Hyundai Creta open for booking in Malaysia – Proton X50, Honda HRV, Toyota Corolla Cross competitor

Malaysia’s vibrant B-segment SUV market is about to welcome a new contender, as
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors
 (HSDM) has officially announced that the
Hyundai Creta
 is now open for booking at all its authorised sales outlets in Malaysia.
This new Korean B-segment SUV is positioned just under its bigger sibling, the
Kona
, and shares the same platform with the
Kia Seltos
.
 As of now, HSDM has not shared detailed specifications about the Creta yet but here are some details of the Creta, based on the models launched in Thailand and Indonesia.
Dimensions-wise, the Hyundai Creta measures
4,315 mm
 long,
1,790 mm
 wide, and
1,630 mm
 tall, which makes it slightly longer, taller and a hair wider than the Kona. Compared to the popular
Proton X50
, the Creta is just a hair shorter, narrower, but taller.
On the outside, the Creta’s front end features Hyundai’s Parametric Jewel design. Unlike most cars, the Creta’s LED daytime running lights are ‘hidden’ within the grille, while the main LED headlights are mounted in the bumper instead. Other notable details include dual-tone rims as well as the triangular-shaped rear combination LED lamps.
RELATED:
All-new Hyundai Kona Electric specs unveiled – gets frunk, V2L, 490km range
Inside, the Creta features an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.25-inch TFT instrument cluster with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. As for driving modes, there are no less than four of them.
In terms of safety, the Creta comes standard with six airbags and Hyundai’s suite of SmartSense active safety features, including Forward and Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist, Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCTA), Safe Exit Warning and High Beam Assist – all of which contribute to its full five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating.
“The Hyundai Creta targets the young as well as the young-at-heart with its distinctive combination of contemporary design, connected technology and comprehensive active safety features,” said HSDM Managing Director, Mr Low Yuan Lung.
Pricing has not been announced by HSDM as of yet, but in Thailand, the Creta starts from
THB 949,000
 (approximately
RM 122,484
) for the base SE variant all the way to
THB 999,000
 (approximately
RM128,937
) for the high-spec SEL variant. When this Korean B-segment launches, it will be competing against contenders such as the Proton X50,
Honda HRV
,
Toyota Corolla Cross
 and
Peugeot 2008
.
RELATED:
The upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5 N ‘hot’ EV will help you drift better


Bugatti unveils new Titanium Brake Caliper using 3D printing, 40% lighter

Bugatti has always known to be a pioneer in new technical developments and innovations in the world of extreme performance. Just when you thought the Veyron will be as powerful as road going cars will ever be, they introduced the
Chiron with 1,500 hp and 1,500 Nm of torque
.
But as the saying goes “With great power comes great responsibilities” and Bugatti’s greatest responsibility is to bring the car to a complete halt safely and effectively. Which brings us to their latest creation, the world’s first titanium brake caliper to be produced by a 3D printer.
The newly developed brake caliper is made up of a titanium alloy with the scientific designation
Ti6AI4V
, mainly used in the aerospace industry for high-stress undercarriage and wing components in aircrafts and rocket engines. The caliper now weights only
2.9 kg
, 40 percent lighter than the aluminium component currently used (4.9 kg), measuring at 41 cm long, 21 cm wide and 13.6 cm high.
This approach was extremely difficult before due to the inherent high rigidity of a titanium block but thanks to 3D printing technology, it opens up the possibilities of forging complex structures which are significantly stronger. Despite it being a 3D printed part, the brake caliper has a tensile strength of
1,250 N/mm
2

which translates to more than 125 kg of force can be applied to a square millimetre of this titanium alloy before rupturing.
In the printing process, titanium powder is deposited layer by layer, four lasers melt the powdered material into the brake calliper’s shape. It takes a total of 2,213 layers and
45 hours
 to complete a single brake calliper. The result is a pair of eight-piston front calipers and six-piston rear callipers for the Bugatti Chiron.
First trials of these titanium brake calipers on production vehicles are due to be held in the first half of 2018. By then, the engineers promise shorter production times to keep up with production schedules.


Yes, there will be an all-new Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ

Since the debut of the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, many were worried about the feasibility of a new-generation model considering they don’t amass big numbers on the sales chart. But
reports were hopeful
 that Toyota and Subaru will be joining forces again.
As reported by
AutoCar UK
, Vice President Toyota Sales and Marketing of Toyota Motors Europe, Matthew Harrison said that the company has all the intention to continue the model’s legacy with an all-new model.
Where the
A90 Supra
 (which by the way, is
coming to Malaysia
) is positioned as the brand’s flagship sports car, the 86 will find its place on the lower end of the spectrum, providing a more affordable entry for the driving enthusiast. Like the Supra, Toyota will develop the new 86 through their partnership with Subaru which will help to
offset the high production costs
.
A
naturally aspirated motor is likely to be retained
 and so is the manual option. Toyota aims to continue the ethos of the 86 – a lightweight, balanced sportscar that excels around the bends. The Supra, 86 and similar performance-oriented models are brand shapers more than anything else.
What a looker, this
Harrison, commenting on
the 86 said: “Its role is not one particularly about volume globally. It’s
about adding excitement to the brand and emotional appeal.”


BMW Malaysia goes digital with its pre-owned cars!

BMW Group Malaysia has announced today that its annual Premium Selection Fair that offers a wide range of pre-owned and preloved BMW and MINI vehicles, will take place via an
all-new digital experience
.
“The Premium Ownership Experience from the BMW Group is a complete 360-degree suite of privileges and services that is not only limited to the purchase, service and maintenance of the vehicle. Instead, it is a life cycle and ownership ecosystem where the vehicle is seen to move in a value chain of ownership,” said BMW Group Malaysia, Managing Director, Harald Hoelzl.
The newly launched BMW 330e PHEV M Sport.
He added, “The best part about this new platform is that the entire process can be conducted contactless from the comforts of your home and is hassle-free, reiterating the vision of the BMW Group in digitalising its touch points around the world.”
This industry-first initiative will see over 300 BMW and MINI vehicles on a dedicated BMW Premium Selection microsite for viewing and purchase with attractive and limited-time offers exclusively on the digital platform.
Customers who purchase vehicles from the Premium Selection Fair will also be entitled to The dedicated site also enables potential owners of vehicles from BMW Group Malaysia’s Premium Selection range to be entitled to the BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership Experience which includes:
Minimum of 12 months BMW Premium Selection Warranty
360-Degree Technical and Optical Checks of the vehicle
Approved Vehicles and Service History
Financing Offers from BMW Financial Services Malaysia
Trade-In Offers
BMW Roadside Assistance


Honda Malaysia recalls 20-year old Accord and CR-V for Takata airbag inflator replacement

Honda Malaysia
 has announced a recall exercise involving 1,380 units of the
1999 year model Honda Accord
, as well as 1,404 units of the units of the
2000 year model Honda CR-V
. The 2,784-unit recall exercise is in line with the Honda global Non-Azide Driver Airbag Inflator (NADI) recall to replace the
Takata driver front airbag inflator
 as a preventive measure.
The potentially faulty Takata driver front airbag inflator could result in excessive internal pressure during operation, and thus causing the airbag to fail to function properly or to rupture. As at today, there have been no reports in Malaysia of any incident or injury caused by the Takata driver front airbag in these vehicles.
Affected owners will be informed via notification letters, which will include further details of the product recall. Honda Malaysia urges all affected customers to make an appointment with any authorised Honda authorised dealer upon receipt of notification to replace the faulty part.
The company also encourages the public who have relatives or friends owning these two models to immediately contact Honda Malaysia to arrange for the driver front airbag replacement. The replacement of the affected Takata driver front airbag inflator will be done free of charge, and all costs related to this replacement activity will be borne by Honda Malaysia. The replacement stock will be available in stages.
For more information surrounding this product recall, customers can call the Honda Toll Free number at
1-800-88-2020
, or log on to
productrecall.honda.com.my
 to check if their vehicles are involved in this recall by producing the vehicle identification number (VIN).
Honda Malaysia reassures that current selling models are not affected in this product recall, and the company said that it will continue to uphold transparency and stringent controls for customers.
Additionally, strict health and safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in place during this critical time to safeguard the well-being of its customers and staff. As such, the company requests all affected customers to make a prior appointment to ensure a smooth replacement process.
All individuals in the premise will be required to adhere by the SOPs set by the authorities at all times, including the wearing of face masks, maintaining physical distancing.


Mazda previews the new CX-8, coming to Malaysia real soon!

Bermaz Motor, distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia has just given us a preview of a
Japanese-spec Mazda CX-8
, Japan’s version of
 our local CX-9
.
The CX-8, which will be available as locally-assembled units from the get-go.
They’ll either be powered by the 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D turbo diesel engine, the
same one you’d find in the diesel models in Malaysia
, but with
187 hp
 and
450 Nm
or a 2.5-litre petrol engine.
This is not the case for the folks in the land of the rising sun, where the CX-8 is only available with a diesel engine. Only the diesel models will come with all-wheel drive.
The petrol powered models will play host to a 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G four-cylinder engine with
192

hp
 and
257 Nm
 of torque. The new CX-8s will utilise the 6-speed SkyActiv-Drive transmission.
As for equipment and features, it’s safe to expect the CX-8 to be fitted with automatic LED head and tail lights, LED fog lamps, 19-inch alloys like the ones you find in our local CX-9, six airbags and a generous list of other goodies.
Focusing on the interior, it’s said that the CX-8 will be available in both 2-3-2 and 2-2-2 seating arrangements – the latter featuring two individual seats in the second row – like most MPVs.
Word is that it is still undecided whether the i-Activesense suite of safety systems will be available for our local CX-8s.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mazda CX-8 2.5-litre 2WD
Mazda CX-8 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D turbo diesel AWD


Join Evo Malaysia on the Evo Enduro drive from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket

Evo Malaysia invites you to join the Evo Enduro drive in a 1,000 km journey from our capital, Kuala Lumpur all the way to Phuket, Thailand.
Legendary open road endurance races have long been the pinnacle of every driver’s ambition. The famous 1,000 km Targa Florio, the 1,500 km Mille Miglia and of course, the famous 24 Hour of Le Mans race are all historical competitions that cover a distance akin to that of Malaysia to Russia.
Whether it’s the year 1917 or 2017, the determination and bond between man and machine as well as the sheer joy of being accompanied by many who share the same love for cars, forever encompasses something much larger than the chequered flag itself. Join in the fun as they embark on an epic drive beyond the Peninsula Malaysia through highways and scenic landscapes, crossing borders and meeting new faces.
Dubbed the Mille Miglia of the East, Evo Enduro will embark on a 1,000 km journey from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket. To spice things up further, those who participate will get to attend a driving exercise in Sepang a month later, all for FREE.
Participation is very easy; if your vehicle qualifies according to the make and model list as provided at
https://evomalaysia.com/2017-evo-enduro-drive
, proceed to make bookings for accommodation in Phuket, Thailand for the 1st and 2nd of September 2017 (minimum) and submit the booking confirmation to
Evo Malaysia
.
Submission for participation ends on the
25th of August 2017
, and it is limited to only
50 participants
.


Review: Volvo V40 T5, the alluring Swedish temptress [+Video]

When someone mentions “Volvo”, the first thing that may spring to mind is the evergreen boxy 240 sedan that our parents used to own. Most people might have forgotten that Volvo also produce smaller cars than the 240. Volvo’s modern compact model can be traced as far back to the 300-series in the late 70’s.
The 300-series started out as a hatchback but eventually a saloon bodystyle was offered. The rear-wheel drive compact gave way to the front-wheel driven 400-series in the late 80’s. In the 90’s the 40-series Volvos replaced the old 400-series and it comes in two guises, the S40 sedan and the V40 wagon. The second-generation S40 introduced in 2007 but the wagon version was confusingly named the V50. After production ended in 2012, both the S40 and V50 are replaced by the sole hatchback V40.
Like the previous S40/V50 duo, the current V40 is assembled here in Malaysia by Swedish Motor Assemblies Sdn. Bhd. (SMA) in Shah Alam. The V40 comes with two engine options; the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder T4 priced at RM173,888, or the 2.0-litre turbocharged five-cylinder T5 at RM190,888. The
 Biarritz Blue
 V40 you see here is the range-topping T5.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Volvo V40 T5

Segment
C-Segment Hatchback
Engine
1,984cc; five-cylinder turbocharged
Max Power
213 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
300 Nm @ 2,700-5,000 rpm
Price
RM190,888.00
 (OTR without insurance)
EXTERIOR
First time I saw the V40 in person was August last year during the launch event. Half a year went by and the V40 still looks fresh like it was just launched yesterday; maybe because of its rarity on the road. The front is dominated by the long overhang and sculpted bonnet which rises up to the base of the A-pillar. The trademark Volvo iron mark takes center stage in the trapezoidal grille flanked by the almond-shaped Xenon headlamps on each side. There are no front fog lamps but the LED daytime running lights are neatly hidden at the edge of the lower air intake.
From the side it’s pretty bare but the prominent shoulder line rises up towards the back meeting the thick D-pillar giving it a hunched-down look. The back houses one of the curviest taillamps on any car in the market today. You do get rear fog lamps and those twin pipes jutting out on each side of the rear bumper give the V40 a sporty look. Eccentric touches like the finned roof spoiler with extended winglets and the optional
Ailos

18-inch rims
 with lime green detailing may sound tacky but somehow Volvo managed to pull it off tastefully.

You can lock and unlock the car via the buttons on the Personal Car Communicator (
PCC
) but you can also approach the car with the PCC in your pocket, reach the door handle with your hand and the car will unlock itself. Locking the car is just by touching a tiny sensor on the door handle and the side mirrors whirrs itself to their folding position like a Transformer while the puddle lights illuminate the floor. My nephew and niece even bicker over who gets to lock and unlock the car just to see the mirrors in action.
INTERIOR
As you settle yourself in the driver’s seat, you will notice that the built quality of this locally-assembled Volvo is top-notch. The dashboard design is minimalist but oozes Scandinavian coolness. The fully-digital instrument panel will definitely catch your eyes and can be customised to three preset themes called Elegance, ECO, and Performance.
Elegance is the default theme with the main binnacle houses the speedometer with tachometer on the right side and temperature meter on the left. Switch to ECO and the temperature meter is replaced with an EcoGuide bar to display how economical is your driving style. Performance theme moves the tachometer to the center and you get a PowerMeter on the right so you can see how much power you’re extracting from the engine.

The powered front seats give ample adjustments for you to find your desired driving position and the steering also adjusts for reach and rake. The five-inch screen in the center console displays everything from the parking sensors, the car’s settings, to audio and climate control but it doesn’t come with satellite navigation. However the controls are not quite intuitive, as the buttons for each function are separated individually instead of just a single main controller a-la BMW’s i-drive. Surprisingly Volvo still retains the good old handbrake lever but it’s positioned at the passenger side instead of the driver
The deep cubby under the center armrest is where you will find the USB port and a 12v power outlet, and there’s another 12v power outlet in the center twin cup holders. The glove box is chilled and decently-sized. Worth mentioning is the tiny pouch just in front of the seat base, where you can stash your Smart Tag or phone discreetly from prying eyes.

However, the rear passengers are not as lucky as the front occupants. They don’t get their own air conditioning vents and the rear windows roll down only two thirds of their height. Rear space can be pretty tight, so it’s best to carry only two passengers at the back for longer trips, because the middle seat is best suited for a small child. Cargo space is also limited at just 324 litres, although the 60:40 split folding seats are easy to operate and folds flat to give you 1,021 litres of space.
PERFORMANCE
The V40 T5 is no slouch, not when it’s equipped with a sweet-sounding 2.0-litre turbocharged 5-cylinder engine. Producing
213 hp
 and
300 Nm
 of torque, this car will reach 100km/h in just under seven seconds. Keep the lusty engine within the torque’s sweet spot at 2700rpm to 5000 rpm and you will get the power surge that catapults you into the horizon, or the car in front, or the barricade wall; depending on where you point the steering wheel.
With all the power channeled to the front wheels, you do get torque-steer so have to be careful with your right foot, especially when exiting mid-corner. The gearbox is a conventional
6-speed
 auto which doesn’t shift as instant when pushed, but in city driving it shifts smoothly. It does have a sports mode with manual override, but sometimes you just can’t help but longing for a nice pair of shift paddles behind the steering wheel.
The noise emitted from the engine is subtle, perhaps too subtle. You can still hear the turbo spooling in the background but you have to drive with the windows down to fully appreciate the trademark 5-cylinder rumble. Powering uphill winding roads is an easy task with the huge amount of torque and the brakes provide decent stopping power.
The steering is on the heavy side but still delivers sufficient feedback upon attacking the twisty roads. Body roll is minimal but even with the Dynamic Stability & Traction Control (
DSTC
) is in Sport mode, you will still feel the car understeer round the bends. It’s not really a hot hatch to be thrown around the corners, it suffices to say that the V40 is better suited for the long highway where you can just pile on the miles effortlessly.

THE DRIVE
Driving around town is a standard affair, it is comfortable most of the time but the ride can be a bit jarring at times when running over uneven surface. That could be due to the optional 18″ wheels with 225/40-profiled tyres. The turbo lag is present at lower revs but the automatic start stop function cuts in and out with minimal jerk. The turning radius is so wide that you will need to do a three-point-turn where you normally don’t. The view out from the driver’s seat might be an issue especially out of the rear three-quarter but the V40 got this covered by a Swedish nanny; and by Swedish nanny I mean a host of driving aids and safety features that comes with the car.
There are front and rear sensors that constantly scanning the distance between you and your surroundings. The Blind Spot Information System (
BLIS
) indicators let you know if there’s a vehicle in your blind spot and this is always helpful especially when you’re attempting to switch lanes. There is also
City Safety
, whereby a laser-based sensor at the top of the windscreen able to sense a car in front is slowing down or stationary.
It is claimed to work at speeds up to 50 km/h and it will brake the car for you if it senses a possibility of a collision. If you have trouble parallel-parking your car, you’ll be glad to know that the V40 comes with Park Assist Pilot (
PAP
) to guide you. I’ve used it in a few occasions and it worked brilliantly by magically steering the car into the available parking space.
After a session of driving on the B-roads, the V40 also turns out to be a quite serene highway cruiser. Set the cruise control at 110 km/h, the T5 will pull along lazily just above 2000rpm and you’re on your way to a relaxing drive. Wind noise is not an issue although the constant hum of the optional low profile tyres is noticeable, you can always drown it out with your favourite tune blasting out of the eight speakers. You probably won’t be seeing a V40 tailgating other vehicles, because if you’re driving one you just wouldn’t be bothered about how fast you need to travel but if push comes to shove you can always summon the 300Nm of torque anytime just by flexing your right ankle.
And if you do that, be prepared to see the fuel bar severely depleted in no time. If you’re not careful, the fuel consumption will be north of 20 litres per 100km but driven sedately, 9.0 litres 100km average is still achievable around town. I managed to get 8.6 litres per 100km at best and that’s still way off the official claim of
7.5 litres per 100km
.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, this car will suit you to a tee. When was the last time you see a V40 on the road? People might question your choice but only you will know what you’re getting with the V40. It’s a car for those who secretly enjoy a quick blast down the highway and it looks so unassuming that most people will be caught off guard by this compact hatch’s ability to leave them in the dust. If you rarely take passengers, the V40 is fine but if you really need to transport cargo frequently then maybe the V40 is not for you. This Volvo does not belong in the Ikea car park.
COMPARISONS
The usual suspects are the Germans. Current favourite Volkswagen
 Golf GTI
 may still be on top of the list, while the Mercedes-Benz
A250

Sport
 is slowly gaining popularity. Bear in mind you can’t go wrong with any of these, but it takes more than gut feeling to choose the V40 over the others. The Volvo might not give you an entertaining drive as the Germans, but it has its own strengths. Depending on your preferences, if you want prestige and like to show off, A250 Sport is for you.
If you want the most powerful of the bunch, Golf GTI is your car. But I’m telling you that none of the Germans come with a 5-cylinder engine. When everybody is downsizing their engines, you may not see another 5-cylinder-powered car in this price range in the future so this is your chance to own one while you still can.
Volvo V40 T5

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Mercedes-Benz A250 Sport

ENGINE
Type
5-cylinder direct injection turbo petrol
4-cylinder direct injection turbo petrol
4-cylinder direct injection turbo petrol
Displacement
cc
1984
1984
1991
Max Power
hp/rpm
213/6000
217/4500-6200
211/5500
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
300/2700-5000
350/1500-4400
350/1200-4000
STEERING
Type
Electrical power-assisted
Electrical power-assisted
Electrical power-assisted
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
6-speed Geartronic
6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox
7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission
SUSPENSION
Type
MacPherson struts / Multilink
MacPherson struts / Multilink
MacPherson struts / Control Arm & Wishbones
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear
Solid disc
Solid disc
Solid disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
225/45 R17
225/40 R18
235/40 R18
Wheels
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
4369
4268
4292
Overall Width
mm
2041
1799
2022
Overall Height
mm
1439
1442
1430
Wheelbase
mm
2647
2631
2699
Max Kerb weight
kg
1521
1370
1445
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
324
380
341
FUEL
Tank Capacity
62
50
50
Consumption
7.5L/100km
6.4L/100km
6.6L/100km
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
230
244
240
0 – 100km/h
sec
6.9
6.5
6.6
PRICE
RM
190,888
211,888
238,888
WILL I BUY IT?
Well, I’m not quite sure actually because for a few thousand Ringgit more, there’s the more attractive version of the V40 called the V40
Cross Country
. It comes with the same engine but rides a bit taller than the normal V40 and looks twice as good with the additional body kit. Either way, I’ll be glad as long as it has that charming 5-cylinder engine under the bonnet.
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton partners with Carsome, myTukar, MUV: Higher trade-in prices, faster process

Local carmaker Proton has now partnered up with three e-bidding companies (EBCs) – Carsome, myTukar, and MUV. The strategic partnership aims to refine the disposal process of trade-in cars for Proton customers.
Those who wish to trade in their cars to purchase a Proton will now be able to send their old vehicles for auction online. The main benefit of trading in with Proton’s three partners is that customers will receive competitive trade-in values. Other benefits include “enhanced convenience, trustworthiness, transparency in pricing, secure payment, ownership transfer, daily auctions, faster disposal, and comprehensive inspections”.
Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Roslan Abdullah said, “We are thrilled to join forces with myTukar, MUV and Carsome as we believe this transforms the trade-in experience for our customers. By leveraging on their expertise in e-commerce and auction platforms, the EBCs offer our customers a seamless and reliable solution for disposing of their trade-in cars, while also receiving competitive trade-in values.”
Proton says that as sales volume increases, it needs to offer its customers a better way to trade-in and dispose off their old cars. The new partnership omits the need for customers to visit multiple dealerships or negotiate with potential buyers, thus saving them time and effort.
RELATED:
2023 Proton X70 gains new 1.5 TGDi Premium X variant – limited-edition Quartz Black colour, RM127k
Roslan Abdullah adds, “Over the last five years, Proton has increased the number of models offered and updated our current line-up, while improving product quality and introducing connectivity technology in our models. Consumer confidence has increased due to these efforts as well as improvements made at the dealership level. Working with EBCs will help to enhance these efforts as well as the trade-in value of our models while helping to facilitate customers who intend to upgrade their vehicles.”
“Proton is the first OEM to form strategic partnerships with EBCs and we think this will help pave the way for faster and more transparent trade-in transactions for customers and in turn help drive new car sales. Additionally, by using open platforms, the resale value for our models can be established helping to build consumer confidence and giving a more accurate ownership picture to buyers.”
RELATED:
Proton records 28.6% sales jump in 1H 2023 – 14,351 units sold in June


Honda Malaysia announces pricing for City Hatchback RS e:HEV variant – RM107,783

Following the launch of the
all-new City Hatchback
 last year, Honda Malaysia has now finally announced the pricing for the range-topping RS e:HEV variant at RM107,783.09.
The pricing above is on-the-road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales tax exemption, which means it’ll be valid until the June 30, 2022. With that, pricing for the entire Honda City Hatchback line-up is as follows:
1.5 S
– RM75,670
1.5 E
 – RM83,080
1.5 V
 – RM87,860
1.5 RS e:HEV
 – RM107,783

For roughly RM20,000 more than the 1.5 V variant, the Honda City Hatchback 1.5 RS e:HEV gets a unique hybrid powertrain consisting of a 1.5-litre engine and an electric motor for a total system output of
 109 hp
 and
253 Nm
 of torque. However, unlike most hybrid systems, the engine on the e:HEV does not usually drive the wheels directly.
Propulsion is supplied by the electric motor for the most part, with the engine only driving the wheels directly via the lock-up clutch during high-speed cruising, as it is more efficient than the electric motors at that wheel speed.
The rest of the Honda City Hatchback line-up, meanwhile, gets a new naturally-aspirated 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine that makes
121 hp
 and
145 Nm
 of torque, with drive sent to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox.
Aside from the powertrain, the Honda City Hatchback RS e:HEV variant also receives several exclusive items to make it stand out from the others. These include:
16-inch alloy wheels
Gloss-black front grille and door mirrors
RS-exclusive front grille mesh
RS rear bumper
Electronic parking brake
7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster
Rear air-cond vents
“Ultrasuede” upholstery
Also included on the RS variant is the full suite of Honda Sensing advanced driver assist features, which includes:
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Auto High-Beam (AHB)
According to Honda Malaysia MD and CEO Madoka Chujo, the all-new City Hatchback has received overwhelming response from Malaysians since its launch in December last year. To date, the company has collected more than 5,200 bookings for the B-segment hatchback.
“We are confident that the All-New City Hatchback RS e:HEV will set the benchmark in the market with its complete package of stylish RS exterior, e:HEV powertrain, Honda Sensing and advanced telematics Honda
Connect
. It will be an attraction to customers, especially the younger audience,” she added.
GALLERY
RS variant


Shell Malaysia matchmakes students with OEMs to develop better eco-marathon cars

Shell’s Make The Future Live, a collaboration platform driving lower-carbon energy future, returns to Malaysia for the second year in a row, with its main event –
Shell Eco-marathon Asia (SEMA)
taking place in Sepang International Circuit from the
2nd to 5th of June
.
SEMA is an intercountry competition that challenges students to build ultra energy-efficient cars and put them to the test. This year, Shell Malaysia has collaborated with
Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute
 (MARii) to improve the performance of the five participating local teams.
The students were given an opportunity to meet with
four local original equipment manufacturers
 (OEMs) – namely Suria Component Manufacturing, Sapura Engineering, Kasai Teck See Malaysia, and Jasa Sarjana in a matchmaking session organised by Shell and MARii.
The session
encouraged collaboration
 between industry players and the Malaysian students to further enhance the performance of their cars. The partnership also provided firsthand-exposure to the OEMs to the potential talent pool the nation has in the area of STEM.
SEMA is the regional leg of the global Eco-marathon challenge. The 2020 edition will see participation from
over 100 students
 from
18 countries
 around Asia Pacific and Middle East. The students will take their self-built energy-efficient cars on to the Sepang track to put their design to the test.
There will be two key competitions in SEMA this year – the
Mileage Challenge
 where teams compete to travel the farthest with the least amount of fuel, as well as the
qualifier for the Driver’s World Championship
, where teams have to cross the finishing line without running out of the limited allocation of energy, matching their cars with strategy and driver’s skill.
The top teams in the challenge will win their place in the 2020 Driver’s World Championship, to compete with other best performers around the world.
The Malaysian students competing in SEMA are from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Team Genesis UTAR), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP Auto Racing Team), Multimedia University (Team MMU Grune Welt), Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (Heriot-Watt Racing Team), and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Team Aurora).
IMAGE GALLERY


2023比亚迪Dolphin正式在大马发布，从RM101k起跳-高达427km续航，两个等级

比亚迪Dolphin终于在马来西亚上市，作为比亚迪在该国的首款电动小型车。Dolphin提供两个版本 – 动态标准版和高级延展版，价格从
RM100,530
（上路价，不含保险）起。
比亚迪Dolphin 动态标准版 –
RM100,530
比亚迪Dolphin 高级延展版 –
RM125,530
比亚迪Dolphin是首款基于品牌E-platform 3.0平台的模型，车身尺寸长4290mm，高1570mm，宽1770mm，轴距2700mm。这使得Dolphin的尺寸略大于Perodua Myvi, Proton Iriz和Toyota Yaris，约等同于Honda City Hatchback。但如预期，Ora Good Cat EV的尺寸仍然比比亚迪Dolphin大。
在外观上，比亚迪Dolphin标配LED大灯和尾灯。标准版配备16英寸轮毂，而延展版配备17英寸轮毂，外观颜色有双色选择。
比亚迪Dolphin标准版在马来西亚的标配功能包括：
LED大灯
高光束辅助 (HMA)
LED日行灯 (DRLs)
LED尾灯
16英寸轮毂
Urban Grey, Sand White外观颜色选项
升级到延展版，你将获得：
17英寸轮毂
Atlantis Grey/Delan Black, Surf Blue/Urban Grey, Ski White/Urban Grey双色外观颜色选项
马来西亚市场的比亚迪Dolphin标准版和延展版都配备了一个前置电动机，并配备了比亚迪自主研发的Blade Cell-to-Body (CTB)电池。这两款中国电动车小型车都支持
7 kW的交流充电
。至于直流充电，标准版支持最高
60 kW
的充电，而延展版支持最高
80 kW
的直流充电。车载负载（V2L）电源供应功能在所有版本中都可用。
关于比亚迪Dolphin的电驱动系统和操控相关规格的详细信息如下：
驱动方式：单马达前驱
总功率输出：
94马力
（标准版） /
201马力
（延展版）
总扭矩：
180 Nm
（标准版） /
310 Nm
（延展版）
0-100km/h加速时间：
12.3秒
（标准版） /
7.0秒
（延展版）
电池：
44.9 kWh
（标准版） /
60.48 kWh
（延展版）
续航里程（WLTP）：
340公里
（标准版） /
427公里
（延展版）
交流充电：
7 kW
直流充电：
60 kW
（标准版） /
80 kW
（延展版）
前悬挂：独立麦弗逊减震器
后悬挂：半独立扭力梁（标准版） / 多连杆独立（延展版）
前刹车系统：通风式刹车盘
后刹车系统：实心刹车盘
在马来西亚规格的比亚迪Dolphin内饰中，你可以根据选择的外观颜色得到不同的双色内饰组合。两款比亚迪Dolphin都配有5英寸仪表显示器，以及配有有线Apple CarPlay支持的12.8英寸旋转信息娱乐显示器。
标配还包括一张便携式卡片钥匙。然而，只有顶级的延展版才有如全景玻璃顶和通风前排座椅等高级功能。
马来西亚规格的比亚迪Dolphin标准版的内部装备清单包括：
灰色/黑色或棕色/黑色双色内饰
皮质座椅
手动前排座椅
5英寸仪表显示器
12.8英寸旋转信息娱乐显示器
支持有线Apple CarPlay
语音助手
电子驻车刹车 (EPB)
无钥匙进入和启动
便携式卡片钥匙
驾驶员窗户一键升降功能
6扬声器音响系统
2个USB Type-A + 2个USB Type-C接口
345升的行李厢容量（后座折叠后可达858升）
PM2.5空气过滤系统
更高端的延展版为您提供以下功能：
灰色/黑色或蓝色/黑色双色内饰
通风前排座椅
电动前排座椅
无线手机充电器
四个车门窗户都有一键升降功能
全景玻璃顶
比亚迪Dolphin标配先进的安全功能，包括：
自适应巡航控制 (ACC)
自动紧急刹车 (AEB)
智能电源刹车系统
预测碰撞警告 (PCW)
后方交叉通行警告 (RCTA)
后方交叉通行刹车
车道偏离警告 (LDW)
车道偏离防止 (LDP)
紧急车道保持助力 (ELKA)
车道保持支持 (LKS)
换道碰撞警告 (LCW)
360度摄像头系统
盲点检测 (BSD)
开门警告 (DOW)
胎压监测系统 (TPMS)
单级前排安全带预紧器
然而，双级前排安全带预紧器功能只有在比亚迪Dolphin的顶级延展版中才有。
总结一下，2023款比亚迪Dolphin刚刚在马来西亚上市，作为比亚迪在该国的首款电动小型车。两个版本的价格从
RM100,530
的上路价开始，包含保险。Dolphin的交付将于今年八月开始，公司已暗示比亚迪Seal也将“很快”在马来西亚上市。
Dolphin的价格包括标准的
6年/150,000公里
车辆保修，
8年/160,000公里
高压电池保修，以及
8年/150,000公里
驱动单元保修。还有一份
3年/60,000公里
的保修，覆盖多媒体系统，减震器，轮轴承，交流/直流充电口组件，衬套，垫片，USB充电口组件，PM2.5测量仪器，以及防尘罩等部件。另有一份
4年/100,000公里
的保修，覆盖车辆的灯光，轮胎压力监测模块，悬挂，和球头接头。
马来西亚的比亚迪Dolphin还提供了许多服务包。首先是标准包，涵盖减速器油服务，空调滤芯服务，刹车油服务，驱动电机冷却液服务，和空调制冷剂服务。可选的标准服务包如下：
3年/60,000公里（RM1,688）
6年/120,000公里（RM3,888）
8年/160,000公里（RM4,888）
比亚迪马来西亚还提供Plus服务包，其中额外包括挡风玻璃清洗液更换，前后雨刷片更换，遥控电池更换，12V电池更换，前后刹车片更换，以及前后刹车盘更换。可选的Plus服务包如下：
6年/120,000公里（RM7,888）
8年/160,000公里（RM12,888）
【英文版】


Suzuki opens order books for Swift facelift, priced from RM59k to RM73k

Suzuki Malaysia Automotive has just announced that they will be taking pre-sale orders for the facelifted Swift. The B-Segment hatch will continue being offered in three flavours – GA, GL and GLX.
Changes on the Swift are minimal to say the least, with the only evident restyling being the front bumper. For the GA and GL trims, you get a silver garnish in the foglamp housing whereas the range topping GLX gets LED daytime running lights in place of the said garnish. There’s also a new colour to go with it –
Lagoon
Turquoise
.

To finish off the exterior package, the GL and GLX Swifts come with a new set of
16-inch alloy wheels
wrapped with 185/55 series tyres, whereas the base model GA will make do with 15-inchers. In the case of the GLX, it gets
Push Start System
, a
touch screen display
with GPS navigation, automatic
air-conditioning
, tilt and telescopic
multi-function steering wheel
 with a
6-speaker stereo system.
All guises of the Swift run on the unchanged
1.4-litre inline-four
 engine, pumping out
93 hp
at 6,000 rpm and
130 Nm
 of torque at 4,000 rpm. The Swift also comes equipped with
ABS, EBD, Brake Assist
and
 dual SRS airbags
.
Again, the Swift trio is priced from
RM59,000
 for the GA trim; RM65,000 for the GL and RM73,000 for the GLX. All prices are on the road
inclusive of GST
but
excludes insurance
. The Swift comes with a
 five-year or 150,000 km warranty
, which ever comes first. Aside from the Lagoon Turquoise, other colours available on offer include
Supreme Red
,
Olive Gray, Bayside Blue
 and
Superior White.
Those interested can pay a visit to
Suzuki Malaysia’s official website
 where full details of the Swift facelift can be found.
IMAGE GALLERY


McLaren unveils new carbon fibre tub for their upcoming electrified cars

McLaren has unveiled its latest lightweight carbon fibre tub architecture that will underpin its upcoming line-up of electrified models, with the brand’s first hybrid supercar slated for launch next year.
Designed specifically to accommodate the marque’s upcoming hybrid powertrains, McLaren says that the new carbon fibre tub is developed completely in-house at its new Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) in Sheffield, UK, and will also be produced at the same site.
The company says that the new chassis is built using “world-first processes and techniques” to strip out unnecessary weight, while maintaining structural integrity and improve safety. For example, computer software is used to determine the shape and orientation of each sheet of carbon fibre cloth to optimise the shell strength and weight of the tub.
McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt said, “The new ground-breaking vehicle architecture is every bit as revolutionary as the MonoCell chassis we introduced with the company’s first car, the
12C
, when we first embarked on making production vehicles a decade ago.
“This new, ultra-lightweight carbon fibre chassis boasts greater structural integrity and higher levels of quality than ever before with our new MCTC facility quickly becoming recognised as a global centre of excellence in composite materials science and manufacturing.”
This intensive light-weighting exercise was done specifically to offset the weight penalty from an electrified powertrain, thanks to the lithium-ion batteries. Flewitt has previously said to
Autocar UK
 that the
upcoming hybrid Sports Series model
 will be only 30-40kg heavier than the
McLaren P1
of the Ultimate Series, which is two rungs higher in performance in McLaren’s model line-up.
Upcoming McLaren models will also look similar to the
Speedtail
, which showed-off the marque’s latest design language.
“Our advanced expertise in light weight composites processes and manufacturing combined with our experience in cutting-edge battery technology and high-performance hybrid propulsion systems means we are ideally placed to deliver to customers levels of electrified high-performance motoring that until now have simply been unattainable,” Flewitt added.
“For us, light-weighting and electrification go hand-in-hand to achieve better performance as well as more efficient vehicles.” He also said that the new architecture would enable McLaren to “transition to 100% electrified supercars” – fully-electric P1, anyone?


All-new Honda Civic revealed with cleaner lines and more mature looks!

Production of the all-new Honda Civic is underway at Honda’s production plant in Alliston, Canada, and the company has gone ahead to whet our appetite with the first official image of the 2022 car. For a closer look at its details,
check out this post
!
The all-new car which was first previewed as a
prototype
 last
November
has been touted to be the company’s most fun to drive, and technologically advanced Civic in the model’s 50-year history.

The design of the new Civic draws inspiration from the timeless design and human-focused values of past Civic models, with the
aim to maximise space for the driver and passenger while minimising space needed for mechanical parts
.
It’s set to roll off the production line for the North American market by middle of this year while the official global reveal is set to take place on the
 28th of April
 this year.
Following the reveal of the Civic sedan, Honda said the all-new Civic hatchback will be next to take centre stage in a few months after.
GALLERY


Facts & Figures: 2021 Hyundai Kona Facelift now available in Malaysia – from RM120k

Just before six months since the
Hyundai Kona first made its local debut
here in Malaysia, Hyundai Sime Darby Motors has now introduced the new Kona facelift here on our shores.
The new Hyundai Kona is available in two variants – 2.0 Standard and 2.0 Active, with prices starting from RM119,888 on the road, without tax, and inclusive of the sales tax exemptions.

EXTERIOR
The new Hyundai Kona retains a lot of the funky styling elements from the original model, with the facelift just freshening things up slightly. Most noticeably is the redesigned front fascia, characterised by the chunky plastic claddings that wrap around the front fenders.
The grille on the front has also been widened and shortened, while the letterbox grille above on the pre-facelift model has been replaced by the large Hyundai logo. On the sides, the the LED-daytime running light – which comes as standard across both variants – have now been slimmed down, while the main headlights below it also get a sleeker housing.
The range-topping variant gets full-LED headlights, split into three individual beams, while the standard variant gets halogen projectors. To differentiate things a little more between the two variants, the turn signal indicators on the 2.0 standard variant is located on the main headlight assembly, while the range-topper gets integrated LED turn indicators together the daytime-running lights.
Over at the rear, the tail lights get a new horizontal light signature reflecting the design of the front lights, while the combination light cluster at the bottom also gets a new look, the latter being LED for the 2.0 Active, and halogen for the standard variant.
Left – 2.0 Standard; Right – 2.0 Active
Two wheel sizes are available – 17-inch items for the standard, and 18-inch for the range-topping 2.0 Active – both of which are new designs.
Colour options are split according to variants as below:
Kona Standard: Chalk White, Galactic Grey (pictured), Surfy Blue, Pulse Red
Kona Active: Surfy Blue, Dive in Jeju (pictured), Ignite Flame, Dark Knight, Misty Jungle
PERFORMANCE
Both variants of the new Hyundai Kona are powered by the same SmartStream G2.0 naturally-aspirated inline-four engine, which is actually a different unit than the 2.0-litre Nu Kappa engine featured in the pre-facelift model.
However, the 1.6-litre turbocharged mill available on the pre-facelift model has been dropped this time round on the new Hyundai Kona.
Engine: 2.0-litre SmartStream G2.0 naturally-aspirated inline-four, petrol
Transmission: SmartStream IVT constantly-variable transmission
Drivetrain: Front engine, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 149 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque: 180 Nm @ 4,500 rpm
0-100: 9.7 seconds
Top speed: electronically-limited 198 km/h
While the power is sent exclusively to the front wheels, the new Hyundai Kona does come with individual traction control modes, specifically tuned for mud, sand, and even snow driving.
INTERIOR
While the exterior sees quite drastic changes, on the inside, the Hyundai Kona facelift does remain quite faithful to the outgoing model, with only slight design tweaks to the dashboard architecture – particularly the centre console, which is now “disconnected” from the dashboard to emphasise the latter’s width.
The circular air conditioning vents that bookend the entire dashboard also gets a redesigned, more “European-styled” look.
The entry-level 2.0 Standard variant gets the following as standard:
Analogue instrument cluster with multi-info display
Eight-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Rear-view camera
Electronic parking brake
Manual air-conditioning
Fabric seats, black
Smart key with remote engine start
The 2.0 Active adds on the following:
10.25-inch fully-digital instrument cluster
Single-zone automatic climate control
Power-adjustable driver seat
Leather upholstery, black or beige based on exterior colour choices
SAFETY
The new Hyundai Kona comes as standard with six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, stability control, hill start assist, and hill descent control.
The range-topping 2.0 Active variant steps it up a notch with the included SmartSense advanced driver assistance features, which includes the following as standard:
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian and vehicle detection
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
Rear Cross Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
Lane Following Assist (LFA)
Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
Leading Vehicle Departure Alert
High Beam Assist (HBA)
Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
PRICING
The new Hyundai Kona facelift in Malaysia starts at
RM119,888
for the entry-level 2.0 Standard variant, moving up to
RM136,888
 for the range-topping 2.0 Active variant, both on-the-road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales tax exemptions.
Included in the price is a five-year/300,000 km warranty, alongside a three-year/50,000 km free scheduled maintenance programme.
These prices are RM4,000 and RM2,000 cheaper respectively when compared to the outgoing model, based on the actual recommended retail price as announced during the launch.
At the end of the virtual launch, HSDM also included a teaser of the Hyundai Kona N-Line, along with the caption “Coming Soon”, possibly being introduced here with the “discontinued” 1.6-litre T-GDi engine – and if you’ve seen photos of the
 Kona N-Line
, you’ll know why we’re excited.
GALLERY


General Motors and Honda to produce more affordable electric vehicles together

General Motors and Honda today announced plans for a new chapter by codeveloping a series of affordable electric vehicles based on a new global architecture using next-generation Ultium battery technology.
The two automotive giants are paving the way for global production of millions of electric vehicles (EV) starting in 2027, including compact crossover vehicles, utilising their respective technologies, design, and sourcing strategies. The compact crossover segment is the largest in the world, with annual volumes of more than 13 million vehicles.

GM and Honda will also look into collaboration opportunities in the development of EV batteries, reducing the cost of EV production and improving EV performance. The sharing of technologies and manufacturing strategies will help deliver more affordable EVs in key markets like North and South America and China.
In 2020, GM and Honda announced plans to co-develop two EVs, including the Honda Prologue, to be launched in early 2024; followed by Acura’s first EV SUV.


Revisiting the Toyota Corolla Altis, still good to hold some ground? [+Video]

It’s that time of the year again, where Christmas carols fill the air of public spaces and for most people, it’s when the grind starts to slow down. For us here at
AutoBuzz.my
, we thought it’s best to take a retrospective look at how far we’ve come.
This time, we’re delving into the shallowing depths of the country’s C-Segment marketplace, once dominated by the very car you see here, the
11th-generation Toyota Corolla Altis
. It’s close to three years now since we did the video review, and it was for the longest time the most viewed C-Segment car review
on our YouTube channel
.
The Thai-spec Corolla Altis 2.0 ESport was previewed at the 36th Bangkok International Motor Show earlier this year
But boy how times have changed. Within the said period, cars like the
Mazda3
 took the market by storm. Though many tried, few can come close to matching the Corolla Altis in terms of sales figures. That is, until the
10th generation Honda Civic came along
. It’s long due for a
facelift
 (the launch is just around the corner, by the way), but we doubt the new looks alone can do a good enough job of giving the Civic a run for its money.
Be that as it may, the Corolla Altis facelift will boast features such as seven airbags and VSC as standard across the range, and
three trims
 will be available upon introduction – 1.8E, 1.8G and 2.0V. The “seven-speed” CVT remains as is, driving the front wheels. The suspension is perhaps the only mechanical tweaks done to the car, which is said to improve ride and handling by a fair bit.
Pricing for the Corolla Altis facelift begins at about RM121k for the 1.8E, RM124k for the 1.8G and RM139k for the 2.0V. That’s still costlier than the Civic and
Ford Focus
, but we have no doubts that the car will appeal to some.
If you’re wondering why we’re running this story, well… All we can say is, stay tuned!


“AutoDiscos” – How Germans are “partying” in their cars while social distancing

The sensation also known as “drive-in raves” was initially inspired by a drive-in concert that took place in Denmark but party organisers in Western Germany had other things in mind.
A stage, hypnotising light displays and a banging sound system – it had everything you’d expect at a rave but there weren’t excessively sweaty crowds nor long queues. Instead, there were (strictly)
250 cars per event
, each with two passengers in it.

That’s not all, to strictly adhere to social distancing, each of the car’s windows had to be shut has well. So you ask, how would they properly enjoy the music then? They’re transmitted into the cars via FM radio – talk about utilising technology.
The absence of loud cheers and jumping crowds were instead replaced with high beams and honks – what a sight that would be!
According to foreign media, there were no reports of any driving under influence or even consumption of illegal substances – I’d take that with a pinch of salt. Local authorities however weighed in and applauded the measures and precautions taken.
Wouldn’t it be fun to experience, even just once, something like that in Malaysia?


White is the most popular exterior color in the world, according to survey

According to a recent survey by
Axalta
, an American automotive paint producer, White has been the most popular exterior colour of 2020 with over 1/3 of the world’s vehicles adopting the colour.
This is followed by Black, and Gray; making up the top three most popular automotive colours of 2020. White has been the most popular colour around the world for the last 10 years, especially in Asia where 48% of the vehicles on the road are White.
GR Yaris
320i Sport
The African region came in 2nd; where 46% of its cars in White. White and Black have been reported to be the most popular colours in China. Surprisingly, the colour Red, one of the most auspicious colours in Chinese culture, saw a 3% drop in demand.
As for luxury cars and SUVs, Black remains the go-to colour worldwide. Demand for the Silver colour, arguably the easiest exterior colour to maintain has shown a major decline in most regions except India, where 32% of its cars are in Silver.
In Japan, where expression of oneself through cars is almost cultural, the colours red, blue, green and yellow are the most popular.
In the same survey, Axalta also found that over 28% would go for Black when repainting their cars, followed by Blue, Red, Silver and White.
Over 80% of car buyers prefer a monochromatic over a two-tone exterior.
The survey also showed over 79% of car buyers believe colour is a key factor when buying a car and that 33% claimed that they would change car brands if their preferred colours were not available. Over 80% of car buyers prefer a monochromatic over a two-tone exterior.


Volkswagen Golf to live on in EV era – ‘ID. Golf’ name possible, GTI & R to live on too

With Volkswagen’s electric vehicle (EV) lineup carrying the ‘ID’ moniker followed by numbers (e.g.,
ID.4
,
ID.5
), one might assume that the
Volkswagen Golf
 will finally be axed, and that the ‘Golf’ name will be replaced with the
 ID.3
. Golf fans can now rejoice, as the German brand plans to continue using its “iconic” model name even throughout the EV era.
Speaking to
Autocar
 at the LA motor show, Volkswagen Chief Operating Officer (COO), Thomas Schäfer said, “We have iconic brand names, Golf and GTI. It would be crazy to let them die and slip away. We will stick with the ID logic but iconic models will carry a name.” Stressing on the brand’s firm decision, he adds, “We would not let go of the Golf name, no way.” To that end, VW “might have an ID Golf”.
The Golf GTI Clubsport S “record” with 7 GTI generations at the 2016 Wörthersee GTI gathering
In
a separate report
 by the publication, Schäfer also said that the ‘GTI’ and ‘R’ badges will also live on although the
newly-coined ‘GTX’ moniker
 may not. He said, “GTX as an idea is en route for EVs. If in the future we’ll need it, we’ll see. We might not need it. But GTI and R, yes. With a strong brand, you need to spend less getting it out there.”
On the fate of the ‘GTI’, Schäfer said, “GTI with Golf was always legendary. We will carry on. We need substance to it, with performance. We’re working on a performance model with EV to carry GTI forward.” On the ‘R’, he said that it will remain an “all-paw” performance flagship, hinting at the ‘R’ being all-wheel drive (AWD) and the ‘GTI’ being two-wheel drive (2WD).
RELATED:
Start of a new era- Volkswagen ID.4 GTX shows-off new high-performance EV suffix
So far, both ‘GTI’ and ‘R’ badges have not been used on EV Volkswagen models as the new ‘
GTX
’ badge has been used. As for the Golf’s EV future, ‘ID. Golf’ doesn’t sound too far-fetched as a possible name. Volkswagen has already named its EV van the ‘
ID. Buzz
’ and shown that the ‘ID’ moniker doesn’t necessarily have to be followed by a number.
Regarding the EV ID.3 being a replacement for the Golf, the Volkswagen COO said, “The ID.3 has never been a successor to the Golf, it is more a Golf Plus.”
In Malaysia,
PHS Automotive
, or Volkswagen Malaysia, has
previewed the EV Volkswagen ID.4 during Volkswagen Fest 2022
. Boasting 520 km of range (WLTP) from a 77-kWH battery pack, the ID.4 will be a good new contender in the Malaysian EV market.
RELATED:
Volkswagen ID.4 Pro Performance previewed for Malaysia at VW Fest 2022 – 520km range EV SUV


You’ve not experienced exclusivity until you own a one-off Hermes Edition Bugatti Chiron

For most of us, the thought of owning a Bugatti Chiron (which is limited to 500 units to be ever produced, by the way) already seems like a pipe dream. But for the elite few, a 2.5 million Euros Chiron is just too common-man.
Introducing Manny Khoshbin, a real estate mogul and renowned car collector. When Bugatti announced the Veyron replacement, Khoshbin knew he wanted something more unique – so much so that he turned down an offer for the 30-unit limited-run Chiron Super Sport 300+.

Because of his passion for the French luxury brand, Khoshbin reached out to Hermes and Bugatti to create the one-of-one exclusive commission piece – Hermes Edition Bugatti Chiron.
The Hermes Edition Bugatti Chiron took three years to build, according to
Car and Driver
. The design was first conceived in 2016 by Hermes, but Khoshbin didn’t want to settle for an ordinary paint job – and took three years to finally settle on the exquisite
Hermes Craie
.
The one-of-one Hermes Edition is not just a cream-coloured Chiron either. The horseshoe grille is made up of the Hermes H’s, and the Hermes Courbettes horse pattern is painted on the underside of the rear wing. The special-edition Chiron also gets a fully-painted rear bumper, something not available on “regular” Chirons.
The cabin of the Hermes Edition Bugatti Chiron is also a sea of cream, offset by cashmere fabric, featuring the iconic horse pattern. The centre console is also engraved with a “dressed by Hermes” badge, in French, along with other numerous one-of-one badges throughout the car to remind you how special you are.
The special-edition Chiron also came with a whole stack of Hermes goods, including a Birkin bag, made out of the same leather used in the interior, as well as a larger suitcase that is supposed to fit in the froot.
Manny Khoshbin never revealed how much the Hermes Edition Bugatti Chiron actually costs, but seeing that the
Sky View glass roof
 costs more than a Porsche Macan, it’s safe to assume that the final price of the car would be a number most of us will never see in our bank accounts.
The Hermes Edition Bugatti Chiron is not the first time the two brands collaborated – their partnership dates all the way back to the 1920s. Likewise, this car isn’t Manny Khoshbin’s first Hermes special edition car either – in his garage also sits the one-off Hermes Pagani Huayra.
IMAGE GALLERY


Car wash centres and hair salons added to “OK list” in Phase Two of NRP

Car wash centres will be allowed to operate again once the National Recovery Plan (NRP) moves into its second phase. Malaysia is still currently at Phase One which began on June 15th.
Watch how Nissan test their paint durability
In a statement issued on Sunday, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government has added a few more economic sectors that will be allowed to operate in the plan’s subsequent phases. He also added that
eateries
 are now allowed to operate from
6 a.m. until 10 p.m
. starting today, June 28th.
The ministry has added automotive (vehicle/component), ceramic, furniture, iron and steel and cement manufacturing sectors for the go-ahead to operate from Phase Two. There is no fixed date for the transition from Phase One to Phase Two, as the parameters are daily cases under 4,000 and 10% of the population has been vaccinated.
Currently, daily cases still soar above 5,000 however based on data from the Special Committee for Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV), vaccination for the first dose is 15.9%, while the second dose is 6.2% of the population.
“Computer and telecommunications, electrical appliances retailers and stationery plus book shops will also be in the positive list,” he said, but hair salons were only allowed to offer basic haircuts. These sectors can operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Infographic credit:
The Malay Mail
The ministry also elaborated on the opening of morning and farmers market, where operation hours are only limited between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. with only six main items be on sale- vegetables, fruits, groceries, processed chicken, meat and seafood.
‘Pasar malam’ or night market, weekend markets and “tamu” will remain closed.
Social activities are still strictly disallowed during Phase Two, with interstate and inter-district travel remain off-limits except for students facing examinations and teachers.


UMW Toyota sold 6,432 cars in February 2022, 27% jump from last year

UMW Toyota Motor
 has continued its momentum into the new year with solid sales performance again in February, registering a total of 6,432 units sold consisting of 6,366 Toyota and 66 Lexus vehicles.
The figure represents a significant 27% jump compared to the same period last year (5,074 units combined), although a slight decrease (14.5%) from its sales figures in
January
.
RELATED: 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid launched in Malaysia from RM136k
Although the company did not provide a detailed model-to-model breakdown of its sales figures this time round, it’s keeping an optimistic outlook moving forward, especially with ongoing promotions in March that offer value added benefits worth RM4,000 for the
Vios
 and
Yaris
, alongside upcoming “highly anticipated product launches” – which should include the updated Vios soon, and possibly even the
GR86
.
The new
2022 Toyota Camry
, which was launched just last month, should also help bolster the company’s performance in the coming months.
“We truly appreciate the support our customers have given towards the Toyota brand and are optimistic about the continuous growth of the Malaysian automotive sector. As we continue to innovate and bring mobility products offering the absolute best technology and safety that enhances lifestyles, we trust that Malaysians will continue to choose Toyota as their preferred road companion,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K.

Aside from sales, UMW Toyota also announced that it has contributed RM140,000 to the Naational Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) in February. The funds will go towards the purchase of a new Digital Doppler Ultrasound Machine to provide better treatment to cancer patients.
Separately, the company also concluded its
15th Dream Car Art Contest
, which saw a total of 2,300 entries from children up to the age of 15. The three winners of the National Contest, announced earlier this month, will represent Malaysia in the World Contest in Japan in August this year.
“As a leader in mobility, UMW Toyota Motor is committed to propel society forward by educating, engaging and empowering people beyond the road. We endeavour to do what wecan to give back and help local communities in various areas to enhance lifestyles of today and the future,” Ravindran K. added.
UMW Toyota also recently unveiled a new 2S outlet with Body & Paint services in Skudai, Johor. The opening of the new outlet is in partnership with Super Evergreen (Nusajaya) to accommodate the steadily increasing number of Toyota customers in the state, and joins the company’s expanding network of authorised facilities around the country.


Sales Tax Exemption: Updated price list for DS Automobiles and Citroen vehicles

DS Automobiles and Citroen have announced the updated prices for their vehicles following the government’s initiative to kick start the automotive industry again after two months of economic inactivity due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) through Sales Tax Exemptions for CKD and CBU vehicles.
The
C3 Aircross 1.2 PureTech
 was
 introduced in April last year
, while the
Grand C4 Space Tourer 1.6 THP
 was launched at the of 2018.
As for the fully imported
DS7 Crossback
,
launched in June last year
, is now
priced in between the two variants of the fully imported Harrier
 in Malaysia at RM249,572. It’s powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine making
165 hp
 and
240 Nm
 paired to a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. 0 to 100 km/h times may not matter in a car like this but it’s still no slouch; taking
10.2 seconds
 to complete the run, with a top speed of
220 km/h
.


Feature: Five things I love about the Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI Highline

The Volkswagen Golf needs no introduction. Since its inception back in 1974, the Golf has made it to homes all over the world and became one of the most recognisable vehicles in the Volkswagen stable.
Now in its seventh-generation, it still hasn’t lost it charm that appeals to families and enthusiasts alike, thanks to a broad variety of trims from basic TSI models to the wicked
Golf R
. Unfortunately, here in Malaysia, the Golf doesn’t share the same high flying success as its European counterparts.
Perhaps it can be attributed to the poor brand image of Volkswagen vehicles in Malaysia or the hefty price to purchase and maintain one. Maybe it’s a little bit of both. However, after spending the Chinese New Year holidays with a
Golf 1.4 TSI
 Highline, I believe it truly deserves more attention than it is getting. I’ve dissected the Golf down to five of its most appealing factors to me, so here goes.
1. Iconic yet Timeless Design
No one will pass off the Golf as “just another hatchback”. Thanks to decades of relentless effort to position the car as a people’s car, the Golf has become a household nameplate for most of us. When you’re driving the Golf, you’re not just driving a family hatchback, you’re driving a piece of history.

Thanks to a
minor update in 2016
 (not to be confused with the
facelift
), Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has introduced some aesthetic enhancements for the Highline, including Golf R-esque LED tail lamps and 17-inch Madrid alloy wheels wrapped in 225/45 profile tyres. These add a touch of sporty elegance to the Golf Highline.
2. Ergonomically Sound Interior
After almost half a century of perfecting the Golf, Volkswagen finally nailed the interior. Like in the
Jetta
, all controls are ergonomically sound and extremely intuitive to use. I much appreciate the physical dials, buttons and knobs, especially in a time where more and more manufacturers are digitising all of these. Or worse, replacing all the physical buttons into the touchscreen display.

If you’re coming from a Japanese brand, you will definitely appreciate the decidedly more premium cabin the folks at Wolfsburg have put together. When you’re up to speed, wind and engine noise are impressively isolated from the cabin.
3. Compact Practicality
At the end of the day, the Golf still remains as a family hatchback, through and through. It’s practical enough to accommodate a family of five, yet compact enough to manoeuvre around narrow city streets. Cubby spaces are aplenty, and from my testing, three adults can be seated comfortably at the back. A 380 litre boot space is also more than enough for a quick weekend getaway. Why have two cars – one for the city and the other for long distance travels – when the Golf can do both?
4. TSI and DSG Combo
Motivating this Golf Highline is a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol TSI unit that kicks out a healthy
148 hp
 and
 250 Nm
. Drive is sent to the front-wheels via a seven-speed DSG gearbox (dry clutch).
On the go, getting up to highway speeds is a breeze, even with four adult occupants and some load at the rear, thanks to the full torque available at a lowly
 1,500 rpm
. Mash the throttle, the Golf immediately leaps forward and will max out at
216 km/h
 without so much as breaking a sweat. In town, the notorious dry clutch DSG jerk is nonexistent, even when creeping in traffic. It is by far the most satisfying powertrain (bar the high-performance variants) available in the segment.
If you’re still in the skeptics camp, maybe VPCM’s 5-Year manufacturer warranty and
Goodwill Programme
 can prove to you their resolve to ensure a worry-free ownership experience.
5. Handling and Ride Comfort
Underpinning this Mk7 is VAG’s MQB platform that
shaves off almost 100 kg
 compared to the Mk6, which means that the Mk7 is extremely light on its feet. Throwing the Golf around bends proved to be a rewarding experience. Despite its exceptional road holding capabilities and larger 17-inch alloys with low profile tyres, the Golf is able to maintain its composure through road undulations rather pleasantly – the perfect setup for all, including driving enthusiasts.
These are just some of the key elements of the Golf that I personally adore. Many may turn away from Volkswagen especially after all the negativity plaguing the brand, what more with an asking price of RM161k. However, with VPCM (backed by Porsche Holdings Salzburg) behind the brand, the poor reliability and aftersales of Volkswagen in Malaysia may very well be a thing of the past.

VPCM is offering all Volkswagen models with a
5-Year manufacturer warranty
, whereas service interval is at ever
15,000km or 12 months
, as opposed to the more common 10,000km or 6 months service interval.
It’s only a matter of time before the facelifted Golf Mk7 arrives on our shores. We know that Volkswagen’s Pekan plant is capable of locally assembling the MQB-based
Passat B8
, so perhaps a cheaper, CKD Golf could soon be a reality.
IMAGE GALLERY


The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is an EV that wishes it wasn’t one – Fake engine sounds, pops & bangs, clutch kick

The
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
 just made its world debut today and it is perhaps the most bonkers electric vehicle (EV) out there. Not because it is the fastest, nor is it the most extreme-looking one, but simply because it screams “I wish I wasn’t an EV” in just about all areas – The most obvious one being the fact that it comes with a fake 2.0-L turbo engine sound complete with pops and bangs.
We’ve become familiar with the Ioniq 5 as the model is locally available in Malaysia. Now try to recall the
Hyundai Ioniq 5
 and throw in “driving enthusiast” bits and pieces onto it. It gets an un-EV-like gaping lower grille, black treatments here and there to make it look slimmer than it really is, red accents, swooping side intakes on the front bumper, and a much more aggressive spoiler at the back.
The wheels are 21 inches in size and they are forged alloy wheels. Wrapping these wheels is a set of Pirelli P-Zero tires.
And it’s not just all show and no go with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. With a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup, the drive system outputs a maximum of
609

hp
 and
740 Nm
 of torque. That is way more than what the normal AWD Ioniq 5 makes (305 hp/605 Nm). 0-100 km/h is done in
3.4 seconds
 onward to a top speed of
260 km/h
.
RELATED:
First 11 units of Hyundai Ioniq 5 delivered to Malaysian customers – nearly 300 booked since launch!
As for the EV numbers, the Ioniq 5 N packs a larger battery pack with an
84 kWh
 capacity compared the usual Ioniq 5’s 72.6 kWh or 58 kWh capacity. The electric range of the Ioniq 5 N will be announced during its first regional market launch. Like its ‘normal’ counterpart, charging can be done at a maximum rate of
350 kW
 with DC charging and this takes
18 minutes
 to charge the Ioniq 5 N from 10% to 80%.
Boring numbers aside, the Ioniq 5 N is built on three main pillars – “Corner Rascal”, “Racetrack Capability”, and “Everyday Sportscar”. Among the Ioniq 5 N’s many exclusive performance features are N Battery Preconditioning, N Race, N Pedal, N Brake Regen, N Drift Optimizer, N Torque Distribution, N Launch Control, N Grin Boost, N Active Sound +, N e-shift, N Road Sense, and Track SOC. That is a lot of “N” treatment on the first all-electric N car.
RELATED:
Hyundai Ioniq 6 teased for Malaysia again – official launch imminent?
Most importantly, you must know that with the “N Active Sound+”, the Ioniq 5 N emits a fake 2.0L turbo engine sound when set to “ignition” (There’s also “evolution” and “supersonic”). If you don’t believe us, you can watch the videos to hear it yourself. It even comes with fake pops and bangs. And with the “N e-shift”, the Ioniq 5 N simulates the experience of driving a vehicle with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), complete with the “shifting jolts” that you get from the real one.
Hyundai says that the Ioniq 5 N has been developed with “Rally-inspired” handling. It all sounds like the company is going all out to cater to the “driving enthusiast” crowd, which some say is a dying breed.
RELATED:
2023 Hyundai Creta launched in Malaysia, RM150k – Still want that X50?
Here are some of its performance and handling highlights that may entice you, provided you are a driving enthusiast:
42 additional welding points and 2.1 meters of additional adhesives
Reinforced motor and battery mountings
WRC-inspired integrated drive axles (IDA) front & rear
Strengthened steering column
Specially tuned N R-MDPS (Rack-Mounted Motor-Driven Power Steering) system with a higher steering ratio and enhanced torque feedback
Instant turn-in behavior and enhanced throttle sensitivity
Integrated Torque Kick Drift which allows the driver to simulate clutch kick
e-LSD

To keep up with the enhanced driving performance, the Ioniq 5 N is said to boast a higher resistance to heat induced power degradation thanks to an enhanced battery thermal management system. The cooling area has been increased, a better motor oil cooler is used, as well as a better battery chiller. The Ioniq 5 N is also equipped with an “N Battery Pre-conditioning system” to get the battery operating at optimum temperatures for either “Drag” or “Track” racing.
As for the brakes, they are bigger on the “N” Ioniq 5 but since the regen braking is so strong, the hydraulic brakes act as more of a support. The regen braking itself can generate 0.6G of decelerative force.
RELATED:
Hyundai Elantra N facelift revealed, another robocop-ed Hyundai
Inside, the Ioniq 5 N is the first to get the latest N steering wheel. For the first time, the “N” logo sits proudly smack in the centre of the wheel. With an almost AMG-like steering wheel, the images of the Ioniq 5 N’s interior suggest a rather fun driving experience – We’d have to try it ourselves to confirm that.
With the “driving enthusiast” in mind, the cabin of the Ioniq 5 comes with knee pads and shin support on the centre console. The N bucket seats have reinforced bolsters and are positioned about 20 mm lower compared to the basic specification.
RELATED:
Hyundai Sonata facelift unveiled – Staria lights, BMW-like curved display
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is perhaps the most interesting electric car of the year. While still being an EV, it does quite indirectly say that petrol cars are just honestly much more fun to be driven. The Ioniq 5 N believes in this so much that it simulates just about everything a petrol car does (gear shift jolts, engine sounds, pops & bangs, and even a clutch kick). It is almost as if it wishes it wasn’t an electric car – Kind of like a vegan steak.
GALLERY


Volvo Car Malaysia launches new e-commerce platform – ‘Shop Online’ for your next car

Starting at 8 pm today, you will be able to order a brand-new Volvo car through its new ‘Online Sales’ e-commerce platform. Announced during the launch of the all-electric Volvo C40 today, the new e-commerce platform is
Volvo Car Malaysia
’s initiative to sell cars directly to its customers.
Volvo Car Malaysia says that its new online platform will not only enable customers to purchase their cars directly from Volvo, but also provide price transparency, full visibility on available stock, and a “hassle-free purchase experience online”, and retailer assistance.
A preview of the new e-commerce platform by Volvo Car Malaysia
Through the e-commerce platform, bookings and payments will be made directly to Volvo Car Malaysia on the company’s official website. The ‘Online Sales’ platform will be instrumental in assisting the company’s nationwide retailers in delivering an outstanding Swedish luxury experience to all customers.
First to be available for online orders will be
the newly-launched Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric
 starting 8 pm today. The C40 is the second electric vehicle (EV) by the brand, which is essentially a fastback version of the Volvo XC40 that has a
451 km
 all-electric range from a
78-kWh
 battery.
RELATED:
Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric launched in Malaysia, from RM289k
Currently the all-electric C40 and XC40 are shown to be ‘Available Online’
Without the new ‘Online Sales’ e-commerce platform by Volvo Car Malaysia, customers can only hit “Send Request” after selecting the desired specification for their Volvo car. With the new e-commerce platform, customers will be able to select their desired specifications, know the stock availability, select the delivery payment method, and even know the estimated delivery for their purchased vehicle.
The new e-commerce platform is essentially a step up from the current facilities on Volvo Car Malaysia’s website. Volvo states that it plans to “ride on the rapid wave of digitalisation and growing online affinity of luxury consumers in Malaysia”.
RELATED:
Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric updated for 2023, now from RM 279k
Volvo Car Malaysia Managing Director, Charles Frump said, “Our customers’ journey to owning a Volvo will be seamless from hereon, and one that is in line with our hassle-free price. Together with our authorised dealers, the ‘Online Sales’ platform will enhance the buying experience of every customer,”
If you’re planning to buy a Volvo C40, you might want to check out Volvo Car Malaysia’s website after 8pm tonight!
ALSO WATCH:
2023 Volvo XC40 EV, PHEV & MHEV facelift now in Malaysia, from RM269k


2015 Volkswagen Sharan order books now open in UK, delivery in October

The
Volkswagen Sharan facelift
 revealed earlier this year will finally go on sale in the UK, with prices starting from £26,300 (roughly RM110k) to £36,280 (RM151k).
To recap, the seven-seater people carrier gets a range of updated engines that meet Euro6 emission standards and are 15 percent more economical than before. The diesel range is comprised of a
1.6 TDI
 with
115 hp
 and a
2.0 TDI
 with either
150 hp
 or
184 hp
, while the petrol range consists of the familiar
1.4 TSI
 with
150 hp
 and a
2.0 TSI
with
220 hp
. A
six-speed manual
 box is standard, but an optional
six-speed DSG
 with coasting function is available for all Sharans except the 1.6 TDI.
Externally, the MPV remains largely the same, save for the obvious tweaks done to the front and tail lamps, both featuring new LED designs. On the inside however, buyers get to choose between a 5-inch composition colour, a 6.5-inch composition media or the
 6.5-inch Discovery Media with navigation
. They all support MirrorLink function and is Android Auto and Car Play compatible.
It also gets new upholstery, new steering wheel design and
three-zone auto air conditioning
 system. Depending on the market and trim level, there’s Alcantara upholstered seats, panoramic sunroof and several driving assistance programmes; the latter which is exclusive to the upper-end variants.
Safety wise, the Sharan gets
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
 as standard, but
Front Assist with integrated City Emergency Braking,
 traffic monitoring system,
Adaptive Cruise Control
 (ACC), and
Park Assist
 are some of the optional driving assistance systems on offer.
Our Sharan was launched in February 2012 and is currently priced at
RM278,888
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Nissan Serena S-Hybrid previewed in Malaysia, 2 variants from RM140k, May launch

Shortly after
accepting bookings for the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid
, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has officially previewed the seven-seater MPV. The official launch will happen sometime in May 2018 and deliveries will commence after that.
The Serena S-Hybrid will be offered in two trims – Highway Star and Premium Highway Star, the latter packing additional accessories and features. Both variants are motivated by a MR20DD 2.0-litre Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable-valve Timing Control) four-cylinder hybrid system paired to an XTRONIC CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).
QUICK FACTS
Name
Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid Highway Star
Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid Premium Highway Star
Engine
2.0L; MR20DD 4-cylinder Twin CVTC Hybrid
Transmission
XTRONIC CVT with Adaptive Shift Control
Max Power
150 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
200 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
Est. Price (OTR without insurance)
RM140,000
RM155,000
Total system output is rated at
150 hp
 and
200 Nm
 of torque while drive is deployed exclusively to the front wheels. Although the hybrid system is similar to the outgoing model, Nissan has introduced a new Dual Arm Tensioner (DAT) and improved ECO motor to give the car better performance and fuel economy. The improved hybrid system is said to give the MPV best-in-class fuel economy of 14.2 km/L, based on the New European Driving Cycle.
The new Serena also benefits from increased steering rack ratio for quicker turning and smaller turning radius, variable assist electric power steering, stiffer front and rear suspension mounting for better stability as well as additional wheelhouse sound-absorption material.
As standard, all variants of the Serena come equipped with LED projector headlamps with LED positioning lamps, twin V Motion grille, fog lamps,
dual power sliding doors
 and LED combination taillamps. Inside, you’ll find seven USB charging ports,
7.0-inch Advanced Drive-Assist Display LCD instrument cluster
, 6.75-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility, soft-padded dashboard, flat-bottom leather multifunctional steering wheel, second-row captain seats, sliding third-row seats and dual opening tailgate standard across the board.

Stepping up to the range-topping Serena Premium Highway Star model, it adds significantly more kit – 16-inch alloys (15-inch for the lower variant), leather upholstery available in two-tone Truffle Brown & Chestnut or single-tone Black, a 10.1-inch Roof-Mounted LCD Panel rear passenger display, Tech-on Tray Mat, Driving Video Recorder (DVR) dash cam, LED Room Lamp, Door Visor, 4 mill V-Kool Security Film Tinting and ThreeBond Ultra Glass Body Coating.
Those who considering the Serena Premium Highway Star have the option for two-tone exterior colours available in Cashmere Gold with Imperial Umber roof, Tungsten Silver with Diamond Black roof and Brilliant White with Diamond Black roof. Are the additional features, larger alloys and the dual-tone colour option(s) worth the additional RM15k (estimated)? You decide.

Safety wise, the Serena S-Hybrid is adequately equipped with six airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), two ISOFIX mounting points, Driver Attention Alert as well as first-in-class Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) 360-degree camera and Intelligent Moving Object Detection (I-MOD) that detects moving objects surrounding the vehicle. Unfortunately, we will not be getting the
Nissan ProPilot semi-autonomous driving technology
.
All purchase of the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid comes with a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty and 3-Years or 60,000 km maintenence service package. Order books of the Serena is now open at all authorised Nissan dealers nationwide.
IMAGE GALLERY
Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid Highway Star


The EV Abarth 500e has fake ‘engine roars’ and we’re not sure how we feel about it

If you wanted a small EV but don’t wish to go the Sino-super-mini route with 12-inch wheels, the Abarth 500e might just be the perfect car for you. And in case you don’t want to forego the internal combustion engine (ICE) sounds, the Abarth 500e even comes with the signature
Abarth
 “roar” to fulfill your petrolhead needs (watch the embedded video at the end).
What it is, is the brand’s first EV which is based on the latest version of the
Fiat 500e
. As such it still has the same
42-kWh
 battery pack that provides up to 320 km of range (WLTP). Driving the car is a single electric motor that makes
155 hp
 (metric) and
235 Nm
. The motor powers the front wheels only and launches the Abarth 500e from 0 to 100 km/h in
7 seconds
 flat.
To charge the 42-kWh battery, the Abarth 500e can handle
11-kW
 AC charging and
85-kW
 DC Fast Charging (DCFC). With 11-kW AC charging, the Abarth 500e charges from 0 to 100% in
4 hours and 15 minutes
. With 85-kW DCFC, it charges from 0 to 80% in just
35 minutes
.
Claimed to be “more Abarth than EVer” (no, that’s not a typo), the Abarth 500e is said to be more responsive than the
Abarth 695
. Abarth says the 500e has “50% faster acceleration from 12 to 25mph than its petrol-powered counterpart”. And on open roads, the 500e performs overtaking manoeuvres faster than its petrol version, reaching a speed of 62mph (starting from 37mph) when its petrol counterpart is still driving at 56mph, with a difference of approximately 1 second.
RELATED:
All-new Fiat 500 EV scored near-perfect marks in Green NCAP tests, rated full five-stars!
Driving modes in the Abarth 500e include “Turismo”, “Scorpion Street”, and “Scorpion Track”. “Turismo” limits the maximum power to 100 kW (from 1113 kW0 and the torque to 220 Nm (from 235 Nm) and allows for smoother acceleration and lower power.
“Scorpion Street” offers top performance while regenerative braking. Both “Turismo” and “Scorpion Street” allow for one-pedal driving. Lastly, “Scorpion Track” is the mode you switch to if you’re “looking for top performance”.
The car you in the pictures is the “Scorpionissima” launch edition with only
1,949 units
 produced. The number has been chosen to pay homage to the brand’s birth year. The Abarth 500e introduces a new ‘Acid Green’ and ‘Poison Blue’ colour scheme and the limited edition “Scorpionissima” is decorated with Abarth side graphics.
RELATED:
We need more quirky EVs like the Fiat 500e to save the planet
Also equipped on the “Scorpionissima” 500e are 18-inch Diamond-Cut Titanium Grey alloy wheels, a fixed glass roof, and rear privacy glass. It also comes with advanced sporty steel pedals and a kick plate with an engraved logo.
Inside, the Abarth 500e gets new sporty seats with an embossed scorpion in Alcantara. The New Abarth 500e Scorpionissima also comes with a closed central tunnel, heated front seats and windshield, a height-adjustable driver seat, and 50/50 split-folding rear seats.
RELATED:
These 1 of 1 Fiat 500 “Giorgio Armani and Bvlgari Editions” are for the ultra brand-conscious
As for entertainment, the Abarth 500e provides a 10.25-inch touchscreen head unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity. A 7-inch fully digital instrument cluster sits in front of the steering wheel, providing information on speed, range, current driving mode, and battery status.
Safety features of the Abarth 500e include Traffic Sign Information, Autonomous Emergency Brake with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, Intelligent Speed Assistant, Lane Keeping Assist, Drowsy Driver Detection, Attention assist, Cruise control, and Blind Spot warning. It also comes with 6 airbags.
RELATED:
All-new Fiat 500 EV scored near-perfect marks in Green NCAP tests, rated full five-stars!

GALLERY


Robbie Williams is Volkswagen’s new ‘Marketing Manager’ [+Video]

Volkswagen, Europe’s biggest car manufacturer, has just named
Robbie Williams
 (real name Robert Peter Williams) as their new ‘
Marketingleiter
‘ (marketing manager in German). The 40-year-old singer-songwriter is branded as VW’s key protagonist in a multi-channel advertising campaign for the new “Club & Lounge” special models.
Speaking at the press conference, Williams said, “The job is a big change for me. It’s stepping out of the world of pop into a proper job.” Volkswagen is also cooperating with
Spotify
, and its customers will have exclusive access to the “Say it with a Playlist” function which creates an individualised playlist based on personal messages sent via Facebook or e-mail.
Volkswagen’s Club & Lounge Microsite
The special models comprise of the Up!, Beetle, Golf, Tiguan and Polo family, making up for a total of
nine models
 to choose from. All nine special models can be viewed on their
microsite here
. Advance sales of the customised and special edition models have already begun and the cars will hit European showrooms in January next year.
As of now, there’s no word from Volkswagen Group Malaysia regarding the arrival of the Club & Lounge special edition models, but expect the
plug-in hybrid Golf GTE
 to be introduced sometime
late next year
.


Proton charges into new era with an “uncaged” Tiger

The new logo will make its debut in the locally-assembled Proton X70 and will be implemented in its new products and throughout dealerships in the next two years.
While the company had intended to implement some changes to its image after the takeover by Geely, focus was instead placed on solving other deep seeded issues such as customer service, improving the product line up, upgrading dealer network and ultimately restoring customers’ trust.
Ditching the “shield surrounds” from before, the new Tiger head not only looks more detailed but also more aggressive and is driven by
three core values
 – innovative technology, reliability and international.
On the point of
“innovative technology”
, this signifies the brand’s intention and commitment to strive to greater heights with the most innovative technologies – incorporating global R&D and Geely’s iNTEC platform.
The
“reliability”
 aspect refers to their product line-up and aftersales services. Proton is committed to improving the quality of their products and services through the adoption of global standards and extensive training of staff. Currently, Proton’s dealership network is made up of 102 3S and 4S centres.
Modernisation.
As for
“international”
, it refers to Proton’s ambition to be one of the top three automotive manufacturers in the ASEAN region.
“Today as we unveil our new logo and tagline – Inspiring Connections – we are capturing the new ethos of Proton and our ambition to become a truly modern, global automotive brand,” said Proton Holdings Berhad, Dr. Li Chunrong.
IMAGE GALLERY


This electric scooter is technically Bugatti’s first EV

A fully-electric
Bugatti
 has been rumoured ever since the French hypercar maker
 joined forces with Rimac
, but nobody expected it to be like this – with only two wheels. That’s because instead of a car, Bugatti has teamed up with Bytech International to unveil a basic electric scooter at CES this year.
Bugatti International Managing Director, Wiebke Stahl said that the electric scooter gives them “an opportunity to expand our reach in the electric mobility space”, while letting more consumers experience the brand. Why they didn’t want to maintain exclusivity of the Bugatti name is anyone’s guess. Anyway, we digress.
On the exterior, well… it’s a scooter, so obviously it’s never going to look like the
Bolide
 or the
Divo
. But Bugatti did still give it a few unique touches to make it stand out from the sea of China-made electric scooters, like the curved tail lights at the back, as well as a unique curved magnesium alloy deck with LED illumination underneath.
Turn signals have also been included for safety, and there’s also a large LED screen pn the handlebar that displays the speed, riding mode, battery life, and light status. But of course, you’re buying a Bugatti electric scooter for the emblem in front – and as a bonus, you also get a rear-mounted light that projects Bugatti’s ‘EB’ logo onto the ground.
The scooter is powered by a 700 W motor, enough to bring it up to a top speed of
30 km/h
 (in Sport mode). No mention of its performance figures and acceleration times, but rest assured it’s not going to compete with the other Bugatti hypercars.
Cruise control comes as standard, and Bugatti says that the electric scooter is capable of riding up a 15-degree slope while carrying a rider of up to 110 kg in weight. There’s also a 360 Wh (without the k) battery, which Bugatti says is capable of providing up to 35 km of range. Recharging the the battery takes around four hours using a standard wall socket at home.
Bugatti did not mention when the scooter will go on sale or how much it’ll cost, but says that buyers will have three colours to choose from: Agile Blue, silver, and black.
[H/T: Electrek]


Proton appoints Dr. Li Chunrong as new CEO, reshuffles board members of Proton Group

Three months after the Definitive Agreement between DRB-HICOM Berhad and Zhejiang Geely Holdings (Geely) has been signed to appoint
Geely as Proton’s Foreign Strategic Partner (FSP)
, the two companies have just confirmed a new management structure for Proton Holdings Berhad (PHB) and its related companies under the Proton Group.
Proton Group and Geely has appointed
Dr. Li Chunrong as PONSB’s
 (Perusahan Otomobil National Sdn Bhd) new
Chief Executive Officer
, following the departure of Dato’ Ahman Fuaad Kenali. Dr. Li will be assisted by current deputy CEO, Dato’ Radzaif Mohammed in the revitalisation plan for Proton.
PHB remains chaired by Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar who is joined by DRB-HICOM nominees Shaharul Farez Hassan and Amalanathan Thomas. Geely has also nominated Daniel Donghui Li, current Executive Vice President and CFO of Geely Holding as well as Feng Qing Feng, Group Vice President and CTO of Geely Auto to join the board of PHB.
All five members will also sit on the board of PONSB along with Dr. Nathan Yu Ning, Vice President of International Business at Geely Holding and Winfried Vahland, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Skoda Auto.
Dr. Li will assume his position as PONSB’s CEO from
1 October 2017
 onwards and will work together with both companies on the turnaround plan for Proton. The first model to be conceived from this new partnership will be the
local assembly of the Boyue mid-sized SUV
 which will go on sale in late 2018.
IMAGE GALLERY

 Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Group Managing Director DRB-HICOM Berhad

 Dr. Li Chunrong Chief Executive Officer PONSB

 Mr. Daniel Donghui Li, Executive Vice President and CFO of Geely Holding


Proton X90 to debut in Q2 2023 with 1.5 TGDi mild-hybrid engine!

Proton
 held a business briefing event for the press yesterday, where it outlined its sales targets and goals for the coming years. Among the details shared were its upcoming product strategy, and while Proton deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah was being cryptic in his speech, he essentially told members of the media to “read between the lines”. So after piecing everything together and doing some extra digging, here’s what we came up with – the Proton X90 will debut in Malaysia in the second quarter of 2023, and it’ll include a mild hybrid powertrain option!
The 1.5 TGDi engine with 48V EMS, on display at Proton COE
The Proton X90 is almost an open secret at this point, having being sighted on Malaysian roads multiple times previously. Based on the
Geely Haoyue
 (or Okavango in certain markets), the seven-seater model will become the flagship model in Proton’s range, sitting atop its SUV line-up that currently consists of the
X70
 and
X50
.
In the Philippines, the Okavango is offered with a mild-hybrid 1.5-litre turbocharged powertrain, utilising the same 1.5-litre TGDi three-cylinder mill that Proton is making in its
 new engine assembly line
 in Tanjung Malim. As a whole, the mild-hybrid powertrain makes
190 hp
 and
300 Nm
 of torque, with power delivered to the front wheels via a seven-speed DCT gearbox.
RELATED:
Proton sends 16 staff to China for NEV Training, to finalise Smart #1 specs
The mild hybrid route is Proton’s first step in its electrification roadmap, which will eventually lead to a full-blown home-grown EV in the future. The 1.5 TGDi engine has been designed for electrification from the get-go, so it’ll be a fairly straightforward add-on for Proton. We’ve already seen the mild-hybrid powertrain on display at
Proton’s Gallery of Inspiration
 at its Centre of Excellence outlet.
In the shorter term, we could also see the mild hybrid powertrain utilised in the updated X70 here in Malaysia, as it’s also already being offered in the Philippines on the Azkarra (
Boyue Pro
).
As for the Proton X90, we’ll still have to wait a little longer before we know its specifications in detail. A non-electrified X90 powered by the standard 1.5 TGDi three-cylinder engine could also be on the cards for lower-end models – the Geely Haoyue is offered in China with a 1.8-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, the same engine that was
replaced by the newer 1.5-litre mill
on the X70 recently.
Based on what was shared during the business briefing yesterday, we can also expect it to feature a high level of connectivity features, with infotainment systems developed in conjunction with
ACO Tech
.
And if you’re wondering when the Proton X90 will launch here in Malaysia, Roslan Abdullah had this to say: “If you’re waiting for a Proton event to visit Tanjung Malim, we will be organising events in March, April, May, and so on – so keep your calendars clear.” Seems pretty clear-cut, don’t you think?


Atlas OS’ latest software update brings Spotify to Proton X50, Persona, Iriz

Just as many predicted previously,
ACO Tech
 has now announced its new partnership with Spotify. The collaboration will see the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service being made available directly on the vehicle Infotainment Head Unit (IHU), provided that it’s running the brand’s latest
ATLAS operating system
.
ACO Tech’s ATLAS OS is currently only available on the updated
2022 Proton Persona
 and
Iriz
, but the company says that the
 Proton X50
 will also be receiving the new operating system through an over-the-air software update soon. The company added that the Spotify app will also be preloaded into brand-new Proton vehicles, while existing users will be able to download the app via the A store.
The built-in Spotify app will allow both free and Premium subscribers to access over 82 million audio tracks and more than four million podcast titles, right from the infotainment display itself. Customers who wish to browse Spotify via their phones can also still do so, with audio being casted to the IHU via the Spotify Connect system.
“Working together with Spotify is an important milestone for ACO Tech as the partnership not only helps us to stay competitive in the smart mobility industry, it is also instrumental in easing Malaysians into the possibilities of smart and connected car technologies,” said ACO Tech CEO, Li Pu.
RELATED: ACO Tech’s new ATLAS infotainment OS even comes with an in-car e-wallet payment system!
Proton’s GKUI infotainment operating system initially came with ‘Unlimited Music’ preloaded in their cars, and was later replaced with Joox Music sometime during 2020. We think the latest addition of Spotify will be more in tune with what most of its customers want, however, and it’s great to see ACO Tech listening to and actually working towards the customer demands.
While we’re at it, can we please have Google Maps and Waze in the A Store too, or even better – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity?