Gallery: 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ from RM510k – 421hp, 500Nm, 0-100km/h in 3.9 secs

The facelifted
2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+
 has just made its
Malaysian launch
 at the Sepang International Circuit last month. Fully imported (CBU) from Germany, and offered solely in a hatchback form, the hot hatch is priced from
RM509,888
.
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Changes made towards the exterior design of the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ are rather subtle, and mirror the ones seen on the standard facelifted
A-Class
. This includes the reprofiled front grille, fitted with the Panamericana mesh to differentiate itself from its regular counterparts.
The round badge above the grille bears the AMG emblem on this facelift model, rather than the usual Mercedes-Benz star. The rear also features tail lights that carry new graphics, as well as the unique quad exhaust tips to show the A 45 S’ aggressive hot hatch identity.
The biggest change Mercedes-AMG has done to the facelifted 2023 A 45 S hot hatch is actually the headlights. Using the brand’s MultiBeam LED technology, and coming as standard with the Adaptive HighBeam Assist Plus, the headlights now feature single brow-type daytime-running lights (DRLs) and an oval-shaped projector unit.
ALSO WATCH:
2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift, from RM239k – 5 Things
Mercedes-AMG has fitted the A 45 S with bumpers that feature designs similar to the ones found on the AMG line kit for the A 250 sedan. The Aerodynamic Package is fitted onto the luxury hot hatch as standard, and this package includes bits like the flics, bumper inserts, a more intricate diffuser at the back, and a front splitter.
A set of 19-inch AMG five-twin spoke lights alloys come with the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S straight out from the factory, and features additional matte black aerodynamic panels. The German hot hatch is also fitted with red-painted brake callipers, as well as the AMG Night Package, which removes most of the chrome elements on the exterior.
Mercedes-AMG is also offering the A 45 S with a limited Street Style Edition. Opting for this package will give you an exclusive Manufaktur mountain grey magno paint job for the exterior, edition-specific fluorescent orange accents, an AMG fuel filler cap, edition decals and gloss black model badging, as well as unique 19-inch cross-spoke forged wheels.
Powering the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ is essentially the same powertrain as before, featuring the same AMG-specific M139 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, and is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). This results in a total of
421 hp
 and
500 Nm
.
With power sent to all four wheels via the brand’s 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system, the century sprint can be completed in under
3.9 seconds
 with the German hot hatch, and its top speed is rated at
270 km/h
. The AMG A 45 S is the only variant in the A-Class line-up in Malaysia that doesn’t come equipped with the 48-Volt mild hybrid assistance.
RELATED:
All-new Mercedes-Benz CLE to replace C-Class and E-Class Coupes – official launch July 5
Hopping into the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S, you get the new AMG Performance steering with a touch-control panel, the Multicountour AMG Performance Advanced seats, as well as AMG-specific trim pieces on the dashboard. And all of this equipment comes as standard with the hot hatch.
The seats are also wrapped in Artico man-made leather and Microcut microfibre as standard, while the MBUX system for the dual 10.25-inch screens both get the unique AMG displays, as well as a built-in drag race timer. The touchpad on the centre console has also been removed, just like the regular A-Class facelift.
Other unique features the AMG A 45 S gets include red seat belts, 64-colour ambient lighting, illuminated AMG door sill plates, the Burmester surround sound system, as well as a panoramic sunroof. Opting for the Street Style Edition will get you pure microfibre upholstery on the seats, and additional orange accents throughout the cabin. The AMG aluminium trim elements also come with the same pattern that mirrors the exterior decals.
Safety-wise, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S in Malaysia comes with the active parking package that includes the 360-degree surround view monitor, the driving assistance package with lane keeping assist (LKA) and adaptive cruise control (ACC), and blind spot monitoring (BSM). Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and exit warning assist are also included with the A 45 S out of the factory.
The standard Mercedes-AMG A 45 S is offered at
RM509,888
, while the Street Style Edition will cost a little bit more, at
RM539,888
. These prices are on-the-road (OTR) and without insurance, and are also inclusive of the standard five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
RELATED:

Mercedes-AMG SL 43 previewed in Malaysia – Estimated RM1 million, 2.0-litre turbo, 381hp, 275km/h top speed
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2023 BMW 7 Series now in Malaysia – 750e xDrive PHEV, M Sport and Pure Excellence variants, from RM650k

BMW Malaysia
 has officially unveiled the
 all-new seventh-generation 7 Series
 here on our shores, with the launch of the BMW 750e xDrive today. The plug-in hybrid luxury sedan arrives in local assembly (CKD) form, and is offered in two trim levels – Pure Excellence and M Sport, with prices starting at RM649,800 on the road, without insurance for the former.
If the luxury-oriented (and cheaper) Pure Excellence is more your style, though, you’ll have to hurry up, as there are only 48 units available throughout Malaysia.
BMW 750e xDrive M Sport
Both variants share the same powertrain underneath the bonnet – a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine mated to an electric motor, making a combined
489 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque. Power is channelled to the roads via the xDrive all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox, delivering a century sprint time of
 4.8 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
 250 km/h
.
The electric motor is supplied by a 22.1 kWh battery pack, which is good for a full electric range of up to 87 km, at speeds of up to 140 km/h. For charging, an on-board 7.4 kW AC charger enables a full charge in under three hours.
BMW 750e xDrive Pure Excellence
As for kit, both variants of the new BMW 750e xDrive share the same Iconic Glow crystal headlights with embedded Swarovski crystals, paired to the Iconic Glow grille frame that further highlights the large kidney grille, especially at night.
The Pure Excellence variant comes with 19-inch Style 903 double spoke alloy wheels, while the more expensive 750e xDrive M Sport variant gets a sportier 20-inch Style 907 bicolour M aerodynamic wheels to match its more aggressive blacked-out Shadowline exterior.
RELATED:
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Inside, both variants are equipped with the BMW Curved Display consisting of a 12.3-inch instrumentation display and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. The main highlight on the inside, however, is the BMW Interaction Bar, which nests most of the centre stack buttons into a touch-sensitive bar across the dashboard, while also doubling as the cabin’s ambient lighting system.
Other interior equipment include the automatic doors, Sky Lounge panoramic glass roof, Crafted Clarity crystal glass trims on the centre console and seat adjustment rockers on the doors, a four-zone climate control system, head-up display, and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
BMW 750e xDrive Pure Excellence
The Pure Excellence variant accents its Merino leather upholstery with the use of oak mirror finish fine-wood trim on the dashboard, alongside grey metallic highlights. The M Sport variant, meanwhile, gets a fineline black high-gloss fine-wood trim, paired to metal effect highlights.
The more expensive BMW 750e xDrive M Sport variant here in Malaysia also stands out further with more goodies inside, including the Executive Lounge Seating on the rear with, as well as the 31.3-inch 8K BMW Theatre Screen.
BMW 750e xDrive M Sport
As for safety, the BMW 750e xDrive M Sport is offered with the Driving Assistant Plus package, while the Pure Excellence gets the more advanced Driving Assistant Professional package that adds semi-autonomous driving capabilities during traffic jams. Parking Assistant Plus, however, is standard across both variants.
The BMW 750e xDrive is priced as follows:
BMW 750e xDrive Pure Excellence – RM649,800
BMW 750e xDrive M Sport – RM700,000
Both prices are on-the-road, without insurance, and inclusive of the extended five-year unlimited mileage warranty and free scheduled service programme.
Following the launch of the petrol-powered 7 Series, BMW Malaysia will also soon be introducing
the fully-electric i7
here on our shores.
GALLERY
BMW 750e xDrive Pure Excellence
BMW 750e xDrive M Sport


Win RM3,350 in Shopee vouchers by voting for the Proton Saga Anniversary Edition slogan

The humble
Proton Saga
 is turning 35 this Thursday, the 9th of July 2020. To celebrate the occasion, the national carmaker will be introducing an Anniversary Edition for the Proton Saga, and we’re all invited to join in the fun by voting for the car’s slogan.
The slogan competition, which began yesterday and will run until
11.59pm of 8th July
, invites participants to vote on their favourite among three slogans – ‘Saga, Driving Malaysians’, ‘
Saga, Ilhamku, Kebangaanku
‘ (Saga, my inspiration, my happiness), and ‘
Raikan, Saga
‘ (Celebrate the Saga).
Aside from just selecting their favourite, participants are also required to provide a creative rationale for their chosen slogan within 350 words. Eight prizes are up for grabs, with winners selected based on the most popular slogan, and the creativity of their rationale.
The grand prize winner will take home RM3,350 worth of Shopee vouchers; second place and third place gets RM2,350 and 1,350 in Shopee vouchers respectively. The remaining five winners will each receive a Parker ball pen.
To participate, follow the link to the Proton Saga Anniversary Edition Slogan contest page
here
, and complete the form. Make sure that your contact details are accurate, as the winners will be contacted, and their vouchers delivered via the email address provided.
Read our review of the
Proton Saga 1.3 Premium
As for the Proton Saga Anniversary Edition, no details of the car have been provided just yet, but we expect to see an exclusive exterior paint job, along with possibly a few special trim touches to mark the occasion. The Saga Anniversary Edition will also most definitely be a limited-edition model.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled on our page as we bring you the latest coverage on the 9th of July. Meanwhile, here are
seven things that you may not
 know about the oldest nameplate in Proton’s model line-up!


Geely’s new 600 kW EV charger offers 300 km of range in just five minutes!

A common complaint we hear about EV ownership is the fact that you’ll have to wait for your car to charge up, even with a DC fast charger. Now, 20 minutes is not too long of a wait by all means, but that still means you’ll have to
 do some homework
 to plan for your trip, before actually reaching for your car keys. Fortunately, it seems that reality will soon be over.
Geely, through its subsidiary Viridi E-mobility Technology (VREMT), has unveiled its latest 600 kW supercharging technology, which it says can add
 300 km of EV driving range in just five minutes
. The company adds that the “supercharger” is now in mass production, and will be deployed exclusively in China for now.
The charger is able to achieve its eye-watering 600 kW output thanks to an improved liquid-cooling system, thus allowing for increased voltage and current. However, the only models that can take advantage of the fast charging speeds are the
Zeekr 001
 and the upcoming 009, thanks to their use of CATL’s Qilin long-range batteries.
Zeekr’s existing chargers already offer up to 360 kW DC charging, which is enough to give the 001 a range of 120 km in 5 minutes. Rivalling Chinese EV maker Xpeng recently announced plans for its own fast charging network rated at 480 kW, while NIO also detailed an upcoming 500 kW technology for its own vehicles.
RELATED:
Planning to own an EV in Malaysia? Make sure to install these apps first
Meanwhile, here in Malaysia, the fastest DC charging station available right now are the 180 kW units offered by the
Shell Recharge network
, but we’re sure that the number is set to rise – both in quantity and charging speeds – over the next few years.
With the number of EVs on the roads constantly increasing, having faster DC chargers can not only increase the overall utilisation rates of the charging infrastructure as drivers are spending less time at the charging stations, but also ease range anxiety especially during heavy travel periods, which will eventually lead to a higher EV uptake in the market.
ALSO READ:
3 things living with an EV in Malaysia has taught us


This BMW M4 GT4 livery is designed by a Malaysian!

For most of us, designing a livery means quickly whipping something up on Gran Turismo Sport, with the end result usually looking horrible (for us, at least), and the only time it’ll be seen by others is when we join and eventually crash in an online lobby. The story is a little different for 27-year-old Malaysian Chan Wen Bin though, as his design made him the grand prize winner in a
BMW
 contest, and will see it being used as the livery on an actual race car!
The design submitted by the graphic designer from Semenyih managed to not only win over the jury – comprised of BMW Art Car designer Cao Fei, BMW Designworks Global Automotive Director Michael Scully, as well as BMW works driver Bruno Spengler – but also the fans through BMW’s social media channels.
As a reward for his winning entry, Chan will be bringing home a grand prize of
USD3,000
(~RM12.5K) cash, and his design will be used on the actual
BMW M4 GT4 race car during the DTM Trophy season finale
 on the 7th-8th November. Additionally, the livery will also be
made available on the iRacing sim racing platform
soon, where fans can download and use the design when they race virtually.
“I’ve been a fan of BMW since my childhood and always dreamed of achieving something with BMW one day,” said Wen Bin. “This livery contest was a fantastic opportunity for me to show my passion for BMW and have my design used by BMW Motorsport.
“I’m over the moon and am delighted to have won this competition. I can’t wait to see the result in the real world,” Chan added. “It’s one of my biggest successes in my career as a designer. Thank you so much BMW.”
As part of the contest, the design had to showcase the contest motto: “the fusion of real world and sim racing”, in addition to just pure aesthetics. According to BMW, this means “creating a design whose elegance and beauty comes into full effect not only in the virtual world but also in the real world”.
Commenting on Wen Bin’s design, Cao Fei said: “The black overall colour is always classic and elegant for a high-performance BMW coupe. The subtle blue and red parts scattered around the car is not only lively and chic, accentuating its sporty and exclusive aesthetics, but the colour combination also reflects the very essence of BMW M series, paying tribute to its history and legacy. This livery is truly timeless.”
2nd Place: Juan Diego Sánchez (ESP)
3rd Place: Monholo Oumar (FRA)
With his design, Wen Bin prevailed over numerous competitors, including second place Spaniard Juan Diego Sánchez and third place Monholo Oumar from France, who will each take home USD2,000 and USD1,000 respectively for their efforts.
Congratulations Wen Bin for a job well done! We can’t imagine how it must feel to see your own design being brought to life and immortalised on an actual race car. We’ll definitely be cheering with pride when we see your design on the DTM Trophy BMW M4 GT4 race car!


By 2022, Lamborghini’s Huracan will be replaced by a plug-in hybrid

Shocking isn’t it? After years of persisting that they would stick to their signature monstrous engines, the Italian supercar maker has said that it would provide a hybrid powertrain option featuring lightweight batteries to save weight and the ability to run on electric alone.
If you’ve been following Lamborghini’s developments though, this will come as no surprise as they’ve already confirmed plans to build the
 Urus,
which will be equipped with a hybrid powertrain. The luxury SUV, which is due to be launched by the end of the year will pack the might of a supercar; churning out 650 hp from its twin-turbo V8 engine.

In recent news, Lamborghini has also been reportedly considering the
development of a sedan
 – one that will be based on the Estoque concept car revealed at the Paris Motor Show more than a decade ago.
As for their flagship Aventadors, Lamborghini is insistent that its V12 engines still have loads of potential, according to
Autocar
. As such, the Aventador, due before the release of the second-generation Huracan, will retain its naturally-aspirated powertrain for the model to remain unique to the brand and its customers –  who has in the past approached Lamborghini for their raw power and performance.
Source:
 Autocar


The 2022 Mazda 2 Hybrid for Europe is a rebadged TNGA Toyota Yaris!

Mazda Europe has unveiled their latest member of electrified models- the Mazda 2 Hybrid. This compact hatchback looks incredibly familiar because Mazda has actually rebadged the
TNGA Toyota Yaris Hybrid
 (MXPH10) rather than developing an all-new model.
The new Mazda 2 Hybrid goes on sale throughout Europe from spring 2022 and brings self-charging full hybrid powertrain technology to the Mazda model range for the first time. Similar to the
award-winning
 Toyota Yaris Hybrid and also the new
Toyota Aqua
, the Mazda 2 Hybrid features a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine paired with Toyota’s unique motor-generator transaxle to deliver a combined system output of
116 hp
.
The Mazda 2 can complete the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in
9.7seconds
 while returning a WLTC-rated fuel consumption of up to 3.8 litres per 100 km.
The new Mazda 2 Hybrid is the latest outcome of a long-standing collaboration between Mazda Motor Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. It will be an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) model supplied by Toyota Motor Europe and will be added to the Mazda 2 European line-up as Mazda’s own brand vehicle.
The project was first mentioned in November 2020 when Mazda presented its revised Medium-Term Management Plan. China is the next market targeted to feature Toyota Hybrid System in Mazda vehicles.
Toyota and Mazda will also be campaigning in endurance races to save the combustion engine. More on their ‘big idea’ here!
Key projects under ‘Enhance Alliance’ of Mazda’s Medium-Term Management Plan-Revision
In the UK, the Mazda 2 Hybrid will be sold alongside the recently launched
2022 Mazda 2
, giving customers in the ‘supermini’ segment the choice of two distinct models, depending on their needs.
The Mazda 2 Hybrid will join the fully electric MX-30 and other existing electrified models offering a substantial reduction in local CO2 emissions. Between 2022 and 2025, Mazda will offer the electrified rear-wheel drive platform for large SUVs such as the recently spotted
Mazda CX-60
.
The Mazda2 Hybrid won’t make it to Malaysia, but the fully electric MX-30 will! Find out more here!
Mazda will also equip the Toyota Hybrid System into new US-made SUV models, perhaps in the recently introduced
Mazda CX-50
 that is manufactured in a plant that’s joint-ventured with Toyota.
GALLERY


Baddies be warned, UK cops now have Ford Ranger Raptors and Focus STs

The lives of the criminals within the United Kingdom are about to get a lot harder (as it should), with the new upgrades coming to the UK Police force vehicle fleet.
Ford has announced that the UK Police force is currently evaluating the
Ford Ranger Raptor
and the
 Focus ST Estate
 across the country, where South Wales Police are among the firsts to receive the Ranger Raptor performance pick-up.
Both of the new blue-light vehicles used here are unchanged mechanically underneath the bright Police livery. For the Ford Ranger Raptor, a 2.0-litre EcoBlue Bi-Turbo mill generates
213 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque, paired to a
10-speed automatic transmission
. Power is sent to all four wheels.
But perhaps the reason the Ranger Raptor was chosen for the task is due to the standard-equipment
 FOX shock absorbers
, as well as the
Baja desert race mode
, which should come in handy during off-road high-speed pursuits.
The Ford Focus ST Estate on the other hand is powered by a
2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine
, capable of producing
276 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque.
The output figure translates to a century sprint time of
5.8 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
 220 km/h
– enough to outrun most cars on the road, by a professionally trained driver of course.
Both of the new Ford cop cars under trial are produced by Ford’s Special Vehicle Preparation team in Essex, which has added the all-round emergency lights and sirens, aside from the livery.
IMAGE GALLERY


Facts & Figures: Mitsubishi Triton Athlete now available in Malaysia – RM141,500

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) today officially launched the Triton Athlete, replacing the
Triton Adventure X
 as the flagship variant of the Triton line-up in Malaysia.
MMM is pricing the new fully-imported Mitsubishi Triton Athlete at
RM141,500
. Compared to the Adventure X it replaces, the Triton Athlete is RM3,600 dearer.
EXTERIOR
The Triton Athlete makes a bold statement upfront, with black dominating the “dynamic shield” design maintaining the Bi-LED headlamps with LED DRLs. Further exterior highlights exclusive for the Triton Athlete include:
Gloss black radiator grille and surround
Gloss black front under garnish
Gloss black rear bumper
Black door and tailgate handles
Door visors
Black side steps
Black 18-inch wheels, 265/60R18 tyres
‘ATHLETE’ graphics
The Triton Athlete is only available in three colours- the recently introduced
Sun Flare Orange Pearl
, White Diamond and Jet Black Mica. A ‘flying design’ sports bar is also fitted as standard.
PERFORMANCE
No changes are made to the mechanical aspects of the Triton Athlete. Similar to the Triton Adventure X it replaces, the powertrain consists of the 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine.
Engine: 2.4-litre, VGT turbodiesel, MIVEC
Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission
Drivetrain: Electronic shift-on-the-fly Super Select 4WD II, Off-road mode
Max horsepower: 181 hp @ 3,500 RPM
Max torque: 430 Nm @ 2,500 RPM
Precise power delivery, especially on challenging terrain, is controlled via the first-in-class
Super Select 4WD II
 system with four off-road modes. Find out why this 4WD system coupled with the best-in-class
5.9-metre
 turning radius is excellent in our video
here
.
INTERIOR
Inside the cabin of the Triton Athlete, key touchpoints have been revised for more personality. The multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel now comes with
orange stitching
 and this is also repeated on the shift lever knob. Other notable features include:
Illuminated door scuff plates
Automatic rain-sensing wipers
Steering wheel-mounted shift paddles
Power-adjustable driver’s seat
Leatherette upholstery
Leatherette knee pads for front occupants
7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity
Automatic air-conditioning
Ceiling-mounted rear air-blower
USB charger for rear occupants
SAFETY
Being the flagship variant, the Mitsubishi Triton Athlete comes loaded with plenty of advanced safety features. Notable items include:
7 airbags
Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) with Warning & Autonomous Function
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) with Lane Change Assist (LCA) & Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS), forward and reverse
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
All Round Monitor (ARM)
Driving Video Recorder (DVR)
The Triton is gaining its
popularity
 as Malaysia’s favourite pick-up truck, recorded a sales performance of
7,598
 units in the most recent MMM’s financial year (April ’20 to March ’21), representing a
32%
 increase in sales compare to the previous year.
MMM also just recorded their
best quarterly sales
 ever, with 4,156 units delivered between January to March 2021.
Prices (on-the-road, private registration and without insurance) for the fully-imported Mitsubishi Triton pick-up range start from RM79,890 for the 2WD
Triton Quest
, with the Triton 4WD MT is just a trickle over the RM100k mark at RM100,200. The automatic transmission variant is priced RM5,790 more at RM105,990.
Moving up the ladder are the Triton Premium variants, again available in both manual and automatic transmissions. Prices are RM113,300 and RM121,000 respectively. Apart from the 2WD Quest, all Triton 4WD models are backed by an impressive
five-year/200,000 km warranty coverage
, whichever comes first.


All-new Peugeot 3008 and 5008 to debut in 2023 with 700 km range EV variant

Peugeot
 has announced that the next-generation all-new Peugeot
3008
 and
5008
 will be making their official debut in the second half of 2023. In line with its electrification push, Peugeot will also be offering fully-electric variants of both models, dubbed E-3008 and E-5008, as part of the models’ variant line-up.
The E-3008 will be coming first, followed by the E-5008 “shortly after”. Details are scarce at the moment, but Peugeot says that it’ll be offered in three different electric powertrain options, including dual motor options, with an impressive electric range of up to 700 km.
The E-3008 will also be the first car to be built on the “state-of-the-art” STLA Medium platform, which features a wide range of connectivity and artificial intelligence technologies, the latter in support of a “future of autonomous driving”.
A steer-by-wire system will be equipped as standard on the new platform, which will enable “new ways to control the vehicle” in the future, including a Hypersquare feature and the next-generation of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit dashboard design, both to be launched from 2026 onwards.
It’ll also feature a completely new design language, with “more flexibility and freedom to reimagine the overall proportions” thanks to the BEV-focused platform.
Further details on the Peugeot E-5008 were not disclosed, but it should closely mirror that of the E-3008.
WATCH:
Peugeot 5008 review – You pay for what you get, nothing more, nothing less!
As part of Peugeot’s “E-Lion Project” electrification roadmap, the French carmaker is committed to a 100% fully battery-electric vehicle (BEV) line-up by 2025, in line with its goal to become completely carbon-neutral by 2038. In achieving that, the marque will be electrifying every model in its line-up this year, while by 2030, all Peugeots sold in Europe will also be fully electric.
For its electrification efforts this year, Peugeot will be introducing a new line-up of 48V mild-hybrid (MHEV) powertrains, to be rolled out onto the 208, 2008, 308, 3008, 5008, and 408 models. To be paired to the 100 hp and 136 hp PureTech engines, the MHEV system utilises a 21 kW electric motor integrated in the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox to provide additional low-end torque while driving, while also reducing fuel consumption by up to 15%.
Uniquely, Peugeot’s MHEV system can also operate in a fully-electric mode for short distances, at up to 50% of the time in urban settings.
Within the next two years, Peugeot will also be unveiling a total of five new EVs – the aforementioned E-3008 and E-5008, alongside the new E-308, E-308 SW, and E-408. For the E-308, it’ll be powered by a brand-new electric powertrain making 115 kW (156 hp), with an electric range of over 400 km.
Back here in Malaysia, the
Peugeot 3008
 and
 5008
 are currently available in a single Allure variant, powered by a turbocharged inline-four engine with 165 hp and 240 Nm. The Peugeot 3008 and 5008 in Malaysia are priced at
RM 167,288
 and
RM 182,388
 respectively.


The new fully-imported Peugeot 5008 is now in Malaysia, priced at RM173,888

It’s likely that you’ve
read our Peugeot 3008 review
 and
even watched our video
 so if its shortcomings have put you off a little, then maybe this RM 173,888 Peugeot 5008 SUV might just do the trick.
Offered in just one variant – the Allure THP – Nasim Sdn. Bhd. has officially launched the fully-imported (CBU) 5008 SUV with a 5-years / 120,000 km warranty as well as 3-years free 24-hour Peugeot Assistance.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Peugeot 5008 1.6 THP Allure
Engine
1.6-litre 4-cylinder THP
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Max Power
165 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
240 Nm @ 1,400 rpm
0-100 km/h ; Top Speed
9.2 seconds ; 206 km/h
Price (OTR w/out Insurance)
RM 173,888
What do you get then for almost
RM 20k extra from the 3008’s asking price
?
For starters you get two extra seats in the 3rd row which can be folded flat or even completely removed and 2nd row seats that can be 40:20:40 split-folded and slid forwards and backwards.
Fold those 3rd row seats and you’ll get about 700 litres of bootspace – almost 200 litres more than the 3008.
As for on-board equipment, the 5008 doesn’t stray too far from the 3008’s offerings. They include Peugeot’s signature i-Cockpit layout, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Seats are leather upholstered, as expected, with 8-way adjustability for the driver’s seat while other notable features include a cooled armrest storage and auto lights and wipers.

On the outside, aside from the rear roofline that appears “more vertical” and boxier around the C-pillars, not much as separates the 5008 from its smaller sibling. LED headlights and the “lion claw” tail lights are standard, along with sequential indicators and 18-inch Los Angeles alloy wheels similarly found in the 3008.
Safety wise, the 5008 is issued with six airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring, Hill Assist Descent Control (HADC) and hill start assist.

The 1.6-litre THP 4-cylinder engine gets
165 hp
 and
240 Nm
 from as low as 1,400 rpm, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, thank heavens. As it is front-wheel driven and not all-wheel, expect the 5008 to be a little more eager off the line.
Not sure if this is relevant because you’d be silly to drive an SUV this fast, but top speed is capped at 206 km/h. If you ever fancy taking it off-road, there’ll be five different driving modes to choose from – Standard, ESP Off, Sand, Mud and most unlikely in Malaysia, Snow.
IMAGE GALLERY


2015 Volkswagen Sharan gets updated mechanicals but retains its looks

Volkswagen announced the updated specifications of the
2015 Sharan
. Most updates are under the skin, while the exterior receives a pair of new
LED taillamps
.
All engines offered in the Sharan have been redesigned and they are all Euro-6 compliant and up to
15 percent more fuel efficient
. The diesel range comprises of a
1.6 TDI
 with
115 hp
, and a
2.0 TDI
 with either
150 hp
 or
184 hp
 while petrol range consists of a
1.4 TSI
 with
150 hp
 and a
2.0 TSI
 with
220 hp
.
Six-speed manual
 box is standard but there’s the optional
six-speed DSG
 with coasting function available for all Sharans except the 1.6 TDI.
The infotainment system in the Sharan has been updated too, with a choice of a 5-inch Composition Color, 6.5-inch Composition Media, or the
 6.5-inch Discovery Media with navigation
.
MirrorLink function
 is available and it supports Android Auto and Car Play.
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
 is a standard fitment, but
Front Assist with integrated City Emergency Braking
 traffic monitoring system,
Adaptive Cruise Control
 (ACC), and
Park Assist
 are some of the optional driving assistance systems on offer.
Slated for a first public appearance at the
Geneva Motor Show
, the updated Sharan will go on sale in Europe in April.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new 2015 Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV arrives in Malaysia, priced at RM454k!

Here it is finally, one of Volvo’s most highly praised and sought after vehicles since its Chinese acquisition back in 2010. You may argue that the Swedish carmaker took a little longer than necessary to produce a successor to the wildly successful XC90 crossover, but if it’s any consolation, the second-generation,
all-new Volvo XC90
 is definitely worth the 13-year long wait.
First and foremost, underpinning this handsome luxury mid-size SUV is Volvo’s new Scalable Product Architecture – part of some 11 billion US dollar investment to make sure the new XC90 hits all right buttons. Unlike the older model, there successor will only be powered by a
2.0-litre four cylinder engine
, albeit in differing states of tunes. However, the XC90 launched today in Malaysia comes with Volvo’s
most advanced 2.0-litre Drive-E engine
, the T8, which packs
over 400 hp
!
QUICK FACTS
Name
2015 Volvo XC90 T8
Engine
1,969cc; twin-charged 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Max Power
407 hp
Max Torque
640 Nm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
5.6 seconds; 230 km/h
Price
RM453,888.00
EXTERIOR
The new XC90 is undoubtedly one of the best looking SUVs on offer right now (even more attractively priced), bandying a sleek new face flanked by a pair of
LED headlights
 with T-shaped (like Thor’s hammer) LED daytime running lights. The front grille features vertical slats, accentuating the car’s overall cleaner and sleeker profile.

Round the side, the XC90 sits on
20-inch
 10-spoke wheels as standard, shod with 275/45 series tyres. Other standard fitment include front and rear skid plates, roof rails, tyre sealant kit, tyre pressure monitoring system and capless refuelling system.
In typical Volvo fashion, there are accessory packages on the sides should you feel like one-upping its looks. The list is extensive, beginning with the
RM21,800 Thor Package
 which grants you all-round bodykit and an LED-lit running board. If the cost of tyres doesn’t matter to you, then the
Oden Package
 will sort you out with a set of
 22-inch wheels
 for a cool
 RM19,644
. This package doesn’t include the tyres, mind you, but the Swedes do recommend the low profile 275/35 Pirelli Scorpion Verde rubbers.
INTERIOR
Inside,
the XC90 continues to impress
. The luxurious cabin is a far departure from any Volvos of old, and gone is the iconic floating centre console. Perhaps one of its standout features is the 9-inch touchscreen head unit which grants access to all of its in-car features. It also supports GPS navigation (with voice control), Bluetooth handsfree, USB, auxiliary and iPod connectivity. Complementing the head unit is a
10-speaker Sensus Connect High Performance
 audio system with 330W amplifier.

The entire cabin of this seven-seater SUV is upholstered in soft Nappa leather, with the second row featuring a 40/20/40 split configuration. It also slides fore and aft should passengers in the third row demand more legroom. The multifunction steering wheel is clad in leather and finished with silk metal inlays, while the rest of the cabin benefits from inscribed walnut inlays. Because you’re getting the T8 variant, the gear knob that comes with it is made of
handcrafted crystal by Orrefors
 and is LED lit.
Finishing off the cabin are features like powered cushion seats for both front seats, automated dimming ambient lighting,
Interior Air Quality System
 with active filters and sensor, Clean Zone Interior Package, quad-zone automatic climate control, panoramic sunroof with sun curtain, luxurious floor mats, Digital Owner’s Manual, head’s up display and a
12.3-inch Digital Adaptive Instrument Cluster
.
But of course, the interior can further be customised with their new range of accessories. There’s the RM1,625 protective grille assembled to the boot compartment to prevent goods from being thrown forwards into the cabin, a Volvo-made child seat that costs RM2,284 and a specially programmed iPad for RM3,335.
PERFORMANCE
As mentioned earlier, the
T8 Drive-E engine
 is Volvo’s top-of-the-range powertrain which combines a
 supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine
 to an electric motor. This combination makes
407 hp
 and
640 Nm
of torque; the engine alone makes 320 hp and 400 Nm, whereas the electric motor supplies 87 hp and 240 Nm of torque.
It is mated to an
eight-speed automatic transmission
 and propels the XC90 from 0 to 100 km/h in just
5.6 seconds
, while sipping
2.1 litres of fuel per 100km
, given the right driving conditions. Yes, let that sink in for a bit. Its top speed is
230 km/h
, and in full electric driving mode the XC90’s 9.2 kWh lithium-ion battery is capable of covering just over 40 km of tarmac. Just 3.5 hours will be needed to charge the battery from empty to full.
The new XC90 rides on double wishbone suspension at the front and a solid integral axle at the rear. It’s air sprung, so this gives you variable damping through the car’s many driving modes.
SAFETY
Volvo cars have always had understated grunt under the hood, but their developments in the safety department is unrivalled. And it’s no different with this XC90. It’s equipped with energy-absorbing seats which helps prevent spine injuries in the event of an accident. Also fitted are Adaptive Cruise Control with Pilot Assist and Distance Alert, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with Full Auto Braking, Automated Parking Assist, Road Sign Information, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Aid.
There’s more – Roll Stability Control, City Safety with Front Collision Warning and Full Auto Braking, Driver Alert Control, Active Bending LED Headlights and Blind Spot Detection System. The list goes on, but if you’re familiar with Volvo cars, the XC90 comes with all of its standard offerings.
WHAT ELSE?
Now, the 2015 Volvo XC90 T8 is at this point in time, the most attractively priced luxury mid-size SUV in the market. It’s priced at
RM453,888
 and will be locally assembled at their existing Shah Alam production plant beginning next year. Despite being a plug-in hybrid, the XC90’s regular service interval is a class-leading 20,000km, and packaged along with it is a 5-year warranty which covers the 9.2kWh battery as well.
All purchases of the new XC90 T8 will come with a complimentary wall charger which will be certified upon installation at home. Additional installations will incur costs, for example if you want your office to come with a Volvo-certified plug point to charge your car, you’ll have to fork out a small sum to get that done.
The 2015 Volvo XC90 is available for viewing at your nearest Volvo showroom from today onwards. There’s a total of
11 exterior colours
, including five interior colour combinations and three types of inlays.
IMAGE GALLERY


Audi recalls 1.2 million units of A4, A5 & Q5 globally over fire risk

Audi has announced a global recall of 1.27 million cars related to a potential fire hazard. Affected models include the A4 B8, A5 B8, A5 Cabriolet and first-gen Audi Q5 built between April 2011 to May 2015.
According to
AutoCar UK
, the plug connectors of the electrical connections in the
auxiliary heater
 may potentially burn and subsequently cause a fire due to the incorrect coatings on the contacts and friction corrosion. The friction is caused by movement of the components which in turn can cause a fire.

Audi will be fitting new auxiliary heating elements with improved electrical contacts. The company claims that the cars can still be driven despite the potential fire risk but should a burning smell is detected, owners should immediately stop the car and have the car inspected by an authorised Audi dealer.
The breakdown of cars affected is as follows: 875,000 in Europe, 250,000 in North America and 47,000 in Asia. Audi discovered the fault during a periodical product monitoring check.


Next-gen Nissan GT-R is already in the works as a 2023 model

During the local introduction of the 2022 Nissan
GT-R T-spec
 and
GT-R Nismo SV
 models, Nissan Australia had indirectly mentioned the existence of the next-generation halo model.
In a report by
Drive.com.au
, Nissan Australia’s chief said, “This isn’t the end of the GT-R story in Australia, but it will mark the closure of this chapter for this generation vehicle,”
Nissan Australia can only sell the ‘Godzilla’ models until October 31st 2021, as a new side-impact crash test regulation (known as ADR 85, aligned with European ECE R135 Pole Side Impact) comes into force in Australia on November 1st 2021.
As the current-generation R35 Nissan GT-R has its roots tracing back to 2008, the structural design of the bodyshell obviously does not consider an impact test that was only enacted in 2015.
A Nissan Leaf undergoing a Pole Side Impact assessment by Euro NCAP
These writings and expressions from the distributors always paint a more positive tone to the end of a cherished model, especially when the name ‘GT-R’ carries so much weight for the Nissan brand.
Nonetheless, rumour has it that the next-generation Nissan GT-R, supposedly to also progress from R35 to R36 sales code, will launch in Japan as soon as late 2022.
Nissan Concept 2020 Vision
Nissan Skyline GT-R models are incredibly treasured by owners and Nissan that they have developed a full restoration programme. Find out how much here!
Among the whispers that surround the R36 GT-R is the addition of electric power to further boost the engine output of
600 hp
 and
652 Nm
 of torque, an approach recently launched by Mercedes-AMG and their
E Performance
 branding. Such an idea was actually
presented
 even before the
2016 Nissan GT-R
 was introduced that eventually continued with just raw petrol power until today.
A fully electric GT-R is however not seeing light until the end of this decade, as the appeal of a zero-emission GT-R is still next to nil.
NISMO presents their recipe to push the engine used in the Italdesign GT-R50 to 720 hp. More about the breakdown of the power kit here!
However, a more cost-effective and resource-friendly approach would be to build an entirely new bodyshell over the existing chassis and powertrain, as seen on the recently launched
2022 Nissan Z
. In this latest iteration of the two-door sports car, much of the interior, platform and its hardpoints plus switches are “hand-me-down” items from the Z34 Nissan 370Z.
Continuous development of the current generation R35 Nissan GT-R, with product chief Hiroshi Tamura
Structural enhancements (to meet the impact regulation) can be performed to improve the bodyshell and chassis through perhaps the usage of more lightweight composite and
carbon fibre
 materials.


BMW X1 M35i xDrive debuts – First M-labelled X1, up to 317 hp, 400 Nm, 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds

BMW
 has just added yet another model to its BMW X1 family, but it’s no ordinary X1 this time around. Introducing the
BMW X1 M35i xDrive
, the first M-labelled and flagship model of the BMW X1 series.
In order to wear the M badge, it’s got to at least look the part. To that end, the BMW X1 M35i xDrive has been given an M-specific exterior makeover, including a front apron with large intakes to help cool its engine, transmission, and brakes, even when under hard driving.
The SAV is also decorated with side skirt extensions, a roof spoiler, and a rear apron with diffuser inlay. Just so you know that it’s a proper ‘M’ model, the X1 M35i also gets a pair of black M side-view mirrors with the signature twin stalk design.
Rounding off the exterior redesign are a set of 19-inch M double-spoke bi-colour wheels. The BMW X1 M35i is also the first M performance model to be fitted with two pairs of twin tailpipes.
RELATED:
The next-gen BMW M5 will get a Touring variant, and we love it already
Powering the BMW X1 M35i xDrive is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder M TwinPower Turbo engine. Claimed to be the most powerful four-cylinder engine in BMW’s modular engine portfolio, it produces either
300 hp
 or
317 hp
 (depending on the market), and
400 Nm
 of torque.
If you need more performance though, the BMW X1 M35i xDrive is also equipped with the M Sport Boost function which can provide rapid bursts when needed. The mode can be activated just by pulling and holding the left-hand shift paddle for at least one second.
The engine is paired with a seven-speed Steptronic transmission. With power sent to all four wheels via BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) system, sprinting from 0-100 km/h takes
5.4 seconds
, and the SAV’s top speed is electronically limited to
250 km/h
.
To provide greater agility and handling dynamics when taking corners, even when on loose terrains or in adverse weather conditions, the new performance SUV is also fitted with a mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD) on the front axle.
A set of Adaptive M suspensions ensures that the BMW X1 M35i handles as well as it looks, while stopping power is provided by a brake-by-wire integrated brake system, which are upgradeable to the M Compound brakes with four-piston calipers up front.
ALSO WATCH:
2023 BMW iX1 xDrive30 in Malaysia – 313 hp, 494 Nm, RM285k
Inside the BMW X1 M35i xDrive, you will find an Alcantara-trimmed instrument panel, M door sill trim, M pedals, as well as M-specific graphics on the BMW Curved Display. The interior also features the brand’s Sports steering, Aluminium Hexacube Dark interior trim elements, and an anthracite-coloured headliner as standard. Customers can also opt for the BMW Head-Up Display and M leather steering wheel with shift paddles as an option.
Other standard interior equipment also include the dual-zone automatic climate control, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, and the BMW Curved Display panels atop the dashboard. On the latter, The X1 M35i is the first BMW model to come equipped with with the new BWM iDrive with QuickSelect and BMW Operating System 9.0.
For some additional flair, the sports seats are wrapped in black Sensatec and Alcantara, matched with blue contrast stitching. Optionally, the leather-like Veganca upholstery and M Sport seats with illuminated M logos are also available.
The BMW X M35i xDrive is planned to be launched in the US in October 2023 with a starting price tag of
USD49,900
(approx.
RM233k
). Deliveries in Europe, on the other hand, will commence in November 2023.
RELATED:
BMW X1 xDrive30e PHEV launched in Thailand, coming to Malaysia soon?
GALLERY


Facts & Figures: Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition now in Malaysia, from RM1.6 million

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), the sole distributor of Porsche here in Malaysia has just announced the availability of the first heritage design model in Malaysia, the Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition.
Pricing for the new retro-inspired and
unique “targa” roof system
 sportscar starts from
RM1,677,409
 with SST exemption.
EXTERIOR
The Heritage Design Edition is based on the new 911 Targa that continues to feature the unique retractable roof panel that open and close within 19 seconds while offering a stylish look of a metallic B-pillar and larger, three-dimensional rear windscreen.
The Cherry Metallic exterior colour exclusive to the 911 series takes up the style of the 50s in a modern interpretation. Alternatively, two solid colours (Black and Guards Red), a metallic colour (GT Silver Metallic) and a special colour (Crayon) are also available for the special model together with other selected individual colours.
One striking design feature is the “Spears” motorsport graphic on the front fenders or wings. The white “Spears” recall the early days of Porsche’s participation in motorsport, where the “spears” were used to cover “battle scars” in races.
“We’re bringing back our iconic looks from different eras and proving that Porsche stays true to its roots, even in the age of electrification. The 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition evokes the memories of the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s and translates these elements into a modern day sports car that excites Porsche customers through the lifestyle dimensions,” said Sime Darby Auto Performance CEO, Christopher Hunter.
Porsche 911 takes the top spot for most trouble-free ownership! Find out more and why here!
Key exterior treatment for the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition includes:
Carrera Exclusive Design wheels in mixed 20- and 21-inch sizing
Historic crest on the centre wheel hub
White “spears” graphics on front fenders
Historical motorsport graphics with the option for race numbers
Gold lettering for the rear emblems as well as on the Targa bar
Porsche Heritage badge on the rear lid grille
Silver sports exhaust tailpipes
SDAP also took the opportunity to announce the first soon-to-be-open Classic Partner Centre in Malaysia located at Porsche Centre Johor Bahru. The facility is scheduled for launch at the end of this year.
INTERIOR
The historic theme continues with the interior with plenty of attention to detail. The Bordeaux Red two-tone leather upholstery and Atacama Beige OLEA club leather were designed exclusively for this edition. Customers can also choose two-tone leather upholstery in Black and Atacama Beige.
Corduroy, a fabric already used in the Porsche 356, makes a comeback and brings the fashion style of the 50s back to life. This soft ribbed fabric is used on the centre panels of the seats and in the door panels. The overall look of the interior is rounded off with perforated Alcantara in Atacama Beige on the headlining and the A and B pillars.
Other key highlights in the interior of the Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition include:
Heritage Design exclusive instrument cluster with a classic pointer in the rev counter and green scales and markings derived from the Porsche 356
Heritage Design exclusive Sport Chrono clock with green digits
Historical Porsche crest on the steering wheel and embossed on the headrests
Car key colour-coded to vehicle’s exterior colour with matching leather key-pouch
Door sills in aluminium with embossed 911 logos
Limited-edition metal badge on dashboard trim panel
PERFORMANCE
The Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition is powered by the new 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six engine with the ‘S’ designation’s state of engine tune. That means
450 hp
 and
530 Nm
 of torque.
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six boxer engine, petrol
Transmission: 8-speed PDK gearbox
Drivetrain: Rear engine, all-wheel drive
Horsepower: 450 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque: 530 Nm @ 2,300 to 5,000 rpm
0-100 km/h: 3.6 seconds
Top speed: 304 km/h
Handling duties are taken care by Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with the power sent to all four wheels via the map-controlled Porsche Traction Management (PTM). Rear-wheel traction is further enhanced by Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) that electronically controls the fully variable torque distribution between the left and right rear wheels.
Which model of the classic Porsche 911 from Lego would you like. Decisions, decisions.

PRICING
Pricing for the new first Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition in Malaysia begins from
RM1,677,409
 with SST exemption. All Porsche vehicles sold via SDAP come with a four-year warranty and free maintenance package, which includes complimentary service, labour and parts.
Other variants from the Porsche 911 range include the
911 Carrera S and 4S
 models, as well the ballistic
911 Turbo

S
.
GALLERY


Here are your finalists for the 2021 World Car of the Year

The finalists for the 2021
World Car of the Year award
 (WCOTY) awards has just been announced, with the final selection narrowed down from 24 cars initially, to now only 10 in contention for the overall award. Additionally, five cars have also been selected for each sub-category – of which there are four this year, including the World Car Design of the Year.
The 2020 World Car of the Year, Kia Telluride
Judged by a panel of 93 international automotive journalists, the WCOTY finalists were selected via a secret ballot, based on their individual evaluation of each eligible vehicle conducted throughout the year as part of their own professional work.
As for the 2021 World Car Design of the Year, all cars competing in any of the other categories will be eligible for this award. The five finalists were selected as “short-list recommendations” by a panel of seven respected design experts, which will then be voted by the 93 jurors.
After the final tabulation of votes, which will be conducted by accountancy firm KPMG, the top three contenders in all categories will be then announced on the 30th of March, followed by the announcement of the 2021 WCOTY winners on
April 30
 – where the winner of the overall WCOTY award will succeed the
Kia Telluride
.
So without further ado, here are the finalists of the 2021 WCOTY awards, including the sub categories and their five finalists – all in alphabetical order. Do you agree with the WCOTY finalists? Let us know in the comments below!
2021
World Car of the Year
 finalists
Audi A3
BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe
BMW 4-Series
Honda-e
Kia K5 / Optima
Kia Sorento
Mazda MX-30
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Toyota Yaris
Volkswagen ID.4
2021 WCOTY
World Urban Car
 finalists
Honda Jazz / Fit
Honda-e
Hyundai i10 / Grand i10
Hyundai i20
Toyota Yaris
2021 WCOTY
World Luxury Car
 finalists
Aston Martin DBX
BMW X6
Land Rover Defender
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Polestar 2
2021 WCOTY
World Performance Car
 finalists
Audi RS Q8
BMW M2 CS
BMW X5 M / X6 M
Porsche 911 Turbo
Toyota GR Yaris
2021 WCOTY
World Car Design of the Year
 finalists
Honda-e
Land Rover Defender
Mazda MX-30
Polestar 2
Porsche 911 turbo


Volkswagen Polo GTI Mk4: Official photos and specs released, to get 1.8 TSI engine

Volkswagen has finally unwrap the covers to the latest, fourth generation Polo GTI. It gets a number of changes, most notably the adoption of the
1.8-litre TSI engine
. Gone is the 1.4-litre twincharged motor, so let’s get down to the bone and see how good this popular hatch looks on paper.
Purists rejoice, because the Mk4 Polo GTI can now be had with
two gearboxes
– a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual clutch DSG transmission. There’s also the optional Sports Select Suspension kit which electronically alters the damping behaviour.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Polo GTI Mk4
Segment
B-Segment, Compact
Engine
1,798cc, inline-4 direct injected, turbocharged
Transmission
6-speed manual/ 7-speed DSG
Max Power
192 hp @ 5,400 to 6,200 rpm
Max Torque
250 Nm @ 1,250 to 5,300 (DSG); 320 Nm @ 1,450 to 4,200 rpm (6-spd manual)
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
6.7 seconds; 236 km/h (both MT and DSG)
EXTERIOR
Its exterior design is still very distinctly a GTI, accentuated by a
red strip
 that runs across the grille and into the headlights. It also gets the optional
LED powered headlights
, the first to ever be offered with the Polo. Front and rear bumpers are more aggressively sculpted, and it sits on the much better looking
17-inch GTI wheels
.

At the rear, the Polo GTI gets the variant’s exclusively designed GTI roof spoiler, ‘Dark Red’ tail light clusters and black grained diffuser complemented with dual tailpipes finished in chrome.
INTERIOR
On the inside, the Polo GTI features the leather steering wheel taken from the Mk7 Golf GTI that comes with red stitching. Seats are wrapped in the GTI’s trademark high-quality checkered fabric, while the pedals are given an aluminium finish. Standard features include Driver Alert System, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Park Pilot. Housed in the centre console is the head unit with proximity sensor, similar to that found in the Mk7 Golf range.

PERFORMANCE
As mentioned earlier, the Mk4 Polo GTI is powered by a
1.8-litre direct injected turbocharged
 engine that replaces the previous
1.4-litre twincharged
 motor. Despite losing the supercharger, the new engine produces 12 horsepower more, now making
190 hp
 at 5,400 to 6,200 revolutions. Torque wise, the DSG configurated Polo GTI gets
250 Nm
 of torque at 1,250 to 5,300 rpm while the manual variant takes up to
320 Nm
 at 1,450 to 4,200 rpm.
The DSG unit is the same
seven-speed dry-type dual clutch transmission
, whereas the
manual stickshift
 gets
six gearing
. Both the DSG and manual Polo are
front-wheel driven
 and manages the century sprint in
6.7 seconds
, while reaching a top speed of
236 km/h
.
WHAT ELSE?
Early sales of the Polo GTI have already begun in Germany, but the rest of Europe will have to wait till February 2015 for its arrival. It’s no question that the Polo GTI will be brought here, but this time around, will it be offered with a third pedal? The hot hatch field could use another stick shifting entrant to take on the likes of the
Fiesta ST
 and Peugeot 208 GTI. We can’t wait.
IMAGE GALLERY


Nissan IDx coupe is dead, one less alternative to the Toyota 86, Mazda MX-5

Anyone recall the Nissan IDx? A retro small coupe introduced back in 2013 at the Tokyo Motor Show which would eventually be Nissan’s answer to the
Toyota 86
 and
Mazda MX-5
. Some even went on to call it the true successor of tail-happy Silvia S16. Sadly though, Nissan chose to call it off.
According to
AutoExpress
, the main reason behind the decision is cost. Nissan said, in order to develop an entirely new platform for the IDx, the company will have to allocate an unjustifiable size of fund to make it happen. It’s not that they’re short on RWD platforms, no, because the 370Z and GT-R are all front-engined but rear-wheel driven. However, the devil is in the details. Both the cars run on heavy, huge V6 engines, which is completely the opposite of what the IDx is supposed to be.
Even if they did manage to pull it off, Nissan would be banking on a huge risk – the sales volume of the IDx will undoubtedly be small, and a sports car of its kin won’t be able to justify the investment. So the game they’re playing now is to soldier on with the
GT-R
 and Z-series sports cars, although it’s unclear at this point if this includes the development of an entirely new model.
We know it’s disappointing, so let’s put things into perspective. Creating a small affordable coupe is a risky affair, seeing how Toyota and Subaru are
struggling
 with the declining of sales for the 86 and BRZ models. Mazda meanwhile, banked on their iconic MX-5 to produce healthy sales figures, and went on to introduce the
MX-5 RF
 hardtop that should deepen its pool of customers.
Presently in Malaysia, the only sporty Nissan model from its principal, Edaran Tan Chong Motor, is the
Almera
 with the RM13,000
Nismo Performance Package
.
[Source:
Auto Express
]


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia celebrates 25,000th locally assembled commercial vehicle at Pekan [+Video]

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has just celebrated a new milestone at its
local production plant in Pekan
, but this time the model in question has more than just four wheels, and it’s not a vehicle for the masses.
The highlight of the event was to commemorate the company’s 25,000th locally assembled commercial vehicle, the Actros 2644LS – their largest commercial vehicle. It costs about
RM360k per unit
 and takes about
six working days
 to assemble from frame to finish.
Six days is a long time to build just one big truck, isn’t it? Well, for starters, assembling a vehicle of this size takes up a lot of space and time. The commercial vehicle (CV) production line differs greatly from that of a regular passenger vehicle line. Instead of having a line or two, the production of CVs is split into
 five key stations
; Frame Assembly, Cab Painting, Assembly Line, Testing Line and Buy-off Line.
Frame Assembly
 – As self explanatory as this is, this station sees over
200 rivets fitted
 to the industry-proof solid steel frame.
Cab Painting
 – This paint shop is a separate unit from the passenger vehicle line simply due to the cab’s sheer size. However, the painting process varies minimally and covers a wide range of hues to meet various customer demands.
Assembly Line
 – Over 1,850 individual parts are put together, forming the interior, chassis and all of its safety features.
Testing Line
 – There are seven quality gates to test the brand new prime mover; brake test, side slip, turning angle, shower test and meticulous visual inspections through a light tunnel.
Buy-off Line
 – This section of the plant is where customers are usually handed the keys to their brand new trucks. The entire process from frame assembly to this checkpoint takes six days.

This production plant in Pekan (manned by 1,300 local employees) is one of Daimler CKD’s nine commercial vehicle production facilities in the world – one which saw MBM invest an amount totalling to
 RM28 million
 (only for CV line) since operations began in 2004. Their commercial vehicle portfolio is suited for use in various industries. MBM has even supplied some to MNCs (multinational corporations) and other organisations such as fire stations, hospitals and rescue services.
At the event, MBM’s Vice President of Commercial Vehicles, Albert Yee said, “Marking the 25,000th Commercial Vehicle is certainly a landmark moment for us at Pekan. To us, it demonstrates how Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles and our production facilities have continue to be a hallmark of premium quality. As a first-class product, Mercedes-Benz trucks represent reliability and cost-efficiency that comes with a service quality of comprehensive expertise. Ultimately, Mercedes-Benz delivers
trucks you can trust
.”
From left: MBM’s VP of Commercial Vehicles, Albert Yee and VP of Pekan Production Plant, Ingbert Grombach

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s commercial vehicle market share is about
16.4 percent
 to date. Interested parties can get their hands on these vehicles via key partners, namely Swift Haulage Sdn Bhd, Interway Transport Sdn Bhd and Landbridge Haulage Sdn Bhd. Every purchase of a commercial vehicle comes with a
2-year factory warranty
 programme. The first year covers unlimited mileage, whereas warranty for the subsequent year will cover the powertrain up till 200,000km. There are 14 commercial vehicle service centres nationwide as of press time.
IMAGE GALLERY


SUVs vs Sedans: Is bigger always better?

The next time you drive around your neighbourhood, take a good look at the cars parked in your neighbours’ driveways. Notice the number of SUVs around? Nope, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. The rise in popularity in these tall-riding vehicles is nothing short of meteoric – in fact, 20% of car buyers in 2019
preferred SUVs over other body styles
, a figure that was just 6% in 2015.
While there are definitely good reasons for someone to choose an SUV, are we actually forgetting about the humble sedan all too easily? Can the sedan still match up to the superstar SUV body style in these modern times where our needs are ever changing?
Before we pit the two in a head-to-head comparison though, some housekeeping is in order. What
exactly
 is a sedan or an SUV?
A sedan is a passenger vehicle composed of three major compartments or “boxes” – engine, passenger, and cargo – all separate from each other. This is also sometimes referred to as the “three-box configuration”, for obvious reasons. The passenger compartment typically has two rows of seats, with a standard seating capacity of five passengers, including the driver.
As for SUVs, things get a little bit complicated. A traditional SUV, or Sports Utility Vehicle, is designed with off-road purposes in mind – so all-wheel drive, ladder frame chassis, and large ground clearances are almost always found on a vehicle of the sports utility variety.
In recent times though, the term SUV has also been commonly used to cover what are essentially called crossovers. These cars are mostly based on existing models and platforms, but jacked up to portray a tough SUV-like image. Off-road capabilities are optional, so they are generally more “car-like”, with a plusher ride and comfortable interior.
For the sake of simplicity, when we say SUV hereon in, we’re referring to both traditional SUVs and crossovers. So with all of that out of the way, let’s take a closer look at how these two types of vehicles compare against each other, shall we?
1. Cargo Space
Thanks to the its unique layout, an SUV can typically carry more cargo at the rear, especially with the rear seats folded down. The taller space also means that you’ll more easily fit taller or bulkier items into the rear cargo area – just remove the tonneau cover and you’re set. Sliding larger items in and out of the boot is also a whole lot easier, thanks to the usually-flat load floor.
However, that doesn’t mean sedans are inherently bad a hauling items. Well designed three-box sedans can still offer a decently sized cargo area in the boot, enough to rival even the SUVs – just take a look at the current
Honda City
, offering an enormous 536 litres of boot space in its relatively compact body size.
Many sedans also now offer 60:40 split folding rear seats, which means you’ll be able to slide longer items up front, though taller items might still be a little bit of a struggle due to the smaller boot opening. On the flip side, the lower ride height of sedans also mean that you won’t have to lift your groceries as high up to put it into the boot.
2. Seating Position
Occupants in an SUV sit quite a lot higher than its sedan counterparts, which means outward visibility is generally better. You’ll be able to see further down the road, giving you more time to react to what’s happening ahead of you; the saying that “taller cars are safer” might actually ring true here, though not in the way most people think.
The taller seating position also means you’ll be able to find an empty parking space easier, as you can easily look over a parked car, preventing the pesky Kancil situation that we all know and dread. Looking out of your windows, it’s also hard not to feel superior seeing all the other drivers seated in their lowly sedans… we kid.
That’s not to say that sedans have bad visibility, though. Many new vehicle architectures are actually designed specifically with visibility in mind, featuring a lower cowl (the part where the bonnet meets the windscreen) and belt line to help you see out of the car easier.
Furthermore, some people might prefer the lower ride height to aid with ingress and egress, without the need to hop into the seats of taller SUVs – but really, it’s just a matter of personal preference. And of course, if you want to feel like a race car driver by sitting closer to the floor, sedans are your only choice here – which brings us directly to the next point.
3. Drive
With a lower ride height and generally lower overall weight, the centre of gravity of a sedan is situated lower compared to the SUVs. This means that sedans tend to have better handling capabilities and are more agile around bends, giving you a more sporty driving experience – sorry, you just can’t fight physics.
The sleeker three-box design also means that sedans generally have a lower aerodynamic coefficient, making it glide easier through the air and improving overall fuel consumption. The extra weight on SUVs don’t help, too, despite the significant improvement these cars have experienced in recent years.
However, having a taller ground clearance does mean that SUVs can traverse rougher terrains or obstacles a little easier – with or without all-wheel drive. With our pothole-filled Malaysian roads that frequently turn into temporary swimming pools especially during the monsoon seasons, SUV drivers can feel more at ease knowing that their taller cars can probably wade through it unscathed.
Before you proudly drive your SUVs into the nearest puddle though, always remember to always
 think about your safety first
 – never drive through a body of water without knowing the depth of the water. If you’re unsure, always err on the side of caution and take a different route if possible.
4. Price
Being Malaysians, there’s no point in a comparison if we don’t mention the price, right? According to J.D. Power, the average transaction price of SUVs in 2019 is 2.6 times higher than small cars, meaning you’ll be paying more to get an SUV over a comparable sedan.
Just for comparison purposes, take a look at the
Honda Civic
 against it’s corresponding C-segment SUV counterpart, the
CR-V
. Pitting both entry-level variants against each other, you’ll notice that the CR-V, starting at RM144,629.66, is priced more than 32% higher than the Civic, which starts at RM 109,326.51 now, with the
sales-tax exemptions
 that are in place until the end of the year.
One might argue that the CR-V has a slightly more powerful engine, and that is certainly true. Though for someone who’s looking to justify their purchase based on value instead of desire, the couple of extra horsepower still isn’t going to help with its appeal.
If you think that was not a fair comparison, then consider this: the
Toyota RAV4
 (RM215,665) is priced more than 14% higher than the
Toyota Camry
 (RM188,763) – a car that is technically one segment higher, with a passenger cell that is 28-litre bigger in volume. I guess that’s the price we have to pay for some extra flexibility.
At the end of the day, the choice still falls back into the hands of the buyer, as both body styles have their own set of advantages against the other. Hopefully, the breakdown above has helped in your purchasing decisions, and if we’ve missed out something, do let us know in the comments section below!


Kia made a stripped out, track version of the Kia Stinger with over 420 hp

Kia Motors UK wanted to see how far they can push the performance boundaries of the brand’s halo model, the
Kia Stinger
. With the help from Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre, the Kia Stinger GT420 is born.
The track-only car uses the same 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine and 8-speed automatic transmission as the road car but significantly beefed up to deliver
428 hp
 and
560 N
m of torque. This was achieved with a new HKS M45il spark plugs, K&N sports air filter, Milltek Sports de-cat exhaust system, transmission cooler and a recalibrated transmission software.
A set of OZ Racing
Leggera alloy wheels measuring 19-inch in diameter (5 kgs lighter than standard
wheels each), Pirelli Trofeo R tyres, Brembo six-pot front calipers and Endless
brake pads are fitted to keep the speedy Stinger in check.
To further enhance the Stinger’s on-track performance, the cabin is stripped out. With the removal of interior trim, sound system, parking sensors, sunroof, sound insulation materials and others, the result is a total weight reduction of 150 kg. Although it’s cute how they have retained the standard multifunctional steering wheel…
Lastly, a custom roll cage,
Sparco race seats and fire extinguisher are bolted into the cabin to ensure the
Kia Stinger GT420 is ready to hit the tracks.
IMAGE GALLERY
Kia Stinger GT420


Kia Rio GT-Line unveiled, 1.0L turbo with 119 hp & 171 Nm, 6-speed manual

Kia has just revealed the first images of the Kia Rio GT-Line ahead of its global premiere at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS). The
fourth-generation Rio
 will be dressed in the most aggressive GT-Line specification like the
Picanto
,
Optima
,
Sportage
 and
Sorento
.
The company’s global best-selling B-Segment hatchback was well received by customers around the globe thanks to its versatility, handling and safety features. The new GT-Line spices up the Rio line up further to enhance the car’s desirability to drive sales in 2018 and beyond.
On the outside, the GT-Line gets a unique gloss-black and chrome contrast tiger nose grille, quad ice-cube LED fog lamps, twin exhaust tips at the rear, chrome window trim and a gloss black roof spoiler. It now rides on 17-inch GT-Line multi-spoke alloys.
Inside you’ll find new items such as black synthetic leather and cloth upholstery with contrasting grey stitching, a flat-bottomed multifunctional steering wheel as well as new metallic and carbon fibre-effect interior trims. Other than that, the car gets the standard aluminium pedals, 7.0-inch floating touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (something our
local spec Rio is missing
), rear view camera and heated seats.
Under the hood you’ll find a new
1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder T-GDI
 engine similar to the one found in the
Picanto X-Line
. Except on the larger sibling, the three-potter churns out
119 hp
 and
 171 Nm
 of torque,
20 hp
 higher but
1 Nm
 lower than the Picanto. Drive is channeled to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
Interestingly, Kia has announced that from Q3 2018 onwards, the Rio GT-Line will be available with naturally aspirated options: 1.25- and 1.4-litre four-cylinder MPI petrol engines that will be paired to a new
seven-speed double clutch transmission
. The 1.4-litre MPI offered to the Malaysian market comes with a four-speed slushbox which
we found to be a little dated
.

On the safety front, the Rio GT-Line gets the full suite of safety features including Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian recognition, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and Driver Attention Warning (DAW) system on top of the usual six-airbags and three letter acronyms.
IMAGE GALLERY


New Shell Helix Power, Protect engine oils make it easy to choose the right one for your car

While car nerds like us do pay attention to the technical details while choosing the right engine oils for our cars, the majority of car users tend to just leave the choice to the workshop or service centres as the complex jargons can be quite daunting to the day-to-day commuting drivers.
With the launch of the new
Shell Helix
 Power and Helix Protect engine oils, Shell Malaysia is looking to bring the important choice back to the car owners by focusing more on benefits rather than technical specifications, making it easier to choose the right engine oil based on one’s driving style and needs.
As their names suggest, the Power variant, which is in fact a fully-synthetic 0W-40 viscosity engine oil with several performance-focused additives, is designed for customers who spend most of their times on highways and hilly terrains that demand more power and acceleration on tap.
On the other hand, the Protect variant, formulated as a fully-synthetic 0W-30 viscosity engine oil with additional lubricative and cleaning additives, is designed for those that drive through start-stop traffic in cities every day, putting the engines under tremendous stress.
Shell Malaysia says that both the engine oils will be
compatible with most modern vehicles
 on Malaysian roads today that usually require low viscosity lubricants with 0W, 5W or 10W ratings. Both engine oils feature Shell’s latest PurePlus Technology, which is an “ultra-pure” base oil made from natural gas.
Designed as low viscosity fully-synthetic lubricants, the new Shell Helix Power and Protect engine oil can flow faster even at low temperatures to coat and protect key moving engine components during start-up.
As a result, the engine will experience less wear-and-tear effects from cold starts, better fuel economy, lower carbon emissions, as well as lower maintenance costs thanks to the longer oil drain intervals.
The Shell Helix Power retails at
RM280
 for a four-litre pack, while the Shell Helix Protect retails at
 RM240
 for a four-litre pack. In conjunction with the launch, Shell Malaysia will also be giving away a free replica Scuderia Ferrari race car with the purchase of a four-litre pack of any variant at any participating workshops. The campaign will run from now till while stocks last.
At the launch of the new products, the company also distributed complimentary packs of the new engine oils, as well as Shell Helix Care Kits to Grab driver-partners, as part of its #BecauseWeCare initiative.


Porsche begins production of synthetic fuel in bid to keep ICEs alive

Porsche
, together with its international partners and the Chilean operating company Highly Innovative Fuels (HIF), have officially begun industrial production of synthetic fuels at a new pilot plant in Punta Arenas, Chile.
Dubbed ‘Haru Oni’, the pilot plant will be producing synthetic fuel using water, carbon dioxide, as well wind energy, which enables the “nearly CO2-neutral operation of petrol engines”.
Porsche Executive Board members Barbara Frenkel and Michael Steiner performed the ceremonial fuelling of a Porsche 911 with the first synthetic fuel produced at the site.
In the pilot phase, the Haru Oni plant is targetting a production of around 130,000 litres of eFuel (Porsche’s name for synthetic fuel) per year. For now, the fuel will be used in other Porsche lighthouse projects such as the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and at Porsche centres.
After the pilot phase, however, the production capacity is scheduled to scale up to 55 million litres per year by 2025, and then a 10-times jump to 550 million litres just two years later.
RELATED:
Porsche says its synthetic fuel could make combustion engines as clean as EVs
The south of Chile was selected for the pilot project specifically for its weather conditions, with wind blowing for around 270 days a year which enables the wind turbines to operate at full capacity for the majority of the time. Punta Arenas is also located close to the Strait of Magellan, which allows for easy exporting of the eFuel using existing infrastructure at the port of Cabo Negro.
“Porsche is committed to a double-e path: e-mobility and eFuels as a complementary technology,” says Porsche AG executive board member for Procurement, Barbara Frenkel. “Using eFuels reduces CO2 emissions. Looking at the entire traffic sector, the industrial production of synthetic fuels should keep being pushed forward worldwide. With the eFuels pilot plant, Porsche is playing a leading role in this development.”
Porsche AG executive board member for Development and Research, Michael Steiner added, “The potential of eFuels is huge. There are currently more than 1.3 billion vehicles with combustion engines worldwide. Many of these will be on the roads for decades to come, and eFuels offer the owners of existing cars a nearly carbon-neutral alternative.”
Porsche has committed to being carbon-neutral across its entire value chain by 2030, including a CO2-neutral usage phase for future fully-electric models. The company has already invested over USD100 million in the development and production of eFuels, and has plans to expand the production of such synthetic fuels to the USA and Australia.
ALSO READ:
Toyota to invest $5.6b in EV batteries, but says EVs are not the ‘only solution’
Porsche is not the only major carmaker committed to developing carbon-neutral alternative fuel systems, in addition to the industry-wide EV push. Most recently, Toyota’s
hydrogen combustion concept race car
, the ORC ROOKIE GR Corolla H2 concept, participated in the Thailand 25H Endurance Race as part of its development process.
Formula 1, widely regarded as the pinnacle of motorsports, have also
 committed to the development and use of renewable fuels
. The series already uses an E10 fuel blend (10% ethanol content) as of 2022, and is looking to implement 100% renewable fuels in its cars as soon as 2025 to coincide with the new engine regulations. The move has already attract new carmakers, such as Audi and potentially Porsche, to invest in the motorsports series.


Porsche did more than just remove the rear wing in the new 911 GT3 Touring

They know their customer base incredibly well, so, Porsche has just released the more gentlemanly-looking
992-generation 911 GT3
 without the swan-neck rear wing, called the Touring package. The company said the understated look was popular in the previous generations which started from the
911 R
.
The Porsche 911 GT3 with Touring package is essentially just a GT3 without a rear wing and a little more.
For starters, the reprofiled smooth-flowing engine cover now includes a large mesh grille with a panel to house a horizontal third-brake light and ‘GT3 Touring’ emblem to ensure visual difference over a
simpler 911 variant
. Porsche says some lost downforce is clawed back through an
automatic-extending rear spoiler
.
The Porsche 911 takes top spot for the most troublefree ownership
From the side, the window surround is now bright chrome as opposed to gloss black. The bumpers (now in full body colour), vented carbon-fibre hood, lightweight glass and centre-locking forged 20” and 21” wheels are carryovers from the motorsport-derived model as well.
Just like its exterior sans swan-neck rear wing, the technical aspects of the 911 GT3 is left untouched. The very high-revving 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six generates
510 hp
 and
470 Nm
 of torque and exhales exhaust gases through a lightweight stainless steel sports exhaust system ending with two central tailpipes, now finished in bright chrome work.
Porsche drove the new GT3 at 300 km/h non-stop for 5,000 km during testing
The latest Porsche 911 GT3 features a new double-wishbone front suspension, rear-axle steering with sports set-up, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus fully variable limited-slip differential and large brake discs measuring 408mm and 380 mm, front and rear respectively.
Customers are now given the liberty to have the self-shifting PDK dual-clutch transmission with seven forward ratios or the standard six-speed GT sports manual transmission. The PDK transmission accelerates the 911 GT3 from standstill to 100 km/h and 200 km/h in just
3.4 seconds
 and 10.8 seconds respectively. Manual transmission workout while not hurried, registers super quick times of 3.9 seconds and 11.9 seconds to reach the aforementioned speeds.
Touchpoints in the GT3 with Touring package are differentiated via leather coverings on the steering wheel, shift lever, centre console and door panels. The regular 911 GT3 uses an Alcantara-like material called Race-Tex.
Subtle changes have also been made to the seat covering in the 911 GT3 with Touring package, with the Porsche Crest replacing the ‘GT3’ motif on the headrest and seat centre panels are covered in black fabric.
The front of the dashboard and upper portions of the door panels have a special surface embossing exclusively developed for the GT3 with Touring package.
Owners of the Porsche 911 GT3 with Touring package also have access to a very special chronograph watch from Porsche Design, featuring a movement with flyback function. The winding rotor evokes the vehicle’s wheel design and is available in six different versions corresponding to the vehicle configuration.
The Porsche 911 GT3 starts from
EUR170,969
 (RM794,000) and the Touring package can be had as an option at
no extra charge
.
Locally, the Porsche 911 is available in the form of the Carrera S and Carrera,
priced at RM1.1 million and RM1.2 million
 respectively.
GALLERY
2021

Porsche 911 GT3 with Touring package
2021 Porsche 911 GT3


McLaren Senna full details released, 0-200 km/h in 6.8s, 340 km/h top speed

When McLaren Automotive unveiled the
McLaren Senna
 in December 2017, the internet was divided into two camps – for and against – on its somewhat controversial styling. Now that the company has revealed full technical details of its latest Ultimate Series hypercar, we are confident that those naysayers will have a change of heart.
Let’s start with engine specs; mounted at the rear of the chassis is a M840TR 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that pushes out
789 hp
 and
800 Nm
 of torque, the former kicking in at 7,250 rpm. The engine produces
700 Nm
 of twisting force from 3,000 rpm while peak torque is only delivered from 5,500 – 6,700 rpm.  Drive is deployed at the rear axle via a seven-speed double clutch transmission.
The Senna will complete the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just
2.8 seconds
, not much quicker than the
720S
’ 2.9 seconds sprint time. But in a race to 200 km/h from standstill, the Senna will humiliate the 720S by a full second, taking just
6.8 seconds
. Top speed is registered at
340 km/h
.
These mind-boggling performance figures is credit to the ultra-lightweight
carbon Monocage III
 chassis and generous application of carbon fibre materials to make up the body panels. This road car will tip the scale at just
1,198 kg
 (dry), the lightest car McLaren has ever made. To put into perspective of the extent of the engineer’s pursuit of lightweight, all the carbon fibre body panels of the Senna only weighs
less than 60 kg combined
.
Due to its extreme performance, the McLaren has teamed up with Pirelli to developed
 bespoke tyres for the Senna
. The Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres (245/35 ZR19 at the front and 315/30 ZR20 at the rear) are designed to withstand the Senna’s immense downforce and reaction speed around the corners.
Interestingly, the triple-exit exhaust system is not standard across the globe. There is a twin-exit design in specific markets to meet regulations however McLaren did not specify which markets. Regardless of design, the exhaust systems are built to create a loud and sharp note all the way to the rev limit with the volume
increasing 10 dB for every 2,000 rpm
.

Following the philosophy of form following function, every design element, every opening and every curve are there for one purpose only – aerodynamic efficiency. The headlamp openings, body lines and massive double-element rear wing all work in tandem to give the Senna
800 kgs of downforce at 250 km/h
.
We know that McLaren has thoroughly stripped out the interior, creating a race car-like cockpit environment for the driver to go all out on track. Let us go through what have they done to the cabin of the Senna in detail. For starters, the gearbox selector is fixed to the driver’s seat and moves with it when the driver adjusts his or her seating position. The door release mechanism, engine start/stop button, Race mode and window switches have been moved to a roof mounted panel to free up more space in the cabin.

There are only two display screens in the Senna – an 8.0-inch infotainment display and an 8.0-inch TFT foldable instrument cluster display. The foldable instrument cluster operates similarly like the one on the 720S whereby it can engage Slim mode to show only crucial information such as speed, engine rpm and selected gear while giving the driver better forward vision.
However, you still get a lot of creature comforts despite its racetrack-focussed nature such as ultra-lightweight Bowers & Wilkins 7-speaker sound system (weighs only 7.32 kg) and air conditioning. Parking sensors and rear-view camera can be had at no additional cost. Of course, customers can hand their car over to McLaren Special Operations (MSO) for further personalisation.
Only
500 units
 of the McLaren Senna will ever be made, and each unit is priced at £750,000 (RM4.08 mil) before options. Just like the limited-run McLarens that came before it, all 500 units have been snapped up, long before its first official public debut at the 88th Geneva International Motor Show in March.
IMAGE GALLERY
McLaren Senna

McLaren Senna Launch


Audi e-tron GT, RS e-tron GT open for booking in Malaysia, from est. RM559,000

Audi Malaysia
 has revealed the 2022 World Performance Car of the Year in Malaysia, the
e-tron GT

will be priced between an estimated
RM559,000
 to
RM643,000
 while the Audi RS e-tron GT starts from an estimated
RM749,000
 to
RM769,000
.
Both variants are powered by two motors for all-wheel drive capabilities. The Audi e-tron GT makes
476 hp
 and
630 Nm
, while with launch control, output is increased for 2.5 seconds to
530 hp
 and
640 Nm
. The 0-100 km/h run for the e-tron GT takes
4.1 seconds
, with a top speed of
245 km/h
.
As for the more powerful RS e-tron GT, it produces
598 hp
 and
830 Nm
 of torque. In boost mode, output can be momentarily increased to
646 hp
. The 0-100 km/h for the RS is
3.3 seconds
, with a top speed of
250 km/h
.
Like the Taycan, the e-tron GT sends power to the wheels via a two-speed transmission. Aside from all-wheel drive, the e-tron also gets all-wheel steering and three-chamber adaptive air suspension. The air suspension can lower the car by up to 10mm at 90 km/h and by another 12 millimeters at 180 km/h. When driving below 30 km/h, the driver can set a lift mode that raises the body by 20mm.
RELATED:
 Updated Audi e-tron is now the Q8 e-tron – tri-motor SQ8 boasts 503 hp, 973 Nm
The Audi e-tron GT quattro comes as standard with 360 mm steel discs, with six-piston calipers at the front. The RS model is also fitted with six-piston calipers, which are available in red or orange as an option, clamping on to 410 mm cast-iron discs with a tungsten carbide coating. There are also optional carbon-fibre ceramic discs with 10-piston calipers.
Powering the electric motors is an
85 kWh
 battery with up to
487 km
 range. With an 800-volt system, the Audi e-tron supports up to
270 kW
 DC fast-charging where getting it from 5% to 80% SoC (state of charge) takes just
22.5 minutes
. As standard, the e-tron comes with a
22 kW
 onboard AC charger. The e-tron comes with charging ports on both sides; the left is for AC charging, while the right side is for DC.
RELATED:
Audi begins using AI to design wheels – Will robots replace designers?
Matrix LED headlights with Audi Laser Light are standard on both models. The Audi Laser Lights doubles the range of the high beam. At the front, the Singleframe grille is almost completely covered except for two slats on each corner of the front bumper that opens and closes for cooling and aerodynamic efficiency.
The rear spoiler also helps the e-tron slide through the air as it can electronically extend to two positions. At speeds of 90 km/h, it extends to the first position (Eco), and at 170 km/h (105.6 mph), it moves to the second position (Performance). The flat slant of the front windshield ensures that rainwater flows off via the roof instead of off a special strip at the side as usual.
The roof is made of glass as standard however a carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) roof that’s 12 kg lighter can be optionally specified. Wheel sizes range from 19- to 21-inches while boot space is rated at 405 litres. The frunk space is rated at 81 litres.
RELATED:
Audi RS 6 and RS 7 gets even more power with new Performance models
Inside, the e-tron comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with Classic, Sport, and e-tron displays, a 10.1-inch MMM infotainment touchscreen, head-up display and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. Upholstery options consists of artificial leather, Nappa leather, Dinamica microfibre and Kaskade material.
The Dinamica and Kaskade material is made of polyester fibers produced from recycled PET bottles, textiles and residual fibres. The floor carpet and mats are made of Econyl, a material that consists of 100% recycled nylon fibers. These fibers are gained from production waste, fabric and carpet remnants, or old fishing nets.
For a limited time period, the e-tron GT will be displayed at Audi’s showroom in Glenmarie, Juru and Setia Alam. It will also be displayed at the Audi Showcase in 1 Utama Shopping Centre from February 22 to 26.
RELATED:
All-new Audi A3 Sedan launched in Malaysia from RM332k, RS 3 now open for booking


Honda achieves 100 million production milestone in just 53 years!

Soichiro Honda began making cars with the T360 mini truck in 1963 in Japan. A little over five decades later, a total of 100 million Hondas have been made in all their production plants combined. Suffice to say, Soichiro Honda would be proud of that amazing feat.
In the same year the T360 first rolled out of the factory, Honda also produced the S500 small sports car. Four years later, Honda began production of the N360, its first mini-vehicle model. According to Honda, the NS360 that surfaced in 1969 was actually produced in Malaysia! However, the honour of foreign production goes to Taiwan, when a company first started producing parts for the Japanese carmaker.
Subsequently, with the success of the Civic and Accord models (particularly in the west), production rates have shot through the roof over the years. Remember, Honda achieved the 50 millionth mark back in 2003 and took just 13 incredibly short years to double that!
The Honda plant in Alor Gajah, Melaka, has also contributed to the numbers. The plant, which opened its doors in 2003, is responsible for the local assembly of the
City
,
Jazz
,
Civic
,
Accord
,
CR-V
, and the
HR-V
 models to the Malaysian market. As for now, Honda is currently the country’s top selling non-national brand.
Honda Motor Co. milestones
1948 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. established
1963 Production of the T360 mini-truck started at Saitama Factory
1969 Production of N600 and TN360 by component parts sets started in Taiwan/p
roduction of N360 started in Malaysia
1975 Production of Civic and other models started in Indonesia
1978 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 5 million units
1982 Production of Accord started in the US
1983 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 10 million units
1984 Production of Accord started in Thailand
1986 Production of Accord started in Canada
1990 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 20 million units
1992 Production of Accord started in the UK
1994 Production of Civic started in Pakistan
1995 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 30 million units/p
roduction of Accord started in Mexico
1997 Production of Civic started in Brazil and Turkey/p
roduction of City started in India
1999 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 40 million units/p
roduction of Accord started in China
2003 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 50 million units
2015 Production of Accord started in Nigeria
2016 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 100 million units
Congratulations, Honda. You’ve come a long way.


One-off BMW X7 displayed at BMW Welt in Munich

Visitors at the BMW Welt this festive season are in for a treat with the display of the one-off BMW X7 pick-up – a showpiece of what’s possible if automotive manufacturing isn’t bound by economics.
The X7 pick-up was built by 12 BMW trainees and despite being 100 mm longer than the production model, it is 200 kg lighter with generous use of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) on the rear doors and roof.
The cargo bed that resembles the deck of a luxury yacht is the result of tastefully-lined teak wood – impressive considering the entire project did not receive any supervision from more experienced BMW engineers – a common practise when building concept cars.
The fantasy of a BMW pick-up, let alone one that’s based on the enormous X7, may sound like an interesting, limited-production run prospect but seeing as the Mercedes-Benz X-class has received less than favourable response, it’s unlikely that BMW would follow suit.
The X7 pick-up was based on the xDrive40i with a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six with
340 hp
 and
420 Nm
. It is also
the only variant currently on sale in Malaysia
, priced at RM888,800.
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MMM introduces Mitsubishi ASX Orange Edition, priced at RM133K

Mitsubishi
 Motors Malaysia has just added a new flavour to their crossover lineup with the introduction of the Mitsubishi
ASX
 Orange Edition. The special 180-unit run is based on the ASX 4WD variant and is the second special edition after the
Designer Edition
 catwalked into the market two years ago.
It is not a full blown crossover with orange aesthetics. Instead, bits like the side mirrors, rear lip and spoiler receive some tangerine treatment that contrasts its white exterior. Other exterior goodies included are door visors,
17-inch
 alloy black rims and ‘Spirit of Competition’ body stickers.
Reflecting the colour it represents, the interior receives orange-accented leather seats and orange stitching carpet mat. The audio panel and door trim gets some
carbon fibre
 finishing as well.
There are no mechanical changes for this Mitsubishi
ASX
 Orange Edition, hence the standard
2.0-litre MIVEC engine
 that churns
147 hp
 and
197 Nm
 of torque soldiers on. The ASX is only available the
 INVECS-III CVT
 (Continuous Variable Transmission) with seven virtual ratios.
The ASX Orange Edition is priced at
RM132,900.19
 (without insurance, GST inclusive for private registration in Peninsular Malaysia) and comes with
5-Year warranty
 package.
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You can now subscribe to a Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup with Renault Subscription

If you’ve always wanted to own a hot hatch, yet don’t want to be tied down by a long-term hire purchase or bear the costs of maintaining it, there’s now a new option for you.
TC Euro Cars, the sole franchise holder of Renault vehicles in Malaysia, has added the
Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup
 to the Renault Subscription line-up.
Customers can choose between two different plans – the Fixed Plan or the Switch Plan, where both the six-speed manual transmission and the six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic variants will be available.
The Fixed Plan is a more structured plan, and is offered in periods of
one, two and three years
. The monthly fee for the manual variant starts at
RM3,999 per month
 on a three-year tenure, while the automatic variant is priced at
RM4,299 per month
 for the same plan.
The monthly fees are inclusive of road tax, insurance and scheduled regular maintenance, but does carry an
annual mileage cap of 20,000 km
. Customers who frequently travel long-distance might want to opt for the 10,000 km extra annual mileage add-on at RM400 per month.
As for the Switch Plan, customers will be offered a
Renault Captur
 as their daily driver, but gain access to the
Renault Koleos
 or Megane R.S. 280 Cup for a period of two months with the Base Switch Plan, or four months with a Prime Switch Plan, within the period of their subscription.
The Switch Plans are only available in
one-year tenures
, but customers have the flexibility to cancel their subscription at any time with
no cancellation penalties
.
Priced at
RM1,999 per month
 for the Base and
RM2,199
 for the Prime Switch Plan, the fees are inclusive of road tax, insurance, regular maintenance, and wear and tear coverage for the Captur. The Switch Plans do not come with any annual mileage caps either.

The Megane R.S. 280 Cup is powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine that pushes out
280 hp
 and
390 Nm
 of torque. Renault claims that the Megane R.S. 280 Cup can do the century sprint in
5.8 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
250 km/h
.
Offered with the Cup chassis as standard, the Megane R.S.’ dampers are 10% stiffer than the standard variant. A
Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential
 also comes as standard on the Cup chassis, which should aid cornering performance.