that custom bodywork is actually a
Porsche Boxster
 – which we bet you wouldn’t have realised unless specifically told so. No, seriously, you’d still have a hard time picking out the differences even when it’s placed right next to an
actual
 Ferrari 458… and that’s exactly what Strekal and his team did.

In an odd stroke of luck, Ilya Strekal came across an actual Ferrari 458 while driving his homemade version around the streets of St Petersburg. And according to him, the driver of the red Ferrari was so intrigued by his replica, that he even agreed to let them film the cars side-by-side for comparison.
Well, Strekal’s craftsmanship certainly shows through the video; as you can see from the video above, there’s really not much in between the two cars.
Screenshot:
Ilya Strekal/YouTube
Sure, Strekal’s replica is still pretty rough around the edges, so the curves and joints don’t look as organic as the Italian-made Ferrari 458. There’s also a couple of smaller issues, such as the angle of the various mesh grilles, and placement of the wing mirrors by the side, that are just off by a couple of millimetres or degrees.
Another Russian workshop turned a Ford Focus into a speedster! Check it out here
 Screenshot:
Ilya Strekal/YouTube
But these were issues that Strekal and his team couldn’t have discovered until they had an actual car for a side-by-side comparison – and even then, you had to look really closely to even tell the difference! Apart from these minor niggles, they’ve pretty much got everything else spot-on, from the lights, proportions, to even the shape of the random air inlets around the engine.
Speaking of replicas, Tamiya actually made a life-sized toy car that you can drive! Check it out here.

From the other videos on his channels, which shows the Ferrari 458 replica farther along its build, it seems like the crew have already managed to clean up some of these problems. With a fresh coat of yellow paint, we really couldn’t tell that this is not a real Ferrari.
 Screenshot:
Ilya Strekal/YouTube
The other videos also showed Strekal going through the painstaking process of recreating the entire dashboard, through custom fibreglass moulding and 3D printing, all to make it look as close to the original car as possible. If nothing, it just shows how enthusiastic these group of car nuts are at recreating their dream cars.
While the end product may not be a true Ferrari, the amount of work they’ve put into this build is certainly still an impressive feat, and the end result just speaks for itself. We’re just afraid that they’ll likely hear from an Italian lawyer very soon…
[H/T:
Carscoops
]
GALLERY


BMW Group Malaysia has donated over RM20k in child car seats subsidies to date!

In October last year, BMW Group Malaysia, through its financing arm BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia (BMWFSM), pledged on behalf of their customers to
donate RM100 to the BMW Safety 360° child car seats subsidy programme
 for every contract funded via its
BMW Engage
 online financing platform.
Now just three months later, the company announced today that it has contributed over RM20,000 in donations to the programme to date!
BMWFSM Managing Director, Tobias Eismann said, “We are pleased to announce that we will be able to subsidise over 300 more child car seats for families in need, from donations raised on our platform in the last three months. We are especially grateful to our customers who have played a key role in contributing to this fundraising initiative.
“Although there is less travel during this period, we want to continue accelerating the adoption of child safety seats to ensure children are safe on the road when travelling is allowed again,” he added.
Image:
 Facebook/Safe ‘n Sound
First introduced in December 2019, the
 BMW Safety 360 subsidy programme
has now recorded over 25,000 applicants from parents in the B40 income group.
Seeing the urgency for child car seats accessibility in Malaysia, Shopee later jumped on-board the call-to-action as the exclusive e-commerce partner, alongside baby and children goods brands KU.KU Duckbill and Otomo, educational toys and games distributor Mideer, food storage solutions provider Ankou, as well as car accessories distributor Kakimotor.
Each child car seat is made available with a RM50 subsidy and a RM13 delivery subsidy, in addition to a discounted price from Safe ‘n Sound that is exclusive for recipients of the subsidy programme. In total, the recipients will each receive a unique Shopee voucher worth RM113, which can be applied upon checkout at the Shopee dedicated microsite, linked
here
.
“Despite the delay on the ruling for child car seat enforcement, BMW Group Malaysia continues in our effort to promote the adoption of child car seats via the BMW Safety 360° Programme,” said BMW Group Malaysia head of Corporate Communications, Sashi Ambi. “We believe this is a shared responsibility not just amongst our partners, but the parents and the community around them as well, that can help ensure the highest level of safety on the road – even if travelling is restricted in the current climate.”
Ambi added, “Although the roads will be quieter this Chinese New Year, BMW Group Malaysia would like to wish all Malaysians a Happy Chinese New Year. We wish you and your loved ones safety, health and prosperity for this Year of the Ox.”
[Header image:
Facebook/Safe ‘n Sound
]


BMW M135i xDrive “Street Racer” Edition revealed in Japan, limited to 40 units

Come the 9th of September, BMW Japan will put for sale on their online store 40 units of the
M135i xDrive
 hot hatch aptly named the “Street Racer” edition.
Prices start from 6.9 million yen (approximately RM265k) and you get a fair bit of kit. For starters, it comes with an M Performance Package which includes black mirror caps, black mesh kidney grille, black exhaust tips, 18-inch style 554 M rims in Orbit Grey. The Street Racer is only available with a Alpin White exterior.
That’s not all, the boy racer look would not be complete without the roof spoiler, front splitter, side skirts also from M Performance. Sure doesn’t look like it’s trying too hard there.
First Drive: BMW F40 M135i xDrive in Johannesburg, South Africa. Find out what we think about BMW’s hot hatch!
Inside, the cabin gets M Sports seats, just like the M135i xDrive launched in Malaysia, except it’s in Blue along with M seat belts.
The M135i xDrive is priced at RM355,646, inclusive of SST exemptions. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission with 306 hp and 450 Nm to drive all four wheels.
0 to 100 km/h is done in 4.5 seconds, with top speed limited to 250 km/h.
Check out this drag race between the BMW M135i xDrive and the Mercedes-AMG A35 4MATIC!

GALLERY


Perodua Bezza Limited Edition sold out, 450 bookings made during Autoshow

Perodua displayed their
Perodua Bezza Limited Edition
 at the
2019 Malaysia Autoshow
 and all 50 units are snapped up! Not only that, the company has collected 450 bookings during the four-day event – the highest number of orders it has collected at the annual event.
The Myvi made up the biggest
chunk of the bookings but the Bezza Limited Edition was the star of the show that
weekend, according to Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Dato’ Dr Zahari
Husin.

Perodua Myvi received the most bookings
“For now, we are not
planning to introduce it (Bezza Limited Edition) as a retail variant as we want
these 50 units to be exclusive to the event,” added Dato’ Dr Zahari.
 At Rm3,000 more than the Bezza 1.3 Premium X, the specially-built sedan features an exclusive matte black rear spoiler, blacked-out roof, red door mirror covers, geometric graphics, GearUp body kit in matte black with red lower pinstripe and dark grey alloys measuring 14-inches in diameter. Ivory White is the only colour offered for the Bezza Limited Edition.
IMAGE GALLERY
Perodua Bezza Limited Edition at 2019 Malaysia Autoshow


Volkswagen recalls 9 different models over gearbox issue

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has just announced a recall on models made between 2011 to 2015. The recall aims to rectify the hydraulic pressure accumulator within the 7-speed dual clutch gearbox caused by a product deviation.
The models affected include the
Beetle
, Cross Touran, Golf Mk 6 and
Mk 7
,
Jetta
,
Passat (B7)
, Passat CC,
Polo
 and
Scirocco
 for a total of 12,732 vehicles. The recall does not affect Volkswagen models produced from 2016 onwards.
The recall by Volkswagen is due to the potential failure of the said component which can
lead to pressure loss, interrupting power transmission between the engine and the gearbox
.
The nationwide recall campaign will be done in phases to manage the number of cases. Affected owners will be contacted via mail with immediate effect. Alternatively, owners can
visit the Volkswagen website to check if their vehicles are affected
. Otherwise, owners are encouraged to call 1800-18-8947.
Subsequently, affected owners can contact any authorised Volkswagen service centre to have their cars inspected and parts replaced if necessary. Owners will not be charged for labour and replacement parts.
Additionally, owners will receive a
free Volkswagen Care Plus (VCP) membership
 card as a token of appreciation. VCP is an exclusive program for owners with vehicles that are 5-years and older. Member privileges include three 20% service discount vouchers, Free 2-years Roadside Assistance and 24-hour on-site battery support.
“While we have identified the number of vehicles involved in this recall, it is possible that not all the vehicles will require parts replacement. This is a significant exercise for us and we would like to ensure that all these vehicles are inspected,” said VPCM, Managing Director, Erik Winter.
For more information on the campaign, visit www.volkswagen.com.my or call Volkswagen customer care at 1800-18-8947.


RON95 at RM1.93/litre, Diesel Euro 2M at RM2.04/litre starting midnight

Its official, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) Malaysia has just announced that pump prices of RON95 will be RM1.93 per litre and Diesel Euro 2M will be at RM2.04 per litre starting midnight tomorrow (5 January 2019).
This marks the first time RON95 and diesel Euro 2M have seen a downward revision since March 2018. From tomorrow onwards, motorist will enjoy cheaper
RON95
 from RM2.20/litre to
RM1.93/litre
 and
Diesel Euro 2M
 from RM2.18/litre to
RM2.04/litre
. Pump prices of
RON97
 will also be 27 sen cheaper at the stroke of midnight down from RM2.50/litre to
RM2.23/litre
.
Effective immediately, all petroleum products will adopt a weekly floating pricing mechanism to better reflect global crude oil pricing movements. However, should global crude oil prices increase, the Pakatan Harapan Government will provide subsidies to
cap the price of RON95 to RM2.20/litre and Diesel Euro 2M at RM2.18/litre.
This announcement comes after a cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on Wednesday (2 January 2019). The final fuel price was determined after discussions with all relevant stakeholders including Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia (PDAM) which takes into account dealer commission and margins.


Drivers still do not trust driverless vehicles, according to research

According to a new study conducted by researchers for Continental Tyres, as part of its Vision Zero initiative, a commitment to reduce traffic fatalities, drivers are not convinced that automated and driverless vehicles will deliver on the promised benefits.
The research was conducted on
2,000 motorists
 and when asked what benefits a driverless vehicle would deliver, the second most popular response was
“none”
 as more than a third of respondents could not identify any advantages that come with that technology.
When addressing their concerns, the top six issues were negative with some highlighting the
fear of conceding control
. Motorists are three times more likely to be scared of autonomous vehicles
due to loss of personal control than to realise its benefits
.
Majority are of the opinion that driverless cars make people lazy and reliant on technology and there are too many risk that comes with the technology; like being hacked for example.
Continental Tyres safety expert, Mark Griffiths said, “Drivers are more concerned with the current real world issues like congestion, cost of motoring and environmental impact and technological solutions being developed now aren’t exactly solutions for the current issues.
He continued by saying, “It is the job of manufacturers like Continental, to inform drivers the immediate and near future gains from the exciting technological developments. In the past the benefits from some advances have been self-evident, such as tyre pressure monitoring systems or anti-lock brakes.
When asked what issues should be prioritised by automotive and technology companies, half of road users agreed it should be improved road safety. This was followed by almost 50% of people saying more economical vehicles using existing and new fuels and 47% saying less traffic on the roads.


Lotus Exige 410 Sport is Lotus’ idea of a road-orientated sports car

Seems like the folks at Lotus Cars can’t get enough of “track-focused” Exiges as they add yet another variant to the line up – the Lotus Exige Sport 410. Slotting between the
Exige Cup 430
 and
Exige Cup 380
, the Exige Sport 410 serves as the stable’s ultimate road-oriented sports car.
The Exige Sport 410 takes after the track-focused Exige Cup 430, adopting the same chassis, suspension and powertrain set-up. The 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine has been recalibrated to develop
416 hp
 (410 bhp) and
 420 Nm
 of torque paired to a close ratio six-speed manual transmission with an open-gate gearshift design. Century sprint is done in
3.4 seconds
, onwards to a top speed of
290 km/h
 for the coupe and
233 km/h
 for the roadster.
Visually, the Exige Sport 410 wears wider aperture grilles in the new front clam panel, an extended Aluminium diffuser and a new rear wing that contributes to a
 total downforce of 150 kg
. Stopping power is courtesy of AP Racing’s four-piston callipers tucked away behind ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels measuring 17-inch front and 18-inch rear.
To keep the sports car in check, Lotus has fitted the Exige Sport 410 with three-way adjustable Nitron dampers, Eibach adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars as well as Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (215/45 ZR17 front and 285/30 ZR18 rear).

Other performance enhancing options include a full titanium exhaust system, carbon fibre trims for the instrument binnacle, sill covers, barge boards and roof, electrical cut-off and fire extinguisher controls, airbag deletion, 4-point harnesses and FIA compliant roll cage.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO, Group Lotus plc said, “With every new Lotus we look to move the bar higher and apply technology and development ideas drawn from top-of-the-range models. Our agility as a company means that the lessons learnt today can quickly be incorporated into the cars of tomorrow and the Exige Sport 410 is a perfect example of this. We have taken the Exige Cup 430, the ultimate track-centric Exige, and developed it into the perfect road orientated sports car, ensuring that we stay ahead of rivals when it comes to cars that deliver a truly engaging analogue driving experience.”
IMAGE GALLERY


Ferrari 488 GTB arrives in Malaysia, priced at RM1.07 mil before taxes [+Video]

Ferrari, together with authorised Malaysian importer Naza Italia, have launched the new
Ferrari 488 GTB
 with an introductory price of RM1,068,800. Hold your horses now, because the price stated is excluding taxes and excise duty.
The 488 GTB, the acronym of which is Gran Turismo Berlinetta, replaces the highly acclaimed 458 Italia, and at first glance bears great resemblance to the car it succeeds. It isn’t an entirely new car, but more of a refreshed and modern take on its successful predecessor.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Ferrari 488 GTB
Engine
3,902cc; turbocharged V8
Transmission
7-speed F1 dual clutch transmission
Max Power
661 hp @ 8,000 rpm
Max Torque
760 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
0 to 100 km/h; Top Speed
3.0 seconds; 330 km/h
Price before taxes and duty
RM1,068,800.00
EXTERIOR
As such, almost all body panels on the 488 is new. The front fascia features larger air intakes with two “fangs” in the lower grille that functions by channelling air towards the flat underbody. It also carries over the 458 GT-derived aerodynamic underbody with vortex generators.

Long-time Ferrari followers will notice the doors features a deep scalloped design first seen on the 308 GTB and cuts upwards into the air intake. It sits on
20-inch wheels
 as standard, with the front wearing 245/35 series tyres and the back, 305/30 profile.
Round the back, this turbocharged Ferrari receives more extensive aerodynamic revision courtesy of a new bumper with diffuser that incorporates active flaps, including a “blown” spoiler, as Ferrari calls it. The result is a
50 percent increase in downforce
 compared to the 458. Its LED tail lights have also been updated, complemented by an F1-inspired fog lamps and dual exhaust pipes (the 458 had three pipes).
INTERIOR
The cabin on the other hand, remains largely the same. Although many would prefer an updated interior, but in the case of a Ferrari, familiarity does not breed contempt. The design layout is still very much driver-oriented, and the ergonomics are thoughtfully placed to ensure that everything is within reach.

What’s new however, are the updated infotainment screen and keyless push-to-start.
PERFORMANCE
Contrary to typical Ferrari fashion, the 488 doesn’t represent the 4.8-litre V8 engine that we would expect, because here it gets a downsized
3.9-litre twin-turbocharged
 engine. Make no mistake, although it’s 600cc smaller, the 488 GTB boasts the best power-to-weight ratio of any road-going Ferraris to date.
Here are the numbers. The engine makes
661 horsepower
 at 8,000 rpm (the previous 4.5-litre NA engine redlines at 9,000 rpm) an
760 Nm of torque
 from 3,000 rpm. That’s a good
98 horsepower
 and
220 Nm
 of torque more than the 458! This allows the 488 GTB to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
3.0 seconds
 and 0 to 200 km/h in
8.3 seconds
 before reaching a claimed top speed of
330 km/h
.
Listen to the #Ferrari #488GTB roar! #wordsarenotenough
A video posted by AutoBuzz.my (@autobuzzmy) on
Jun 15, 2015 at 9:01pm PDT
It gets mated to the familiar
seven-speed F1-derived dual clutch automatic
 with Variable Boost Management which optimally distributes torque. Aiding the 488’s cornering abilities is an evolved
Side Slip Control 2
 (SSC2), that is said to be more precise and less intrusive than before.
WHAT ELSE?
You might have noticed that the 488 here is a left hand drive version, but it’s merely a display unit that will be touring elsewhere in our region. It will come here in a RHD configuration, and Ferrari is asking for a base price of
RM1,068,800
, excluding duties, taxes and of course, personalisation.
The car is projected to be sold in excess of
RM2 million
, and about 20 units of the car have been booked to date.
IMAGE GALLERY


The all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a luxury sedan ready for the future

After months and months of
teasers
 and
previews
, we’ve now finally gotten the last missing piece of the puzzle as Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled the all-new S-Class, set to take the luxury sedan segment by storm thanks to the densely packed technologies.
As we’ve seen from the
leaks
, the all-new S-Class features a completely new exterior design, with many elements borrowed from the other new Mercedes-Benz stablemates. The entire front fascia is dominated by the new ginormous grille, which is now more angular, and sports a slimmer chrome surround.
Despite its large size though, it doesn’t really look all that out of place (ahem,
BMW 7 Series
), giving the luxury sedan a strong imposing stature. A plastic panel houses all of the advanced driver assistance sensors and radars, and as is standard on the

S-Class
, the three-pointed star stands loud and proud on top of the bonnet – no matter which variant.
The new grille is flanked by slimmer headlights, featuring an eyebrow style boomerang daytime-running light signature that also works as the turn indicators. Multibeam LED headlights are standard, while an optional Digital Light system uses 1.3-million micro-mirrors to refract and direct more than 2.6-million individual light beams from three extremely-powerful LEDs onto the road.
Thanks to the extremely high resolution (more than your regular 1080p video), the Digital Light headlights can even project important information such as warning symbols onto the road surface, or even highlight pedestrians on the road. It’s integrated right into the new MBUX system, and will also adjust its beam based on the topography with information extracted from the navigation system.
The body panels on the side of the all-new S-Class have been cleaned up, with the character line now moved upwards sitting just below the window sills, and has also been extended even further rearwards, almost connecting the headlights and taillights together.
For an even cleaner look, customers can opt for the pop-up door handles that retracts flush into the doors when not in use. Wheel options range from 18-inch to 21-inch items depending on the variants selected.
At the back, the designers took inspiration from the
new CLS

for the taillights, which are now two-piece horizontal items, joined by a chrome strip across the entire boot lid. The taillights feature tiny individual lighting elements, which can be used for displaying lighting animations.
Despite having a very similar exterior shape to the outgoing model, Mercedes-Benz said that that the drag coefficient of the new S-Class has been dropped to 0.22 (from 0.24), making it one of the most aerodynamic series production model. The use of aluminium in its underbody structure also helps bring down the weight by up to 60 kg, despite being larger in size.
Sticking to the S-Class’s reputation, Mercedes-Benz has fitted a whole boatload of cutting-edge technology onto the all-new luxury sedan, especially within the nautical-inspired cabin.
We’ve covered some of the main features including the new
portrait-oriented MBUX infotainment display
 in a previous entry, but key highlights include the
new active interior ambient lighting
, three-dimensional digital instrument cluster with eye tracking, augmented-reality head-up display, driver profile authentication via fingerprint, facial, or voice recognition, over-the-air updates, as well as the first-ever
rear-passenger frontal airbags
.
Being an S-Class, passenger comfort is obviously of the upmost importance. Aside from the improved driving position, redesigned seats, and increased legroom, rear passengers will have a choice of five different seating positions, including the conventional fixed backrests and reclining options, as well as an executive seat option with extended reclining capabilities, and a fixed first-class-style centre console.
At launch, the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class will be available in four different powertrain options, with the 4Matic all-wheel drive system pretty much standard across the board barring one diesel option. On the petrol side, a 3.0-litre M256 turbocharged inline-six engine makes up the S 450 4Matic (
367 hp
,
500 Nm
) and S 500 4Matic (
435 hp
,
520 Nm
).
Both petrol variants include a 48V integrated starter/generator that provides an
additional 22 hp and 250 Nm of boost
 when needed. As a result, the S 450 does the century sprint in just
5.1 seconds
, while the S 500 shaves off an additional 0.2 seconds to
4.9 seconds
.
On the diesel end, both the S 350 d and S 400 d 4Matic are powered by a 3.0litre OM656 inline-six turbodiesel, delivering
286 hp
 and
600 Nm
 on the 350 d, and
330 hp
 and
700 Nm
 for the S 400 d 4Matic.
The company says that further drivetrains will follow, including a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine with 48V mild-hybrid technology for the S580, as well as the S580e which pairs the M256 three-litre inline-six engine with a gearbox-mounted electric motor for a combined output of 517 hp.
Autocar UK
 also reports that a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 will be available on the Maybach S650 variant, while two AMG badged models – the S63e 4Matic+ and S73e 4Matic+ – is currently under final development, powered by the turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine paired to an electric motor on the rear axle.
Other driving improvements include a standard-fit Airmatic air suspension with adaptive dampers, along with a new optional E-Active Body Control system which uses the 48V electric power to provide active damping on each corners, keeping the car level during acceleration, braking, or even on rougher terrains thanks to the Road Surface Scan feature. The Curve function also allows the car to tilt into a corner much like a motorcycle, enhancing cornering abilities and reducing lateral forces on the occupants.
The all-new S-Class also comes with an upgraded rear-wheel steering system, with an optional package to increase the rear-wheel steering angle up to 10 degrees. Despite its size, Mercedes-Benz says that its turning diameter of under 11 metres is comparable to the compact A-Class.
We’d imagine the rear-wheel steering also helps immensely with parking the large luxury sedan, though if you really don’t want to do it yourself, there’s a new
Intelligent Parking Pilot
 to park the car for you without needing a driver – which means it’s a
Level 4 autonomous
 feature. The system is currently undergoing certification to be approved for legal use.
On the roads, the all-new S-Class is capable of a
 Level 3 autonomous driving
 on selected highway sections in dense traffic, at up to speeds of 60 km/h. The new Drive Pilot system allows drivers to go hands-off for extended periods using lidar sensors and additional cameras. The system will be rolled out in Germany starting in the second half of next year, and will soon be activated in other countries once they’ve gotten the required legal certifications. The performance of the system can also be improved via over-the-air updates over time.
Other driver assistance features have also been upgraded, including the autonomous emergency braking with improved cross traffic and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control which can now prevent collisions at up to 130 km/h, lane centering assist, lane change assist, evasive steering assist, active emergency stop assist, blind spot monitoring, as well as the parking assist system.
IMAGE GALLERY


There’ll finally be an all-new Mitsubishi ASX, 13 years since first-gen’s debut

Remember the
Mitsubishi ASX
? Even though it might now look a little different (thanks to
three
 major facelift exercises
), the little Lancer-based crossover is still essentially the same car that was launched all the way back in 2009, and a full-model change is long overdue.
Well, the good news is an all-new Mitsubishi ASX is finally coming soon… but the bad news is that it might not be for us here in Malaysia.
First facelift
Third facelift
Designed for the European market, the next-generation Mitsubishi ASX will be built on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s CMF-B platform – the same architecture underpinning the
Nissan Juke
 and
Renault Captur
.
While we won’t know exactly how the car looks like until the launch (aside from the shadowy teaser images here), we do know that it’ll be offered in five different powertrain options, including traditional full hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants.
Kicking things off on the base variant will be a 90 hp 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which will be paired exclusively to a six-speed manual gearbox – which, perhaps not too surprisingly, is also the same entry point as the Renault Captur in Europe.
The range then moves up to a 1.3-litre direct injection engine, which will be offered in two different states of tune – a 138 hp version that will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission, or a 155 hp variant that will only be available with a seven-speed DCT.
ALSO READ: The all-new Renault Captur just demands a second look!
The character lines at the back look nearly identical to that of the all-new Renault Captur
The more interesting ones however are the two electrified options, starting with the HEV with 143 hp, and a PHEV with 158 hp; both electrified powertrains are based on the same 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated four-pot petrol mill that’s also shared with the Renault Captur.
Both models get a pair of electric motors for their non-combustion drive, but the PHEV gets a significantly larger battery at 10.5 kWh (compared to the 1.3 kWh on the HEV) that should offer it a fully-electric range upwards of 60 km, as the Captur does.
The all-new European-market Mitsubishi ASX is set to make its world debut in September this year, with sales scheduled to begin in spring 2023. Would you want to see the Mitsubishi ASX make a return to Malaysia in this form? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and who knows, it might just work – we won’t hold our breath though.


JCB just set the record for the World’s Fastest Tractor, again – this time at 217 km/h!

Remember the
very pointless but also very cool tractor
 that could do 160 km/h? Well, the team thought that they could do better, and went on to build an even faster version of their record-breaking Fastrac tractor in less than 5 months – this time reaching a peak speed of
247.47 km/h
.
In the hands of motorcycle racer and daredevil Guy Martin, the JCB Fastrac Two tractor recorded an average speed (over two runs) of
217.57 km/h
, which has been recorded in the
Guinness Book of Records
 as the World’s Fastest Tractor (modified).

The Fastrac 2 has undergone massive modifications to achieve such a feat – although JCB says the record-breaking tractor still maintains
 over 50% standard Fastrac parts
.
Firstly, the 7.2-litre JCB 672 diesel engine has been updated to produce over
1016 hp
 and
2500 Nm
 of torque. Aerodynamics has also been improved by
10%
 over the Fastrac One (and 25% over the standard tractor), thanks to the aerodynamics wizards at
 Williams Advanced Engineering
, a division of the Williams F1 Team.
In order to achieve the mind-boggling speed, the tractor also had to shed significant weight. The Fastrac Two was made
3,500 kg lighter
 thanks to the use of aluminium instead of steel, along with carbon fibre body work. The chassis itself dropped from 750 kg to 480 kg.
Of course, safety is a huge priority, even with Guy Martin driving the tractor. JCB fitted a FIA-approved roll cage and six-point racing harness, along with a “Plan B” parachute, and uprated advanced split-type air/hydraulic braking system to the Fastrac Two for maximum protection of the driver.
Guy Martin said, “It doesn’t feel like a tractor [to drive]. From the outside it looks like a tractor but it doesn’t to sit in and it doesn’t go anything like a tractor.” We certainly have no doubts about that.


Hyundai to build a two-seater hybrid sportscar? Yes please!

The impending
Hyundai Veloster
 aside, it’s about time we see a two-seater sportscar from the largest South Korean carmaker / the third largest vehicle manufacturer in the world.
Since the Consumer Electric Show in Las Vegas kicked off this week, Hyundai has been busy showcasing their new fuel cell vehicle and autonomous driving technologies.
The Hyundai PassoCorto concept unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show
Speaking at the same event, the brand’s chief designer, formerly in charge of penning the Lamborghini Gallardo and Murcielago cited that a
proper sports car could be in the pipeline
.
Hyundai’s Vice Chairman of Research and Development also reportedly said that
a serious sportscar, with a mixed powertrain
 is probably something the brand needs at this time and would like to have the idea of it promoted.
It was also cited that the “N division” of the brand will be working on it – currently headed by former head of BMW’s M division, Albert Biermann. While there isn’t a specific timeline for the two-seater sportscar, we’ve all seen what the
Hyundai i30 N
 is capable of so what’s certain are exciting times ahead for Hyundai.
Source:
CarAdvice


BMW once made an M3 based on the E36 3 Series Compact

Despite making two whole generations of it, the BMW 3 Series Compact is still a rare sight these days. The Compact just never sold well in many parts of the world, probably due to its odd proportions and funky looks – I mean, just look at
these headlights
.
Over the years though, the compact 3-er has gained itself a loyal following, with many swearing by its supposedly “better” handling characteristics. And what better way to prove your point than the fact that BMW M engineers wanted to make a car out of it?

The E36 M3 Compact was never sold, but BMW did actually make one, literally, supposedly as a gift to commemorate the 50th anniversary of German enthusiast publication
 Auto Motor und Sport
 in 1996. And BMW Group Classic’s latest YouTube video gave us a closer look at the unicorn.
Proper M Power.
The E36 Compact is pretty much identical to the regular 3 Series from the front of the car up until the B-pillars, which means it had enough space to fit a full-blown S50B32 3.2-litre inline-six engine underneath its bonnet, making a whopping
321 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque.
For context, the most powerful BMW E36 3 Series Compact you could buy was a 323ti, shown earlier in the video, which made 170 hp from its 2.5-litre inline-six engine – and that was already being marketed as the “sportier” model in the line-up, noted by its
‘ti’ (for
Turismo Internazionale
) badge
.
The host pointed out in the video that the engine looks “serial production standard” in the engine bay, adding that “everything is meant to be in here, so they could have built it right away.” But why didn’t they? According to BMW’s own
retrospective article
 on their website, it could well be because it was
 too
 powerful – yes, seriously.
You see, thanks to its shorter hind, the E36 Compact actually weighs about
215 kg lighter
than the regular M3. As you can imagine, the extra power paired to a significant lighter body means that the E36 M3 Compact was probably quite a bit too much to handle, for regular folks like us anyway.
The article added that if the car had ever gone into series production, the engineers would probably have had to “dial down its power in order to improve drivability”. This, of course, never stopped some daredevil E36 Compact owners, who went ahead and shoehorned the S50 engines into their cars anyway, as BMW highlighted at the end of the video.
Anyway, for the M3 that never was, BMW also gave it a set of Recaro racing bucket seats, Alcantara trim, and a roll-bar to, you know, make it a little safer driving it. Over at the rear, the BMW E36 M3 Compact also gets a ducktail spoiler trim for some additional downforce, as well as a set of quad tailpipe exits – something even the actual production M3 never had.
Maybe it’s a good thing that this car never went on sale, because we already have enough things to spend our money on.


Buy a Mercedes-Benz with NZ Wheels and win a Ducati XDiavel!

NZ Wheels
, authorised dealer for Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Malaysia, has announced that those who purchase
selected Mercedes-Benz vehicles
 will stand a chance to win a Ducati XDiavel S through the Double Celebrations campaign.
The Double Celebrations campaign will run from 13th of July to 30th September 2020. Those who purchase selected Mercedes-Benz vehicles from any authorised NZ Wheels Autohaus will be entitled to ONE (1) contest entry. Participants will have to fill a form with the proof of purchase attached to be in the running to win the Ducati XDiavel S worth RM161k.
The Ducati XDiavel S.
Details of the grand prize winner will be announced 30 days after the contest period. The announcement will be made on the NZ Wheels website and its social media platforms such as
 Instagram
 and Facebook. Winners will also be notified via telephone and will be invited to a prize presentation ceremony held at NZ Wheels premises.
NZ Wheels Autohaus is located in
Klang
,
 Bangsar
and
Johor Bharu
. More information on the NZ Wheels Double Celebration campaign is available on NZ Wheels’ Facebook and Instagram platforms. Alternatively customers can call 018 204 7763 for more info.


MINI Cooper S Convertible is an RM280k fashion statement

In conjunction with MINI’s
60
th
 Birthday, MINI Malaysia has just launched the MINI Convertible to
the local market. Only 20 units of this premium soft top MINI will be imported
by the official local distributor and is priced at RM279,888 (OTR without
insurance).
The powered fabric roof that can be stowed away in 18 seconds at speeds of up to 30 km/h further elevates MINI’s hallmark Go Kart driving experience. Other than the fabric roof (with Union Jack pattern), the MINI Convertible shares the same exterior equipment as the MINI Cooper S with LED headlamps, Union Jack LED taillamps and 17-inch Rail Spoke design alloy wheels.

Being the Cooper S variant, the MINI Convertible packs a B48 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and 7-speed Steptronic Sports dual-clutch automatic transmission to drive the front wheels. Output is rated at
192 hp
 and
280 Nm
 of torque, allowing the MINI Convertible to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
7.1 seconds
 onwards to a top speed of
 230 km/h
.
The cabin is furnished
in a Malt Brown theme for the upholstery, MINI Yours illuminated Union Jack
interior trim, MINI Yours Nappa leather steering wheel with paddle shifters and
6.5-inch MINI Centre Instrument touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay
connectivity.
A total of 5 exterior colours are available Chili Red, Solaris Orange, Melting Silver, Starlight Blue and Caribbean Aqua which is exclusive to the convertible model. Every purchase before 31 August 2019 will receive a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty and 5-Years/80,000 km Free Scheduled Service in conjunction with MINI’s 60
th
-anniversary celebration.
IMAGE GALLERY
MINI Cooper S Convertible Launched in Malaysia


All-new 2019 Lexus ES250 now in Malaysia with two variants – Premium & Luxury

Launched simultaneously with the new 2019 Lexus RX is the new 2019 Lexus ES250; now available in two variants –
Premium at RM299,888
 and
Luxury at RM332,888
.
Under the hood is a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine with
204 hp
 and
247 Nm
, paired to an 8-speed Direct Shift Automatic Transmission. Under its skin, the ES Luxury’s handling is further enhanced with performance dampers.
0 to 100 km/h takes 9.1 seconds with top speed rated at 210 km/h. The all-new Lexus ES’ fuel consumption is rated at 15km/L.
On the outside, the ES Luxury is equipped with Ultra Compact 3-beam LED projectors with Adaptive High Beam System and sequential turn signals while the Premium variant makes do with Bi-LED projector units and bulb type signals.
The Luxury variant also stands out with a hands-free boot. Both models come with cornering lights, a moonroof and a Blind Spot Monitor.
Inside, both variants have been lined with a mix of wood and leather trims, paddle shifters, 7-inch TFT display, Pioneer 10-speaker sound system, seat ventilation and an electronic parking brake.
The Luxury model stands out with a 3-zone air conditioning system, rear sunshades, 12.3-inch touchscreen display, heads up display, wireless charging, 10-way power adjustable for the front seats and 2-way reclining rear seats.
The Premium model on the other hand gets dual zone air conditioning, an 8-inch touchscreen display and 8-way power adjustable front seats.
Safety wise, the both the ES 250 variants get Lexus Safety System+ which includes the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist with steering control and Pre Collision System. While both models may get 10 airbags, only the Luxury variant gets a panoramic view monitor.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota reveals special edition Supra to celebrate 35th anniversary

Toyota has unveiled the
Supra
 “35th Anniversary Edition”, with only 70 units available. The
BMW Z4
-based sportscar is priced between 6.5 million yen for the SZ-R model and 7.8 million yen for the RZ. Toyota will only be producing 35 units of each.
Video: Chasing the GR Supra in a GR Yaris at Sepang! Watch it on our YouTube channel!
The differences between the standard and the 35th Anniversary Edition are mostly aesthetics. Funnily enough, the unique Lightning Yellow paint job you see here isn’t part of the special edition; to make it exclusive.
No, in fact, it’s a 33,000 yen (RM1,200) option, before tax.
Watch us put the Toyota Supra and BMW M2 Competition side by side in a drag race!
In the SZ-R model, you get red calipers with Supra graphics which you don’t in the standard model, matte black side mirror covers a special matte metallic storm gray paint, and wireless charging. It also comes with a different pedal design and seats wrapped with a mix of Alcantara and leather.
In the RZ, you get all of the above except with the exception of full leather seats; no Alcantara there. Both the special edition Supra models share the same 19-inch wheel design and come with “35th Anniversary” carbon fibre trims on the dashboard.
Locally, the Supra starts from
RM589,987
 inclusive of SST exemptions. The 3.0-litre turbocharged engine and 8-speed auto combination deliver 340 hp and 500 Nm. 0 to 100 km/h is done in 4.3 seconds with a top speed rated at 250 km/h.
Watch our full review of the A90 Toyota Supra here!
GALLERY


Honda WR-V debuts in Thailand – Ativa rival coming to Malaysia soon?

The small SUV
Honda WR-V
 has been launched in Thailand, following its Indonesian launch late last year. About the size of a Perodua Ativa, the Honda WR-V is made available in two variants in Thailand, namely the SV and RS, with prices starting at THB 799,000 (approx.
RM104k
).
For those unfamiliar with the WR-V, it is a Raize/Rocky rival in Indonesia. It is essentially a smaller 5-seater version of the Honda BR-V. The WR-V has been spotted in camouflage in Malaysia earlier this year, and if it were to be launched here, it would rival the beloved
Perodua Ativa
.
Compared to the Ativa, the WR-V is shorter in length and height, but slightly wider. The WR-V measures 4,060 mm long, 1,780 mm wide, and 1,608 mm tall. Its wheelbase is 2,485 mm long, which is 40 mm shorter than the Ativa’s.
Currently in its second generation, the WR-V first made its world debut in 2016. WR-V stands for Winsome Runabout Vehicle and the first generation was specifically built for the South African and Indian market. The first generation was based on the Honda fit, but the second generation is based on the
Honda BR-V
.
Powering the Honda WR-V is a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated gasoline engine that produces
121 hp
 (metric) and
145 Nm
. Paired with the 4-cylinder engine is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that sends power to the front wheels only.
Standard features on the Honda WR-V in Thailand include automatic LED Headlights, electrically adjustable and foldable side mirrors, leather steering wheel with tilt adjustment, synthetic leather and fabric combi seats, automatic air conditioning, a 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.
The Honda WR-V is also equipped with the brand’s Honda Sensing ADAS Suite which consists of a collision mitigation braking system (CMBS), a Lane-Keeping Assist System (LKAS), a Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN) system, and Auto High Beam (AHB).


Volvo Car Malaysia opens first 3S centre in Sabah

Volvo Car Malaysia together with new dealer-partner Sebangga Mitsinbo of Sebangga Group, recently launched a new 3S (Sales, Service, and Spare Parts) centre in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, making it the sole authorised Volvo car dealer in the state. The new outlet joins a network of 13 other Volvo dealerships across the country.
The new
5,432 square feet
 Volvo 3S centre in Sabah is built upon the same Volvo Retail Experience (VRE) visual identity as seen on all other Volvo outlets in the country, featuring open space and “minimalistic-but-functional” furniture.
The two-storey space features a showroom at the ground floor with several models on display, a service centre, as well as a Volvo Car Lifestyle Collection and Accessories showcase. As usual, all the latest Volvo models, including the recently-launched
locally-assembled S60 T8 R-Design
 will be available for test drives.
Volvo Car Malaysia Managing Director Nalin Jain said, “With the establishment of a 3S centre in Kota Kinabalu, it reinforces our commitment to make roads safer – our vision is that no one should be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo car.
“With this partnership, our hope for this new dealership is to make premium, safe and quality vehicles accessible to the Sabahan community and from there, spur a movement of being safe on the road,” added Jain.
The Sebangga Mitsinbo Volvo 3S centre is located at
Lot 923, Jalan Tuaran, Taman Sinar 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
. For more information and enquiries, customers can visit the Volvo Car Malaysia dealership website, located
here
, or call
+608 830-9888
.
For the latest revised price list of Volvo vehicles in Malaysia in reflection of the
sales tax exemptions
 until the end of 2020, click
here
.


The all-new MINI John Cooper Works GP turns everything up to 11

The GP badge on a MINI has always been reserved for the most extreme race inspired hatches to roll out of the brand’s Oxford plant and this is probably their best yet – the all new MINI John Cooper Works GP.
Yes it’s still a MINI, so it still has the iconic silhouette, along with the iconic elliptical headlights and Union Jack taillights.
There’s the hood scoop and honeycomb grille design from the JCW too, but the GP-specific front and rear fascias, flared fenders, widened track and lower ride height all give the GP an outrageously aggressive stance.
Looking at the flared fenders, you’ll see that it actually extends rearwards into something similar of a barge board from a Formula 1 car – truly embracing its race-inspired spirit. MINI calls these “spats”, and they’re made out of hand-crafted carbon fibre.
And just look at that ridiculous rear wing which looks almost too big for the car. The aerodynamic pieces of the car are not all show and no talk either – they are all functional to help with downforce and cooling of the MINI JCW GP. While we’re at the back, the double stainless steel tailpipes are the largest in diameter MINI has ever made.
The bonkers hot hatch rides on 18-inch lightweight forged wheels, with a reimagined MINI JCW GP four-spoke design. MINI also says that it’s the lightest 18-inch forged wheels ever featured in a MINI at less than nine kilograms, contributing to the weight savings of the car.
The powertrain is also the most extreme ever in a MINI, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mill that churns out
306 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque – the latter available at just 1,750 rpm. Pair that to the 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission and the MINI JCW GP does 0 to 100 km/h in just
5.2 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
265 km/h
.
Unfortunately though, there won’t be a three-pedal version of the JCW GP. Though if the GP is meant to be a distillation of the ultimate MINI race car for the road, we can see why MINI went with this choice.
The 74 hp upgrade from the standard JCW is due to upgraded engine internals, newly engineered turbocharger, larger intakes and reworked exhaust. MINI also equipped the JCW GP with an upgraded oil and cooling system, so the new powertrain can take a beating while you drive it the way it’s meant to be driven – like a race car.
Brakes has also been upgraded with
360 mm discs
 and
 four-piston front calipers
, while the rear has single-pot floating calipers. Other performance upgrades include additional reinforcements in the engine bay and chassis, along with stiffer suspension bushings, a strut bar at the front, and a mechanical differential lock for the front wheels.
Inside, the ridiculousness continues with the stripped out rear seats, as well as a new free-standing digital cluster on the steering column for the ultimate race car experience. 3D printing was also used generously in the interior, including the aluminium shift pedals, steering wheel clasp, and a decorative trim strip which bears the vehicle’s production number.
Each MINI John Cooper Works GP will have it’s own production number emblazoned proudly on the interior trim piece, as well as the front spats, because
MINI will only be making 3,000 of these
. No official pricing has been announced yet, but we won’t expect it to be cheap (or even land here in Malaysia), as the
standard JCW
 already costs RM283,888. Oh well, a man can dream.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen’s Langkawi outlet gets upgraded, now a dedicated 3S Centre

Volkswagen owners in Langkawi Island take note; the Volkswagen dealership operated by Goh Brothers Motor Sdn Bhd located in Pusat Bandar Kuah (Kuah Town) has been upgraded to a
3S
 (Sales, Service and Spare Parts) facility.
The single storey,
9,370 square feet
 facility has
three service bays
 that can accommodate up to
five vehicles
. Customers who send their cars in for service can benefit from the designated lounge with WiFi accessibility, along with complimentary beverages. The facility will also provide mobility solutions to its customers, which goes in line with Volkswagen’s efforts to make customer experience better.
Volkswagen Group Malaysia’s (VGM) Managing Director, Mr Armin Keller said, “We are very excited to announce the launch of the new Volkswagen Langkawi facility. This new facility is a testament to our commitment to the market and compliments our promise, ‘Always by your side’, that showcases the journey with our customers throughout the entire product life cycle. We are glad that our esteemed partner, Goh Brothers Motors, is helping us bring this promise to life by extending our brand experience from the mainland to the island.”
The launch gambit was officiated by Kedah’s Chief Minister, Dato’ Sri Mukhriz Mahathir. Goh Brothers Motor Sdn Bhd also plans to open a new 4S Centre (Sales, Service, Spare Parts and Spray Paint) in Batu Caves sometime this year.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Both VW Beetle Bug Edition and Beetle Club variants all snapped up, says Volkswagen Malaysia

Back in August, we brought you news of the limited-edition version of the Beetle called the
Club Edition
. Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) announced that only 50 units have been allocated for the Malaysian market. Interestingly, 200 units of the limited Beetle Bug edition has been earmarked locally since its announcement in April 2015.
The
Beetle Bug Edition
 (pictured below) on the other hand, was launched earlier this year in April with a sticker price of RM146,888. It came with aesthetic add-ons like the VW Bug
side sills
,
side decals
,
racing
 and body
stripes
embellishments with the
 Bug logo
, and all units were snapped up by September.
Volkswagen Beetle Bug Edition
The Beetle Club edition was fully imported from Mexico and priced at RM152,888. Now, what sets this Bug apart from its ‘ordinary’ siblings are down to key few differences such as the
17″ Ravenna alloy
 wheels wrapped in a set of Continental
ContiPremiumContact2
 rubbers and
decals
 that run the length of the car’s lower half with the
“Club”
 lettering. The Club was painted in signature
Habanero Orange
 which lends to its country of origin.
Pleased with the sales of the Volkswagen Beetles,
Mr Armin Keller
, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Malaysia said, “The Beetle on its own is an
Icon
 and the past 60 years of presence in Malaysia is proof. With every limited edition, Volkswagen aims to
engage
 and
excite
Beetle fans. With that said, fans and customers should keep an eye out for the
next
 limited edition which could be
coming soon
 – another reason to get excited about.”


For RM128k, the Mazda CX-5 2.0 GL is the most “value for money” SUV on sale

Before this 0% GST saga, the
Mazda CX-5 2.0 GL
 was already widely known as one of the most good-looking, practical and cost-effective SUV (or even vehicle) you can buy at just RM135,665.50.
Now, with a “6% discount”, it’ll only set you back
RM128,030.99
 and sure, it may not have leather seats, keyless entry, adaptive headlamps and LED tailights among others, it’s still quite a lot of car for the money – you can’t even get an entry-level
Honda CR-V
 for that sum.
SUV/MPV/4×4
Current Price
Without GST
Mazda CX-3 2.0
RM134,338.30
RM126,775.51
Mazda CX-5 2.0 GL 2WD
RM135,665.50
RM128,030.99
Mazda CX-5 2.0 GLS 2WD
RM149,665.50
RM141,238.53
Mazda CX-5 2.5 GLS
RM162,056.70
RM152,950.49
Mazda CX-5 2.2 D 2WD
RM165,639.10
RM156,316.66
Mazda CX-5 2.2 D AWD
RM176,239.10
RM166,316.66
Mazda CX-9 2.5 2WD
RM281,449.70
RM265,585.40
Mazda CX-9 2.5 AWD
RM297,349.70
RM280,585.40
Mazda Biante 2.0
RM148,898.50
RM140,514.95
Mazda BT-50 2.2 MT
RM107,457.70
RM101,428.88
Mazda BT-50 2.2 AT
RM112,457.70
RM106,145.86
Mazda BT-50 3.2 AT
RM123,816.10
RM116,938.22
Here are the other price revisions extended to Mazda’s sedans, hatchbacks and the alluring Mazda MX-5 RF. Prices are
effective from
1st June 2018
 onwards
, until further directives are issued by the Government.
Sedan & Hatchback
Current Price
Without GST
Mazda 2 1.5 SDN H/B GVC/LED
RM92,886.30
RM87,645.00
Mazda 2 1.5 SDN H/B GVC/LED (Soul Red)
RM93,416.30
RM88,145.00
Mazda 2 1.5 SDN H/B
(Non LED/GVC)
RM87,586.30
RM82,645.00
Mazda 2 1.5 SDN H/B
(Non LED/GVC) (Soul Red)
RM88,116.30
RM83,145.00
Mazda 2 1.5 Mid
RM74,866.30
RM70,645.00
Mazda 2 1.5 Mid (Soul Red)
RM75,396.30
RM71,645.00
Mazda 3 2.0 SDN (GL)
RM110,625.30
RM104,404.75
Mazda 3 2.0 SDN High
RM125,625.30
RM118,555.70
Mazda 3 2.0 HB
RM128,625.30
RM121,385.89
Mazda 6 2.0 SDN
RM165,518.30
RM156,190.60
Mazda 6 2.5 SDN
RM201,007.30
RM189,698.47
Mazda 6 2.5 Touring
RM205,007.30
RM193,472.06
Mazda 2.2 Diesel SDN
RM209,190.30
RM197,401.47
Mazda MX-5 RF AT
RM241,198.80
RM227,587.30
Mazda MX-5 RF MT
RM235,898.80
RM222,587.30


Mazda expands engine plant in Thailand, to produce 100,000 engines annually

Mazda Motor Corporation has just opened its new engine machining factory at its Mazda Powertrain Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (MPMT) plant in Chonburi Province, Thailand. The new facility will increase the plant’s annual engine production capacity to 100,000 units.
Mazda has invested a total of 22.1 billion Yen (RM780 million) to facilitate the upgrading works at the MPMT plant. Besides the increase in engine production capacity to 100,000 units, the new engine machining factory will now be able to assemble SkyActiv-G 2.0 petrol engines which will be subsequently supplied to manufacturing facilities in Malaysia and Vietnam.
The MPMT plant started its operations in 2013 and started manufacturing SkyActiv-Drive automatic transmission in January 2015, SkyActiv-D 1.5 diesel engine on October 2015 and SkyActiv-G 1.3 petrol engine in January 2016. The SkyActiv-G 2.0 petrol engine is the latest addition to the plant’s portfolio.
MPMT President and CEO, Mitsunobu Mukaida said, “I hope that the engines we make here at MPMT together with our suppliers will go into cars that become an indispensable part of the customer’s life. We will contribute to the growth of manufacturing in Thailand by working with the local community to build high-quality cars and helping to nurture the next generation of industry leaders.”
IMAGE GALLERY


New aero kit by Huber celebrates 10 years of the Lamborghini Aventador

Huber, a bespoke coach builder based in the United Arab Emirates, is celebrating 10 years of the
Lamborghini Aventador
 with the creation of a new kind of aero kit called ERA.
The “facelift aero kit” for the V12 Huber Aventador, which has been around since 2011, features a new front and rear bumper that’s made entirely of carbon fibre. These parts are available in exposed carbon fibre in various colours. There is also an optional carbon fibre bonnet available.

Led by founder Sean-Peter Huber, the Huber team is made up of designers with a common vision, and ties that date back to their university days as automotive design students.
“This new generation of designers are driven by the common understanding that the aftermarket can apply new aesthetic elements and functionalities to the techniques of OEM design studios to create a new, improved rendition on some of the world’s most revered supercars,” said Huber.
Huber’s mission is to come up with one-off designs and to build a community of collectors and car enthusiasts. Hoewever, over the years, the company has developed a diverse design collection that’s ready for production. The team aims to get many of these designs on the road, and, as Huber explains, “the ERA is just the beginning of a range of designs we wish to bring to life”.
GALLERY


Kia Grand Carnival to be launched at the end of this month, bookings opened!

Good news for buyers looking to purchase a large sized MPV. Naza Kia Malaysia has just confirmed that they will be launching the all-new Grand Carnival by the end of this month.
It first made its
local appearance
 at the 2016 Malaysian Autoshow, and this eight seater MPV will be fully imported and powered by a 2.2-litre CRDi four-cylinder turbodiesel. The engine makes
190 hp
 and
 440 Nm
 of torque. Drive is channelled to the front wheels via a six-speed torque converter automatic.
According to the company, our local spec Grand Carnival will be fitted with HID projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, keyless entry and start, leather seats, power sliding door, powered tailgate, six airbags, electric stability control and hill-start assist. This MPV boasts a full
five-star ASEAN NCAP
 crash safety rating.
No official pricing has been announced but stay tuned for our comprehensive launch report in due course. Order books are open at all Naza Kia outlets nationwide.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota opens new 2S centre in Klang with 19 service bays

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has just officiated the opening of a new Toyota 2S (Service and Spare Parts) in Klang, Selangor. The new outlet will provide aftersales services to Toyota owners in Pandamaran, Bukit Tinggi, Bandar Botanik and other nearby areas.
Operated by PS Otomobil
(Bukit Tinggi) Sdn Bhd who has been an authorised Toyota dealer since 2015, made
new investments to expand its facilities to cater to the growing need for aftersales
services in the region.
The new facility is equipped
with 19 service bays complete with the latest diagnostic tools needed to
maintain the latest Toyota vehicle as well as a dedicated customer lounge for their
comfort and convenience.
UMW Toyota Motor’s
President, Ravindran K. said, “PS Otomobil (Bukit Tinggi) Sdn Bhd has been our
business partner since 2015 and has provided good services to customers. We are
delighted to see that with the growth in their business, they have made the
decision to upgrade their facilities to enhance their aftersales services. This
has truly reflected the Toyota “Customer First” philosophy where priorities and
value-added services are prepared for our customers’ convenience.”


Aston Martin allocated 5 units of the Valhalla to Malaysia, 2 have been sold!

The
Aston Martin Valhalla
 hybrid supercar was just unveiled in mid of July. Headlining the beautiful supercar is the hybrid system consisting of a mid-mounted 750 hp twin-turbocharged V8 engine and dual electric motors to deliver a total of
950 horsepower
.
Thanks to the strength of the brand and its exclusivity, Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has just announced that
two units
 of the Aston Martin Valhalla have been booked by Malaysians. A further three units destined for Malaysia is currently available for purchase.
Aston Martin becomes the official sponsor and partner of Malaysia’s JDT football club. More details here!
Thanks to plenty of active aerodynamic features and surfaces, the Valhalla can generate
600 kg of do
wnforce at just 241 km/h (150 mph), significantly more than the
rival from Maranello
.
Under the skin, the Aston Martin Valhalla features a carbon fibre tub chassis with fixed seats as well as Formula One-style pushrod front suspension with inboard damper units.
With all that horsepower and grip, Aston Martin is targeting a Nurburgring Nordschleife laptime of just six minutes and 30 seconds; a good 13 seconds quicker than the fastest production car, the
Porsche 911 GT2 RS with Manthey Performance Kit
.
The name Valhalla denotes a warrior’s paradise in ancient Norse mythology where warriors who die in battle go to rest. It also continues the tradition of Aston Martin “V” cars dating back to 1951 with the Vantage designation was given to the high-performance variants.
Need a little wake-up call and some high-speed driving? Ride shotgun in the Aston Martin Valkyrie here!
The Aston Martin Valhalla is now available for booking in Malaysia, estimated at
GBP600,000
 (approx. RM3.523 million) excluding duties and taxes. Should you know someone who perhaps like a treat for themselves and is a big fan of the brand, contact Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur at 03 2163 1196 or email to
[email protected]
 for assistance.
GALLERY


This rotting Cadillac Eldorado was once the longest limousine in the world

Forget the Rolls-Royce or the Mercedes-Maybach, this 1970’s Cadillac Eldorado is still the King of Limousines having been
certified by Guinness World Records
 in the 1980’s.
Built by world renowned custom car guru, Jay Ohrberg, the Caddy is
30.5 metres long
 and comes with a mind-boggling total of 26 wheels! To put things in perspective, the standard semi-trailer is usually fitted with 16 wheels.
The flamboyance didn’t just end there. It also came with a swimming pool/jacuzzi, a helipad, an oversized waterbed, and even more bizarre, two separate cabins for its two drivers – one in the front and another way at the back.
Due to its sheer length, the one at the back was charged with controlling and navigating the rear wheels while the car is reversing or turning into a bend. Talk about a back seat driver! There’s even a hinge in the middle to enable the limo to bend, making it easier to go around corners.
The 26-wheeler Cadillac at the height of its glory.
Unsurprisingly, according to reports, it was never road legal and was moved around with a trailer as it spent most of its life as a show car. It was subsequently left abandoned in a warehouse in New Jersey before resurfacing earlier this decade in dire condition.
Thankfully, it was acquired by the Automotive Teaching Museum in New York to be used as a study-piece for students with a passion for car design and customisation.


Hyundai Malaysia partners Shell Helix, gets specially formulated motor oils

Earlier this year, Shell Helix was named BMW’s only recommended supplier of genuine engine oil for aftermarket and motorsports use. Today, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) or Hyundai Malaysia announced that they will be exclusively using co-branded Shell Helix motor oils at all authorised service centres.
This takes immediate effect beginning December 2015 for Peninsular Malaysia, with the Eastern states slated to follow suit in January 2016. Two variants, the fully synthetic
Shell-Hyundai Ultra AH
 and synthetic-technology
Shell-Hyundai Helix HX 7 AH
, have been specially formulated for Hyundai vehicles.
Shell Helix Malaysia recently launched the
Helix Ultra ECT C2/C3 0W-30 fully synthetic engine oil
Shell Lubricants General Manager – Malaysia and Singapore, Leslie Ng said the decision by HSDM was a clear endorsement of the premium quality of Shell Helix motor oils. “We are delighted to supply HSDM with high-quality motor oils that offer proven benefits to Hyundai owners in the form of superior engine performance and protection; cleaner engines and better fuel economy,” added Leslie.
However, the partnership between Shell Helix and Hyundai go beyond Malaysian borders. These specially formulated co-branded engine oils will also be recommended in Hyundai workshops across the world, where customers in over 70 countries will benefit from Shell’s most technologically advanced lubricants.
BMW is also one of their many official partners for engine lubricant
To date, Shell Helix has received approvals from a growing list of
top-tier manufacturers such as BMW, Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Ford, Honda, GM, Chrysler and most recently Hyundai.
Find out our review of the
Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology 5W-40
 and their top-tier engine oil, the
Shell Helix Ultra ECT C2/C3 0W-30
.
IMAGE GALLERY


2015 Mercedes-AMG GT ups the ‘supercar’ ante [+Video]

After the successful SLS, Mercedes AMG added the Mercedes-AMG GT supercar to their lineup. Breathing through the variable exhaust vanes is a hand built twin-turbocharged V8 pumping out 510hp and 650Nm of torque. To make sure it is up to the challenge from the mighty 911, the Affalterbach firm equipped the car with active rear spoiler and optional ceramic brake system.
Mercedes-AMG
 has finally revealed the highly-anticipated supercar, the
GT
. After numerous teaser
images and videos
, we are able to see the
Mercedes-AMG GT
 in its full glory. The new GT is the second model to be developed by Mercedes-AMG, after the demise of the highly successful SLS.
Being a performance model, the new GT is optimised for a dynamic and sporty driving experience. With a kerb weight of
1,540 kg
 (thanks to the intelligent aluminium lightweight construction), a
47:53 weight balance
 front to rear, and the combination of
locking differential
, and sports suspension with
 aluminium double-wishbone suspension
, it is said to deliver “racetrack performance” but with everyday practicality.
The new GT is still a two-seater coupe but with a new heart (
4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 codenamed M178
) nestled under its long front bonnet. The exterior lines on the new GT is softer and more flowing compared to the sharp-edged SLS but the hallmark rear-wheel-drive proportions are still present with the long nose and a stubby tail.

It carries the three-pointed star proudly in the middle of its huge
3D diamond grille
 flanked by a pair of
LED High Performance headlamps
. The bonnet is bulging with twin powerdomes, combined with a pair of vents on top as well as on the front fenders to indicate a serious powerplant underneath.

There are no gullwing doors this time but as a result it should have a lower centre of gravity as the mechanical bits are absent from the roof. Standard wheels measure
9 x 19-inch
 at the front and
11 x 19-inch
 at the rear. The tailpipes exit at the back, and the wide strip of LED taillights on each side incorporate a sequentially illuminating turn indicators. Pop the rear hatch open and there’s
350 litres
 of luggage space where Mercedes claims it can swallow up to two golfbags.
A wide center console runs in the middle of the cockpit that houses the
E-SELECT transmission lever
 and the
touch-sensitive COMAND Controller
, among the
AMG DRIVE UNIT controls
 on each side. A free-standing screen sit atop of the quad aircond vents, while another TFT display resides between the two dials in the instrument cluster infront of the flat bottom steering wheel with
aluminium shift paddles
.
The new GT comes in two guises, the
462 hp
 and
600 Nm GT
 and the
510 hp
 and
650 Nm GT S
. Both are powered by the same
3,982 cc twin-turbo V8
 coupled with the
AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed
 sports transmission that can deliver a fuel consumption as low as
9.3 l/100 km
 in the GT or 9.4 l/100 km in the GT S. The
GT
 has a top speed of
304 km/h
 and rockets from
0 to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds
, while the
GT S
 cuts the sprint time by 0.2 seconds with a top speed of
310 km/h
.
The benefits of opting the GT S over the GT is that the GT S is packed with more toys. While the GT is fitted with a
mechanical rear-axle locking differentia
l, the GT S is fitted with a more sensitive e
lectronic differential
 that works faster than a mechanical differential. The optional
AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension
 in the GT is also fitted as standard in the GT S, allowing the driver to electronically control the damper settings to be in Comfort, Sport, or Sport plus.
Specifically available as an option for the GT S is the
AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package
 which includes
dynamic engine and transmission mounts
 that constantly adjusts the mounts’ stiffness according to the driving conditions, a stiffer suspension tuning, a more negative front wheel camber, and a
“RACE” mode
. Other than that, there’s a
ceramic high-performance composite brake system
 with ceramic discs measuring 402 mm at the front and 360 mm at the rear.
Standard safety equipment in the new GT includes front, side, window, and knee
 airbags
,
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
,
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
, and
ATTENTION ASSIST
. PRE-SAFE® system, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, PARKTRONIC, Lane Tracking package, and Traffic Sign Assist are some of the optional equipment that can be fitted to the new GT.
“With its technological substance, the Mercedes-AMG GT fulfils our high aspirations with regard to driving dynamics, agility and sportiness. The new GT is the second sports car developed fully independently by Mercedes-AMG. The car is manufactured according to the motto ‘Handcrafted By Racers’ – which perfectly encapsulates our heritage and our spirit.”, says
Tobias Moers
,
CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH
.
[divider]
VIDEO GALLERY
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Ford creates rally-inspired Transit vans for the blue-collar workers

For those who spend hours a day behind the wheel, day dreaming is almost an inevitable occurrence whether on a long drive or a painful crawl. In times like these, imaginations can run wild and for those who daydream of being rally drivers behind the wheel of their Ford Transit, the Blue Oval and vehicle design specialist, MS-RT, have turned their fantasy into reality….somewhat.
The MS-RT
Transit
Custom and Transit Connect was inspired by the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s Fiesta WRC car with colours from Ford’s Special Vehicle Operations selection.
MS-RT is the on-road vehicle production division of long-term Ford partners M-Sport, who have competed in the World Rally Championship, Global Rallycross and GT3 racing. As a member of Ford’s Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) programme, MS-RT conversions are approved for sale in Ford dealerships with conversion work guaranteed by MS-RT.
“MS-RT conversions mean our motorsport-loving customers can mix business with pleasure, safe in the knowledge that their modified vehicle is fully supported by Ford,” said Ford of Europe.
The rally-inspired look is projected through a restyled grille, more aggressive air intakes, integrated fog lights and a motorsport-inspired rear diffuser. For a more aggressive stance, the Transit also received wider wheel arch extensions, a roof spoiler, quad exhaust tips before being finished with a set of bespoke 18-inch OZ Racing anthracite alloy wheels.
If that’s not extravagant enough, especially when you consider the purpose of such a vehicle, Ford is even offering optional race decals and liveries for the Transit! The madness doesn’t stop there. Inside, the Transits are line with Nappa leather and suede seats, MS-RT sports steering wheel with carbon fibre inlays!
GALLERY


Polestar 2 EV reaches 100,000-unit milestone

Swedish carmaker
 Polestar
 has reached a key milestone for its signature
Polestar 2
model, with 100,000 units manufactured some two and a half years after
 production started
at parent company Volvo’s Taizhou factory in Luqiao, China.
The 100,000th Polestar 2 is destined for a customer in Ireland, one of the latest in Polestar’s 27 global markets. The milestone car will be adorned with special commemorative decals to celebrate the achievement.
“It’s an amazing achievement – especially given we launched the Polestar 2 during the pandemic,” said Polestar CEO, Thomas Ingenlath. “Thank you to the team and all our customers who have joined us on this exciting journey.”
Automotive News Europe
reports that the Polestar 2 was the fifth best-selling mid-size premium car in Europe, ahead of the fully-electric
BMW i4
, and even the regular ICE-powered
 Audi A5
. Its sales volume through the first nine months of the year also places it as the fifth best-selling premium EV this year, putting it ahead of the
Mercedes-Benz EQA
, and the
Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric
.
The Polestar 2 was
 launched in Singapore
 last year, making its official debut in the ASEAN region. Two variants are now being offered in the island nation; the Standard Range Single Motor variant offers
170 kW (231 hp)
and
330 Nm
 of torque, with a 69 kWh battery offering up to 470 km of range, while the Long Range Dual Motor variant offering
300 kW (408 hp)
 and
660 Nm
 of torque, and 487 km of range from its 78 kWh battery pack.
Polestar says that the model has been continuously updated through over-the-air (OTA) updates, which brought improvements to its real-world performance, including driving range and increased charging speed, alongside new eco climate function and battery preconditioning optimisations. The carmaker adds that even the first Polestar 2 that rolled through the factory gates have been updated to be “as cutting edge as today’s models”.
ALSO READ:
The Polestar 2 BST Edition 270 is what happens when you let engineers run wild


Check out how good the new BMW M440i xDrive sounds!

The BMW M440i was officially teased last week and according to foreign reports, BMW invited a group of selected medias to stretch its legs on the Autobahn, where they topped out the prototype at 280 km/h! It’s also led us to this, a glimpse of what to expect from the flagship model (for now).
Based on the video by BMW BLOG, the new 4 Series which will likely adopt the controversial grille as seen on the Concept 4 Series Coupe shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year, does not appear that much larger than its predecessor but BMW have suggested that it would be longer, wider and sits nearly 60 mm lower than the 3 Series.

More importantly, the M440i sounds good; with raspy exhaust notes to leave us with plenty to anticipate and be excited about. The video also shows how rapidly the M440i xDrive accelerates – even more so in Sport + mode! Although it’s still just a prototype, suffice to say it’s already a strong indicator of things to come.
With more than half a year before it will be officially unveiled according to Autocar, only two variants have been confirmed so far – the 430i and the M440i xDrive. The latter makes
374 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque, most likely from BMW’s B58 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six. The 430i on the other hand, will get
258 hp
 and
 400 Nm
 from a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder.
The M440i xDrive will also feature 48V mild hybrid technology with a 48V starter-generator and a second battery to offer
11 hp
 of extra boost. Power is transferred to the road via an 8-speed Steptronic Sport gearbox while the M Sport differential helps ensure that power is delivered in the most optimum way.
GALLERY


Enjoy rebates up to RM8,000 when you buy a new Ford Ranger Raptor, until April 30

In conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya festivities, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) is now offering additional savings and rebates for the Ford Ranger Raptor and Ranger WildTrak pick-up trucks.
From now until the 30th of April 2021, customers looking to purchase the Ford Ranger Raptor can enjoy savings of up to RM8,000, while those considering the WildTrak variant can benefit from savings of up to RM7,000. However, the savings are
only applicable for 2020 Year Make units only
.

The
Ford Ranger Raptor
 is a one of its kind pick-up truck, designed squarely for the off-road racing enthusiasts. Underneath its bonnet is a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel mill, sending
213 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque to all four wheels via the 10-speed automatic transmission.
But raw performance isn’t the standout feature of the Raptor, no. What makes the Ranger Raptor unique are the “race-bred” suspension set-up, Fox Racing Shox dampers on all four corners, alongside the Terrain Management System (TMS) with a specific “Baja Mode” to help you speed through the sand dunes with no hassle.
The
WildTrak
variant meanwhile is on the complete opposite of the spectrum, built for the “luxury” pick-up truck lifestyle. It’s powered by the same powertrain combination as the Raptor, but misses out on the gearshift paddles on the steering wheel, and obviously the Raptor-specific TMS and racing shock absorbers.
Boasting “a level of refinement unseen in the pick-up segment”, the Ranger WildTrak is equipped with advanced driver assistance features including autonomous emergency braking (with vehicle and pedestrian detection), lane departure, as well as the “first and only in-class” semi-automatic parallel parking assist, perfect for such a large vehicle like this.
SDAC
recently updated the price list
 for its Ford Ranger pick-up truck line-up here in Malaysia earlier this year, with price hikes between RM1.5k to RM2k across the board. As a result, the Ford Ranger Raptor is now priced at RM210,888 (+RM2k), while the WildTrak comes in at RM152,388 (+RM2k) – before any discounts or rebates.


Michelin LTX Trail pick-up tyre now available in Malaysia, 15- to 18-inch sizes

Michelin Malaysia has just introduced a new product to their pick-up 4×4 and SUV tyre range- the Michelin LTX Trail. The new all-terrain tyre offers more passenger-car like comfort such as lower interior noise among its key benefits.
The new Michelin LTX Trail tyre features the RallyForce2 Tread Compound that provides better durability and service life for both on- and off-road use, with an independent test showing up to 41% longer mileage compared to competitor tyres.
A new tread design with the Biting Shoulder that wraps the tread down to the sidewall also ensure greater off-road performance and traction plus protection for the sidewall. As the Michelin LTX Trail is designed for multi-purpose use, it is recommended for 80% on-road and 20% off-road driving.
Within the new tread design, the new Michelin LTX Trail tyre also has two different blocks shaped in the tread’s centre called Duo-Harmony Blocks which function to spread the noise energy for less noise and thus a quieter cabin. The independent adjudicator recorded up to 19.8% lower noise levels compared to premium competitor tyres.
“The Michelin LTX Trail is perfect for consumers who own 4×2 and 4×4 high-rise pickups, as well as SUVs – such as Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner, and Nissan Navara, these tyres also cater to those whose lifestyle demands the ability to reach on- and off-road destinations, for work or pleasure,” said Michelin Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Managing Director, Oliver Biggart.
The Toyota Hilux Rogue struggled to get out of a muddy path. Watch how it overcome it with clever electronics!
Similar to the
Michelin Primacy 4
 tyre’s key performance point of “safe even when worn”, the new Michelin LTX Trail has Variable Thickness Sipes that provide improved contact patch for better handling, grip and braking performance.
A comparison test was done to highlight this too, with a Toyota Hilux Vigo fitted with
worn
 17-inch Michelin LTX Trail tyres stopping
4.6 metres shorter
 (additional of 1.5 metres compared to new) than the premium competitors in the wet braking test. On dry roads, when new, it stops 3.8 metres shorter compared to the competitors.
Michelin Malaysia is offering the new LTX Trail tyres in
nine key sizes
 ranging for fitment from 15- to 18-inch rims. For vehicles using a 15-inch sizing, four sizes are available such as the 235/75R15 for the older Ford Ranger 2.5 and Mazda BT-50 2.5 and the 255/70R15 size for the Toyota Hilux.
For pick-up trucks that are using the popular 16-inch tyre size (265/70R16 and 245/70R16) such as fitted on the Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton, Ford Ranger 2.2 XLT and Chevrolet Colorado, owners can also try out this new Michelin LTX Trail tyres.
Meanwhile, only one size is available for the 17-inch rim, with the 265/65R17 size a popular fitment on pick-up trucks from Mazda, Ford and the Toyota Hilux and
Fortuner
 models.
The largest Michelin LTX Trail sizes offered by Michelin Malaysia currently are the 265/60R18 and 285/60R18, which is found on the range-topping Toyota Hilux,
Isuzu D-Max
,
Mitsubishi Triton
 and Ford Ranger Wildtrak models.
For further information on the new Michelin LTX Trail highway tyre with commendable unpaved road performance, visit their website
here
.


Proton sold 70,991 cars in 2017, Saga most popular, Persona saw 27% growth

Last year was a major turning point for our national carmaker Proton Holdings. In 2017, we saw
Zhejiang Geely Holdings acquire 49.9 percent stake in Proton
, Dr. Li Chunrong appointed as
Proton’s new CEO
 and the sad
closure of the Proton R3 (Race Rally Research) division
. Despite the rough year, Proton still managed to stabilise its sales number for 2017 with a mere 1.8 percent decline in overall sales compared to the previous year.
In 2017 year alone, Proton shifted
70,991 units
 of cars, down from 72,291 units in 2016. Despite the decline in overall sales, retail sales saw an increase of 2.5 percent at 68,184 units. The overall decline, according to Proton, was attributed to poorer fleet sales due to lower taxi orders.
The
Saga
 was the brand’s best-selling model, charting a healthy figure of above 30,000 units. The B-segment
Persona
, registered a strong 27 percent growth, shifting a total of 19,510 units in 2017. The
Ertiga
 also gained healthy acceptance in the market with 6,091 units sold.
Vice President of Sales & Marketing of Proton, Mr. Abdul Rashid Musa commented, “Our Saga is the most affordable sedan in Malaysia. It offers great drivability, performs much more smoothly and has modern and practical convenience features. The Persona is also a popular choice among our customers due to its excellent value for money propositions with significant safety features while providing a pleasurable drive on every journey.”


Mercedes-Benz introduces the 3rd generation CLS – with 3 new 6-cylinder engines

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the all-new 3rd generation CLS – the new torch bearer for the Sensual purity design concept that combines the elegance and dynamism of a coupe with the functional comfort of a saloon. Three variants are available – the CLS 350 d 4MATIC, CLS 400 d 4MATIC and CLS 450 4MATIC.
The CLS 350 d 4MATIC is packed with
286 hp
 with
600 Nm
, CLS 400 d 4MATIC with
340 hp
 with
700 Nm
 and the CLS 450 4MATIC with
367
 hp with
500 Nm
 alongside an additional
 22 hp
 with
250 Nm
 via the EQ Boost electric motor system that features a 48-volt on-board electrical system.

The aluminium block diesel engines come with two-stage turbocharging, steel pistons, NANOSLIDE coating of the cylinder walls and for the first time, the CAMTRONIC variable valve-lift control. Particularly in the CLS 450 4MATIC, a particulate filter is standard.
On the exterior, highlights include the LED High Performance Headlamps, 18-inch light-alloy wheels and LED tail lights with Edgelight backlighting exuding a crystalline appearance. The combination of the CLS’ reduced lines and edges along with generously arched surfaces is a drag coefficient of just 0.26.
Inside, a high-resolution Widescreen cockpit is available featuring two 12.3-inch displays arranged beneath a shared, continuous glass cover. Three different styles of display can be chosen – Classic, Sport and Progressive. The centre console with open-pored or high-gloss wood appears to be free-floating thanks to its surface trim.
A new highlight is the illuminated air vents, an extension of the 64-colour ambience lighting – that resembles jet aircraft turbines. It also works in tandem with the air conditioning – when temperature is changed, it briefly changes its colour to red (warm) or blue (cold).
The interior also comes with the optional ENERGIZING comfort control which uses the air-conditioning including fragrancing, the seat’s heating and massage function, the surface and steering wheel heating as well as lighting to provide a specific “wellness environment” according to the driver’s mood. At the back, boot space is rated at a generous 520-litres.
The CLS comes with three different suspension setups – a steel comfort suspension is standard while the DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL and AIR BODY CONTROL air suspension are optional.

Safety wise, it’s as impeccable as ever – sharing loads in common with the new S-Class. Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, Speed Limit Assist and the occupant protection system PRE-SAFE. Also new and available as standard is the PRE-SAFE Sound which prepares the occupants hearing for the anticipation of accident noise.
The optional Driving Assistance Package features the Active Distance Control DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and PRE‑SAFE® PLUS.
In addition, the Driving Assistance Plus package includes PRE-SAFE Impulse Side. This system can prepare the front occupants for a side impact by giving them a sideways impulse, reducing the risk of injury.

There will be an Edition 1 launch model as well – available for only a year after the market launch. It will receive the Copper Art interior design with Black Pearl nappa leather upholstery. The centre console and dashboard trims in black open-pored ash wood also features the  IWC analogue clock as its centre piece.
The exterior is based on the AMG Line. Special features include the Multibeam LED headlamps, 20-inch multi-spoke AMG light alloy wheels. The special model can be instantly recognisable by the “Edition 1” lettering on the front wings.
IMAGE GALLERY


KLIMS18: All-New Hyundai Santa Fe launching in Q1 2019, est RM188,000

Hyundai Sime-Darby Motors (HSDM) has just previewed the
fourth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe
 here at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS). The new seven-seater SUV features the brand’s latest design language for SUVs and technologies.
Compared to the outgoing model, the new Santa Fe has grown 80 mm in length, 10 mm in width and now has a 65 mm longer wheelbase which translates to better cabin space. Whip out a measuring tape and the new model measures 4,770 mm long, 1,890 mm wide with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm.
Visually, the Santa Fe now features the Cascading grille design flanked with twin headlamps that are now positioned on the bumpers like the Kona and Nexo. Yes, those round bulbs on the bumpers are the headlamps while the slim housings on the top are LED daytime running lights.
But the main highlight on the new Santa Fe is its taillamp graphics which features a unique 3D look that will surely stand out in the dark. Both the 2.4 MPI and 2.2 CRDi models here on display here rides on the same 19-inch five twin-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 235/55 profile rubbers.

Inside the Korean carmaker’s flagship SUV, you’ll find premium leather upholstery, 7.0-inch LCD instrument cluster display with analogue dials, 7.0-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, electronic parking brake, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air-vents, powered front seats, Smart Powered Tailgate, 360-degree surround view monitor and a wireless charging tray. While HSDM did not announce the final specification of Malaysian-bound Santa Fe, at the very least you can expect the aforementioned equipment.
There will be two engine options available for the Santa Fe, a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder MPI petrol engine paired to a six-speed automatic to deliver
172 hp
 and
225 Nm
 of torque to the front wheels as well as a 2.2-litre four-cylinder CRDi turbodiesel that puts out
193 hp
 and
440 Nm
 of twist. The oil burner gets a new eight-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive system as standard.

Safety wise, HSDM has confirmed that the Santa Fe will feature six airbags, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), Downhill Brake Control (DBC) and Rear Occupant Alert. It remains to be seen whether the Santa Fe will be available with the Hyundai SmartSense Advanced Driver Assistance System.
The Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4 MPI and 2.2 CRDi is estimated to be priced from RM188,000 onwards and will arrive in Q1 of 2019. Order books for the new seven-seater SUV are now open and will come with a 5-Years or 300,000 km Warranty as well as 3-Years or 50,000 km Free Scheduled Service.
IMAGE GALLERY
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4 MPI


All-new 2016 Mazda CX-9 officially unveiled, gets turbocharged 2.5L Skyactiv-G engine

As Mazda has promised, the
all-new second generation Mazda CX-9
 will be officially unveiled on 18 November (19 Nov for our timezone). This global unveiling confirms two key things; one, that the CX-9 is built on top of the platform shared with the Mazda6 and two, a turbocharged 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G will power the all-wheel drive SUV.
What’s changed? Essentially everything is new here. The company’s flagship model prominently features Mazda’s KODO – Soul of Motion design language with a front fascia that looks almost like the Mazda6, but gets a unique
chrome-lipped bumper
 to square off the bold new look. Wheel sizes vary from 18-inches to 20-inches depending on trim level, and as is the case with crossovers, it gets plastic claddings around the car.

Inside, the CX-9 continues to impress with high quality materials and build. The driver gets a fancy three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with multifunction controls. The instrument clusters now feature a coloured LCD display that feeds driving information. Look to the centre and you’ll find the familiar
7-inch touchscreen display
 paired up to the MZD Connect System. We don’t know for sure if the head unit can be stored away with the push of a button, but considering its price, we think it should at least come with it.

The biggest news though, lies under the hood. Powering the all-new CX-9 is a
 turbocharged 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G engine
 which replaces the 3.7-litre Cyclone V6 engine of old. This blown four banger makes
227 hp
 at 5,000 rpm and a whopping
420 Nm
 of torque that peaks from 2,000 rpm. Mazda claims that this engine solves conventional turbocharging hurdles such as poor low-rev performance, turbo lag and poor fuel economy via use of their Dynamic Pressure Turbo technology – the world’s first turbocharging system which varies the degree of exhaust pulsation relative to engine speed.
And because the turbocharged engine is based on Mazda’s own 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G engine, parts such as fuel pump and fuel injection system are shared while maintaining the same bore, stroke and bore pitch. As mentioned earlier, all that power will be sent to all four wheels via Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system. Mazda targets an annual sales forecast of 50,000 units globally, 80 percent of which is projected to be sold in the United States.
More details on the 2016 Mazda CX-9 will surface soon. Meanwhile, enjoy the gallery below.
IMAGE GALLERY