Mercedes-AMG A 35 confirmed by AMG boss, entry level AMG with 300 hp

In early 2017, we heard rumours that Mercedes-AMG is toying with the idea of a
more affordable, entry-level version of their 45-series
 to bridge the performance gap between a regular Benz (250 models) and an AMG (45 models). It appears the folks at Affalterbach are on track to this vision as reported by
Car and Driver
.
According to the report, AMG Boss, Tobias Moers has said: “There will be a new AMG 45, but in addition to that, we will launch an AMG 35 with around 300 horsepower.”. This model strategy is similar to what Audi is doing with their A3 models – there is a sporty
S3
 with
300 hp
 and a full-blown
RS3
 with
395 hp
.
It is also said that the new generation A 45 will soldier on with the
M133 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine
 but boosted to
over 400 hp
 to retain its title of “most powerful series production four-cylinder engine”. Apparently, the company will continue its one-man, one-engine philosophy with the new generation 45-series, hand-built engines at AMG’s headquarters.
The new
W177 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
 has made its global debut and it won’t be long before Mercedes-AMG to apply their magic touch. A little too soon to tell, but one can’t help to wonder how much an A 35 would cost in Malaysia …
IMAGE GALLERY
W177 Mercedes-Benz A-Class


Your average Nissan models might soon be built with carbon fibre parts

Carbon fibre is the material of choice in many of the upper echelon super cars, thanks to its ability to maintain structural integrity while being
very lightweight
. However, it’s complexity in construction means it costs a lot to manufacture, never mind the cost of the material itself, thus its usage is still limited to only the most advanced sportscars.
Nissan
 though, claimed to have found a breakthrough in the production of carbon fibre parts – or more accurately carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) – where it claims that it is able to cut the lead time to develop such components by as much as half, and cycle time for moulding by about 80%.

With the use of computer aided engineering (CAE), Nissan engineers were able to simulate the permeability of the resin in carbon fibre, visualising the resin flow behaviour in a die. Grooves are then added accurately to certain parts of the mould within the stamping process, helping the resin flow across the entire CFRP part faster and more evenly.
Additionally, the resin is also injected into the mould when the stamp is held partially open, reducing the time it takes for the resin to spread across the entire mould, thus reducing the cycle time for the entire compression resin transfer moulding process.
As a result, Nissan says that the overall cost of manufacturing for these CFRP parts can be brought down, significantly enough to be used in mass-production vehicles.
The company says that it plans to use CFRP as a structural component in its future line-up production models such as the B-pillars to bring down overall weight, as well as lowering the centre of gravity, which means safer cars with better fuel efficiency and handling potential.


Next-gen Subaru Impreza Concept previewed, points towards future Subarus’ new look

Here’s an interesting nugget that’ll surely titillate the Subaru fan in us all. The marque has put on show that’s not just a stunning impression of their world-renowned Impreza moniker, but a new design language that will be echoed throughout their future models. This magnificent looking concept is one way we’d like to describing it.
Time and time again, we are reminded of the phrase “the eyes are the windows to the soul” – mostly by frizzy-haired poets in tweed jackets. How uncanny for those words to ring true to Subaru’s hallmark ‘
hawk-eye
’ headlights. They really do project ever-so vividly, the image of a marque, in the same way a pair of ‘
angel eyes
‘ immediately distinguishes a
Bimmer
 from the crowd. The hawk-eyes gives the  Impreza 5-door Concept’s a sense of quality and
modernity
, they say.
Here’s an interesting bit of trivia. I’m sure we all familiar with the
DeLorean DMC-12
. And just like the one from Back to the Future or any other DeLoreans for that matter, it was finished with a
brushed
 metallic look and the reason being is that the DMC-12 was never given a coat of paint, but rather its
stainless-steel
 body was textured and brushed to a brilliant finish. Clapping eyes with the Subaru Impreza 5-Door Concept’s
remarkable
 paintjob job conjures up memories of that
icon
 of the 80s.
The product of that extensive design study exhibits a wide and low stance, suggestive of the innate stability that Subaru is famed for. Sporting
pedigree
 and a world-renowned
heritage
 that was forged in the
crucible
 of motorsports – the World Rally Championship. The
hexagonal
 grille develops that very visual identity further. But with all that said done, we are stoked to see Subaru’s new sedign direction. Exciting times ahead for sure.


Surprise… not: 2022 World Car of the Year finalists are all EVs

If you need any more proof that electric vehicles (EV) are taking over the world, you don’t need to look much further than this. The 2022 World Car Awards have just unveiled the finalists in all six categories, and for its overall “World Car of the Year” award, well, they’re all EVs.
This isn’t the first time that an EV has been nominated for the World Car of the Year award; some of them even won it before, with the
Jaguar I-Pace in 2019
 and
Volkswagen ID.4 last year
. But for the first time in its 18-year history, there’ll be an all-electric showdown in the award’s ultimate category.
To qualify for the awards, the cars must have a manufacturing run of at least 10,000 units per year, be available in at least two major markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, USA) on two different continents between January 1, 2021 and March 30, 2022, and priced “below the luxury-car level”.
For 2022, the contenders are the
Ford Mustang Mach-E
, the
 Hyundai Ioniq 5
, and the
Kia EV6
 – the latter two even sharing the same platform, so some would argue that they’re essentially the same car. The two Korean EVs are also nominated in the World Car Design category.
RELATED: Kia EV6 named 2022 European Car of the Year
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 was also nominated in the World Electric Vehicle category, alongside the Audi E-Tron GT and Mercedes-Benz EQS. As for the other categories, the finalists include:
World Car of the Year
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Kia EV6
World Electric Vehicle
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Audi E-Tron GT
Mercedes-Benz EQS
World Urban Car
Opel Mokka
Toyota Yaris Cross
Volkswagen Taigun
ALSO READ: Hyundai IONIQ 5 named UK Car of the Year 2022
World Luxury Car
BMW iX
Genesis GV70
Mercedes-Benz EQS
World Performance Car
Audi E-Tron GT
BMW M3/M4
Toyota GR86
 /
Subaru BRZ
World Car Design
Audi E-Tron GT
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Kia EV6
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 was
recently launched in Malaysia
 in three different variants, with prices starting from RM199,888. The Lite and Plus variants are equipped with a single motor set-up offering
170 hp
 and
350 Nm
, while the range-topping Max variant gets a dual-motor AWD set-up, with
305 hp
 and
605 Nm
.
For the full breakdown of the Hyundai Ioniq 5’s facts and figures in Malaysia, click here.
All winners of the 2022 World Car Awards will be announced ahead of the New York Auto Show on April 13.


Jaguar reveals “Chequered Flag Edition” for the XF and XF Sportbrake

Jaguar’s answer to the BMW 5-series, the
 XF sedan
and
Sportbrake
, has just been unveiled with a new look – featuring interior, exterior and performance enhancements.
The Chequered Flag edition models distinguishes itself with unique badging on the side vents, a sportier front bumper, a boot spoiler and 18-inch wheels.
Chequered Flag edition models will only be available in three colours – Yulong White, Santorini Black and Eiger Grey.
Inside, the XF Saloon and Sportbrake is garnished with R-Sport leather upholstery, dark aluminium instrument panel finishing and a some unique badging.
The Navigation Pro with InControl Connect Pro system, usually an optional extra in the standard XF, is now standard equipment in the Chequered Flag edition models.
Other notable features include a 12.3-inch Interactive Driver Display, laser Head-up Display and the 10-inch Touch Pro infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Below are the model year updates for Jaguar’s petrol and diesel engine options:
Petrol
250 hp Ingenium 2.0-litre four-cylinder, RWD / AWD
300 hp Ingenium 2.0-litre four-cylinder, RWD / AWD
Diesel
180 hp Ingenium 2.0-litre four-cylinder, RWD / AWD
240 hp Ingenium 2.0-litre four-cylinder, AWD
300 hp 3.0-litre V6 twin turbocharged, RWD
IMAGE GALLERY


McLaren 570GT MSO Black Collection, low profile or attention-grabbing?

McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the bespoke division of McLaren Automotive has introduced
yet another
 limited-edition McLaren 570GT MSO Black Collection. The all-black, stealthy sportscar is limited to just 100 examples worldwide.
The special model gets Carbon Black paintwork, developed by MSO to create a striking and extremely deep colour. The stealth theme is further extended with the
MSO Defined Black Pack
 that adds a black finish onto the front and rear splitters, side skirts and air intakes. Even the brake callipers and 19-inch five twin-spoke alloys are finished in black.

MSO has fitted the 570GT with a new Sports Pack which gives the car a sharper mapping, carbon-ceramic discs and a
Titanium SuperSports exhaust
 that sheds five kilograms and increases the exhaust note by 5 dB compared to the standard system.
The monochrome theme continues to the cabin with Jet Black leather and Carbon Black Alcantara upholstery. Unique MSO touches include the seat embroidery and Dedication Plate under the centre console. Other standard equipment includes Vehicle Lift system, rearview camera, power adjustable steering column and a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Audio System.
Design Director at McLaren Automotive, Rob Melville commented, “McLaren Special Operations allows our customers to fully express themselves through their cars, and the new 570GT MSO Black Collection is no different. Black is a colour associated with elegance, power and authority whilst also surrounded by a certain air of mystery.”
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Lexus ES shown, looks like a watered down LS and we love it

Lexus has just confirmed that the
single teaser image
 released earlier is indeed the all-new Lexus ES. The Japanese carmaker has also shown the seventh-generation premium sedan in full ahead of its scheduled world premiere at the 2018 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.
Details of the new ES are scarce, but the company promises “athletic performance and renowned refinement”. Expect the new ES to share the same Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform as the
all-new Toyota Camry

Visually, the ES wears the familiar family fascia only here, it gets a new vertical slats Spindle grille design as opposed to the 3D mesh style of its larger sibling, the LS. Slim LED headlamps with the signature ‘arrow tick’ LED daytime running lights are present while the taillamps are reminiscent of the
LC Coupe
’s design.
No word on the interior either but expect the ES to take inspiration from the LS in terms of cabin architecture and design. Lexus Malaysia has the ES in their stable and judging from its latest product offensive (LC,
LS
 &
RX L
), the all-new model should also make its way here in due course.
IMAGE GALLERY


Video: The BMW M850i xDrive is a dual-personality grand tourer!

Ever since it was launched in March of 2019 for a cool
RM1 million
, the
 M850i xDrive
 has been at the very top of our test drive list for more reasons than one.
Not only does it replace the now retired 6 Series as BMW’s “big bad coupe”, but it also bears the burden of living up to the 8 Series legacy left behind by the E31 model series, produced for nearly 10 years beginning from the early 1990s.
Suffice to say, it did exactly that and then some!

With over
500 hp
 and
750 Nm
 of torque in M850i, you’re never going to run out of power; not even the slightest opportunity to feel inferior but that’s not the biggest appeal of BMW’s flagship coupe.
It’s the fact that the M850i can be so docile, serene and comfortable when you’re just cruising along, whether on the highway or in mid-day traffic but with the slightest flex of your right toe, it instantly turns from a comfortable living room into a cockpit of a jet fighter.
And for a car the size of a living room, the M850i simply danced through corners with the agility and gracefulness of a ballerina; with the aid of rear-wheel steering.
It’s simply the best grand tourer BMW has produced yet but we won’t spoil it for you entirely. Watch the video above and find out!


Mazda announces next-gen SkyActiv-X petrol engines, EV & hybrids by 2019

Mazda Motor Corporation has just announced their “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030” plan, a new long-term vision for future technology developments. The first innovation conceived from this new plan is the
second-generation SkyActiv engine
 – SkyActiv-X which will make its debut in 2019.
SkyActiv-X will be the world’s first gasoline engine to use compression ignition technology to ignite fuel. More commonly referred to as homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI), the SkyActiv-X works similarly to a
diesel engine
. During the HCCI process, air-fuel mixture is compressed by the pistons only before igniting the fuel to drive the crankshaft.
Mazda SkyActiv-D Diesel Engine
Mazda said that SkyActiv-X engines will still come with spark plugs to allow compression ignition to happen more efficiently while achieving a seamless transition between compression ignition and spark ignition. Mazda has coined the combustion method as
Spark Controlled Compression Ignition
, the first of its kind.
The new engine promises
10 to 30 percent increase in torque
 and
20 to 30 percent better engine efficiency
 compared to the current SkyActiv-G engines. Mazda even went as far as saying the new SkyActiv-X petrol engine
equals or exceeds
 the latest
SKYACTIV-D diesel engine
 in terms of fuel efficiency!
Mazda SkyActiv-G Petrol Engine
Besides the new SkyActiv-X engine, the company is aiming to introduce electric vehicles and other forms of electrified vehicles, confirming our
previous report
. Mazda is looking to first introduce EVs and other electric drive technologies in regions that use a high ratio of clean energy for power generation or restrict certain vehicles to reduce air pollution.
All these are Mazda’s initiatives to create a sustainable future for people and cars alike and with the SkyActiv-X, it just goes to show how much more potential internal combustion engines still have locked away in them. Hopefully with more innovations to come from Mazda, western countries may rethink the
blanket ban on internal combustion engines
.


Mitsubishi’s Hari Raya video gives a meaningful twist to an unfortunate situation

Perhaps the worst thing anyone can experience during a festive season, be it Hari Raya or Chinese New Year, is not being with their loved ones.
With Chinese New Year “cancelled” earlier this year, and now Hari Raya Aidilfitri, it’s hard not to feel for those who are unable to make their interstate trips. We really miss visiting our friend’s houses for lemang and rendang too.

Featuring local actor and comedian,
Jihan Muse
, it’s obvious that
video
 serves to showcase the
Xpander’s unique selling points
 – such as the rear underfloor storage, good ground clearance, cruise control to name a few – but there’s also a deeper meaning to it.
In a way it’s much like the saying, “Home is where the heart is”. No matter where we are, Hari Raya can be just as special. Perhaps we can take this time to reminisce and reflect on past celebrations, build on this difficult time to make the upcoming ones even better.
The most random but hilarious scene in the video!
It may be easier said than done, but a positive attitude goes a long way in times like these. When things are down, the only way is up. Hang in there and stay safe everyone!
Check out Mitsubishi’s
other recent video
, where they turned the Shah Alam Stadium into a playground for the Triton!
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!


The Porsche 911 Dakar is a sports car you can drive anywhere

Porsche
 is perhaps more well-known for their road-hugging, rear-engined sports cars, but they’ve actually been pretty proficient at off-roading, too. Look back some 40 years ago, and you’ll see that they’ve even won the Paris-Dakar Rally outright.
These days, the only off-roading Porsche you’ll see are ones that have been
Safari-modified by rich owners
. But that’s all about to change because Porsche is finally rolling out their own off-road ready
911
, dubbed the 911 Dakar, which comes from the factory with all-terrain tires, lifted suspensions, and even a roof rack. We’re
so
 here for this.
First up, let’s get the numbers out of the way. The Porsche 911 Dakar is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six mill, making
480 hp
 and
570 Nm
 of torque – the same as you’ll see on the
911 GTS
.
The engine is paired to an eight-speed PDK gearbox as well as an all-wheel drive system taken from the Carrera 4S for a 0-100 km/h time of
3.4 seconds
, onward to a limited top speed of 240 km/h, which porsche says is due to the all-terrain tyres. We assume those figures are done on the asphalt, but it should also be pretty close off the beaten track.
The powertrain has been modified for off-road use, such as using side intercoolers (like the 911 Turbo) instead of centrally mounted to improve ground clearance, and a new airbox design that’s meant to prevent dirt and dust intrusion.
But more importantly, the electronics package has also been significantly tuned for off-road performance. There are two new driving modes on the Porsche 911 Dakar, including a Rallye mode which lets the car do big naughty slides, and Off-Road mode which is meant for slower driving on tougher terrains. But on both modes, the launch control system has been tweaked to allow for around 20% more wheelspin, giving you – counterintuitively – the best traction on loose surfaces.
RELATED:
No roads? No problem – Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato exterior unveiled
Of course, powertrain alone isn’t what makes this an off-road Battle 911; the magic of the Porsche 911 Dakar is in its suspension and tyres. To that end, Porsche has equipped the safari 911 with a two-mode height-adjustable suspension, adding 50 mm to the standard 911’s ground clearance, and an additional 30 mm on lift mode (at speeds of up to 170 km/h) to give it a ramp angle that’ll “rival those of conventional SUVs”.
The 911 Dakar also rides on specially-developed Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyres, sized 19- and 20-inches with 9 mm-deep tread patterns and reinforced sidewalls to give it that extra bite and durability on rally stages. But don’t for a moment think that it’s only meant for the gravel – Porsche claims that the 911 Dakar will work just as well on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a time similar to the 996-generation GT3. Sure, that’s now a few generations old, but it’s still a GT3, on aggressive tyres too.
(The normal P Zero tyres are also offered as an option, but we’re not sure why anyone would ever want those on the 911 Dakar.)
To match its off-road capabilities, the Porsche 911 Dakar comes with a carbon fibre fixed rear spoiler, as well as a carbon-fibre front “luggage compartment lid” (can’t call it a bonnet here), which has air outlets borrowed from the
911 GT3
. The side air intakes on the front bumpers get additional stainless steel grilles to protect against flying rocks, while the wheel wells have been widened to fit the chunky all terrain tyres.
The Porsche 911 Dakar also gets additional off-road details, such as the red aluminium towing lugs on both ends of the car, alongside the stainless steel protective elements on the sills. The roof even gets a 12-volt power outlet to power the additional rally lights on the optional roof rack.
ALSO READ:
Singer’s ACS is the Safari 911 that I’ve had unspeakable dreams about
As for the interior, the 911 Dakar focuses much of its modifications on lightweighting. The windows are equipped with lightweight glass, and the only option you’ll have for the front seats are full buckets; the rear seats are completely removed, too. Paired to the lightweight battery, the Porsche 911 Dakar weighs in at just 1,605 kg, or only 10 kg heavier than the standard 911 Carrera 4 GTS.
Opting for the Rallye Sport Package adds a roll-over bar, six-point seat belts, as well as fire extinguisher to the cabin. And for those who are more… shall we say sentimental, there’s also a Rallye Design package from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur which gives the 911 Dakar a two-tone livery-like paint work in White/Gentian Blue Metallic, alongside the red and gold rally stripes and Roughroads decals on the side, plus white-painted wheels, all of which inspired by the 1984 Dakar-winning rally car.
All of these sound completely brilliant, but there’s bad news. For some reason, Porsche doesn’t think that the safari 911 is worth of series production, so only 2,500 units of the 911 Dakar will ever be made. Even worse, they’re priced from starting from USD223,450 (approx. RM1 million before tax), and as is always on a Porsche, it only goes up from there.
Oh, how we wish to be rich.
GALLERY


This is how the all-electric Volvo XC40 is going to look like

Volvo is set to unveil the pure electric XC40 on the 16th of October. Ahead of its launch, the Swedish carmaker has released more information, this time on how it will look like.
Not surprisingly, we can see that the fully-electric XC40 retains most of the styling of the original car. With their target of achieving
50% electric vehicle sales by 2025
, Volvo is focused on offering electric versions of existing models. It’s a good thing then Volvo chose to start with one of their best-selling (and arguably best-looking) models.
From the drawings provided by Volvo, it appears that the battery-powered XC40 follows the trend of most electric vehicles with the removal of the front grille. In its place is a body-coloured panel that also houses the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) sensors.
Due to the reduced cooling requirement for electric drivetrains, EVs tend to not have traditional grilles and this also improves upon the vehicle’s aerodynamics.
Over at the rear, the electric XC40 is also void of any tailpipes. A redesigned rear bumper gives it a cleaner look on the otherwise unchanged exterior. It will be available in 8 different exterior colours, including a new Sage Green metallic option, while a contrasting black roof comes as standard on all paint jobs. Buyers can choose between two new 19-inch and 20-inch alloy wheels.
The electric SUV will also feature a “frunk” under the hood, due to the move from an internal combustion to a smaller electric drivetrain, which frees up approximately 30 litres of space.

On the inside, Volvo designed a completely-new driver interface, unique to electric vehicles in the pipeline. The interface will carry vital driving information such as battery reserve and the new ADAS system. Expect the cabin to also feature interior trim made of recycled materials.
Built on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), the Geely-owned carmaker had to
make some changes to the platform
 to accommodate the new electric powertrain. However, Volvo maintains that there will be no compromises to the cabin space.


First Perodua Alza accident shows that ADAS can’t protect you in all situations

Only two days after taking delivery, an owner of the all-new
Perodua Alza
 was met with an accident in her brand-new car in Negeri Sembilan. Dubbed as the first Perodua Alza accident, the unfortunate event was entirely beyond the control of the Alza driver.
Photo:
Kaki Komen/Facebook
The owner of the all-new Alza, a 37-year-old female teacher, was stopping at an intersection when the incident took place. A
Proton Saga
 exited the junction abruptly and crashed into a Hyundai Tucson. The Hyundai Tucson then lost control, subsequently crashing head-on with the Perodua Alza, also colliding with a Perodua Kancil behind the Alza.
RELATED:
2022 Perodua Alza 7-seater MPV launched in Malaysia, from RM62,500
Photo:
Cempedak Cheese/Facebook
Clearly not at fault, this incident shows that even with modern safety features, some accidents are just impossible to avoid, given not all cars on the road are as well-equipped. In this case, the Alza was stationary and staying in its own lane, and despite being equipped with Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist suite (which is now standard across all variants), the driver can unfortunately only be a sitting duck.
PanduLaju
 reports that the Perodua Kancil driver suffered head injuries, and is receiving treatment at Tampin Hospital. There are currently no updates on the condition of the driver of the Perodua Alza.
RELATED:
All-new 2022 Perodua Alza GearUp accessories – RM2.5k body kit for all variants
Photo:
Kaki Komen/Facebook
Some were quick to point out how badly the Alza was damaged in comparison to the Hyundai Tucson. However, from the images shared we can see that the crumple zone of the Alza worked perfectly, absorbing the impact of the crash. The A-pillars seem unscathed and the structural integrity of the cabin remained.
Just for posterity’s sake, the Perodua Alza managed to obtain a
5-star
 rating in the ASEAN NCAP tests, scoring 28.96/30 for Adult Occupant Protection, 43.04/51 for Child Occupant Protection, 19.5/21 for safety assist, and 8/16 for Motorcyclist Safety.
However well-equipped our cars are today in terms of safety, some incidents still remain beyond our control as drivers.
ALSO WATCH:
2022 Perodua Alza, most value for money under RM80k?


2015 Mercedes-AMG GLE63 Coupé 4MATIC unleashed, 585 hp from biturbo V8

The
GLE Coupé range
 unveiled earlier consists of
GLE 350 d
,
GLE 400
, and
GLE 450 AMG
. Now they are joined by a pair of full-AMG variants, the
GLE 63 Coupé 4MATIC
 and the
 GLE 63 S Coupé 4MATIC
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupé 4MATIC
Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupé 4MATIC
Drive Type
Permanent all-wheel drive (4MATIC)
Engine
5,461 cc V8 twin-turbo
Transmission
AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC
Max Power
557 hp
 @ 5,750 rpm
585 hp
 @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
700 Nm
 @ 1,750 – 5,500 rpm
760 Nm
 @ 1,750 – 5,250 rpm
Continuing their high-performance SUV legacy that started off by the ML 55 AMG in 1999, the GLE 63 Coupé debuts at the
2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit
, and it packs a serious hardware to take on the rivals in the still-niche segment.
EXTERIOR
While the standard GLE Coupe is not short on drama, the GLE 63 Coupé gets a shot of attitude with unique AMG parts to distinguish it further from the standard variants.
The front features the
twin-louvre AMG grille
,
LED headlamps
, and the trademark “
A-wing
” inside the bumper capped off by a pair of black flics for optimum airflow into the huge air intake.
The black wheel arches are flared to accomodate a set of
21-inch AMG 10-spoke light-alloy wheels
. They are shod with 285/45 R 21 tyres at the front, and 325/40 R 21 tyres at the back. The rubber-studded side running boards you see in these pictures however, are optional.

At the back the changes are minor, where a new rear bumper houses a pair of
twin tailpipes
 and a diffuser.
AMG badges
 can be found on the front grille and on the bootlid, as well as “
V8 BITURBO
” lettering on the front fenders.
The
GLE 63 S Coupé
 is further differentiated by bigger
22-inch wheels
 with 285/40R22 tyres at the front and 325/35R22 tyres at the back, hiding a set of
red-painted brake calipers
 behind the
cross-spoke light-alloy wheels
. The A-wing gets a high-gloss black treatment too.
INTERIOR
The interior trim is finished in light longitudinal-grain aluminium, while
nappa leather
 is used on the
3-spoke Performance steering wheel
 and the seats. Apart from nappa leather, ARTICO man-made leather is used to cover the dashboard.
Like any other AMG models, the dials have carbon-fibre face with red needles and a speedometer that sweeps to a maximum of 320 km/h. Also included is the
AMG start-up screen
 and
RACETIMER
 in the main menu.
The GLE 63 S Coupé adds
DINAMICA microfibre
 to the grip area on the steering wheel, grey decorative band on the dials, and higher-grade nappa leather upholstery with contrasting grey stitching and grey seat belts.
PERFORMANCE
Moving up from the 3.0-litre biturbo V6 in the GLE 450 AMG Coupé, the GLE 63 Coupé gets a
5.5-litre biturbo V8
. In the ‘base’
GLE 63 Coupé
 it generates
557 hp
 at 5,750 rpm and
700 Nm
 of torque from 1,750 – 5,500 rpm; while in the
GLE 63 S Coupé
 it produces
585 hp
 at 5,500 rpm and
760 Nm
 of torque from 1,750 – 5,250 rpm.
Both guises are equipped with the
AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC
 transmission that features dual-turbine torsional damper with speed-sensitive centrifugal pendulum to minimise vibration. The gearbox transfers the power to the
rear-biased 4MATIC all-wheel drive
 system with 40:60 ratio front to rear.
The GLE 63 S Coupé gets from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
4.2 seconds
 while the base GLE 63 Coupé is only 0.1 seconds slower, and both have a limited
 top speed
 of
250 km/h
.
The GLE 63 Coupé uses
RIDE CONTROL
 sports suspension with
AIRMATIC
 package combined with
ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM
 that stabilises the vehicle during cornering.
Five modes can be chosen from the
DYNAMIC SELECT
 via the rotary control on the center console: Slippery, Individual, Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus. Each mode alters the steering, throttle response, dampers, and the gearbox shift pattern to suit every driving conditions.
WHAT ELSE?
Not only the GLE 63 Coupé is performance-oriented, it’s also fully equipped with numerous driving assistance. It includes the
PRE-SAFE® system
,
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
,
ADAPTIVE BRAKING
,
ATTENTION ASSIST
, and
Crosswind Assist
.
Meanwhile the
Driving Assistance Plus package
,
DISTRONIC PLUS
,
COMAND Online
, Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end surround sound system, and Harman Kardon® Logic 7® surround sound system are a part of the long options list.
[divider]
 IMAGE GALLERY


Proton sends 16 staff to China for NEV Training, to finalise Smart #1 specs

To learn about New Energy Vehicle (NEV),
Proton
 has sent 16 staff members to Hangzhou, China for a six-month training program. Taking place at the
Geely

Research Institute in Ningbo, the 16 staff members will be trained in multiple disciplines involved in the development, integration, manufacturing, and sales and service of a new generation of vehicles.
The 16 staff sent to China are the first staffers to undergo NEV training. Part of the groups are experienced industry workers and part of the group are young engineers who graduated from the company’s Young Talent programme. Proton plans to send more staff members in the future to leverage on Geely’s technical knowledge on NEVs.
Proton Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Li Chun Rong said, “When PROTON and Geely started collaborating in 2017, one of the pillars of the partnership was for PROTON to accelerate its model development timetable by incorporating technologies readily available from Geely. That has been successfully done and now, we are leveraging on the global experience of the group in NEVs to give our own model development timeline a boost.”
“Our initial plan was for the programme to begin sooner but this was put on hold by the pandemic. However, with travel restrictions having eased recently, PROTON can now reap the benefit of being part of one of the most diverse and forward-thinking collective of automotive brands.”
RELATED:
Smart #1 scores 5-star Euro NCAP rating – Malaysia-launch in Q4 2023
Besides training the 16 Proton staff on the various aspects of NEV, the team sent to China will aid in deciding the final specifications for products such as the
Smart #1
. The Smart #1 will be the first EV to be sold by
PRO-NET
, which is Proton’s newly formed subsidiary. It is dues to arrive in Q4 2023.
Li Chunrong adds, “Proton invests in knowledge acquisition for our staff as we believe it is the best way for the company to move forward. The experience and training they gain will not only benefit the company but indirectly, it will also help raise the skill level of Malaysia’s automotive industry as more staff members are sent for training. This is one of the reasons why PROTON was established, and the company is proud to be able to fulfil that aim.”
RELATED:
PRO-NET is Proton’s new EV subsidiary that will also build a public charging network


Video: 2019 Volvo S60 T8 R-Design PHEV, 5 Things

There are few cars that leave us in awe by its design, but the
all-new Volvo S60 in R-Design trim
 is definitely one of them – so much so that we spent hours in the rain just to photograph it.
Styling is not its only selling point either, as the T8 hybrid powertrain under the hood also makes it by far the most powerful car in it’s class. Priced at
RM295,888
 (OTR without insurance), is this the dark horse among luxury C-segment sedans?

The T8 Twin Engine hybrid powertrain in the Volvo S60 T8 R-Design generates
407 hp
 and
640 Nm
 of torque, transferred to all four wheels via the
8-speed automatic transmission
 with Geartronic manual shift option.
The Volvo S60 T8 R-Design does zero to 100 km/h in a brisk
4.4 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
250 km/h
. Despite weighing over 2 tonnes, the hybrid engine manages a fuel consumption figure of just
2 l/100km
.


Sneakerheads, this is the car you’ve all been dreaming of!

There is no doubt that this is what a sneakerhead’s dream car could possibly look like but then again, a little far fetched cause they would’ve spent all their money on pointlessly expensive shoes – and not be able to afford an M3.
Beijing-based graffiti crew, 400ML collaborated with tuners, iAcro, to bring two icons together – Air Jordan and the E46 BMW M3. The result, an M3 that deserves to be displayed at all basketball games like a circus elephant as it now dons the iconic colours of the cult
Nike Air Jordan 1 “Chicago”
 shoes.

The famed M3 which makes
341 hp
with
 365 Nm
 of torque, is capable of a
 sub 5 second
 sprint to a 100 km/h from standstill. The sneakerhead’s wet dream features a massive Nike swoosh on its sides and Michael Jordan’s trademark Jumpman logo on the rear window and engine bonnet.
If we’re completely honest, we absolutely dig it; especially in that red, white and black colour scheme.
Source:
BMW M
IMAGE GALLERY


The Lexus LC Coupe Yellow Edition is one way to stand out on the road

If you find the
Lexus’ deep Structural Blue
 doesn’t quite bring out the sexy lines of the LC Coupe, perhaps this limited edition Lexus LC Coupe Yellow Edition is the colour to go for.
The vibrant Flare Yellow paint finish helps accentuate the styling flair of the LC Coupe to its greatest extent. Equipped with the Sport+ equipment specification, the Yellow Edition spots polished 21-inch forged alloy wheels, active rear spoiler and a carbon fibre reinforced plastic roof – the exact exterior specification
offered by Lexus Malaysia
.

The Yellow theme is continued into the cabin where the black door panels are contrasted against the warm Yellow Alcantara inserts and top stitching, exemplifying the Takumi craftsmanship which Lexus is extremely proud of. The white semi-aniline leather seats complete the tri-colour theme of the cabin.
Two powertrain options are available on the LC Coupe Yellow Edition – the LC 500h Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid system or a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 in the LC 500 guise. The latter was featured in our very own
Autobuzz.my Best Cars of 2017 (#ABC2017) video
.
The Lexus LC Coupe Yellow Edition will be displayed at the upcoming 2018 Paris Motor Show in October and customers deliveries will commence shortly after.
IMAGE GALLERY


Alex Yoong is now a three-time Audi R8 LMS Cup Champion! [+Video]

Malaysian racing sensation, Alex Yoong has emerged at the top of the driver’s championship standings at the action-packed finale of Audi R8 LMS Cup 2016. Alex’s victory in Shanghai effectively seals his status as the one and only three-time champion, and does so in three consecutive seasons!
His third title was hard fought, because there were five other drivers who were in the running to win the driver’s title. Prior to Shanghai, Alex had 148 points and was second in the overall standings, with three points behind leader Alessio Picariello of Belgium. Alex’s title defense began in style by securing the Superpole, meaning he will begin round 11 in pole position.
The former F1 driver’s game plan during the first race in Shanghai was to get onto the podium and finish ahead of Alessio. He did it by securing second place while the Belgian settled for third place. Following that, Alex had one point advantage at the end of race 11, before moving onto the final race of the year.
In round 12, Alex and Alessio started from fourth and sixth on the grid, respectively. Drama ensued on the final lap when the aggressive Belgian collided with Alex. The contact damaged Alex’s R8, who was then forced into retirement. Shortly after, the race stewards gave Alessio a 30-second time penalty, which handed Alex his title on a silver platter.
Both races were won by Martin Rump, becoming the first Cup driver ever to win while carrying a 50kg ballast. Check out the race highlights below!
Our heartiest congratulations go out to Alex for his well-deserved hat-trick!
[Image Credit: Credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup Official Facebook Page]


McLaren rumoured to produce an all-electric hypercar and hybrid models by 2022

When McLaren Automotive rolled out its first
McLaren 720S
 off the production line, they revealed their Track22 Business Plan to produce
15 new McLaren models by the end of 2022
. Among the 15 new models, a full-electric concept car and several hybrid models have been hinted.
In its annual sales report, the company revealed its objective of producing more than 4,500 vehicles annually by 2022 with
“at least 50 percent of these cars featuring hybrid powertrain technology”
. McLaren’s only hybrid vehicle today would be the discontinued
P1 hypercar
 with only 375 examples ever made. This suggests that future models may feature some form of electrification to achieve its target of 50 percent hybrid sales.

Following the discontinuation of the P1, McLaren is evaluating the feasibility of a full-electric powertrain in its next-generation hypercar. Prototype works started in 2016, shortly after the
final P1 rolled off the production line
.
In 2016, McLaren recorded its fourth consecutive profitable year with £7.3 million (RM40.7 million) in profit after tax compared to the £2.8 million (RM15.6 million) in 2015. Deliveries to customers have also doubled in 2016 compared to the year before – 3,286 units versus 1,654 units thanks to the introduction of a
two-shift system at McLaren Production Centre (MPC)
.


You’ll need balls of steel to handle this mad quad bike

We may not have covered bike related news in the history of AutoBuzz.my but since it’s got four wheels and is completely bonkers, we’ll make an exception.
What you’re seeing here is a Suzuki quad bike with a 1,000 cc 4-cylinder engine from another Suzuki superbike. It’s got 140 hp; about the
same as the new 1.8-litre Toyota Corolla
 but weighs close to nothing at just 220 kg!
A Lotus Elise S2, widely known as one of the lightest production cars in the business, makes about the same power from a 1.8-litre engine but even then it’s considered overweight in comparison, with a kerb weight of around 850 kg!

With a power-to-weight ratio comparable to a
BMW M2
, this unassuming death trap can easily chalk up a 229 km/h top speed!
It’s immensely frightening just thinking about manhandling this little rocket let alone actually doing it. In the video, you’d notice how wildly it behaves with the rider from New Zealand coming real close to crashing it on a couple of occassions.
Points should be given for applying front and rear wings onto the quad bike, with air brakes even! Although judging from the video, it doesn’t seem to be of much help; you’ll see why.


It’s official, the Bentley Bentayga is the fastest SUV on Pikes Peak

After announcing that the company will be
fielding their Bentley Bentayga at the 96
th
 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
, the two-tonne ultra-luxury SUV manage to achieve what it set out to do – taking the title of fastest Production SUV.
Driven by two-time Pikes Peak champion, Rhys Millen, the Bentayga completed the 20 km uphill course in just
10:49.9
 – nearly two minutes faster than the previous record holder, set by
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
 in 2013.
With
 600 hp
 and
900 Nm
 at their disposal from the 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 petrol engine, the Bentayga clocked an average speed of 107 km/h – way faster than its initial target. Its eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive system, adaptive air suspension, 48V anti-roll control and carbon ceramic brakes helped to set the new record.
The record-breaking Bentaya underwent minimal modifications as stipulated by regulations which include stripping away 300 kg worth of interior trim, roll rage, racing seats,
Akrapovic Sports exhaust
, Pirelli tyres and fire suppression system.
Speaking immediately after his run, Millen commented: “What an incredible machine. To take a luxury SUV with minimal modifications and be able to drive up this course in under 11 minutes is a huge testament to the performance and level of engineering in the Bentayga. I had a great run – the car was planted all the way up and gave me the confidence I needed to push hard. I’m delighted to take the SUV record for Bentley and for everyone that’s been involved in this project.”
To celebrate the record-breaking run, Bentley has announced a Limited Edition Bentayga created by Mulliner, the brand’s bespoke customisation arm.
Only 10 units
 of the Pikes Peak Bentayga will be made.

Finished in either deep Beluga Black or Striking Radium (as pictured), the special edition car gets the Black Specification pack as standard that replaces all exterior chrome with gloss black components. Carbon fibre splitter, side skirts, diffuser, rear spoiler, Pikes Peak decals and 22-inch two-tone alloy wheels complete the exterior look of the car.
Inside, the Bentayga is furnished in Beluga leather with Key Lime accents, Alcantara inserts and Eliade cloth headlining. A Pikes Peak logo decorates the carbon fibre trim and numbered Pikes Peak treadplates complete the interior.
IMAGE GALLERY
Bentley Bentayga Takes Pikes Peak Record

Bentley Bentayga Pikes Peak Edition


2023 Honda City facelift leaked ahead of India debut – minor design changes

Leaked images of the new 2023 Honda City minor change facelift have surfaced online, ahead of its scheduled official launch in India on the 2nd of March.
The minor facelift update is set to unveil approximately three and a half years after the
 fifth-generation Honda City
 made its global debut in Thailand back in 2019 – but Malaysians might be caught off guard by how soon it’s released, since the B-segment model was
only launched here in October 2020
.
Changes on the minor facelift update are fairly minimal. On the front, the new 2023 Honda City gets a reworked front grille with a slimmer chrome trim paired to a honeycomb mesh insert, while the lower bumper also receives a slight nip and tuck to its fog lamp housing design.
The updates are even more minimal at the rear, with the only visible change being the new diffuser-like element on the rear bumper. Otherwise, the rest of the car’s exterior seems to be untouched.
READ MORE:
Honda City Hatchback – SUV-like practicality in a small car, thanks to ULTRA seats
It’s also the same story on the inside, where the only visible update for the new 2023 Honda City facelift seems to be a slight tweak on the steering wheel controls, now incorporating what looks like a volume wheel on the left button cluster. The infotainment display is also unchanged from before, but any changes in specifications and equipment will likely only become obvious when the car is officially launched.
The fifth-gen Honda City has always been offered with a wooden trim on the dashboard over in India, so don’t worry – we’re fairly certain it won’t make its way into our Malaysian cars when the facelift update is launched here.
Over in India, the existing fifth-generation Honda City is currently offered in both petrol and diesel variants. However, the latter will likely be dropped on the new facelift model due to the introduction of stricter new emissions standard in India.
As for the former, it’s the same 1.5-litre inline-four naturally-aspirated unit as we have here, making
121 hp
 and
145 Nm
. Just like us, the Honda City in India is also offered with an
 e:HEV hybrid powertrain
 making
126 hp
and
253 Nm
, although it’s only available on the range-topping ZX variant.
[Images: Team-BHP]


Honda Jazz first in class to feature new front centre airbag technology

While it’s uncertain when the all-new Jazz, officially
revealed at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show
, would be available in Malaysia, Honda has definitely intrigued us with the new hatchback’s airbag technology.
The new airbag is fitted at the back of the driver seat and expands into the space between the driver and the passenger – around the arm rest area – and it’s
only one of 10 airbag units
 available in the new Jazz. At present, the highest variant Jazz in Malaysia offers six airbags – in the
1.5 V variant
.
To ensure that the airbag deploys into its intended position, it uses three attachment tethers to guide the airbag around the curve of the driver seat. As such, Honda engineers also had to ensure that the airbag design would fit into the the upper bolster section of the driver seat.

The new airbag works in tandem with the seat belt pre-tensioners and the centre arm rest, which has been raised, to reduce lateral occupant movement. As a result, Honda says the new approach can
reduce head injury for near-side passenger by 85%
 and
by 98% for the far-side passenger
 according to their internal testing.
Also new to the Jazz is the rear seat i-side airbag, a double-structure airbag installed in the rear seat pad to protect rear occupants in the event of collisions against the hatchback’s rear door or C-pillar. The new Jazz also gets a driver’s knee airbag to reduce the impact on the lower limbs while increasing occupant protection for the head and chest by restricting forward movement of the body –

a feature even the new Accord launched in Malaysia doesn’t have
.
“Occupant safety is of the utmost importance for our designers when we develop a new car. We completely redesigned the latest generation Jazz from the ground up, which meant that we were able to incorporate new advanced structural technologies and the latest passive safety features to provide exceptional protection from all kinds of accidents,” said Honda Large Project Leader, Takeki Tanaka.
GALLERY


Only 44 units of this limited-edition Audi R8 V10 will be available

It’s probably not for those with supercars wrapped in alcantara or those so wired up with LED they belong in a Christian living room on Christmas Day.
Only 44 units of the
Audi R8 “Sport Performance Parts” version
 based on the Audi R8 V10 will be available worldwide, with only
five in right-hand drive
 heading to the UK. To be part of that exclusive club, Audi Sport will be asking £176,560 (RM943k) for it.
The R8’s front end is homage to the first-generation Audi R8 GT – with more defined air inlets, a deep front splitter and sculpted canards on both corners of the front bumper.
Among the “Sport Performance Parts” you get includes an aero kit developed in the wind tunnel, made exclusively from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP); as is the large fixed rear wing and diffuser.
All the extra aerodynamic add-ons are no fuss; with a significant increase in downforce. At 205 mph (330 km/h), the R8 generates 100kg more than the standard R8 V10 plus.
Coping with all the aerodynamic wizardy is a set of lightweight 20-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (305 rear width) clawing onto the tarmac. Also lightweight is the three-way coilover suspension setup, accompanied by ceramic brake discs for road and track use.


Delivery period for Toyota Harrier shortened with more supply from Japan

Ever since Toyota Japan
began export operations
 of the popular Toyota Harrier, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) was quick to bring in the grey market’s favourite premium SUV in
January 2018
. The company received positive response from the market and has delivered over 500 units of the Harrier to customers throughout Malaysia.
However, the number of outstanding orders mean that the waiting period is stretched beyond 12 months, according to a local dealership. To combat this, Toyota Motor Corporation has increased the supply of the SUV and customers can expect their new car to arrive a little sooner.
President of UMW Toyota Motor, Ravindran K. said: “We understand that our customers had to wait for a longer period to get delivery of their vehicle. The global demand for the Harrier has been great right from the start and for Malaysia, it surged further during the three months of tax break. The production in Japan is now able to supply more to suit the demand and we will have more vehicles available for delivery.”
Equipped with the latest facelift fascia, 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, Toyota Safety Sense Package (for Premium variant) and most importantly a 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty, it is easy to see why consumers are willing to wait for an official import Toyota Harrier instead of a reconditioned/parallel imported unit.


Video Review: 2015 Mazda2 1.5L SkyActiv-G hatchback [+Video]

From its
global debut
, to the
opening of our order books
, the winning of some
prestigious awards
, its
Thailand unveiling
,
leaked Malaysian price list
,
spy shots
 prior to the
official launch
,
first look video
 of the supermini to the
full blown review
 of it; we’ve pretty much covered all areas pertaining to this little Japanese wonder.
If reading isn’t your thing which, frankly speaking, is a luxury many cannot afford lately, then we’ve got our full review put into an eight-minute video hosted by our editor GC Mah and his lovely co-host, Jenn Chia.
As a recap, the Mazda2 is one fine example of a hatch done well in all areas that matter to Malaysians. You want affordable, well built cars? One that has the looks, drives as well and is comfy enough for both city and leisurely excursions? The Mazda2 doesn’t just have those qualities to back, because underneath the bonnet is purpose-built
1.5-litre Skyactiv-G
 engine. Never mind that it makes
114 hp
 and
148 Nm
 of torque, because it’s perfectly matched to the brand’s
six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic
 gearbox driving the front wheels.
If that isn’t enough to get you going, wait it out a little, at least till the
1.5L Skyactiv-D (D for diesel) variant
 enters the market. That
oil burning
 Mazda2 punches
103 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque, more than enough to have you play with the Sport Switch.
If you’re all about the looks and find that the Mazda2 hatchback/sedan isn’t all that cut out for you, then you may want to wait till the B-Segment compact crossover vehicle from Mazda – the
CX-3
 – arrives sometime in July. Meanwhile, enjoy the video and do give the
full story
 a read!


This Honda CR-V Turbo is so highly specced, but is it even necessary?

An acquaintance of mine expressed his displeasure not too long ago about modern cars being too “detached” from the driver. The thought, although emotionally fostered by retrospect, was largely counterrevolutionary in a world that’s headed towards complete autonomous mobility.
But it got me thinking: why in the world would Honda, makers of affordable mass production cars,
take it in stride to introduce this SUV abounding in tech
? I mean, the CR-V can half drive itself, and to do that it had to have sensors, radars, a camera and hundreds – if not thousands – of microcomputers processing billions of data per second. Can Honda even guarantee that it’s never-failing? No, of course not. But it’s as polished as it gets, for now.

I had a brief go in the all-new CR-V, the one fitted with all the Honda Sensing thingamajig. It’s basically a blend of seven driver assistive systems that are specifically concocted to make driving a hell less taxing, and at the same time safer for you, your passengers and other cars around you.
I’ll start by singling out the one feature that every car sold in Malaysia should have – Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS). This Godsend of a tech constantly reads road markings through the camera to make sure the driver remains centred in the lane, and is only operable between 72 km/h to 180 km/h. That’s stage one.
The next, called Lane Departure Warning (LDW), subtly applies steering force to realign driving trajectory (relative to road markings). This only works when the driver veers out of the lane without using the signal indicator. God bless Honda. Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) on the other hand, is a more aggressive lane-keeping aid that reads solid lines. If the CR-V leaves the lane, RDM brakes and steers it back in. Don’t sweat it though, the trio here are just assistive features, not assertive. You can still cross lanes without signalling, but quit being that fool and exercise your civic duty.
Loony late brakers and religious tailgaters should be wary of this thing called Forward Collision Warning. The CR-V’s camera and radar continuously monitor frontal traffic, readily able to reduce, if not prevent a collision from happening. Brake force is automatically applied through Collision Mitigation Braking System.
The most welcoming driving aid would be Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF). The former is great for lengthy drives and operates between 30 km/h to 180 km/h, with presettable cruising speed and distance behind vehicle. LSF is basically ACC but for urban use, which can prove to be especially useful in traffic jams. When engaged, the car automatically accelerates or brakes to a complete stop, depending on traffic.

In terms of its execution, Honda Sensing proved to be far more than rudimentary. It is precisely the opposite; polished and fully ready for mass usage. All instances of braking and acceleration were refined and properly graceful, never jolty nor unnaturally intrusive throughout. Guess who Honda benchmarked Sensing against? The same as those found in modern Mercedes-Benz cars.
This comes on top of other stuff such as six airbags, Honda Lane Watch, full LED headlamps and even LED fog lamps. Cars priced below RM170k rarely come with even half the tech, and for the first time ever the CR-V is turbocharged! But why does Honda Malaysia even bother doing this?
Consumerism. Honda is doing the very thing their rivals often take advantage of. In fact they are proactively giving consumers exactly what they want in a modern car, and the CR-V is the entire caboodle of that commitment.
If you’re among the few critics wanting a seven-seater version or Honda Sensing with AWD, don’t feel scammed just yet. When the demand justifies the means, you can count on Honda Malaysia to deliver – just like how they did when you asked for this high spec CR-V.
IMAGE GALLERY
Honda CR-V 1.5TC-P 2WD

Honda CR-V 1.5TC 2WD


Toyota Mirai sets new world record – 1,000 km on one tank of hydrogen

Toyota has set a new world record with its
second-generation Mirai
, a fuel cell-powered vehicle, after clocking 1003 km on a single fill.

The
1003 zero-emission kilometres
 were driven on public roads, south Paris, central and western France areas. The distance and consumption were certified by an independent authority at the finish line.
Find out more about the second-generation fuel cell-powered Toyota Mirai
here
!
Green hydrogen was used during the record attempt and the average fuel consumption was 0.55 kg/100km, with the
Mirai
capable of storing 5.6 kg of hydrogen.
Riding on a new rear-wheel drive platform, the new body structure allows the Mirai to have larger hydrogen tanks. The second-generation Mirai is expected to offer up to 30% increase in driving range; from 500 km previously to about 650 km.
In setting a new record, the drivers adopted an “eco-driving style” but no special techniques, that could not be used by everyday drivers, were attempted.
The Eiffel Tower illuminated for the first time using hydrogen power.
The four drivers in the record-setting run included the founder of Energy Observer, PR Manager of Toyota France, Mirai Product Manager, and an engineer from Toyota Europe. Energy Observer, a partner of Toyota, is the first boat equipped with a Toyota fuel cell.
During that event, the Eifel Tower was illuminated for the first time by green hydrogen, thanks to the GEH2 hydrogen generator developed by EODe where Toyota is a shareholder.
German ride hailing company clocked five million km in just two years with the Toyota Mirai! Read about it
here
!


This is the Lexus LF-1 Limitless, hints at next-generation Lexus RX design

Not too long ago, Lexus released a teaser for its upcoming concept car dubbed the
Lexus LF-1 Limitless
. Now the company has unveiled the show car in full at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).
The new concept car serves as a design study for the brand’s flagship crossover, the RX. The designers adopted a design concept called
Molten Katana
, inspired by the organic shapes of liquid metal with the sharp edges of a traditional Japanese sword. Lexus exemplified their new design language with this: “Imagining that shift from a smooth, flowing mass into a solid, chiselled shape formed the basis for the fluid, yet aggressive design of the LF-1 Limitless.”
The LF-1 Limitless’ proportions start off with an exaggerated dash-to-axle ratio to give it an athletic profile that resembles a grand tourer rather than a jacked-up wagon. Its lowered roofline and tall ride height scream a car designed for performance with practicality.
Like all modern Lexus vehicles, the spindle grille is the main highlight of the car’s front profile. Except here, the grille now features a three-dimensional effect and no chrome was used on the surface of the spindle grille. Instead, the grille is illuminated by
LED lighting
.

Luxurious comfort for every passenger was the main focus when creating the cabin of the concept SUV. Like the
LS sedan
, the cabin design adheres to the Japanese tradition of
Omotenashi
 or Japanese hospitality. The cockpit was designed with minimal buttons to create an unobstructed dashboard for the front passengers.
Although there are only four seats present on the concept car, rest assured that the production version will come with five or more seats.
Lexus has big plans for the LF-1 Limitless, expressing that the concept car was designed to cater to all types of powertrains – fuel cell, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, gasoline and even all-electric. This is in accordance with Toyota Motor Corporation plans to have
all Toyota and Lexus models to come with an electrified powertrain by 2025
.
President of Lexus International, Yoshihiro Sawa said, “Lexus models such as the RX have helped drive the global popularity of the luxury SUV category. This new crossover concept captures a future that involves a high level of dynamic capability and utility matched by a more exciting, emotional design that we hope challenges expectations in the category,”
IMAGE GALLERY


Volvo Car Malaysia opens new 3S Centre with iRoll Auto in Juru, Penang

The Volvo brand has just expanded their presence in the northern region of the peninsular with the launching of a brand new 3S Centre in Juru, Penang, and operations are completely facilitated by their newest dealer – iRoll Auto Sdn Bhd.
The Juru showroom is the second authorised dealership in Penang (the other is run by Federal Auto in Georgetown) and prides itself with the convenience of location. Situated alongside the North-South Expressway (NSE), the combination of accessibility and Juru Auto City’s established reputation as an auto hub makes it a very attractive location, said Ang Hock Guan, Managing Director of iRoll Auto.

Volvo Juru’s concept showroom adheres to the Volvo Retail Experience (VRE) standards, promising a Scandinavian feel from their specially designed showroom, clean air and warm interior lighting. Almost like a ‘living room’ concept, if you will.
The showroom, which faces the NSE, opens from 9am to 6pm on Monday to Saturday. The founders have a combined experience of nearly 50 years in the auto industry, starting as a used car dealer in the 1980s. iRoll Auto is also the sister company of Western Circle Sdn Bhd and Western Motor Sports Sdn Bhd.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota Innova’s catalytic converter nearly stolen, thieves flee upon questioning

Catalytic converter theft isn’t a new phenomenon, but with the economic challenges and difficulties of late, it’s getting more rampant and in the case of this Facebook video, more rampant.
From the video, the attempted theft took place just outside Hotel De Palma along Jalan Ampang. Three men were involved, with two on the watch by their silver Proton Iriz with the number plate
BNJ 2473
, and the third under the Toyota Innova.
As the third person emerged from under the car, which seemed to be jacked up, he was also holding a ratchet-style cutter commonly used for cutting exhaust pipes.
In brief, a catalytic converter serves as a ‘filter’ for harmful fumes waste gases from a car’s engine and reduces the emissions released into the atmosphere through the exhaust pipe. It usually contains precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and in some cases even gold.
The value of the catalytic converter usually depends on which car it came from and can range from a few hundred Ringgit to a couple thousand per piece.
Coincidentally, one of us removed the catalytic converter from an old 1994 BMW 3-Series recently, and to our surprise, a ‘chop shop’ was eager to buy them over and very promptly offered and transferred RM1,500 for the pair of catalytic converters. It was only then we found out from a BMW workshop that it could’ve easily fetched a much higher price. Bummer.
So how do you protect your car against such thefts? Well, aside from not parking in dark and quiet places, there’s really not much else.
Even so, look where this ‘near-theft’ happened; in broad daylight right by the side of a busy street.
Source:
Facebook


3 electric car mods that could change the classic car game

The floodgates of electric vehicles have opened and the rightfully so. The days of fossil fuel-powered cars are numbered and soon, their production numbers will dwindle till it becomes completely obsolete. So what is the fate then for precious old classics driven by a finite natural source?
While that future may still be a distant reality, these are three prime examples of how classic cars could be sustainable as much as it’s hard to accept, should the day ever come when petrol pumps get replaced with electric charging stations.
Jaguar E-Type Zero
Once dubbed the most beautiful car ever built by Enzo Ferrari himself, the Jaguar E-type Zero offers performance more outstanding than its original petrol-powered self. With
295 hp
 on the taps and 46 kgs off the original weight, 0 to 100 km/h takes just
5.5 seconds
, a second quicker than the original Series 1.
Its
40kWh
 lithium ion battery which shares the same dimension and weight as the original engine takes up to 6-7 hours of charging offers a “real world” range of
270 km
, assisted by low weight and good aerodynamics. As the electric powertrain is placed precisely in the same position as the original engine, weight distribution is unchanged – ensuring that it drives, brakes, rides and handles the same as the orignal E-type.
Aside from modifications to its powertrain with tech and components borrowed from the upcoming
I-PACE
,
Jaguar Land Rover’s first production all-electric vehicle
, it also adopts LED lighting for energy efficiency.
Ferrari 308 GTE
It’s strange to not hear the bellow of a V8 from a 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS. This poor soul of a car was actually a victim of a nightmarish fire that ultimately led to its EV conversion after being completely stripped to its frame. Now its famously known as the GTE due to its ultra complicated electric powertrain conversion.
Utilising a
46 kWh
 lithium battery that offers a driving range of about
240 km
 depending on how its driven, it produces around
330 hp
 with the same amount of torque.
Its three electric motors transmit power to the rear wheels through a 5-speed Porsche G50 manual tranmission – a truly sacrilegious Frankenstein of a project. Like the E-type, the 308 GTE also comes with LED daytime running lights and head lamps.
Porsche 911 E
This is a 1979 Porsche 911 SC Targa that originally came with a 3.2-litre engine. After a complete restoration and electric vehicle conversion, driving it sensibly will net you around
300 km
 in driving range.
As you can see in the video, the conversion is as thorough as it gets – with the fuel filler section replaced with a charging point and the boot in front occupied by
54 kWh
 battery packs. The batteries power two electric motors placed one each in the front and back.
With the option to drive in Eco or Power mode, 0 to 100 km/h now takes around
6 seconds
 with a top speed of around
240 km/h
. The space that used to house the source of its performance, the engine, has been emptied out to create some boot space – unorthodox for a 911. A Porsche 911 that’s front heavy with a boot in the back – what do you think of that!
Source: (911)
Fully Charged Show
 /
Electric Classic Cars
  (308)
Electric GT


BMW PHEVs will now automatically switch to EV mode in certain European cities

In order to combat air pollution in urban cities, many countries in Europe has established what’s known as “low emission zones” in major cities to limit the entry of heavy pollutants.
Although these areas usually do not affect modern petrol and diesel cars, BMW has joined the cause by rolling out a new feature called ‘BMW eDrive Zones’ to all BMW plug-in hybrid models in Europe.
The feature uses GPS geofencing technology to prespecify low-emission zones, with the eDrive Zones clearly marked on the on-board navigation system. When the vehicle enters an eDrive Zone, it will then
automatically switch to a fully-electric driving mode
, thus releasing zero emissions to the air.
The vehicle will remain in EV mode in the eDrive Zones for as long as the battery allows. In the event that the battery-reserve runs out, the internal combustion engine will automatically kick in – no need to worry about being stranded on the streets.
The BMW eDrive Zones have now been introduced in approximately
80 European cities
, including major cities in Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France.
BMW says that the eDrive Zones will be expanded in the future to include other cities and countries to further increase electric-only driving on PHEV vehicles.
In order to incentivise BMW drivers to activate the BMW eDrive Zones, the brand will be introducing a BMW Points loyalty programme later this year. Each electrically driven kilometre will count as a point, and within an eDrive Zone, the points are doubled.
By collecting a sufficient number of points, BMW owners can gain access to attractive rewards such as free charging credits on the BMW Charging network.


All-new Nissan X-Trail open for booking, starting price just below RM150k

It’s been a long time coming, for the
third-generation Nissan X-Trail
is finally open for bookings. It first appeared at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and was launched in Japan earlier this year, so it’s about time now we receive a refreshed version of what was once a successful SUV in its prime.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Nissan X-Trail 2.0L 2WD
Nissan X-Trail 2.5L 4WD
Segment
Crossover; Midsize SUV
Crossover; Midsize SUV
Engine
2.0-litre MR20DD engine with direct injection technology
2.5-litre QR25DE-k2 engine with twin CVTC technology
Transmission
Xtronic CVT with 7-spd manual mode
Xtronic CVT with 7-spd manual mode
Max Power
142 hp @ 6,000 rpm
168 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
200 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
233 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price
Below RM150k
Below RM170k

Two trims
 of the X-Trail will be offered here, the base model being the
2.0-litre front wheel drive
 (2WD) variant, whereas the range topping variant gets the
2.5-litre

four wheel drive
 (4WD) configuration. The smaller engine (now with direct injection tech) makes
142 hp
 at 6,000 rpm and
200 Nm
 of torque at 4,400 rpm, while the 2.5-litre twin CVTC makes
168 hp
 at 6,000 rpm and
233 Nm
 at 4,000 rpm.
Both engines share the same gearbox pairing – Nissan’s next-gen
Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) with seven-speed manual shifting mode and an ECO driving mode as well. Features new to the X-Trails are
Active Ride Control
, a system that improves ride comfort on bumpy terrains and the
Active Engine Braking
 helps the driver to reduce speed when cornering or stopping.
There’s also the
Active Trace Control
, which is Nissan’s first application on any of their cars, that individually brakes any one wheel to reduce understeer. On the 2.5-litre variant, it benefits from an
All-Mode Intelligent 4×4 System
 that is operable via a knob near the centre armrest, changing three drive types between 2WD, Auto Mode or Lock Mode for permanent 4WD.
Nissan says that the seats are leather wrapped and inspired by ‘Zero-Gravity’ which already sounds comfortable on its own. There’s also a first-in-class
360-degree Around View Monitor
 that makes manoeuvring in tight spots easier. Full details of the Malaysian-specced X-Trail will be revealed soon at its launching, so do keep an eye out for that!
The all-new X-Trail is scheduled for delivery beginning
January next year
, and can be had in
five different colours
: Tungsten Silver, Titanium Olive, Diamond Black, Graphite Blue and Brilliant White. The 2.0-litre variant will be priced below
RM150k
, whereas the 2.5-litre variant cost you a little less than
RM170k
.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


BYD Atto 3: Malaysia’s first 100 units delivered at Grand Delivery ceremony

The first 100 units of the
BYD Atto 3
 have been delivered in Malaysia in a ‘Grand Delivery’ Ceremony over the weekend. Taking place at Sime Darby’s International Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, the 100 units of the Atto 3 were flagged off, officially making their first EV steps into the world.
Launched in Malaysia in December 2022, the Atto 3 is available in two variants, namely the Atto 3 Standard Range which costs
RM149,800,
 and the Atto 3 Extended Range which costs
RM167,800
.
Over 1,000 bookings
 were received for the Atto 3 in the first 10 days since its launch and just last week,
500 units were shown being shipped to Malaysia
. Now, 100 units of the EV SUV are officially on Malaysian roads.
The two variants of the Atto 3 come in two battery sizes. The Standard Range gets a
49.9 kWh
 battery for
345 km
 of driving range (WLTP), while the Extended Range variant houses a
60.5 kWh
 battery for
420 km
 of emissions-free driving. Charging can be done via the on-board
6.6-kW
 AC charger, or
70 kW
 of DC fast charging on the Standard Range variant, and
80 kW
 for the Extended Range.
RELATED:
2023 BYD Atto 3 launched in Malaysia, X70-size EV from RM150k
Powering the Atto 3 (as standard) is a single electric motor that drives the front wheels only. The motor delivers
203 hp
 and
310 Nm
 and the Atto3 does the century sprint in
7.3 seconds
.
While the exterior of the Atto 3 is nothing to shout about, the interior features a unique “Muscle Streamline” design language that sets a ‘Fitness’ theme for the cabin. Going along with the theme are the treadmill-inspired armrest and the dumbbell-inspired air conditioning vents.
ALSO WATCH:
2022 BYD Atto 3 electric SUV now in Malaysia, from RM149,800
The BYD Atto 3 pilots the BYD brand into Malaysia, leading the way for BYD cars like the Seal and Dolphin. BYD is officially distributed by Sime Darby Beyond Auto and the company plans to have 40 showrooms in Malaysia by the end of 2024.
RELATED:
BYD to open 40 showrooms in Malaysia by end of 2024, first in KL to open Dec 2022


BMW M5, M5 Competition updated for 2022 in Malaysia with new looks – from RM999k

Aside from the
BMW i4 M50
 and
xDrive-equipped M3 and M4 Competitions
, BMW Malaysia today also unveiled the facelifted 2022 BMW M5 and M5 Competition, as part of its celebration of the
performance division’s 50-year anniversary
.
The most significant update on the 2022

BMW M5
 and M5 Competition models come in the form of the LCI styling changes that were introduced on the
5 Series model in Malaysia last year
. These styling tweaks include a redesigned conjoined kidney grille, sleeker headlights (with LaserLight technology on both variants), and new three-dimensional tail lights.
The M-specific bumpers have also been redesigned, with the front corner air inlets getting additional black trims, while the rear gets a new gloss-black insert surrounding the unchanged diffuser elements.
As standard, the new 2022 BMW M5 and M5 Competition both come with the
 BMW M 50 Years Emblem
, alongside other M-specific exterior equipment such as the double bars grille design, rear bootlid spoiler, carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) roof, and trademark M side mirrors.
However, the M5 Competition stands out with more exclusive items including the M Sports exhaust system, as well as additional fins on the front corner air inlets.
Inside, the infotainment display on both the BMW M5 and M5 Competition now measure 12.3 inches diagonally, up from the previous 10.25 inches. Although, they’re still part of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional package (alongside the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster), which means they’re still running on the older iDrive 7 operating system.
There’s also a new button layout for the vehicle dynamics settings on the centre console; the individual buttons for the suspension, powertrain, and steering settings are now replaced with just two buttons – Setup and M Mode – with most of the functions now being relegated into a menu within the infotainment display.
The M Mode button works somewhat like a shortcut button to let drivers alternate between Road and Sport driving modes, while a long press engages Track mode. The M1 and M2 buttons on the steering wheel are still retained from before, allowing drivers to set up quick access to their two personalised driving modes.
Power wise, the engines underneath of the new 2022 BMW M5 and M5 Competition models remain unchanged from before. Both are powered by the same 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo V8 engine, with the M5 getting
600 hp
and
 750 Nm
 of torque, while the Competition boosts it up to
625 hp
 and
750 Nm
.
Just as before, both models also get an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission as standard, alongside the M xDrive all-wheel drive system. Performance figures are also unchanged, with the M5 taking
3.4 seconds
 to reach 100 km/h from a standstill onward to a top speed of
 250 km/h
, while the M5 Competition does it one-tenths quicker at
3.3 seconds
, and maxes out at
305 km/h
 (with standard M Drivers Package).
Handling prowess is managed by the standard-fit adaptive dampers and variable steering system on both variants. The Competition model takes it one step further with stiffer engine mounts, tweaked suspension and springs, as well as a 7 mm lower ride height.
The new 2022 BMW M5 is priced from
RM998,800
, while the M5 Competition comes in at a RM190k premium over the regular model at
RM1,188,800
. Both prices are on-the-road and without insurance, but includes the sales and service tax as deliveries are only expected after June 30 this year.
Included in the prices is also a five-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service, roadside assistance hotline, BMW Group Loyalty+ mobile app and BMW Privileges Card, as well as access to the BMW Service Online portal. Both models are now available for pre-booking on the BMW Shop Online platform at a fee of RM5,000.
GALLERY


2016 BMW M5 Competition marks final hurrah to the F10 5-Series

The current BMW 5-Series (F10) will reach the end of its lifecycle after debuting in 2011. Hence, the Bavarians decided to pay a final tribute to its most powerful 5-Series model, the M5, with the unveiling of the BMW M5 Competition.
Production of the M5 Competition will be limited to just
200 units
; 100 will be finished in the Carbon Black shade while the remaining half gets Mineral White finishing. All M5 Competition units are to receive aesthetic enhancements, ranging from M-Performance bodykit, gloss-black front grille and 20-inch black alloy rims. Inside, the front head restraints are embroidered with the M5 lettering, and the seats get upholstered in black Merino leather. The dashboard is draped in carbon fibre which comes with the unique serial number.
But what’s a Competition variant without the extra bang? Under the hood is the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, but here it gets a slight performance boost of
40 hp
 and
20 Nm
, bringing the final output up to
592 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque. It manages the century sprint in just
3.9 seconds
 while the top speed, being typical Germans, is electronically limited to 250km/h.
Apart from the engine, the M5 Competition is sharpest handling M5 to date. Attacking the black ribbons is surely a walk in the park for this M5 Competition thanks to lower suspension, stiffer springs and dampers, thicker anti-roll bars and upgrades to the M-specific Dynamic Stability Control.
As we wave goodbye to the F10 version of the M5, be reminded that you may need to part a good
£100,995
 (approximately RM540k based on today’s conversion rates) from your bank account to buy one of these. The only silver lining? The new 5-Series is on the way, and it’s coming soon!
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton Saga, Persona & Perdana receive overwhelming public support

Proton has launched three models this year, and it looks like their cash registers are looking positively busy. The sales uptrend is certainly a confidence booster for Proton Holdings, and they have one more bullet in their chamber to close off the year.
The
Proton Perdana
, being the first model launch for Proton in 2016, received more than 1,100 bookings. A total of 720 units have been delivered to customers to date. The Perdana, a reskinned edition of the eight-generation Honda Accord, is also currently the most affordable brand new D-segment sedan in Malaysia.
As for the
Proton Persona
, the order tally has clocked beyond 14,000 orders, and a good 4,000 of them have already been delivered to buyers. That’s pretty impressive considering that the “
Iriz
 sedan” was launched just a little under two months ago. As Proton has expected, the range-topping RM60k Premium variant is the most popular variant among buyers.
The recently unveiled third-generation
Proton Saga
 meanwhile saw up to 4,000 bookings being made. In just two weeks, a total of 500 new Sagas have reached its new owners.
These numbers surely drive the confidence of our national carmaker after years of struggling with diminishing market share and tighter competition. Proton’s positive momentum is set to continue with the upcoming launch of the
Ertiga MPV
 later this month. The compact MPV model will mark the first ever collaborative product between Suzuki and Proton.


Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign confirmed for production, 50 units only

Nissan has just confirmed that its latest prototype, the
Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign
 will be heading for the production floors! Set for its global debut at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Italdesign will build no more than 50 units of the 50
th
 anniversary GT-R.
The ethos behind the GT-R50 was “a car without any restrictions” and combine the GT-R’s 50 years history and Italdesgin’s 50-year heritage. The result is a one of a kind Japanese muscle car dressed in an eye-catching Italian suit.
Started life as a
2018 Nissan GT-R Nismo
, the GT-R50 has all its exterior panels reworked for greater road presence and function. The roofline is now lowered by 54 mm and the rear three-quarter body panels have been extended and raised for greater visual impact. A set of 21-inch alloys shod in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres fills up the wheel arches nicely. To top it all off, Italdesign has given it an active rear wing that deploys when additional downforce is needed.
Nissan’s senior vice president of global design, Alfonso Albaisa said: “The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the ideal setting to showcase the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign, which combines power and artistry to celebrate 50 years of inspiring the dreams of our customers.”

Nissan is asking for €900,000 (RM4.2 million) per pop before personalisation options and each car will be tailored to each individual customer liking. This means the GT-R50 costs just as much as a
McLaren P1
 when new.
The GT-R50 by Italdesign retains its supercar killer credentials with
720 hp
 and
 780 Nm
 at its mercy thanks to a heavily reworked VR38DETT 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6. Drive is deployed onto all four wheels via a reinforced six-speed dual-clutch sequential transmission. Nissan did not reveal key performance figures for this bespoke GT-R but expect a sub-three-second sprint time and a top speed exceeding the 300 km/h mark.
Albaisa added: “Although this is not the next-generation GT-R, it is an exciting celebration of two anniversaries in a provocative and creative way – wrapping one of Nissan’s best engineering platforms and Japanese design with Italian coachbuilding”
IMAGE GALLERY


Twin Review: 2016 Ford Focus Facelift, a pair of turbocharged wonders

So, which is the world’s best-selling car? Statistically, it’s always been the
Toyota Corolla
, but one of Blue Oval’s most successful model, the Ford Focus is also known as world’s best selling nameplate. Which appeals more, a reliable but relatively boring Altis or the more engaging Focus?
While model facelifts are mainly nip-and-tuck changes, the
facelift
 for the Focus is more than just a change of looks. The much revised Focus finally gets the new EcoBoost powertrain and SelectShift gearbox (that’s a torque converter by the way), new touchscreen panel, neater audio instrument and an all-new grille design.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Ford Focus Trend
Ford Focus Titanium+
Ford Focus Sport+
Engine
1,498cc; turbocharged inline-4, DOHC
Transmission
6-speed SelectShift automatic with paddle shifters
Max Power
177 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
240 Nm @ 1,600 – 5,000 rpm
Price (before taxes and insurance)
RM118,888
RM139,888
RM139,888
The Focus Mark 3 (codename C346) was introduced in 2012 with the 2.0-litre Duratec engine mated with a six-speed Powershift twin-clutch gearbox. The Focus back then gained much attention for being the first car in Malaysia to automatically park by itself via the Active Park Assist system.
Watch our First Drive Review in Adelaide, Australia
It also handled impeccably, but its glorious ride and handling characteristics were eclipsed by the unsettling judder produced by the gearbox. It’s also common for owners to repair or replace the gearbox, but Ford plans to change all of that with the introduction of this facelift model. And at first glance, things have indeed paid off. Ford Malaysia is offering three variants for the Focus: the Trend hatchback as its entry model, followed by the Sport+ hatchback and Titanium+ saloon. Here, we sampled the latter two, each with its own distinctive characteristics.
EXTERIOR
Apart from the new and obvious
trapezoidal front grille,
Active Grille Shutter is also fitted at the front to reduce drag which improves fuel efficiency. Both Sport+ and Titanium + models get LED daytime running lights and rear lights, as well as heated side mirrors. Oddly, the inclusion of halogen headlights in this era is akin to savouring a delicious cake, minus the cherry on top.

The rim design has changed, with each model receiving a different set of multi-spoke rims. The hatch rides on
215/50

R17
 series rubbers while the booted variant settles for a smaller 16-inch wheels with larger profiled
215/65
 tyres.
As far as its exterior packaging goes, my preference leans towards the pre-facelift’s Kinetic design over the “Aston Martin” lookalike, although if given enough time, it’ll grow on me.

INTERIOR
The facelift also sees some glaring difference on the inside. To start, the four-point steering from the predecessor has been replaced by a leather-wrapped multifunction steering with a sportier three-spoke design. Notably, the inclusion of paddle shifters is a welcome addition, removing the awkward button-styled “+” and “-” shifters on the gear lever as seen in the preceding model. Thank you, Ford.
The 4.2-inch screen of old is also removed to make way for a larger,
high-res 8.0-inch
 Sony
touchscreen
 panel. Ford’s more advanced SYNC2 system is deployed here to manage all in-car connectivity and entertainment systems. Strangely through, GPS navigation is not offered with Malaysia-spec Focus, making touchscreen panel in the Focus feels incomplete, like a jigsaw puzzle minus one single piece. Oh, there’s also no reverse camera too.

Just like its predecessor, the beige leather seats are reserved for the saloon while the Sport+ gets black leather upholstery. For reasons unknown, the six-way power adjustable seat is only offered for the driver’s seat in Titanium+ and the rest, including the sedan’s front passenger seat, are adjusted manually. The dual zone climate control is also available for the two pricier models, but sadly, the rear air-cond vents remain absent in this Focus.
The Focus Mark 3 did not score well in the interior space department and it seems that Ford could do little to improve it here, probably leaving a memo to its designers to add more space in the next-gen Focus. While space at the front is sufficient, legroom for the rear passengers can be of an issue, especially if  you’re over 180cm. Thankfully though, headroom is sufficient, and the seats do hold the occupants well.
While the interior is quite a bit of a hit and miss affair, the Focus gets class-leading safety equipment list, perhaps some of the best in its class. Both the Sport+ and Titanium+ variants get
six airbags
,
Electronic Stability Program, Blind Spot Monitoring System (BLIS)

with Cross Traffic Alert, Enhanced Active City Stop
 and the all-improved
Enhanced Active Park Assist
. To add up, both variants receive keyless entry, push start button, cruise control, overhead sunglasses compartment and folding rear seats.
PERFORMANCE
The big news here is the absence of the old naturally aspirated 2.0-litre Duratec Ti-VCT GDI engine. In its place is a
1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
that produces a healthy 180 hp at 6,000 rpm and 240 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 5,000 revolutions. The Focus is off to a very good start, then.
To put that into perspective, the hot hatch of last decade, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk5, has just 17 hp more than this Focus. Also, such performance figures could put a few entry model BMWs to shame. The official 0-100km/h figure is absent, but that’s fine as we’ll get to that in a minute.
The Focus also ditched the dual clutch Powershift gearbox for a
six-speed SelectShift automatic
, which means the Powershift’s irritable jerkiness during city driving speeds is history. It shifts slower than the dual-clutch equivalent, but judging from the negative perception surrounding the latter, it’s a fair compromise.
THE DRIVE
Ford’s compact car is well known for its razor sharp drive and this Focus delivers it in spades. Via its signature independent control blades at the back, the Focus’ top notch handling characteristic is retained here, attacking curves with much bravado. Ford markets the Focus as a “seriously fun to drive car” and this stands true to both saloon and hatchback variants. The Focus’ steering is nicely weighted, thanks to an enhanced
Electric Power Assisted Steering
 (EPAS).
The turbocharger just completes the package because when it kicks in at 2,000 revolutions, a volley of power gets liberated, and you don’t need to floor the throttle to get it up to speed. It’s effortless, and to think that you can have the same brilliant engine in a C-Segment hatchback for less than RM120k? Steal.
The six-speed SelectShift does its job adequately, and most importantly it delivers silky smooth gearshifts without the jerky characteristics suffered from the PowerShift gearbox. When adrenaline kicks in, you’ve got the paddle shifters right where they’re supposed to be, but you’ll certainly be pleased just leaving it in regular Drive mode the entire time.
Ford claims that the 1.5-litre EcoBoost consumes just 6.2 litres per 100km, but during my sampling of both variants, they averaged
 9.4 litres per 100km
. That’s impressive considering the number of times I’ve let slip my right foot when the roads ahead cleared up.
Of course, we have got to sample the
Enhanced Active Park

Assist

which helps park the car either parallelly or perpendicularly. It takes a fair bit of trial and errors before you get the hang of it, but it’s not a completely fool-proof system that you should rely on all the time. However, it proves to be a significant step up from the pre-facelift’s self-park feature. If this isn’t a big deal for you, then opt for the base variant. Nothing much to lose there.
However, I would love to have my Focus with the
Active City Stop
. This system automatically stops the car when you approach the car ahead too quickly, but the system works at speeds no more than 50km/h.
Using better-insulated
 materials
in the interior, the Focus absorbs most of the noises from the outside, thus creating a much quieter and comfortable space for all occupants. With the Titanium+’s comfortable ride and rather sedated looks, it’s the one you should pick if you want a continental-esque driving car with a hint of Japanese reliability.
Perhaps it would be great to explain both variants’ driving experience, and I’ll start with the Titanium+. There is no sports suspension fitted to the Sport+ variant, but the combination of a more comfort-oriented suspension and Goodyear Assurance Fuel Save comfort tyres, this Focus tends to roll a fair bit when you carry too much speed into the corners. But drive it in cruising speeds and the Focus rewards you with its top-class refinement.
Move over to the Sport+ hatchback and it delivers a different level of drive. The hatchback’s lowered sports suspension and grippy Michelin rubbers means business. Unlike the saloon, body roll is better controlled and makes driving more encouraging and confidence inspiring. The tradeoff for hatchback’s sharper drive is the ride comfort, but it’s one we’re happy to live with.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
While there are some niggling reservations on the product packaging as a whole, both the Focus saloon and hatchback are well-refined C-segment cars that carry a massive improvement over their predecessors.
Be it the saloon or hatchback, the Focus’s tremendous fun to drive factor is there, coupled with its stellar powertrain that should eliminate all the mechanical troubles faced by its predecessor. Certainly, those who prioritise practicality and comfort will feel at home with the Titanium+, while those seeking a competent warm hatch, the Sport+ will be their choice.
COMPARISONS
The C-segment passenger car suffers from a middle-child syndrome, no thanks to an abundance of B-segment and D-segment cars stealing away sales from the usual Civics and Corollas.  Given the Focus’ stunning dynamics, its fairest competitor will be our favourite C-segment car, the Mazda3, in both saloon and hatchback variants.
Both the Focus and Mazda3 share similar formulas; fun to drive, good powertrains and lack of a decent interior space. The Mazda costs almost RM20k less thanks to local assembly, unlike our Thai-produced Focuses. Mazda’s suite of SkyActiv technologies are praiseworthy, but Blue Oval’s equally impressive EcoBoost engine isn’t all that inferior as well.
Ford Focus Titanium+ Sedan

Ford Focus Sport+ Hatchback

Mazda3 2.0 SkyActiv Sedan

Mazda3 2.0 SkyActiv Hatchback
ENGINE
Type
Inline 4-cylinder, turbocharged
Inline 4-cylinder, turbocharged
Inline 4-cylinder,
Inline 4-cylinder
Displacement
cc
1,498
1,498
1,998
1,998
Max Power
hp
177 @ 6,000 rpm
177 @ 6,000 rpm
162
162
Max Torque
Nm
240 Nm @ 1,600 – 5,000 rpm
240 Nm @ 1,600 – 5,000 rpm
210
210
STEERING
Type
Electric power-steering
Electric power-steering
Electric power-steering
Electric power-steering
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
6-speed automatic
6-speed automatic
6-speed automatic
6-speed automatic
SUSPENSION
Type
Front/Rear
MacPherson strut/Multi-link
MacPherson strut/Multi-link
MacPherson strut/Multi-link
MacPherson strut/Multi-link
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear
Solid disc
Solid disc
Solid disc
Solid disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
205/60 R16
215/50 R17
215/45 R18
215/45 R18
Wheels
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
4,538
4,360
4,585
4,460
Overall Width
mm
1,823
1,823
1,795
1,795
Overall Height
mm
1,492
1,467
1,450
1,455
Wheelbase
mm
2,648
2,648
2,700
2,700
Kerb Weight
kg
1,366
1,380
1,220
1,292
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
372
316
408
308
FUEL
Tank Capacity
55 litres
55 litres
51 litres
51 litres
Consumption (Combined)
 L/100km
6.4
6.4
6.5
6.5
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
N/A
N/A
210
210
0 – 100km/h
sec
N/A
8.8
8.8
PRICE

RM
139,888
139,888
120,705.30
120,705.30
WILL I BUY IT?
On a personal note, I once had a profoundly deep interest on the pre-facelift Focus until I saw for myself all the issues related to the PowerShift gearbox. However, with that being sorted, the new Focus hatchback will be my pick if I’m shopping for a new ride.
Matthew’s Take: One of the Ford Focus’ key strengths in this midlife cycle is the new 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, and it is nothing short of stellar. No other cars in its class can dish out 180 horses, and the induction noise it makes when you rev it past 4,000 revolutions adds to the perpetually increasing sense of enthralment. Like Travis, my only gripe with it is the slower six-speed automatic gearbox. But Ford’s decision to go down the path of reliability as opposed to full-blown drivability just goes to show how committed they are in the C-Segment arena. And then comes the new turbocharged Honda Civic…
Bravo, Ford Motor Company. Bravo.
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2015 Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 SV coming to Malaysia, 5 units only! [+Video]

First unveiled at the
2015 Geneva Motor Show
 and subsequently made the Asian debut at the
2015 Shanghai Motor Show
,
Automobili
Lamborghini
 announced that the production of the
Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce
 is limited to only
600 units worldwide
. Out of the total 600,
five units
 have been allocated for the
Malaysian market
.
As a refresher, the
Aventador
 LP 750-4 Superveloce is an Aventador that has been working out at the gym. Not that the “normal” Aventador is a slow car to begin with (not by any chance!), the SV betters that by shedding away 50 kg and adds on another 50 hp.
The SV is powered by a naturally-aspirated
6.5-litre V12
 mated to a
7-speed ISR transmission
. Producing
750 hp
 and
690 Nm
 of torque, drive is sent to an
 all-wheel drive system
 that utilises a
fourth-generation Haldex coupling system
. The result is a
century sprint
 time of
2.8 seconds
, and a
top speed

in excess of 350 km/h
.
Apart from the wild exterior add-ons that provides
better downforce
 as well as a stripped-out cabin with
new sports seats
 and lightweight material, the SV gets more toys as standard. It includes a new
lightweight exhaust sytem
,
lightweight forged multi-spoke wheels
,
Carbon Ceramic Brakes
, pushrod suspension system that incorporates
adaptive Magneto Rheological Suspension
 (MRS), and also electromechanical
Lamborghini Dynamic Steering
 (LDS).
No info on the Malaysian price for this beast just yet, but in Europe, the SV carries a base price tag of
€327,190
 (approximately RM1.33 mil). If you’re keen on getting one, there’s a potentially disappointing news for you. All five units have been taken up by the time you read this. However, it is also reported that
Lamborghini KL
 is looking to bring in more units to satisfy the demand here.
[divider]
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Kia launches ‘Kia Promise’ global warranty extension campaign to ease MCO worries

As the

Coronavirus pandemic
 continue to worsen, many countries are forced into some form of movement restriction to help flatten the epidemic curve. In response to the world essentially shutting down,
Kia
 has introduced the ‘Kia Promise’ global warranty extension campaign to support customers who may not be able to service their vehicles due to the situation.
Kia vehicles with their
warranty expiring between February 1 and April 30 2020
, will automatically be eligible for the campaign. Kia Promise will extend the warranties of these vehicles to the
30th of June 2020
.
The Korean carmaker estimates that more than 500,000 customers from 142 markets could benefit from the warranty extension. Kia customers in Malaysia are also included in this global warranty extension programme.
Kia Motors Corporation President, Ho-Sung Song said in a note, “I hope that this small gesture results in many Kia owners like yourself having one less thing to worry about during the uncertain couple of months that lie ahead for many communities.”


Rolls-Royce KL shows off their rare “Black Badge trio” in Johor

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presented, for public display, the rarely seen trio of Black Badge cars for the first time at a specially-prepared Pavilion located in Puteri Harbour, Johor.
The trio comprised of two Wraith Black Badge cars (fastback coupe) – the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever built – and Ghost Black Badge (saloon). Both models are bestowed with 6.6-litre twin-turbo
V12 engines producing 624hp/603 hp capable of hitting 100 km/h from standstill in 4.5 and 4.8 seconds.
Black Badge Rolls-Royce vehicles differ from standard models with bolder styling, use of contemporary materials such as carbon fibre and subtle engineering enhancements for added performance. The lengths of customisation is such that Rolls-Royce customers can choose from over 44,000 different colours.
“We are confident of a positive response to Black Badge, as Malaysia offers good driving conditions and a growing customer base of successful people who are younger and dynamic. Malaysia has a vibrant luxury and car culture. The development of Johor’s luxury ‘hot spots’ such as Puteri Harbour and the Iskandar region, along with interest from potential customers, contributed to our decision to launch this exclusive range of cars here for the first time in Malaysia,” said
Quill Motorcars Sdn Bhd, Director, Anas Zawawi Khalid.
Since it was launched, the Black Badge series has made noticeable presence in the ultra-luxury landscape. The series is Rolls-Royce’s response to an elite group of clients
Black Badge is Rolls-Royce’s response to a small and select group of clients who have asked the marque for motor cars with specific, focused characteristics that reflect their different take on life, success and the luxury they consume.
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