PDRM: Up to 60% discount on traffic summons until March 31

In conjunction with the 216th International Police Day celebration,
PDRM
 is offering up to 60% discount on traffic summons effective from
March 20
 to
March 21
, 2023. The announcement was made through the
Trafik PDRM Facebook page
 on March 19.
The summons discount offered is only valid for in-person payments at all traffic summons payment counters of district police headquarters (IPD) and contingent police headquarters (IPK) nationwide. The discount is also applicable for payments made through the MyBayar Saman app.
Not all traffic offences will be eligible for the discount. Offences not eligible for the announced discount include:
Offences in the non-compoundable (NC) category
Emergency lane offences
Accidents offences
Dangerous overtaking
Overtaking at double-line
Beating the red traffic light
Exhaust modifications
Cases with trial status
Offences related to heavy vehicles
Those who wish to make their summon payments through the MyBayar Saman app can register an account through mybayar.rmp.gov.my. The My Bayar Saman app can be downloaded through the Google PlayStore, Apple AppStorem and Huawei AppGallery. The summons discount is applicable for payment made through the My Bayar Summon App.
RELATED:
Straight to court for these 7 traffic offences during CNY, 18-27 Jan


RON 95 & 97 prices remain, diesel up by 5 sen

Fuel prices for the month of March
will remain the same as February
, with RON 95 and RON 97 costing RM2.30 per litre and RM2.60 per litre respectively.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for diesel. Below are the new pricing:
February 2017
March 2017
Difference
Petrol – RON 95
RM2.30 per litre
RM2.30 per litre
–
Petrol – RON 97
RM2.60 per litre
RM2.60 per litre
–
Diesel
RM2.15 per litre
RM2.20 per litre
5 sen
Diesel Euro 5
RM2.25 per litre
RM2.30 per litre
5 sen


Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 unmasked, either you like it or you don’t

The Mercedes Benz E-Class is a car that represents many things to many different people. In Germany and most parts of Europe, it is the taxi cab of choice that ferries millions of people a year. Locally however, the E-Class is regarded as a symbol of wealth and success. Small wonder that Merc is hailing this tenth-gen as the most intelligent business saloon to date.
We’ll get to the intelligent bit in a minute. The E-Class is Mercedes-Benz’s core model and has been at the forefront of redefining standards in the business-class segment. This W213 promises to deliver a wealth of top-notch innovations, though we’re not sure whether the breadth of it will reach our shores.

Physically speaking, the W213 E-Class has grown a fair bit, 43mm to be precise. But interestingly, the wheelbase grew by 65mm, which translates to better legroom space. That being said, this E-class will be given the additional ‘L’ moniker at the end of the badge to reflect just that.
And as it turns out, most of us would echo the same sentiment as those droves of Chinese buyers. We want more legroom and Merc has done just that. Apart from that, Mercedes has opted to contour the looks by giving it a more coupe-like stance with an elongated hood and a sloped rear-end. But herein also lays its biggest flaw. The styling is so blindly undramatic and it looks just like an S-Class that went through the office Xerox machine at 75 percent scale reduction. Bad move, Mercedes.
Thankfully on the inside, it isn’t as badly plagiarised as the exterior. Interestingly the brand has managed to bring their interior sketches to life. Pictures do it no justice. But as they, it speaks a thousand words. The instrument cluster is something to behold, especially the wide-screen instrument cluster that is optionally available with COMAND Online. However, the entry model combines two tube-type round dials and a
7-inch colour display cluster
 with a
8.4-inch central display screen
.
Additionally, the interior gets touch-sensitive control buttons in the spokes of the multifunction steering wheel. Like the surface of a smartphone, the buttons are touch-sensitive and therefore respond precisely to horizontal and vertical finger swipes. This enables the driver to control every function of the infotainment system in the same simple, logical and intuitive manner as with a smartphone without having to take their hands off the steering wheel. Clever, isn’t it?

A further highlight of the new E-Class is its seats, which create an ergonomic, sculpted impression with their torso form, uniting Mercedes-Benz’s typical suitability for long journeys with a refined yet sporty look. The seats are differently designed depending to the trim.
The new E-Class will come with a
choice of two engines
 at market launch: the
E 200
 with a four-cylinder petrol engine and the
 E 220 d
 with an all-new four-cylinder diesel engine. Further model variants will be added to the range after market launch, including the
 E 350e hybrid
. The PLUG-IN HYBRID impresses with its efficiency, allowing around
30 kilometres of pure electric mileage
 and emission-free driving. Its four-cylinder petrol engine, in conjunction with a powerful electric motor, gives it a total system output of
286 hp
 with a combined torque of
550 Nm
.
All models available at market launch are equipped with the new
9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission
 fitted as standard. It enables faster gear changes and allows for low engine revs, which has a particularly beneficial effect on efficiency and noise levels. All the hallmarks of a proper business saloon present.  But what about ride comfort? Wafting is a thought that comes immediately to mind.
A conventional steel suspension system is the usual suspect here with three selective damping program settings to choose from. But as an option, Merc will throw in their multi-chamber air suspension system on all four corners. The advantage? Three chambers of different size in the spring struts of the rear axle and two in the spring struts of the front axle make it possible to control, in three stages, how stiffly the suspension reacts. In this way, the occupants enjoy soft base suspension, and a sense of security as the speed increases.

What else comes stuffed in this Merc? Just as Tesla has been paving the way for autonomous driving capabilities in cars of recent, Mercedes has decided to follow suit and has made great strides in that field, some of which are slated to debut in this new E-Class. On some models, Active Brake Assist is fitted as standard equipment. Apart from that, ATTENTION ASSIST with adjustable sensitivity, which can warn the driver of inattentiveness and drowsiness, and Crosswind Assist, which can assist the driver by substantially mitigating the effects of strong crosswinds to prevent the vehicle from drifting too far off track.
From the sound of it, this new E-Class sounds like the Bees Knees but there’s a lingering thought at the back of my mind that, we as proud Malaysian buyers will not be as likely to see all this cool toys on our (most likely) CKD cars over here. That being said, we are excited to see the range lineup that will be offered on our shores. So stay tuned for more updates!
IMAGE GALLERY


Gallery: GAC GS3 compact SUV now in Malaysia from RM88,800

It’s been a week since
GAC GS3
, distributed by Warisan Tan Chong Automotif, has hit the market and with its highly attractive base price of just
RM88,800
for the Standard and
RM96,800
for the Premium variant, we had to take a closer look.
More detailed information on the fully-imported GAC GS3 here!
Both prices are inclusive of 50% SST tax exemptions on CBU cars till 30th June 2022 so best hurry. Included is a 5-year/150,000 km manufacturer’s warranty plus free labour charge for five scheduled services within the first three years or 100,000 km (whichever comes first).
It’s important to note that the GAC GS3 arrives here fully imported from China as a facelift model, compared to the one currently available in the Philippines. Malaysia is the first country to launch the right-hand drive model of the GAC GS3, so what are we getting here?
There are halogen projector headlamps for starters, with LED combination tail lamps at the rear; only the Premium variant comes with front fog lamps. Both come with 17-inch wheels, while the Premium gets a shark fin antenna, blacked-out side mirror covers, and roof rails.
As for first impressions, it may not immediately make you stand up and take notice but its overall design is easy on the eye and is well proportioned. If anything, it kinda reminded us of the Proton X50 with the C-pillar design and black roof. It did stand out for being different, new and fresh – something not usually seen – unlike the X50s, the HR-Vs, and the CX-3s.
X50? Not really.
It does spring quite a surprise on the inside. Being 40 mm shorter in wheelbase, it was surprising how much more spacious it felt compared to the other crossovers/compacts SUVs in Malaysia. It may cost more than an Ativa and as much as the Toyota Rush and Mitsubishi Xpander, but the interior finishing and quality felt more premium than the HR-V or CX-3 – and that’s not an exaggeration.
As for features and equipment, there’s a sunroof (albeit a rather small one), Apple CarPlay through an 8-inch infotainment display with Bluetooth, a drive mode selector with Eco, and dual USB ports. The GS3 comes with 60:40 split-folding seats while boot space is rated at 356-litres and cab be expanded to 780 litres with the rear seats folded.
In the Premium variant, add ons include keyless entry with push start button, rear armrest, power-folding side mirrors, and a 3.5-inch colour multi-info display.
Safety features include four airbags in the Standard and six in the Premium, along with a blind-spot monitor, hill descend control, hill start assist and ISOFIX seats.
Under the hood is a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine with 114 hp and 150 Nm paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission to drive the front wheels.
The GAC GS3 is available for viewing and test drives at its new showroom on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (next to the Nissan and Renault showrooms) in Kuala Lumpur. More sales outlets are underway to support the arrival of different new models in the future.
GALLERY
GS3 Standard
GS3 Premium


Would you take the facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLC off-road like this?

Since the global introduction of the Mercedes-Benz GLC in 2016, the mid-sized premium SUV has propelled the sales charts of the three-pointed star brand. Offered in a wide variety of flavour from modest
four-cylinder turbo petrol
 to supercar-clinging
V8 by AMG
.
Now, Mercedes-Benz is set
to further strengthen the GLCs proposition with this mid-cycle facelift, packed
with new-generation technologies, “Hey Mercedes” MBUX multimedia system and mild
styling enhancements.
Visually, the facelifted
GLC now wears a refreshed front look with more generous chrome touches, new headlamp
graphics (LED now standard fit across the range) and curvy lower side intakes. Over
to the rear you’ll find a redesigned LED taillamp light signature.
The refreshed GLC can
be spiced up according to your taste with the various equipment Line as well as
wheel options ranging from 17- to 19-inces in diameter.
The cabin is now
decidedly more modern thanks to the new generation multifunctional steering
wheel with touchpad, 12.3-inch full LCD instrument cluster (just like the refreshed
C-Class) and the Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Intelligent Voice Control.
Other new items you’ll
find in the cabin include a new touchpad controller for the infotainment system,
new seat sculpture, 64-colour ambient lighting, interior assistant and ENERGIZING
comfort control.
At launch, all petrol versions
of the facelifted GLC will now feature a 48V Integrated Starter Generator (ISG)
that compliments the SUV’s performance and significantly lowers fuel consumption.
The ISG offers 13.6 hp and 150 Nm during initial set off and between the turbocharges
are not at optimum boost.
The four-cylinder petrol engines of the GLC 200 offers
197 hp
/
280 Nm
 while the GLC 300 ups the output to
258 hp
and
370 Nm
 of twist. The diesel versions of the GLC (200d, 220d and 300d) offers
163 hp
/
260 Nm
 to
245 hp
/
500 Nm
.
Safety have also been
further enhanced with the optional Driving Assistance Package that bundles
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steer Assist, Active Speed Limit
Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot
Assist and Active Brake Assist.
The facelifted Mercedes-Benz
GLC will make its first public debut at the upcoming 2019 Geneva International
Motor Show. Are you excited for it to arrive in Malaysia?
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz GLC Facelift


Gallery: Toyota Innova 2.0X facelift

The
facelift Toyota Innova was just launched
 with prices starting from RM111,622 for the base 2.0E variant. As for the 2.0G, it’s priced at RM121,483 while the range-topping 2.0X is priced at RM129,677.
All three variants are powered by a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine with
139 hp
 and
183 Nm
. It’s paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission to drive the rear wheels.
Changes on the exterior include a redesigned front grille which is now in full black without the chrome from before, along with a separate positions for the signal and fog light. Previously the signal and fog light were clustered together.
No changes were made to the 17-inch wheels, but additional body cladding has been added at the bottom of the doors for a more rugged look. At the rear, the lower rear bumper is now black with a chrome strip added between the tailights.
Climb on board the facelift Innova and you’d immediately be greeted by two captain seats with arm rests, and cupholders placed in between. Up ahead is a collapsible table, along with air con vents and fan speed controls. That horse shoe illumination never gets old; adding a touch of luxury to the Innova.
There are a couple of USB ports on the centre console, along with one in the 3rd row. However, the second row only comes with a 12V socket.
In the driver seat, several things should catch your attention and these include the Optitron instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch multi information display. As for entertainment, owners can rely on the massive 9-inch touchscreen display with 6 speakers, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Safety wise, the facelift Innova 2.0X comes with seven airbags, and more notably a blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert. It’s also equipped with Toyota’s Vehicle Telematics System that’s able to track the vehicle’s movement and location.
GALLERY


2016 Infiniti Q50 gets red hot 400 hp 3.0-litre V6 engine

The 2016 batch of Infiniti Q50 will come with the company’s newest powertrain, a 400 hp 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, and a host of other mechanical upgrades that improve the car’s overall dynamism.
Infiniti Malaysia first introduced the 2.0-litre turbocharged Q50 here in August 2014
 which had a starting price of RM249k.
Prior to this update, there were two engines offered (three if you count the diesel engine sold elsewhere) – a Mercedes-sourced 2.0-litre turbocharged engine making 211 hp and 350 Nm of torque and the RM400k hybrid variant with a 3.5-litre V6 engine (364 hp and 350 Nm) that’s paired to an electric motor.
The new VR30
3.0-litre twin-turbo V6
 slots at the top of the Q50 range, making it the most powerful Q50 to date, although Infiniti maintains that the engine provides great fuel economy. It can be had in
two states of tunes
 – the lower makes
300 hp
 at 6,400 rpm and
400 Nm
 of torque from 1,600 to 5,200 rpm, and the higher tune makes
400 hp
 and
475 Nm
 of torque, both of which peak at the same revs. All engines are paired to the same
seven-speed automatic transmission
 from before.
With that sort of power, the Q50 still falls short in terms of outright performance when compared to the
BMW M3/M4
 or
Mercedes-AMG C 63 S
, but Infiniti is working with its
performance division
 to roll out an even hotter variant some time soon. Other upgrades, besides the new engine, include revised front and rear stabiliser bars and uprated rear suspension (multi-link type) for improved handling and stability.
Exclusive to the 3.0-litre Q50 Sport are a set of upgraded
Dynamic Digital Suspension
 which allows the driver to adjust damping levels depending on drive modes. With Infiniti’s
Drive Mode Selector
, there are six different driving modes that alter steering response; Personal, Standard, Snow, Eco, Sport – and for 2016 models, a new Sport+ mode.
If you’re not in the know, the Infiniti Q50 is the world’s first vehicle to feature a
steer-by-wire system
, affectionately termed by Infiniti as
 Direct Adaptive Steering
 (DAS). Those wanting more feedback will be pleased to know that the DAS system for 2016 models has been significantly upgraded to enhance steering feel and feedback. The company claims its engineers have optimised the second-generation DAS’ control logic to improve road feedback, which is achieved by fine-tuning parameters so that the default settings can also better mimic the feeling drivers get from using conventional steering systems.
To date, Infiniti has shifted almost 50,000 units of the Q50 globally between January and October 2015 – a
65 percent increase
 compared to the same period in 2014.
IMAGE GALLERY


Carsome forays into after sales, launches new multi-brand service centre

Malaysia’s home-grown integrated car e-commerce platform,
Carsome
, has officially launched the Carsome Service Centre in Petaling Jaya, its first venture into the after-sales car service market. The Petaling Jaya service centre is one of the company’s two initial outlets, with the other located in Ampang.
Carsome says that its service centres are not just catered to its pre-owned car buyers, but also to serve anyone looking for worry-free car maintenance, especially if their vehicle’s warranty has expired.
The Carsome Service Centre differentiates itself with the others through its upfront and transparent pricing, with three basic tiers of regular maintenance packages:
Essential
, which includes engine oil, oil filter, and oil pan washer replacement, alongside windshield washer replacement, starting from RM98;
Standard
, which adds on air filter and brake fluid replacement, from RM138; and
Comprehensive
, which replaces the Standard’s additions with coolant and transmission oil replacement, from RM288.
Each car maintenance service will include a complimentary 20-point inspection to identify any underlying issues, before being recommended a suitable maintenance package as above. Detailed billing information will also be provided to customers before any servicing works are carried out.
For more specific situations, a service advisor will instead provide the most accurate service recommendations along with their quotations. Carsome assures that all services are carried out by experienced service mechanics to industry standards.
 Customers can book a service appointment via Carsome’s online portal or mobile applications. Additionally, their vehicles’ service records will also be available through their profile online, giving customers easy access to their vehicle’s service history and advice on their next service.
RELATED:
Carsome PJ Automall now open – a ‘shopping mall’ for cars with over 200 examples under one roof!
(from left) Carsome Certified Chief Executive Officer Mei Han, Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya YB Lee Cheang Chung, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation YB Chang Lih Kang, Carsome Co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer Eric Cheng, and Carsome Co-founder and Carsome Academy Chief Executive Officer JT
.
Customers who purchase their cars through
 Carsome’s Certified used car programme
 will receive two service vouchers, which should be sufficient to cover the vehicles’ first-year maintenance requirements, Carsome Certified chief executive officer Mei Han said during a Q-and-A session at the launch today.
The service centres are also capable of carrying out other regular repairs, including wheel alignment and air-con servicing, he added.
GALLERY


Announcement: AutoBuzz.my Best Cars of 2018 Awards

It’s always been an annual tradition for us at Autobuzz.my to pick
 the best cars we’ve driven throughout the year
; to highlight their excitement, thrills and sensations from behind the wheel.
While they may not necessarily be the most consumer savvy, but more of a personal pick from within the team, we’ve decided to come up with the
Autobuzz.my Best Cars of 2018 Awards
 based on popular demand.
There are almost
300 cars
 in a comprehensive list, ranging from A-segment vehicles like the
Kia Picanto
 to supercars like the
Mercedes AMG GT-S
, where they will be segmented into
35 different categories
.
City Cars
Sports Executive
Midsize SUV
Premium Executive Car
Luxury Sports SUV
Compact Hatch
Sportwagons
Family SUV
Executive Coupe
Premium Family SUV
Supermini
Compact MPV
Offroad SUV
Luxury Flagship Car
Luxury SUV
Compact Sedan
Midsize MPV
Pickup Trucks
Premium Compact SUV
Premium Coupe
Mid Size Hatchback
Large MPV
Coupes
Premium Midsize SUV
Premium MPV
Mid Size Sedan
People Carrier
Premium Compact Car
Premium Sports SUV
Driver’s Car
Family Exec Sedan
Crossover
Premium Family Car
Premium Large SUV
These cars will be judged internally based on value for money, safety (active/passive), driver assistance systems, performance, handling, ride comfort, interior, exterior and build quality. A rating of 0 to 10 will be given accordingly, with 10 being the highest score.
The top three cars from each category will be announced soon, followed by announcements of the winners from each respective category by
mid-2018
.
You’ve seen the various categories, so let us know which car you think is worthy of being the winner in their respective categories. As from our side, we sure hope that the winners selected can provide several car buying insights (and even motivation) for your next big purchase!


All-new Subaru Forester will be CBU from Thailand, expect prices to go up

At the opening of the new
Tan Chong Subaru Automotive (Thailand) Limited (TCSAT) manufacturing plant in Bangkok
, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Tan Chong International Limited Glenn Tan has confirmed at a media press conference that the
fifth-generation Subaru Forester
 will not be assembled in Malaysia but instead be fully imported (CBU) from Thailand.
The new Forester is
the first model to be assembled a the TCSAT plant and the vehicles will be
distributed to the South East Asia region including Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam
and Cambodia. This strategy, as explained by Tan, allows Motor Image to better manage
their current Subaru production capacity that is contracted to Tan Chong Motor
Assemblies (TCMA) in Segambut.
Left:
Subaru XV
; Right:
fourth-gen Subaru Forester
According to Tan, the
Segambut facility has an upper limit for Subaru vehicles of 600 to 650 units
per month and that volume is shared between the outgoing Forester and XV bound
for the Malaysian and Thailand markets. By phasing out the production of
Foresters in Malaysia, the Segambut plant can focus on producing XVs and shorten
delivery times for customers.
On whether the pricing
of the Forester will be affected with the switch from CKD to CBU, Tan explained:
“It is definitely (going to be) more expensive than the current Forester now,
but I think we definitely want to keep it competitive and keep it within a
similar price range to the competitors.”
“It is not going be (as)
cheap as the current model, (it will) definitely go up to a new zone. But we
believe that the new car compared to the other competitors in the new zone
should be reasonable (priced). We’ve had a similar situation in Taiwan, Philippines,
Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and we don’t see an issue of the price going up,”
added Tan.


The fastest qualifier of the 2018 Moto GP season will be gifted a very special BMW

This year marks the 20th season of BMW M as the Official Car of the Moto GP and in keeping to tradition, a BMW M Award (in the form of a M car) will be given to the best qualifier at the end of the Moto GP season.
And this year’s car is the exclusive
BMW M3 CS
 in Frozen Dark Blue, a special edition
limited to just 1,200 units worldwide
. Since 2003, the MotoGP rider with the best results in qualifying throughout a season has been rewarded with an exclusive, individually-designed BMW M car at the end of the season.
As with the scoring system, the riders receive points for their positions in qualifying at each Moto GP weekend. The rider who has picked up the most points at the end of the season wins the coveted BMW M Award.
“We are excited to see who will claim this car as their own at the end of the season. BMW M is already in its 20th season as the ‘Official Car of MotoGP’ and we’re in the 16th edition of the BMW M Award since 2003, said Pau Serracanta, Managing Director of the Commercial Department of Dorna Sports.”
The record holder so far is
Marc Márquez
, who has already
claimed the BMW M Award five times in a row
. Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner each have three wins to their name. Jorge Lorenzo has been honoured as the best qualifier twice to date while Sete Gibernau and the late Nicky Hayden have each won the award once.
The new BMW M3 CS is the most powerful production M3 ever. It takes just 3.9 seconds to get from 0 to 100 km/h backed by
460 hp
 and
600 Nm
 of torque.
IMAGE GALLERY


Aston Martin’s next-gen hypercar will carry the best of F1 technology

It’s called Project AM-RB 001. It will represent the peak of Aston Martin’s sports car design and the best of Formula One racing technology. And it’s poised to be the ultimate hypercar.
But first, here’s a little prelude before we get going. Red Bull Racing’s (RBR) Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey has always had two goals in life. Since he was six years old, he dreamt of designing his own racing cars, and today he is widely regarded as one of the most successful Formula One car designers of all time. His other dream was to be involved in the process of designing a super car, but because of his commitment in F1, Newey never got to realise this dream – until now.
On the other hand, Marek Reichman, Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin since 2005, is keener than ever to push the envelope of designing Aston Martins. His work includes the stunning
DB11
 and
Vulcan
.
The duo’s partnership gave birth to Project AM-RB 001, a hypercar that will combine all of F1’s aerodynamics and composite technology together with Aston Martin’s design. Unlike in F1, the hypercar will not be bound by FIA regulations, so the blank canvas gives them the opportunity to create a car in its most efficient form that will represent the ultimate fusion of art and technology.
To celebrate this partnership, both RBR’s F1 cars will carry the Aston Martin wings logo throughout this 2016 season. The debut race begins this week at the Australian Grand Prix.


Honda Malaysia opens first 3S centre in Banting

Residents of Banting and its surrounding areas will never have to travel too far to get their Hondas serviced; with the opening of Honda Malaysia’s latest 3S Centre, operated by Banting Star Sdn. Bhd.
Banting Star has invested RM 15 million into the 23,000 square feet facility that will house 11 service bays, three more for general repairs and two for tyre related services – with the capacity to accommodate
up to 44 cars per day.
There’s a customer lounge, an executive lounge, a cafe counter, kid’s section and a surau. For added convenience, there’ll also be complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity, car wash facilities, road tax renewal and insurance coverage services.
The opening of the new Honda 3S centre in Banting is a timely one to support the increase in after-sales services, as
total service intake in the Central Region exceeded more than 148,100 units
 – a 10% increase from the same period last year.
As for sales figures, Honda Malaysia has reported an encouraging sales performance with more than
21,000 units sold in the first quarter of 2018
 – maintaining its No.1 car brand position in the Non-National segment.
The Central region contributed the highest sales with more than 11,000 units sold, or 48% of the total sales of Honda Malaysia from January to March 2018. Selangor contributed the highest sales portion with more than 6,900 units sold, translating to 29% of the total sales. The record showed that the
Honda

City was the most popular model
 in the state during this period.
Other steps taken to improve customer service includes the introduction of express dealerships that offers
quick services within 90 minutes
. There are also plans for online platforms to allow customers to make service bookings on-the-go, keep track of their service progress and history.
To make an appointment, customers can
contact Banting Star Sdn Bhd at 03-3191 6100
 (Sales and Service) or visit them at Lot 1608, Jalan Klang Banting, Telok Panglima Garang, 42500, Selangor.


Bosch donates RM50k worth of facility upgrades to Yayasan Sunbeams Home

Bosch Malaysia
 has contributed
RM50,000
 worth of facility upgrades to Yayasan Sunbeams Home (YSH), a non-profit children’s home. This contribution was done as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).
The project covers the library makeover with interior design, new furniture, and a library system to manage over 2,000 book titles. Other parts of the learning centre were also refurbished, with its flooring replaced, and its bathrooms and ceilings repaired.
Bosch Malaysia managing director, Klaus Landhaeusser said, “We aim to be a socially conscious, value-based corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people from all backgrounds. Education can change lives, and is an important CSR pillar at Bosch. This made YSH our ideal CSR partner.”
Founded in 1995, YSH is a non-profit and self-sufficient foundation providing shelter, medical care, and education to children who suffered abuse, neglect, or loss of a parent. Bosch Malaysia, driven by its “Invented for life” ethos, shares YSH’s vision to improve people’s quality of life and supports the mission to provide a conducive home for children in need.
YSH is also home to 104 children, aged 2 to 18 years old at both its homes in Kuala Lumpur and Alor Gajah, Melaka. It calls for fundraising efforts through its ongoing RM1A Day Campaign to support the day-to-day operations of the organisation.
RELATED:
To save you time, Mercedes-Benz and Bosch debut world’s first L4 driverless valet parking
YSH pastor and founder, Alvin Tan Ooi Seng said, “Working with Bosch was a fantastic experience and exposure for us. Beyond the renovation works, we learned about Bosch products, values, culture, and policies. We are impressed with their code of conduct and high professionalism. These are the kinds of adults which I hope our children will grow into when they leave YSH.”
“The library is just the first milestone of our relationship. In the future, Bosch wishes to go beyond the present initiative, increasing our efforts to explore different ways to support the kids such as providing the children life skills workshops and other engaging activities with direct involvement of Bosch associates,” added Landhaeusser.
RELATED:
Bosch shares key tips to better prepare for flash floods/being stranded


Subaru Forester facelift revealed in Japan – what happened to those “eyes”?

As reported by a scoop in Japan
last week
, the order books for the new Subaru Forester have open in Japan before officially going on sale in August.
While the earlier scoop hinted at ‘
Big Minor Change
’ in Japanese lingo which usually involve changes of the front body panels and interior, the Subaru Forester for 2021 is merely a simple facelift.
The full-LED headlamps have been restyled to be slimmer and more angular while the front bumper sees a reduction in unpainted plastic moulding for a more upmarket look. A new grille pattern surrounded by gloss black completes the new front look.
Facelift
Current
Three new colours consisting of Cascade Green, Autumn Green and Brilliant Bronze will join the palette.
One major update in the driver assistance system is the new generation
“EyeSight”
 system. According to translated text, Subaru says this new stereo camera’s capability in collision avoidance has been expanded allowing for monitoring even at intersections.
For the interior, the page for order taking only mention new colours and materials for the seats.
Similar to the current line-up, four variants of the facelift Forester are available including one
turbocharged range-topping
 variant called Sport. The
e-Boxer
 naturally-aspirated mill makes
145 hp
 and
188 Nm
, with a
13 hp / 65 Nm
 assistance from an electric motor placed within the Lineartronic CVT transmission.
The new Subaru Forester facelift’s unveiling is only for order booking purposes in Japan and the company intends to fully unveil and launch the vehicle in August.

Beyond the subjective looks, whether it’s the drive, comfort, cabin quality or insulation or even off-road capabilities, the Forester is no doubt on par and in very specific aspects, more superior as well! Watch our video
review
 above to understand why the Subaru Forester punches its weight a lot better than the rest.

In Malaysia, the fully-imported
Subaru Forester GT Lite Edition
 is priced at RM163,788 on the road and the model continues to be one of the most underrated SUVs out there.
GALLERY


BMW P48: Over 600 hp from a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder

Hold your horses, 600 hp from a 2.0-litre four-pot isn’t coming to a BMW showroom near you yet, but for the boys running the BMW M4 at this season’s German DTM races, it is a tasty prospect to go racing with.
BMW M4 DTM: Lower weight for 2019, but with more power.
Some will no doubt miss the 4.0-litre V8s, but DTM’s new Class 1 regulations will see the weight of the car reduced along with modified aerodynamics and the move towards turbocharging, so a new four-cylinder engine had to be developed from ground up.
Over 600 hp, and weighs 85 kg only.
One of the targets of the P48 was to achieve good efficiency as the regulations limit fuel flow, but also to be durable with a service life of 6,000 km as only ‘one and a half’ engines may be used over the course of the season. The 2019 rules also introduce a Push-to-Pass system whereby an increase fuel flow of 5kg/h can be summoned by the driver for a duration of five seconds, equivalent to a momentary power increase of 30 hp, handy for passing.
The 1,999cc BMW P48 R4 turbo engine features direct fuel injection and is rev-limited to 9,500 rpm, yet it tips the scales at only 85kg. Engine block and head are made of cast aluminium while the crankshaft and camshaft are steel items; the construction isn’t too dissimilar from a production 2.0-litre Twin Power Turbo four-pot found under the bonnet of a mainstream BMW model, only that the P48 has more than double the horses.


Review: Ford Ecosport Titanium, a suburban crossover with an adventurous twist

The all-new Ford EcoSport marks the first time we’ve seen this plucky little go-anywhere compact crossover SUV on our shores. First
i
ntroduced here
 in August last year, the EcoSport was offered in two trim levels, namely the Trend and Titanium. We sampled the top trim Titanium model which retails for RM100,800 with GST, but excludes insurance.
On first impressions, the EcoSport, adorned in a bright lick of paint called
Mars Red
 does look very similar to the one splashed on the
Ranger Wildtrak
. Some hails it as a bold and fearless form of self expression, which is quite the impression this crossover gives you, really.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Ford EcoSport 1.5L Trend
Ford EcoSport 1.5L Titanium
Engine
1,498cc; inline-4 cylinder with Ti-VCT
Transmission
6-speed dual clutch Powershift auto
Max Power
108 hp @ 6,300 rpm
Max Torque
142 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance, with GST)
RM90,100
RM100,800
EXTERIOR
It has become the norm for car manufacturers to base or borrow styling cues from its bigger and more popular models. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class for example, provided some sort of a template for the W205 C-Class in terms of overall looks. In this case, the styling cue was lent from a bigger relative, the
new Mondeo
. The recently penned Mondeo is indeed a handsome
 D-Segment
 barnstormer that has set the precedence for how the EcoSport and perhaps future Ford models may look like.

The EcoSport’s headlights come with a ridiculously dim LED
Daytime Running Lights,
and its signal indicators are neatly arranged in a sleek thin housing. The
chrome tipped fog lamps
 are up to the job of illuminating the way forward in
low incandescent evening lighting
. The same can be said of the headlights too with optimum road coverage and are at the proper height.
Around the side, the EcoSport sits on
205/60 R16 Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max
 tyres with
16-inch
 multi spoke alloy wheels. The tyres fitted with the car were of the
eco
 variety, which essentially means that the tyres generate
 less resistance
 against the road and helps improve
fuel economy
. The chunky
wing mirrors
 with an integrated signal indicator makes for easy spotting on the roads.

The rear end has been designed with practicality and convenience close at mind, with the rather stocky tailgate swinging out to the left and can be easily opened by a handy
push button
. The reason for having the spare tyre mounted in a shell on the outside is to increase vital
boot space
 for further practicality. The facelift model loses out on this feature, so to each their own.
INTERIOR
Here, the word ergonomics springs immediately to mind. The cabin is a modern and comfortable place to be in, with lashings of
 leather
 enveloping the
seats, steering wheel
 and various
trim pieces
. The
contrast stitching
 on the other hand, does give the upholstery a slightly sporty edge. The dash is covered in
Squareflec
 plastic first seen in the
Fiesta
 and is meant to mimic the
cellular structure
 of plants that gives out an
eco-friendly vibe
.

Like the Fiesta, the EcoSport comes with a centre dash with more buttons than the Lunar Module. However, getting used to it took us no more than a few hours, after which it became rather intuitive. It supports
Bluetooth
 connectivity,
AUX and USB ports
, and an
MP3 CD player
. Besides that, it also has a pretty trick voice recognition system called the
SYNC
 which allows you to
make, dial
 and
end calls
,
control your music
 and can even
read your text messages out loud
. All the said functionalities can be controlled via the buttons on the
multi-function steering wheel.
Seating five
 isn’t a problem at all and long distance travel is a doddle with
comfy seats
 and
good lumbar support.
But more importantly, the EcoSport has
 good seating position
. Wide side windows and a
 sunroof with a retractable shade
 provides good light and an airy, spacious vibe to the interior. The EcoSport comes with cup holders and storage space all over, especially the centre console. Speaking of which, the
glove box
 can be used as a
chilled box
 to keep your soda cans cool.
With everyone seated well, the only thing that’s left is entertainment. This is where the EcoSport’s party piece is – the absolutely banging stereo. This
six-speaker
 configuration is also found in the
Fiesta
, delivers
crisp-clear sounds
 and a
thumping bass
 to go with it. The stereo can be worked via the
AUX port
,
USB slot
or
Bluetooth
. It even supports Spotify! The
AM/FM radio
 comes with Radio Detection System that’s displayed on a dot matrix screen. Simple yet effective.
PERFORMANCE
Tasked with powering this nimble suburban runabout is a
 1.5-litre Ti-VCT
 (twin independent variable cam shaft timing)
multi point injection inline four cylinder
 engine that produces
108 hp at 6,300 rpm
 and
142 Nm
 of force driving the front wheels. Yup, it’s not a four-wheel drive.
This 1.5-litre mill is a little coarse upon cold starts, but that’s just the engine trying to quickly get the temperature up to its operational state. Once sufficiently warmed up, the engine is surprisingly smooth, especially so with high-rev down shifts. The engine remains smooth, in control and undramatic.
Driving it is up to the job of a
six-speed (dry type) dual clutch PowerShift
 unit. However, this gearbox is rather juddery when crawling in and out of city congestions – a typical dual clutch characteristic. It’s a little bit less refined compared to other dual clutch boxes, and does require a bit of getting used to, especially the delay on power delivery. That said, we find that the EcoSport could use a little bit more power, but the lack of it isn’t overwhelming by any standards, so it remains quite a livable unit.
THE DRIVE
The EcoSport was drafted for a short drive to the Sepang Gold Coast beach. Instead of taking the short route, we took the longer, more scenic route which gave us a feel of the many different aspects of how the car drove and handled. Along the trunk and coastal roads of Kuala Selangor, it kept up well with traffic and was able to execute overtaking manoeuvres without much of a fuss.
The brakes bit well and brought us to a halt rather convincingly, thanks in part to the
EBD and EBA
 (Emergency Brake Assist) systems. Being a Ford, it naturally excelled in the handling department and surprised us by not giving much body roll, considering the vehicle’s height. The
speed variable Electronic Power Assisted Steering
 makes parking rather effortless, yet provides a satisfying weight as the speedo-needle climbs northward. Ford claims that this EPAS system saves up to three percent of fuel, but there’s simply no way for us to put that to the test.
The suspension also packed a bag of surprises here, keeping ride quality very much in check. On
B-roads
, the suspension confidently absorbs road undulations and bumps, whereas on smoother roads, it kept its composure by not being excessively rigid. It’s not quite a soft-sprung crossover, but for what it’s worth, it can provide unsuspecting levels of comfort, given its dynamics.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
The Ford EcoSport was targeted towards outgoing suburban drivers, those of the more adventurous kind yet run daily errands like doing the school run and grocery shopping. Its easy, stylish and ergonomic layout makes it the ideal crossover for the job. For practicality’s sake, you get up to
705 litres of luggage capacity w
ith the rear seats folded down!
That’s not all, because in our opinion, the EcoSport is a great little city car that’s up to any job thrown at it. It’s also fitted with seven airbags (two in the Trend trim),
Isofix
 fixtures and the Park Pilot system which helps out in reverse parking.
COMPARISONS
With an on-the-road price of RM100,800, it squares directly against the formidable likes of the Honda HR-V and the pricier Peugeot 2008. The popular Honda is priced from RM96k (without insurance), and the French crossover at RM119,888.
Ford EcoSport
Honda HR-V
Peugeot 2008
ENGINE
Type
Inline 4-cylinder
Inline 4-cylinder
Inline 4-cylinder
Displacement
cc
1,498
1,799
1,598
Max Power
hp
109
140
120
Max Torque
Nm
142
172
160
STEERING
Type
Electric power-steering
Electric power-steering
Electric power-steering
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
6-speed dual clutch auto
CVT
4-speed auto
SUSPENSION
Type
Front/Rear
MacPherson strut/Torsion Beam
MacPherson strut/Torsion Beam
MacPherson strut/Torsion Beam
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear
Drum
Solid disc
Solid disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
205/60 R16
215/60 R16
195/60 R16
Wheels
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
4,273
4,294
4,159
Overall Width
mm
1,765
1,772
1,739
Overall Height
mm
1,675
1,605
1,556
Wheelbase
mm
2,519
2,610
2,538
Kerb Weight
kg
1,289
1,249
N/A
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
362
437
360
FUEL
Tank Capacity
52 litres
50 litres
50 litres
Consumption (Combined)
 L/100km
6.5
6.6
6.5
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
190
0 – 100km/h
sec
N/A
N/A
11.2
PRICE

RM (from)
92,888
95,729.71
119,888
WILL I BUY IT?
The EcoSport does a fine job when it comes to running around, doing the groceries and picking the kids up from school. My dearest mother would attest to that. It’s got an excellent, thumping sound system that any audiophile can appreciate. It’s also good on fuel and looks decently sharp. However, throughout my time with the EcoSport, the thought that’s always creeping back up was, I wished it had more power. If only it came with the highly acclaimed
1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost
 engine…
IMAGE GALLERY


Hyundai introduces Extended Warranty Programme for older models – RM1,280 per year

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) today launched a new Extended Warranty Programme for selected older models, which are the
AD
 and
MD Elantra
,
LF Sonata
,
TL
 and
LM Tucson
,
DM Santa Fe
, and
TQ Starex
.
To be eligible for the programme, the cars must have an expired manufacturer’s warranty, not older than eight years from the manufacturing date, mileage of under 300,000 km on the fifth year from the car’s purchase date, and a good service record with Hyundai authorised service centres.
Designed to offer Hyundai customers extra peace of mind while they keep their vehicles beyond five years, HSDM says that the programme will function just like a new car’s warranty, but will be subjected to yearly renewal, and will only cover mileage of no more than 30,000 km per year.
The new Extended Warranty Programme will cost
RM1,280 per year
, and will cover internal and primary components of the engine, transmission system, motoring, modular parts of the vehicle, as well as other electrical components.
It also includes complimentary repairs and part replacements. The limit per claim is set at RM10,000, although items that have been claimed beforehand can be claimed again (up to RM50,000 total aggregate), should they be proven faulty.
“Most extended warranty programmes by a car brand are offered by premium and luxury car brands, but we are offering this programme for Hyundai cars as we are confident of the quality of our vehicles, and we want to help our customers maintain their cars longer with peace of mind,” said HSDM Managing Director, Low Yuan Lung.
The programme is currently only available at all Sime Darby Auto Hyundai (SDAH) outlets, but will soon be extended to other Hyundai authorised service centres nationwide. Customers can contact HSDM at
1300-13-2000
 or log on to
www.hyundai.com.my
for more info.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia delivered 10,143 cars YTD, new A-Class coming soon

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) is on track for another record-breaking year as the three-pointed star recorded 10,143 deliveries since the start of 2018. This marks a 16 per cent increase compared to the same period last year resulting in a market share of 2.5 per cent.
President and CEO of MBM, Dr Claus Weidner said: “In the third quarter of 2018, we enjoyed bringing a host of updates to excite our fans and customers in the premium market segment. These continue to make up a tailored luxury lifestyle brand experience that is unique to Mercedes- Benz. Keeping our fans and customers in mind at all times, we are happy to continue raising the benchmark of our customer journey through MBM’s extensive network, electrifying product portfolio and unrivalled customer service.”
The breakdown of the 10,143 deliveries are as below:
Locally Assembled Limousines C, E, S-Class
: 6,344 units, +21.1%
Premium Compact Cars A, B, GLA, CLA-Class:
 1,268 units, +4%
Premium SUV range:
 1,960 units, +3.4%
Dream Cars:
 570 units, +40%
MBM’s sister company,
Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia (MBSM)
 also recorded a strong portfolio growth with over RM932 million new contracts secured in the first nine months of 2018. Currently, MBSM boasts a finance portfolio size of over RM2.5 billion with 4 out of 10 new Mercedes-Benz vehicles financed and insured by the company.
The company is not looking to sit back and relax for the remainder of the year with six new products scheduled for launch in Q4 of 2018 starting with the long-awaited
W177 A-Class hatchback
 that is set for debut on the 18th of October 2018. Other models teased include one limousine, three SUVs and one Dream Cars.


Kia Malaysia offers up to RM15,888 in savings for the Kia Rio, Cerato & Optima

Buyers of the new Kia Rio (K2), Kia Cerato (K3) and Kia Optima (K5) can now be entitled to savings of up to RM15,888 in a limited time promotional campaign (from 1 to 31 March) by Naza Kia Malaysia.
The campaign, dubbed K Surprise Series, will reward new customers with a
3-year or 60,000km
free service and maintenance coverage,
inclusive of parts and labour
. The only requirement is for owners to follow the recommended service interval.
That’s not all. Those interested can also walk in to any of their nearest authorised Kia dealerships to test drive any Kia models. Upon doing so, you will automatically be in the running to win tickets to the Euro 2016 through the ‘Kia Lucky Drive to France’ contest. A lucky draw coupon will be issued after the test drive and the winners will be announced in May 2016.


Toyota considers taking over Daihatsu, denies tie-up with Suzuki

Toyota Motor Corp has shown interest to buy the entire stake of Daihatsu (worth USD3.2 billion) and at the same time denied allegations of a potential tie-up with Suzuki. If any of these were proved to be true, the move will certainly spring about considerable impact on our national cars.
As we all know, Japanese automotive conglomerate, Toyota, owns a few Japanese brands such as Lexus, Hino, and Daihatsu (albeit with a stake of 51.19 percent). Daihatsu has a long established working relationship with Perodua, and as we have seen lately, the small car expert’s main rival is Suzuki,
who has just inked the agreement to collaborate with Proton
.
Toyota foresees that its acquisition of Daihatsu will allow them to leverage on the lower-cost brand with better efficiency. At the same time, Toyota could use the “Dacia” model by Renault by introducing the Daihatsu brand as a low-cost, affordable vehicle to developing nations. Its Japanese counterpart, Nissan, has already followed the similar playbook via the revival of the Datsun brand.
More so, Daihatsu is currently the group’s underperformer, as sales in 2015 fell by 13.3 percent. Hence, some cash injection from Toyota will be a good boost for both companies. Daihatsu holds a steady position in South East Asia, thanks in part to Perodua who has contributed plenty to Daihatsu’s fortunes.
However, Suzuki’s strong brand presence in India (via Maruti Motors) has stirred Toyota’s interest and will allow Toyota to penetrate the world’s second most populated country in the world.
Suzuki, being a small manufacturer, will be delighted if they are given access to Toyota’s HEV/FCV and other next-generation powertrain in order to develop future Suzuki models. That said, Suzuki remains cautious with tie-ups after its ties with Volkswagen was severed.
Shares from all three companies rose today, with Daihatsu being the biggest gainer at 16 percent, followed by Suzuki at 11 percent. As announced recently, Toyota also retained its title as the world’s top-selling car manufacturer for the fourth year with 10.15 million cars sold in 2015.
So here’s the interesting bit. Based on the two possible scenarios, if Toyota confirms its takeover of Daihatsu, Perodua could clearly benefit from this. This may allow Malaysia’s second car manufacturer to gain access to all Toyota’s parts and technology, unless told otherwise. For example, Perodua may just be able to produce a hybrid vehicle based on Toyota’s famed Hybrid Synergy Drive. A Perodua Myvi hybrid on the cards, perhaps?
However, things will be way off the wall should Toyota choose to go with Suzuki. Toyota could potentially gain indirect ownership of both Proton and Perodua, and Toyota will do henceforth is anyone’s guess. With
Proton announcing their brand new engine lineup
, just how well will the powertrain work in tandem with Toyota’s technologies? Are we looking at a possible unification, just like
British-Leyland
?


This is how the Ferrari 296 GTB’s new V6 engine sounds like

Ferrari, aside from their flamboyant styling on their cars and its

motorsports-backed heritage, is also known for their brawny V8 and V12 engines. So when they recently unveiled the
296 GTB
 with a downsized twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine, the more vocal fans obviously immediately pulled out their pitchforks and demanded an explanation.
“Think about what it would do to the sound!” they said. Well, Ferrari did – the press release of the car included three whole paragraphs dedicated just to the exhaust and sound that the new V6 engine makes, and they’ve also included a couple of videos just to prove that the new V6s do sound good.

Ferrari says that the new F163 V6 engine has been designed specifically to “harmoniously” combine the sound of turbos with the “high-frequency notes of a naturally-aspirated V12”. Yes, you read that right – V12, NA. Apparently, the engine sounds so V12-like that it’s even earned the nickname “
piccolo
 V12″ (little V12) during the development phase!
Did you forget how a Ferrari V12 sounds like? Check out our review of the 812 Superfast, coming to you all the way from Maranello!
According to the Italian supercar maker, the sound signature comes from the 120-degree V architecture, which gives the engine a symmetrical firing order. Meanwhile, the equal-length tuned exhaust manifolds work to amplify the pressure waves, giving it a “instantly recognisable” loud, shrill sound as the engine hits the 8,500 rpm rev limiter.
But no matter what you think about the noise, there’s no debating about its performance. The 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine on the 296 GTB already makes 663 hp by itself, which is apparently (per Ferrari) the “highest specific output” of any production engine on sale today – but that’s not all.
The hybrid-powered Ferrari SF90 Spider was just recently launched here in Malaysia. Learn more about it here!
Thanks to an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the new Ferrari berlinetta’s total system output jumps up to a whopping
830 hp
 and
740 Nm
 of torque. That’s enough to get the Ferrari 296 GTB off the line to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds and up to 200 km/h in just 7.3 seconds, onward to a top speed in excess of 330 km/h.
So yes, while it may not have the thumping V8 or howling V12s of old, rest assured that Ferrari have done all their can to make sure their new car still sounds good. And even if you don’t think it does, at least its performance more than makes up for it, right?


2023 Volkswagen Touareg R eHybrid facelift debuts with updated design, revised suspensions

Following the launch of the 2023 Touareg facelift, Volkswagen has now introduced the new
 performance-oriented Touareg R
 variant, featuring an updated exterior design, new equipment, and a new name – the Volkswagen Touareg R eHybrid.
Exterior design changes on the new Volkswagen Touareg R pretty much mirrors its regular counterpart, with the most noticeable update being its front fascia, sporting redesigned headlights, LED daytime running lights (DRL), as well as new bumpers.
At the back, the tail lights have also been redesigned, looking quite a bit sportier than before. It’s now characterised by a LED light bar that extends horizontally across the rear of the car, only broken up by the new illuminated VW logo, giving the Touareg R the “big car look” that matches its identity.
The wheels retain a rather similar design to the pre-facelift model, but it is now larger by one inch, at 21 inches this time around. Behind them, the brake calipers now get a fresh coat of blue paint, branded with the ‘R’ logo.
RELATED:
Volkswagen Golf to axe manual gearbox due to emissions rules
Powering the facelifted Volkswagen Touareg R eHybrid is the same plug-in hybrid (PHEV) unit as its pre-facelift predecessor. The system consists of a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged engine and an electric drive motor, and is mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
With power sent to all four wheels via the brand’s all-wheel drive (AWD) system, system output is unchanged at
462 hp
 (metric) and
700 Nm
. This allows the performance SUV to sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h in just
5.1 seconds
, and achieve a top speed of
250 km/h
.
As before, the Volkswagen Touareg R eHybrid rides on air suspensions all around, which the company says has been further developed to “ensure greater stability and precision” in all driving conditions.
Volkswagen has also added something called a roof load sensor, which basically detects if there’s any additional weight on the roof (it’s an SUV after all), and will adjust the suspension and stability control settings to help improve driving safety.
Changes to the interior of the new 2023 Volkswagen Touareg R, meanwhile, are comparatively much more subtle. Still sporting Volkswagen’s Innovision Cockpit design, the Volkswagen Touareg R is equipped with a 15-inch central touchscreen, matched to the digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. Like before, there is the Vienna leather upholstery with Crystal Grey stitching, as well as blue accents around the interior.
Features that come as standard with the Volkswagen performance SUV include sill panel mouldings with an illuminated R logo, and a key fob with the R logo and a leather-covered cap. A panoramic sliding sunroof and a 4-zone air conditioning system are both included as well.
Volkswagen R Head of Marketing and Sales, Peter Jost said, “The Touareg R eHybrid is our absolute top model. No other model offers as much performance, travel comfort, driving dynamics and customised equipment as this model. In addition, it impresses with its off-road capabilities and, with a trailer weight of 3.5 tonnes, it is the perfect towing vehicle for demanding tasks.”
Already open for order, the Volkswagen Touareg R eHybrid is retailed in Germany at a starting price of
EUR93,870
 (approx.
RM476,020
).
RELATED:
Next-gen 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan teased in camouflage – PHEV to get over 100 km of electric range
GALLERY


Video: First ride in the roofless McLaren Elva on Sepang Circuit!

It’s not often that anyone gets to ride in a supercar, even more so in a roofless one so you can imagine the joy when the invite came to go for a taxi ride in the
McLaren Elva
; at the Sepang Circuit no less!
The windscreen you see on the car in the video is actually
an optional item
, along with the wipers and windscreen washers. Look closer and you’ll notice that the windscreen frame is made of carbon fibre!

That’s not all, in fact, the whole car is made of carbon fibre; from the body to the chassis of the Elva. As a result, the
McLaren Elva
 only weighs just over 1.2 tonnes, and just a little heavier than a Perodua Myvi.
Now imagine being that light, but with
815 hp
 and
800 Nm
 from 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and all that muscle is channeled solely to the rear wheels! 0 to 100 km/h is over in just 2.8 seconds!
It’s a real shame we didn’t get to drive it; not only because the track was really wet but also because this thing costs about RM8 million before tax! Nevertheless, here’s a little hint of what being in the McLaren Elva is like!


Ferrari FXX-K EVO unleashed – a 1,035hp track weapon with crazy aero kit!

Since the introduction of the
Ferrari XX programme
 in 2005, the company has been actively pushing the boundaries of their vehicle’s on-track performance by applying their experience from Formula One, GT3, GTE and Ferrari Challenge. Introducing Ferrari’s latest work, the FXX-K Evo.
Unveiled at the Finali Mondiali – last stop in the
Ferrari Challenge
 calendar, the FXX-K Evo is available both as an extremely limited-run model as well as an upgrade package for existing
FXX-K
 owners. Like all cars under the XX programme, the FXX-K Evo is strictly for track-use only.
Taking the
standard
 (although nothing about it is standard) FXX-K as base, Ferrari has brought down the FXX-K Evo’s overall weight thanks to innovative carbon-fibre crafting processes despite adding a larger
twin-profile fixed rear wing
. The front and rear bumpers were also modified for new aerodynamic profile.
As a result, the FXX-K Evo now boasts 23 percent better downforce coefficient or 75 percent increase compared to the road-going LaFerrari. At
200 km/h
, the car now generates
640 kg
 of downforce compared to 540 kg on the standard car. Flat out, the massive aero generates over
 830 kg of downforce
. Due to the boosted performance, Ferrari had to adopt new front brake air intakes and recalibrate the suspension to adapt to the car’s new aerodynamic efficiency figures.

Despite the massive gains in aero, Ferrari maintained the 6.2-litre V12 hybrid powerplant with
1,035 hp
 and over
900 Nm
 of torque. Drive is deployed at the rear wheels via a seven-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission. The revisions done to the car collectively contributes to improved lateral acceleration in cornering, stability and, ultimately, exhilarating driving pleasure.
The cabin also benefits from a revised steering wheel for better ergonomics, larger 6.5-inch rear video camera and new telemetry display system with clearer graphics.
IMAGE GALLERY


We’re not sure what to think of this “open-aired” Nissan LEAF

Perhaps it’s Nissan’s way of making electric cars look cool, or perhaps it could be a weight-shedding measure to make the LEAF even more energy efficient. Either ways, there are currently no production plans for it just yet.
This quirkiness follows after Honda’s recent stunt of unveiling
 a pick-up truck Honda Civic Type R
. The
fully electric Nissan LEAF
 due for Malaysia this year and the idea of an open-top EV was displayed to
 celebrate the milestone of 100,000 sales of the Nissan LEAF in Japan
 since it was first introduced in 2010.
“100,000 Nissan LEAFs is just the beginning,” said Nissan executive vice president Daniele Schillaci. “Nissan LEAF drivers are incredibly loyal, and many will make their next vehicle purchase an EV also.”
Nissan’s Senior Managing Officer Asako Hoshino added, “As electric vehicles continue to increase in popularity all over the world, we have the opportunity to create the ideal future of a ‘zero-emission society.’ As an EV pioneer, Nissan is committed to our electrification strategy, which reduces emissions.”
The new generation of the Nissan LEAF debuted at the end of last year with
 Nismo editions following suit
, featuring Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies such as e-Pedal, the
ProPILOT driver assistance system
 and ProPILOT Park.
IMAGE GALLERY


Ford is making owners of its Mustang Shelby GT500 take driving lessons

Cause it would be embarrassing to power out of a junction and end up wrapping the Shelby GT500 around a lamp post – we’ve seen one too many videos of those.
Certainly, Ford wouldn’t want to see their unicorns destroyed either so they’ve teamed up with Ford Performance Racing School to offer complimentary driver training lessons through a programme called GT500 Track Attack.
The training which will take place at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, USA, teaches owners how to tackle corners, brake and launch the GT500 properly.
“With its supercar-level powertrain, the all-new Shelby GT500 takes Mustang to a performance level once reserved only for exotics. The GT500 Track Attack is absolutely essential in helping owners understand how to get the most out of their cars,” Ford said.
Ford will cover costs of the driving school entirely, while owners will be responsible for their travel and lodging.
The GT500, as Ford claimed, has been fitted with the
world’s most powerful V8 engine
; making it the
most powerful street legal Mustang ever
. Under the hood is a handbuilt 5.2-litre supercharged V8 making
 760 hp
and
847 Nm
 of torque.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lamborghini x Supreme just unveiled a new collection of apparels and it looks absolutely…

Tacky. Whether it’s apparels or other merchandises, Supreme has been known for their somewhat outlandish designs but how did Lamborghini agree to have their badge so largely displayed across the entire back of a varsity jacket for example, is beyond us.
And would you just look at the black button-up shirt with bulls in the centre and both sleeves. Did Lamborghini actually looked at the proposed designs, take at step back and decided, “Let’s do this!”?
We certainly hope not.
This is a supercar maker that upholds a high level of style and is the very epitome of cool – just
look at the masks they made for the Covid-19 frontliners
in Italy – but that button-up shirt just doesn’t reflect that. Granted it’s a subjective matter – the likely opinion of those under 25 years old with questionable dress codes – but we’d bet the brand’s esteemed customers wouldn’t be jumping on it out of sheer desire like the world has, with toilet rolls.
And lime green overalls? With a massive Lamborghini badge on the back? I didn’t know Lamborghini owners needed overalls to check their tyre pressure.
Supreme was probably just being themselves, simply slapping their name on a plain jane item followed by a ridiculous price tag and let the new generation fight over its exclusivity but we expected more from Lamborghini.
“Lamborghini recognises a spirit and dynamism in Supreme that resonates with its own brand. This collection combines the essence of Lamborghini super sports design and performance with iconic street wear,” said Automobili Lamborghini, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Katia Bassi.
Nope, we respectfully disagree, Ms. Bassi.
GALLERY


Porsche’s profit per car sold is equal to that of a brand new Toyota Vios!

Ever wonder just how much money carmakers make in profit for each car they sell? Well, apparently Porsche bagged about USD 17,250 (approximately RM76k) for every single car they sell.
In 2016, Porsche delivered 238,000 units, posting a healthy operating profit of
3.9 billion euros
 (approximately
RM19 billion
). If the math is done correctly, the profit margin of each
Cayenne
 is equivalent to a brand new
Toyota Vios
 J spec manual (RM76.5k)!
The Porsche Cayenne was instrumental in the revival of the famed Stuttgart brand, saving it from the brink of a massive financial disaster. This time around, the
Porsche Macan
 became the company’s cash cow, contributing to roughly 40 percent of the brand’s global sales.
Ferrari on the other hand, learned the trick of the trade pretty decently too. Last year, each Prancing Horse sold raked them
USD 90,000
 (approximately
RM398k
) in profits, and they do so by restricting annual production capacity to just 8,000 cars. Also, 30 percent of the profits came from their non-car division, particularly the theme park, merchandises and Formula One engines.
What about Mercedes-Benz and BMW? Well, it’s believed that they earn a modest
USD 5,000
 (approximately
RM22k
) per car sold, but they both sell millions upon millions of cars per year.
Source:
Auto News


Lewis Hamilton equals Schumacher’s 7th WDC record with victory at manic Turkish GP

Lewis Hamilton sealed the 2020 World’s Drivers’ Championship yesterday at the Turkish GP, his seventh WDC title equalling Michael Schumacher’s record, with a world-class performance truly deserving of the title he had just won.
While Hamilton did not get the best qualifying result in a rain-soaked session on Saturday, starting the wet Turkish GP from 6th on the grid, the Brit managed to fire his way up the pecking order with flawless driving and pure pace, finishing the race with a lead of over half a minute – a dominating performance that truly exemplified his abilities.
Lewis Hamilton’s performance was further amplified when he lapped Mercedes-AMG F1 teammate Valtteri Bottas – the only person able to challenge the title mathematically – 12 laps from the chequered flag. Bottas had a day to forget after his tangle with Esteban Ocon at Turn 9 on lap 1 left his car damaged, making it “undriveable” for the rest of the race.
“For all the kids out there who dream the impossible, you can do it, too, man. It’s possible,” an emotional Hamilton said over the radio after he crossed the line. He later told media that he burst into tears during the cool-down lap before heading to the podium. “I really couldn’t get out of the car, because I just couldn’t believe it.”
An emotional Lewis Hamilton after winning the Turkish Grand Prix, and his seventh World Drivers’ Championship title.
Few ever doubted Hamilton’s chances of winning his record-equalling seventh WDC title this year, especially when the
Mercedes-AMG F1 W11
 is perhaps the most dominating car the team has ever made in the last seven years. However, the Brit was still left speechless after achieving the incredible feat.
“We dreamed of this when we were young and when I was young, when we were watching the Grand Prix, and this is way, way beyond our dreams. I think it’s so important for kids out there to hopefully see this and know don’t listen to anyway who says you can’t achieve something. Dream the impossible and speak it into insistence. You have to work for it, you have to chase it and never give up, and never doubt yourself.”
Four-times WDC and third-place winner Sebastian Vettel congratulating Lewis Hamilton after the race, where he called Hamilton “greatest driver of our era”.
This year also saw Hamilton surpassing the record for the most Grand Prix wins, now increasing the lead to 94 victories, as well as the Mercedes-AMG F1 team winning their
seventh consecutive constructors’ championship
.
Hamilton’s future in the sport is still unclear, as the seven-time world champion has not signed a new contract with the Mercedes-AMG F1 team as of yet. The driver himself weighed in and said there’s “no guarantee” that he’ll stay in F1 for the next year. But it really doesn’t matter if he’s fighting for his eighth WDC or not – Lewis Hamilton should, and will be regarded as the best driver of our era, and even perhaps ever.


New combustion engines will still be part of BMW line-up and development

BMW will continue developing new petrol and diesel engines even though the company is embarking on an aggressive push for fully electric vehicles (EV), where all model series to include a fully electric option.
BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse told the media that BMW had no plans to stop developing the internal combustion engines (
ICE
), as it was confident customer demands will continue for many years to come, as noted by CNBC’s automotive reporter
Phil LeBeau
.
The topic came into light, picked up by Australia’s
Caradvice
, after an announcement by Audi CEO Markus Duesmann that the carmaker owned by Volkswagen Group would halt the development ICE due to strict Euro 7 emissions standards that present a significant technical challenge. The company will instead
adapt existing
 ICEs to meet stringent emission guidelines.
Audi’s latest EV, the
e-tron GT
Audi, together with marques in the Volkswagen Group have a much larger portfolio of EVs already in the marketplace, whereas BMW only premiered their new
i4
 electric sedan earlier this week.
BMW has also announced that MINI is set to become an
all-electric brand
 by the early 2030s. The transition will begin with the all-new Countryman slated for sales in 2023 and targets 50% of all new MINI sales to be EVs in 2027. MINI recently introduced their first EV with the
Cooper SE
 that is built on the current F55-generation hatchback, available in Malaysia priced from
RM214,371
.
BMW Group’s current EV line-up: New
iX
,
 iX3
, Concept i4, the
RM256k

i3S
 and the MINI Cooper SE
ICEs will remain popular and default choice for carmakers for continuous revenue and funds for investment into better EV technology. In a recent presentation by Kia Motors, EVs are estimated to only make up 34% of global new vehicle sales in 2030. Analysts forecast that China will be the leading market, with
nearly half
 of new vehicles delivered are fully electric, with Europe just a few percentage points behind.
In the US, demand for ICE (with and without electrification) is still expected to be strong at close to 80% of the market.


Audi Q6 h-tron concept gives a glimpse into Ingolstadt’s future

It seems that going all-electric is not the only way forward for Audi as they’re preparing a world preview of their new hydrogen-fuelled version of the Q6 SUV in the upcoming Detroit Motor Show. With that, enter the new Q6 h-tron SUV concept – this follows the Audi A7 h-tron quattro revealed not too long ago.
Based on the e-tron quattro concept (pictured here) unveiled in Frankfurt Motor Show back in September, this concept SUV replaces the battery pack from the e-tron Quattro concept with hydrogen fuel cells, while most of the Q6 e-tron’s aesthetics will be carried over into this concept.
Audi claims the new Q6 will have an option of normal internal combustion engine, pure electric and hydrogen-fuelled EV as means of propulsion. Also to note, the Q6 will be Audi’s newest SUV to join the trio of Q models, which means it will likely go against rivals such as the BMW X4.
This SUV also sets its sights on environmental friendly SUVs such as the Tesla Model X and will be tested alongside other fuel cell cars such as
Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell
, Honda FCV Clarity and
Toyota Mirai
. We won’t need to wait long to find out more on the Q6 when the SUV makes its debut in Detroit a month from now.


MINI changes name of wheels from “Corona” to “Power”, for obvious reasons

According to global news reports, MINI recently had to resort to some drastic measures amidst the Covid-19 pandemic – changing the unfortunate name of the wheels on the
MINI Cooper SE
.
They were called “Corona Spoke” wheels which have now been changed to “Power Spoke” wheels. Purely a coincidence really, as the MINI Cooper SE was introduced way before the Covid-19 madness kicked in. The matter was brought to the Internet’s attention, when a reporter from
Inside EV
 was reviewing the all-electric hatchback and MINI has since addressed it as it was the “right thing to do” according to MINI.
Now I can understand why MINI was compelled to do so; for reputation, branding, marketing sake and to avoid offending or undermining those who have been gravely affected by this plague but really, it was a victim of circumstance.
The MINI Cooper SE.
In hindsight though, if you think about it, don’t you think it’s sad that things have become this way? That we’ve become so easily triggered and so sensitive as a global society, to a point that brands have to fear and tip toe even on the most trivial matters, like the name of wheels for example.
Unsubstantiated as it may be, I’m pretty sure you’ve seen countless memes of Corona beer cartons which have been completely untouched while the rest of the alcohol section has been emptied. It’s hard to imagine people being so shallow-minded and ill-informed in the year 2020 – where answers to your every query is just a few clicks away on your smartphone.
If we’re a more open society, I reckon brands would not have to resort to such measures because it’s not as simple as hiting the backspace button and curating a new name. They have to first come up with a new name, sort approvals, unnecessarily incur extra marketing and communications costs etc. just to convey the new message.
It’s commendable of MINI to remedy something that could potentially backfire on them but really guys, always keep and open mind; always look at the bigger picture.


Rapid KL apologises for bus accident, sets up task force for insurance claims

Rapid KL has just issued an official apology regarding the recent incident where a Rapid KL bus went amok near MRR2 yesterday. Fortunately, no casualties were reported from all that mayhem.
Rapid KL CEO, Mohd Azam Omar said the company will assist all vehicles owners who were involved in the incident to submit their insurance claims. Affected owners can email their claims and relevant documents to
[email protected]
.
Mohd Azam also stressed that the Rapid KL bus involved was in good operating condition before the incident occurred. According to a police report, the bus captain (bus driver) was involved in an earlier accident at Jalan Enggang AU2, Taman Keramat and fled the scene which played into the horrific chase scene recorded on a mobile phone.
The company deeply regrets the incident and are giving their full cooperation to the relevant authorities with the investigations. The bus captain is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital and Mohd Azam hopes that the public does not speculate the incident and wait for an official report from the police.


Volvo Valet allows owners to service their vehicles without leaving home

In such desperate times, when most of us are locked down at home, overwhelmed with the paranoia of contracting Covid-19 from social interactions or merely being outside, Volvo USA has introduced a solution to provide another reason for its customers to stay home.
With the Volvo Valet, owners in the USA can now have their vehicles serviced without ever leaving their homes or offices. They can either utilise the service through an app compatible with iOS and Android or by making good ol’ fashioned phone calls to schedule a service appointment.
Thereafter, an employee from the dealership will then pick up the car and
 drop off a loaner vehicle
for use while maintenance is being performed. Through the app, the owner can see where the car is and when it will arrive at the dealership, much like watching where your Grab ride is on the app.
Once the car has been dropped off at the dealership, the owner will receive a notification that their car has arrived. Once service is completed, the owner will be notified the moment their car is ready to be picked up. The dealership will then contact the owner to arrange a time to return their Volvo and pick up the loaner vehicle.
“Volvo Valet has been very successful in pilot testing over the last year and it is now ready to serve our customers and retailers in this unprecedented time,” said Volvo Car USA, Senior Vice President Americas, President and CEO, Anders Gustafsson.
The Volvo Valet service also extends to older models and while it’s currently applicable only to maintenance and service, it will be expanded to include lease and purchase deliveries, lease returns, and overnight test drives later in 2020.
GALLERY


Proton X50 set for virtual launch on 27th October!

Proton has confirmed through its
social media channels
 today that the X50, perhaps the most anticipated car of the year in Malaysia, has will hit the market on the
27th of October
, with a virtual launch confirmed at 10:50 am next Tuesday.
Within two weeks since the
Proton X50
 opened for booking on Malaysia Day, the national carmaker has already received over 20,000 bookings for the compact SUV. It’s unclear what the numbers are at this moment, but the company says that booking numbers have “exceeded expectations”. Fair to say that “popular” is an understatement!
The Proton X50 will be offered in four variants – Standard, Executive, Premium, and Flagship. All variants feature a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, though in two different configurations. The first three variants in the list are equipped with a port-fuel injected version of the mill, producing
150 hp
 and
226 Nm
 of torque.
The Flagship variant meanwhile gets direct injection on the three-pot engine, which bumps the output figure to
177 hp
 and
255 Nm
. Both engine options will be paired to a
seven-speed dual-clutch transmission
 – the same used on the locally-assembled
Proton X70
, but with model-specific tuning.
We had the opportunity for a quick taster of the Proton X50 Flagship’s performance at the Sepang International Circuit earlier this month, where it was even pitted against the BMW X1 sDrive18i for a
“drag race”
. Be sure to check out the video
here
!
In terms of kit, unsurprisingly the Flagship variant gets most of the goodies, including the
level 2 autonomous driving
 advanced driver assistance features. But if you can live without that, the Executive variant gets 6 airbags, while the Premium adds on a 360-degree around view camera and tyre pressure monitoring system.
Either way, the X50 has already received a five-star rating from ASEAN NCAP, and that includes the base X50 1.6T Standard, which comes with four airbags. For the full specifications breakdown, take a look at our previous write-up
here
. But for now, any guesses on the prices? No rewards for the right guesses, but at least you’ll have the bragging rights!


Renault Clio gets a midlife refresh and it looks like a champ!

The fourth-generation Renault Clio, available here in the sole
GT
 trim, has just undergone a facelift. This timely update brings about a new look (inline with
Renault’s new corporate identity
), and along with it a new diesel engine.
As with all model facelifts, updates to the Clio include a redesigned set of LED headlights and tail lamps, reprofiled front and rear bumpers and a wider front grille that ups road presence. Inside, Renault claims they used higher quality materials such as chrome and soft-touch plastics.

Meanwhile, the centre console now available in three choices: Media Nav Evolution, R-Link Evolution, and R&GO. Even the entry level head unit comes with a feature that allows you to pair and mirror your smartphone via an app. Depending on the trim, a Bose audio system can also be had in this little French hatch. Safety wise, the Clio gets all-round parking sensors and autonomous parking, but the latter is offered only to pricier variants.
While most of the Clio’s existing engine will be carried over, Renault now introduces the
108 hp 1.5-litre dCi diesel
 engine into the mix. The oil burner, which is shared with the Megane and Dacia models, is mated to a
six-speed manual gearbox
. Also offered is a 118 hp 1.2-litre TCe petrol engine which is also paired to the aforementioned stick shift. In case you may be wondering, that’s the same engine powering the
Captur and Clio GT models
 here in Malaysia.
The updated Clio will go on sale in Europe beginning October this year. Presently, Renault Malaysia is selling the fully imported Clio GT (six-speed dual clutch automatic)

at
RM118,000.00
.
IMAGE GALLERY


2016 Honda Civic 1.8L and 1.5L Turbo now open for booking!

For those of you eagerly waiting for the arrival of the 10th generation Honda Civic, this piece of news has been a long time coming. Honda Malaysia is now taking orders for the soon-to-be-launched C-Segment sedan, with two variants on offer: a 1.8-litre and the all-new 1.5-litre turbocharged models.
The
locally assembled Civic
 is also a winner of
2016 Wards’ best interior
. Not only has the overall packaging improved, Honda has made the Civic wider and lower,
increasing rear legroom
 space by 27mm. Previously notorious for its refinement, this new Civic’s cabin insulation is dealt with a new
lightweight sound proofing system
.

At launch, the
 1.8-litre engine
 which produces
141 hp
 and
 174 Nm
 of torque will be paired to a
Continuously Variable Transmission
 (CVT), as is the
1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC powertrain
 that makes
174 hp
 and
220 Nm
 of torque. Drive is sent to the
front wheels
 only. The
full LED headlamps
 with
 LED daytime running lights
 you see in the picture above will also be offered, but this will most likely be reserved for the range topping turbocharged variant.
Now, onto the features. The 1.8-litre variant will sit on 16-inch wheels, while the 1.5-litre turbo will get sportier 17-inchers. Depending on variants, the Civic will come with
Engine Remote Start
 – a feature that allows you to start your vehicle from up to 40 metres away by just the push of a button on the key fob. You can also remotely switch on the air conditioning controls via this feature.
That’s not all. Honda Malaysia went the extra mile by offering class-leading safety features such as
 six airbags
, Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal, Isofix child anchors and 8-way powered driver seats.
All these come as standard
, so there’s plenty to shout about. The Civic will also come with Electric Parking Brake, Brake Hold and a new
Walk Away Auto Lock
 feature which locks all doors when the driver walks beyond 2.5 metres away with the smart key.
The Honda Civic will be launched between May and June this year, although no launch dates have been revealed as yet. Bookings of all variants can be made through any one of the 88 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide. Those who want to see the Civic in the flesh can swing by the
My Auto Fest 2016
(10am to 9pm) event that will take place from 20 to 22 May 2016 at Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
IMAGE GALLERY

 O2 sensor, Honda Civic 1.8


Review: Mitsubishi Attrage GS, a well-groomed city slicker

Mitsubishi cars, for all we know is all about performance and its prowess in car handling is second to none. But as a car company that struggles to keep itself afloat, the tri-diamond marque has taken bold steps to tone their vehicle lineup in lieu with the current trend of engine downsizing and focuses on developing fuel efficient cars. And thus, the
Mitsubishi Attrage
 was born (from a reborn Mirage).
Watch our video review on the Mitsubishi Attrage GS
The Attrage is built in Thailand and sold under the Eco-Car programme. Like any “eco cars” sold under the band name, these cars are built as light as possible with engine capacity not exceeding than 1,300cc. Carbon dioxide (CO
2
) emission is set at a strict 120g/km and fuel consumption of at least 5 litres/100km.
With the Mitsubishi Attrage GS at hand, we put the newly launched sedan to a less than rigorous test, in and out of the city.
QUICK FACTS
Name
 Mitsubishi Attrage GS
Segment
 B-SEGMENT SEDAN
Engine
 1.2L INLINE-3 DOHC MIVEC (79hp, 106Nm)
Price

RM 69,980 (OTR With Insurance)

The Attrage comes in 3 different variants to choose from. The
Attrage GL
 is the cheapest with
RM 60,980
 and comes with a manual transmission (5 speed). The
Attrage SE
 is the most expensive with
RM 77,980
and comes with daytime running lights, bodykit, security film, reverse camera and leather seats. Our test car, the
Attrage GS
 sits in the middle with a
RM 69,980
price tag
.
 All prices mentioned are on the road price with insurance.
Safety wise, all 3 variants comes standard with dual SRS airbag, pretensioner seatbelt (driver & passenger), ABS and EBD.
Watch our video review on the Mitsubishi Attrage GS
EXTERIOR

Many would come to a conclusion that stretching a hatch to form a sedan will never look good. Take a look at the Honda Brio Sedan for instance, it looks like an abomination with small trunk sticking out like a sore thumb. Then take a look at the Attrage, it may not look handsome but it is certainly presentable. The front fascia is good to look at and it is so aerodynamically streamlined that it gives a reduced drag coefficient of 0.29. As a comparison, Toyota Prius’s drag coefficient is rated at 0.25.

The Attrage is donned in 185/55 R15 Bridgestone Potenzas with alloy wheels. Hmm, doesn’t sound economical to me, perhaps a lighter 14-incher should do a better job in eliminating road noise.
With a 450 litres of storage, the boot could swallow 3-4 luggages. Suffice to say, that is not small and should suit everybody’s needs. The power folding mirror is an appropriate size, but too bad, the Attrage GS doesn’t come with LED turning indicators. It does however folds up automatically when you lock the car doors, saving you a few calories of hand movement.
INTERIOR

At first glance, the interior does look good but not awe inspiring. The piano black centre console is where you would probably lay your eyes on most of the time. This is where the head unit & automatic air conditioner controls is housed. Simple configuration, but with a little glossy finishing, it feels classy to say the least.

Control buttons for air conditioning is large and easy to see. The Kenwood-sourced head unit wouldn’t satisfy an audiophile but good enough for an average Joe. The 2-din head unit supports MP3, WMA, AAC, CD and USB playbacks.
The steering is nicely positioned but I must complain on the driver seating configuration. Yes, there is height adjustment, but I can’t seem to find my comfortable sitting position. I find the seat a little jerky (it moves front & back a little). Other than that, the Attrage offers really good real estate for those who travel with 5 people occasionally. Having a wheelbase of 2,550 mm, it certainly measures up with the likes of Toyota Vios!
There are large and useful cubby holes for front passengers, but alas, there is none for the rear passenger doors. The rear is pretty amazing. It accommodates 3 just about nice without feeling uncomfortable. If there is only 2 passengers, you can unfold the armrest, sit back and enjoy the ride. The armrest also doubles as a cupholder for the rear passengers.
There are a few neat feature incorporated into the Attrage. Take for instance, there is automatic light shutoff feature when the engine is turned off. Not to mention the interior lights will turn on for about 15 seconds after you enter the Attrage, thus allowing you to rummage for your keys or phone charger.
PERFORMANCE

I am pleased to say that the 3-cylinder engine is surprisingly good for everyday drive. First of all, the pickup is good. It pulls pretty steadily and surely with 5 people onboard. A century sprint from 0-100 is super smooth, thanks to the INVEC-III CVT.
Sadly though, I did not manage to bring the Attrage for an all-important uphill run. I am pretty confident that I will get the job done, but just barely.
Driving around town is hassle free. The engine feels very light and pulls eagerly like a well-oiled machine. The engine reminds me of a similar car that most Malaysians will remember fondly, the Kelisa. Of course the tiny MIVEC power plant is punchier and feels a little more civilised.
THE DRIVE
With such a light car, my first thought is that the Attrage does not come with power steering. But to my surprise, it does come with electronic power assist. Steering feel is very light at low speed, but it gets heavier at higher speed. It may sound good when it gets heavier at the right speed but it still very numb. A small flick of steering offers very little feedback and it doesn’t inspire confidence.
All is not lost though. Not to be discouraged, my friend and I took the Attrage to a large empty car park and try to fling the car around quite wildy. And my! The Attrage grips damn well, with a small amount of bodyroll. Yes, the unmistakeable Mitsubishi handling DNA is there alright.
Handling aside, I find the NVH of the Attrage mediocre. The engine growl the loudest at speeds of between 20-30km/h. Wind noise is also apparent at high speed. As suspected, this is a cheap and light car, so sound proofing is rather poor in this aspect. While you are seated, give a small knock on the roof of the Attrage and you will hear an unmistakable sound of metal clanking. It could be a nuisance to some (etc, when it rains), so do take note when you are scouring for a car.
As for
MY
 fuel consumption, I can at best manage to squeeze 14-15km/l out of the Attrage. Don’t get me wrong, if you drive like a snail and doesn’t push the Attrage like I do, you will probably get close to the advertised consumption of 21km/l. I pushed the Attrage quite a lot just because I am sceptical that the puny engine is not powerful enough for my everyday drive, but it does deliver.
IS IT FOR YOU?

The Attrage is very compelling that it delivers a very simple message. Downsizing doesn’t mean it is bad. It goes as far to show that with the right formula, it certainly proves that it could stand against the might of any normal sedan put against it. Its superiority over the rest of the pack (B segment) is its claimed mileage of 21km/litre and that alone should attract city folks looking for an alternative other than a hybrid.
COMPARISONS

As a comparison, we tabulated and pitted the Mitsubishi Attrage against the Nissan Almera and Toyota Vios in terms of their similarly price variants, size, and fuel consumption.

 Mitsubishi Attrage GS
 Nissan Almera (E)
 Toyota Vios (E)
ENGINE
Type
 12v 3-cylinder, DOHC MIVEC (3A92)
 4-cylinder, DOHC  CVTC (HR15DE)
 16v, 4-cylinder DOHC VVT-i (1NZ-FE)
Displacement
cc
 1,193
 1,498
 1,497
Compression Ratio
 11 : 1
 10.1 : 1
 10.5 : 1
Max Power
hp/rpm
 79/6,000
 100/6,000
 107 / 6,000
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
 106/4,000
 139/4,000
 141 / 4,200
Carburetion System
 Fuel Injection
 Fuel Injection
 Fuel Injection
Fuel Tank Capacity
L
 42
 41
 42
STEERING
Type
 Electronic (EPA)
 Electronic (EPS)
 Electronic (EPS)
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
 CVT INVECS-III
 4-speed AT
 4-speed AT
SUSPENSION
Type
 Macpherson Strut (F) / Torsion Beam (R)
 Macpherson Strut (F) / Torsion Beam (R)
 Macpherson Strut (F) / Torsion Beam (R)
BRAKES
Front
 Ventilated Disc
 Disc
 Ventilated Disc
Rear
 Drum
 Drum
 Drum
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
 185 / 55 R15
 185 / 65 R15
 185 / 60 R15
Wheels
 Alloy
 Steel with cover
 Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
 4,245
 4,425
 4,410
Overall Width
mm
 1,670
 1,695
 1,700
Overall Height
mm
 1,515
 1,510
 1,475
Wheelbase
mm
 2,550
 2,600
 2,550
Max Kerb weight
kg
 905
 1,035
SAFETY
Airbags
 2
 1
 2
Others
ABS, EBD, Seatbelt Pretensioner, RISE Body
 ABS, EBD, BA, ISOFIX
ABS, EBD, WIL, Seatbelt Pretensioner (F), ISOFIX, GOA Body
FUEL
Grade
 95
 95
 95
PRICE
RM

69,980

69,827

77,313

WILL I BUY IT?
Probably not. I am not very keen of having a car that tells me how and when to shift. I prefer to work with stick shifts. Not until the day when the fuel price becomes too unbearable, then I will consider getting one. For those who are not keen on buying a hybrid, this is a good option. The Attrage is big enough for small families and for
balik kampung
 trips, without compromising on looks.
Watch our video review on the Mitsubishi Attrage GS.
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VIDEO GALLERY
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IMAGE GALLERY


Sepang International Circuit to open new Driving Experience Centre by next year

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has officially broke ground on their latest project which will see a Driving Experience Centre (DEC) built next to Sepang’s go-kart circuit.
According to SIC, the new DEC – the first of its kind in South East Asia – will serve as a ‘motoring education hub’ and construction is expected to be complete by June next year.
Aside from being a centre to discover and groom talent, the DEC will also be opened to the public who wish to sharpen their skills behind the wheel with advanced driving activities and courses. So far the closest thing to the DEC in the region is location in China, at the Porsche Experience Centre in Shanghai, China.
“With the circuit used for racing events and other motorsport activities, the DEC will be used to brush up one’s driving skill and safety awareness,” said SIC CEO, Azhan Shafriman Hanif.
Built on a 28-hectare plot of land, the new DEC will feature the following courses and activities to develop better drivers:
Handling circuit – 1.5 km circuit with 15 turns
Go-kart circuit – 1.1 km circuit
Kick Plate course – featuring a hydraulic-powered plate to simulate loss of traction
Skid circle – to simulate loss of grip on front and rear tyres
Off-road course – with steep inclines and challenging terrains