The Aston Martin Vantage Dark Knight Edition is the last unit in M’sia to get the Sea Storm paint job!

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has unveiled a new special edition for the Vantage, called the Dark Knight. Before anyone asks – no, it has nothing to do with Batman, but we think that it honestly could very well be Bruce Wayne’s next sports car used to attend swanky black tie events. Don’t you think that the understated look of the Aston Martin fits his understated image a little better than the shouty Lamborghinis? Anyway, we digress.
The Dark Knight Edition is finished in a Sea Storm exterior colour, which according to Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur, is now out of production. This makes the Dark Knight Edition the last Vantage in Malaysia to ever carry this exterior hue, at least officially from Gaydon – so if you’re one for exclusivity, this is your last chance.
The Aston Martin Dark Knight Edition is also equipped with the Exterior Black Pack, which includes a matte black front grille, window surrounds, quad tail pipes, and perforated side gills on the front fenders. The mirror caps, roof, and rear diffuser – both inserts and blades – are painted in gloss black, while the the tail lights have also been given a smoked effect, further adding to the stealthy understated effect.
The most unique feature on the exterior however, is the Aston Martin Wings logo and script, machined from carbon fibre! The option was only introduced by Aston Martin’s Q customisation department earlier this year. The Aston Martin Vantage Dark Knight Edition rides on 20-inch lightweight forged wheels on all corners, painted in a Textured Dark finish.
On the inside, the Dark Knight Edition gets a black-on-black layered colour treatment, thanks to the Metallic Black and Dark Knight leather from Caithness, paired with an Obsidian Black Alcantara headliner. Most of the trims inlays on the interior are satin exposed twill carbon fibre weave, contrasted by shiny Dark Chrome buttons – Aston Martin calls these interior jewellery, and we can see why.
Other than the aesthetic options, the car is pretty much the same underneath as the ‘plain’ V8 Vantage that was launched here in 2018 – the full breakdown of its specification is available
here
.
Underneath the hood is still the Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8, making
510 hp
 and
685 Nm
 of torque. Paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the Aston Martin Vantage Dark Knight Edition completes the century sprint in a brisk
3.6 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
314 km/h
.
The Dark Knight Edition is specified with the carbon ceramic brakes option, which not only helps with resisting brake fade up to more than 800 degrees celcius, but also shaves off 24 kg off of the car’s mass!
As the numbers suggest, it’s still not a slow nor outdated car by any means. Despite being categorised as a grand tourer, the V8 Vantage is still exhilarating to drive hard, as we’ve
experienced on the Sepang International Circuit back in 2018
.
Besides, the majority of buyers seeking this sort of cars are buying it for the looks or status symbol anyway, so the fancy cosmetic options definitely fits the bill. Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur also recently unveiled the
Vantage AMR Malaysia “Merdeka Edition”
 here in Malaysia – be sure to check that out too!
No pricing has been indicated for the Dark Knight Edition, but prices for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage starts at around RM1.6 million after taxes and before options (RM678k before tax and duties). For more information on the Dark Knight Edition, you may contact Aston Martin KL by
phone
 or
email
, or schedule your viewing appointment through the online form
here
.
GALLERY


Suzuki S-Cross officially introduced in Malaysia, priced at RM130k [+Video]

The Suzuki S-Cross, after making a special appearance at a local motoring show held at the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) recently, was officially launched by
 Suzuki Malaysia Automobile
 (SMA) Sdn Bhd earlier this morning. According to SMA, the SX4 will be
phased out
 to make way for the S-Cross.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Suzuki S-Cross
Engine
M16A; 1,586cc, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder with Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
Max Power
117 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
156 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
Price
 RM129,888
(OTR without insurance)

Essentially an upsized
Suzuki SX4
, the S-Cross has literally inched its way into the C-Segment crossover category, brawling against several popular models such as the Mazda CX-5,
Mitsubishi ASX
 and
Subaru XV
, just to name a few. It won’t be an easy fight, seeing the S-Cross comes packed with a
1.6-litre engine
 (its competitors have at least 2.0-litre engines) that was taken from the Swift Sport.
EXTERIOR
Features found on the outside of the car are rather interesting. It dons
HID headlights
 with integrated LED daytime running lights, roof railings, side mirrors with built in signal indicator, front and rear parking sensors,
17-inch wheels
 shod with 205/50 R17 series tyres and keyless entry.

So if it’s an upsized SX4, what makes it a C-Segment, you ask? Well, the S-Cross measures a good
160 mm longer
, 10 mm taller and is 10 mm wider, allowing for a one-up, segment wise. It’s overall length is now 4,300 mm long, whereas overall width is 1,765 mm and height at 1,575 mm. The S-Cross rides on MacPherson struts at the front and torsion beam setup at the rear.
INTERIOR
A peek inside reminds us of the Swift, but it’s a clear departure from the hatch in terms of quality and features. In the centre console rests a
7-inch touchscreen head unit
 with
GPS navigation
 system and reverse camera to boot. Other creature comforts include
push-start ignition
, cruise control with speed limiter and paddle shifters.

There’s another key feature which Suzuki claims is a world’s first – the
double-sliding panoramic sunroof
. So if you’re the sun-loving kind, this could very well be the car to get. In terms of luggage space, the S-Cross is capable of storing as much as
440 litres
 worth of stuff. The seats can be folded, and if done, makes way for nearly
900 litres
 of storage space.
PERFORMANCE
Underneath the hood of this crossover lies the familiar
M16A 1.6-litre
 naturally aspirated engine (shared with the Suzuki Swift Sport), but is tuned to be more civilised and fuel efficient. It makes
117 horsepower
 at 6,000 rpm and
156 Nm
 at 4,400 rpm that is mated to a
CVT gearbox
 with seven virtual ratios, driving the
front wheels
. AWD isn’t optional, we’re afraid, so that’s the only drive type you’ll get.
Its performance figures aren’t one that you should pay attention to, but we’ll lay it out regardless. The S-Cross completes the century sprint (that’s the 0 to 100 km/h sprint for those who don’t know) in
11 seconds flat
, but Suzuki claims that its
80 to 120 km/h
 time of
9.2 seconds
 is by far the best in the hotly contested segment. Again, these numbers shouldn’t be a factor to repeal your reasons of purchase.
What the S-Cross promises though, are good fuel economy figures – consuming just
5.81 litres
 for
every 100 kilometers travelled
 (combined cycle). This feat is achieved thanks to its incredible lightweight, as its kerb weight tips no more than
1,185kg
.
SAFETY
The safety kit is where the S-Cross continues to shine. Standard kit list comprise of
seven airbags
– two front and side airbags, two curtain airbags and driver-knee airbag, Electronic Stability Program (
ESP
), Anti-lock Braking System (
ABS
) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (
EBD
),
Brake Assist
 and
Hill-hold Control
. All of these features, according to Suzuki, are bolstered in their Total Effectiveness Control Technology (
TECT
) which provides
optimal safety levels
 for all occupants.
WHAT ELSE?
The S-Cross comes with
four different colours
 – Crystal Lime Metallic, Amethyst Gray Pearl Metallic, Cool White Pearl and Boost Blue Pearl Metallic. It is
fully imported
 from Hungary and is priced at
RM129,888
 (OTR without insurance). As of now, there are no plans to locally assemble the car, but that is subject to change should the demand be positive.
SMA is offering
five years
 or
150,000km
 warranty programme (whichever comes first) as well as the Suzuki Assist package which offers 24-hour roadside assistance, lifestyle and concierge arrangements, home assist service and claims approval. The S-Cross will be available for public viewing at the
[email protected]
 mall
 as part of their Nationwide Roadshow.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Video: All-new Toyota RAV4 2.5L first drive review

Admittedly, everything the new RAV4 has to offer has been overshadowed by its astronomical asking price but the scenario is quite similar to when Apple releases a new iPhone.
We’ll moan and groan its price but end up buying one anyway we know that with the new phone, it’s always going to be twice as good as the old one. With the new RAV4, we can’t help but think that it has the same effect against its competitors.

Last week,
UMW Toyota Motor
 invited us for a quick review around Shah Alam in the
new Toyota RAV4
following the launch of the much anticipated SUV in Malaysia.
The Toyota RAV4 comes in two different variants – a 2.0-litre and a 2.5-litre – priced at RM195k and RM216k respectively. The 2.0-litre model makes
 173 hp
 and
207 Nm
, paired to a CVT gearbox while the 2.5-litre pushes out
 207 hp
 and
 243 Nm
, paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Toyota only provided us with the 2.5-litre model for a quick review but right away, its sitting position was spot on. Power was sufficient in urban areas with stop-go traffic, but on the highways, it felt like the 1.6-tonne RAV4 would benefit with a little more torque from a turbocharged engine.
With a non-turbocharged engine, you really have to keep your right foot firmly pressed on the accelerator to get any performance from the 2.5-litre Dynamic Force engine.
A couple of things stood out during the Toyota RAV4 review; its ventilated seats and how plush the interior felt. It should be mandatory that every car in the Malaysia be equipped with ventilated seats as standard; they’re just the best thing since ice cold drinks.
And whether you’re in the front or back, it’s hard to not notice during the soft touch materials at all the vital touch points. This includes the arm rest by the door panels and on the centre console, complementing the supremely comfortable seats.
In terms of rear leg room, there is no doubt that Honda CR-V still offers the most space, with second place closely contested between the RAV4 and Mazda CX-5. As for boot space, the Toyota RAV4 is rated at 580 litres, the CRV at 522 litres and CX-5 at 442 litres.
All in all, it’s good to have the RAV4 officially sold in Malaysia by UMW Toyota Motor again after a long absence but with looks being a major deciding factor for most, we’re not sure how the RAV4’s design will be perceived by today’s public. Like the Honda CR-V, you’ll either like it or you don’t; in contrast to the more unanimously accepted design of the Mazda CX-5.
GALLERY


BMW 3 Series prices updated with marginal increments – M340i xDrive now over RM40k cheaper!

BMW Malaysia has updated the prices of its 3 Series line up with prices for all variants increased (albeit marginally) except for the M340i xDrive variant.
The models involved are the 320i Sport, 330i M Sport, 330e M Sport, and 330Li M Sport.
320i Sport
 – RM233,269
330i M Sport
 – RM274,914
330e M Sport
– RM256,192
330Li M Sport
 – RM280,518
The M340i xDrive.
The model with the most significant increase is the 330e M Sport which now costs over RM1,300 more. The M340i xDrive on the other hand has seen the most significant price reduction and is RM41,000 cheaper than before at RM351,749.
The new prices are on the road without insurance and inclusive of the SST exemptions that run till the end of June. All the variants mentioned above are locally assembled and is accompanied by a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty.
The facelift BMW 3 Series was revealed recently.
Recently, BMW in Germany announced the arrival of the
2022 facelift 3 Series
 with redesigned front and rear bumpers alongside sleeker headlamps. It also features the new BMW Curved Display that was first introduced on the
 iX
.
Locally, BMW Malaysia announced this week that the
 updated M5 and M5 Competition
 are now available for sale from RM999k. The company also announced the arrival of the
M3 and M4 Competition models
now available with all-wheel drive.


2022 Mazda CX-3 update in Malaysia brings new wireless charger, 8.0in touchscreen, RM132k

In addition to the new Ignite Edition variants for the
Mazda 3
 and
CX-30
,
Bermaz Motor
 has also introduced an update to the
 CX-3
 compact crossover for the 2022 model year here in Malaysia. Unlike the two aforementioned models, however, the CX-3’s update come in the form of equipment upgrades to the sole variant on sale here – the 2.0L High.
With the new equipment list, the 2022 Mazda CX-3 is now priced at
 RM131,929
, or a slight RM1,200 increase over the outgoing model. The price includes the 50% SST exemption for fully-imported (CBU) models, as well as a five-year/100,000 km warranty and free scheduled maintenance package.
New additions to the 2022 Mazda CX-3 in Malaysia are exclusive to the crossover’s cabin; there’s a new eight-inch touchscreen infotainment display that now supports wireless Apple CarPlay (but still wired Android Auto connection), alongside a new Qi wireless charging pad for your mobile phones underneath the centre stack.
Aside from these changes, though, the rest of the car remains unchanged from before. Standard kit in the sole 2.0L High variant include 18-inch wheels, LED automatic headlights and LED, powered sunroof, 360-degree surround-view monitor, and built-in window tint.
Inside, the 2022 Mazda CX-3 gets a 10-way powered driver’s seat with memory function, leatherette upholstery, single-zone climate control system, as well as a head-up display.
The i-Activsense advanced driver assist systems that were added in the
2021 model update
 still remains here for 2022 as well, with features including Smart City Brake Support (autonomous emergency braking, front and rear), Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Alert, High Beam Control, alongside Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Underneath the bonnet is also the same SkyActiv-G 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four engine making
154 hp
 and
206 Nm
 of torque, with power sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
Like the other models that have been updated for 2022, the Mazda CX-3 in Malaysia will also be offered in a new Platinum Quartz colour, alongside Soul Red Crystal, Snowflake White Pearl, Deep Crystal Blue, Machine Grey, and Polymetal Grey.


Koenigsegg Agera RS all sold out, one of 25 units bound for Malaysia

Swedish hypercar manufacturer, Koenigsegg, has announced that all 25 units of the Agera RS have been sold out within the time span of 10 months. Interestingly, one of the 25 examples will be making its way to Malaysian, bought by a very wealthy Malaysian figure.
The Agera RS was unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show with a limited production of 25 units. Customers from all over the world including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and our very own Malaysia had paid $2 million (close to RM9 million) to obtain this exclusive hypercar. That said, this has made the Agera RS the company’s fastest selling model, ever.
The Agera RS is basically an Agera that’s tuned to outperform the already beastly R and S models, while losing out only by a whisker to the more maniacal One:1 model. Its
5.0-litre V8 twin turbo engine
 produces
 1,160 hp
 with
1,280 Nm
 of torque at 4,100rpm and is mated with a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. Weighing just
 1,395kg
, it can hit from 0-100km/h in a blistering
 2.9 seconds
and will top out at
439 km/h
!
Koenigsegg founder Christian von Koenigsegg said: “I am extremely proud of the Agera RS program. The RS is a classic Koenigsegg, with all the core values and features that the Koenigsegg brand stands for.”
He adds, “The performance, road feel and responsiveness are truly amazing and the level of technical sophistication is second to none. It is a true ‘pinnacle’ project that has been wholly embraced by our customers and friends.”
The cars will be built throughout 2016, with the final unit expected to leave the assembly line by 2017. In Malaysia, the
Koenigsegg Agera S was offered by Naza Swedish Motors
for a cool
RM5 million
, and that’s before taxes and GST. Our guess on how much that Malaysian buyer paid for the Agera RS is as good as yours.
Watch founder Christian von Koenigsegg take us around the Agera S when he came to Malaysia during the launch at Naza Swedish Motors.


2016 Chevrolet Camaro unveiled, now lighter and more powerful than ever [+Videos]

The new
sixth-generation
 Chevrolet Camaro has been unveiled, marking another installation of the favourite pony car from General Motors (GM). Offered in
LT and SS variants
, the “Camaro Six” will go on sale later this year.
The styling is still evolutionary than revolutionary, and none of the body panels are carried over from the previous Camaro. In fact, the sixth-gen Camaro is a wee bit smaller than its predecessor when you whip out the measuring tape to compare.
The new Camaro cuts a leaner appearance thanks to the exaggerated design elements such as the sculpted bonnet and the muscular rear haunches. It’s not merely for looks too, it’s a result of
350 hours worth of testing
 in the wind tunnel. For example, the front fascia incorporates an air curtain to reduce drag around the wheels, and the bonnet vents on the Camaro SS function to cool the engine down while reducing front lift at the same time.
The interior gets a revamp with more techno-gadgetry. The air-cond controls are now integrated into the rings surrounding the air vents, while the mechanical hand brake has been replaced by a smaller electronic parking brake toggle in the center console. The latter frees up crucial space around the center console, which is particularly useful in stick-shift Camaro so the driver will get more room to work with the lever.

There are two
8-inch screens
in the new Camaro. The one on the dash displays the interface to the
new MyLink system
, while another one sits under the
dual-binnacle-style
 instrument cluster hood to provide various details such as the navigation and the car’s performance information. Other than that, the new Camaro features a segment-first LED ambient lighting system in
24 different colours
with multiple transition effects for some visual drama.
Underneath the skin, lightweight materials are used to cut the flab by at least
90kg
beside increasing the structural rigidity by 28 percent. Combined with a
new suspension system
that consists of a multi-link MacPherson strut front suspension and a new five-link independent rear suspension, together with the equally-new
Drive Mode Selector
, the new Camaro is claimed to provide a
better drive with improved handling
. Also available in the Camaro SS is the
Magnetic Ride Control
that automatically adjusts the damper settings for an optimum ride comfort and control.
What’s more important is under the bulging bonnet. A range of powerplants are offered in the new Camaro, ranging from a
turbocharged 2.0-litre
 all the way up to the bare-chested hairiness of the
6.2-litre Small Block V8
, and a choice of a
6-speed manual
or an
8-speed auto
transmission.
The 2.0-litre turbo powers the
most fuel-efficient Camaro
 ever, delivering an estimated
7.8 litres per 100
 km according to GM. It produces
275 hp
and
400 Nm
of torque, enabling it to transport the Camaro from 0 to 100 km/h in less than
6.0 seconds
. There’s
active noise cancellation
to lessen cabin noise, but a switchable engine sound enhancement is also available on cars that are fitted with the optional Bose sound system.
The mid-range Camaro gets an
all-new 3.6-litre V6
with Active Fuel Management
cylinder deactivation
 function. With
335 hp
and
385 Nm
of torque, it’s claimed to produce the highest specific output of any naturally-aspirated V6 in the segment.
Next, the top-of-the-line
Camaro SS
receives a
6.2-litre LT1 V8
from the Corvette Stingray that has been slightly reworked to suit the Camaro’s architecture. The
direct injection V8
 is equipped with variable valve timing, as well as Active Fuel Management on cars with automatic transmission. This is their most powerful Camaro SS ever, with
455 hp
and
617 Nm
of torque.
Unlike the turbocharged Camaro, the V6 and V8 Camaro feature
mechanical sound enhancers
and a dual-mode exhaust with
electronically controlled bypass valves
. A few settings is provided from the engine sound management where the driver can choose to make their Camaro purr in the lowest “stealth” mode or let the V8 sing its lungs out in the highest “track” mode.
Still want that
Mustang
?
[divider]
VIDEO GALLERY
IMAGE GALLERY


Facts & Figures: 2020 Honda BR-V facelift launched in Malaysia

After opening their order books in March this year, Honda Malaysia has introduce the facelift 2020 Honda BR-V with two variants available as before –
 the 1.5E at RM89,900
and the
1.5V at RM96,900
. Both models have seen a price
increase of around RM3k from when it was first launched in 2017.
The facelift brings about some exterior changes to include a more imposing front grille with visibly more chrome, a more futuristic front bumper design, minor body cladding below the doors and a redesign rear bumper with vertical reflector. Rim size remains unchanged from before at 16-inches albeit a new design. Otherwise exterior specifications are as follow:
EXTERIOR
Automatic halogen projector headlamps
LED daytime running lights
Chrome door handles (1.5V) Body coloured (1.5E)
Roof rails
Side mirror with indicators
Colour: Marine Purple Pearl (NEW), White Orchid Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic and Passion Red Pearl
PERFORMANCE
Engine: 1.5-litre 4 Cylinder SOHC i‑VTEC
Transmission: CVT
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 120 hp @ 6,600 rpm
Torque: 145 Nm @ 4,600 rpm
0 to 100 km/h: 12.2 seconds
Top speed: 160 km/h
Fuel Consumption: 6.4L/100km
On the inside the BR-V gets new tweeter speakers, cargo lighting, and a cabin filter. The 1.5V in particular gets a new 7-inch display and a HDMI port. The 1.5 V also gets power retractable side mirrors, paddle shifters and a multi function steering wheel along with Black/Red leather upholstery. Here are the rest of the standard equipment:
INTERIOR
Keyless entry with Push start
Single zone air conditioning
Rear air vents
60:40 split folding seats (2nd row)
50:50 split folding seats (3rd row)
1 USB port
6 speakers
Bluetooth connectivity
Boot space is rated at
223 litres
with the 3rd row in use, but when all the seats are collapsed, the BR-V is capable of swallowing up to
539 litres of cargo
. As for safety, here’s what the BR-V is equipped with on both models:
SAFETY
Dual airbags
Rear seat ISOFIX
Hill Start Assist
Reverse camera (only in 1.5V)
Traction Control
ABS
Vehicle Stability Assist
Before the Movement Control Order lockdown began in March, Honda also introduced the
2020 facelift Honda Civic
 and the
all-new Honda Accord
. Both of which have also
seen an increase
 following some
price revisions by the company last year on the City, Jazz and CR-V
.
GALLERY


2020 Ford Ranger Raptor updated with advanced safety tech and new price

The baddest pick-up truck in the country is now even better. Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) has given the Ford Ranger Raptor a mild update for the 2020 model year, and with it comes some additional safety kit.
The 2020 Ford Ranger Raptor now comes fitted with
 forward collision warning
,
autonomous emergency braking system
 with vehicle and pedestrian detection, as well as
lane departure warning and assist system
.
The system seems to be identical to that of its younger brother – the
Ranger Wildtrak 4×4
, although missing out on the semi-automatic parallel parking assistant.
Other updates to the baby Raptor include new
LED projector headlamps
 (HID projector on the
outgoing model
), as well as an additional USB charging port on the rear-view mirror – perfect to power-up your dashcams.
Otherwise, the Ford Ranger Raptor is pretty much identical under the metal. Motivation is provided by a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine, delivering
213 hp
 and
500 Nm
, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The standard-equipment Fox Racing Shox and Baja mode on the Terrain Management System (TMS) will still let you do massive air-time on sand dunes that are truly worthy of the Raptor name.
The 2020 Ford Ranger Raptor also remains the same appearance-wise too, featuring the menacing ‘FORD’ grille and Raptor-specific bumpers and bash plates up front, widened wheel arches, and a taller ride height.
A new ‘Ford Performance Blue’ shade replaces the stunning Lightning Blue from the outgoing model, while the other three exterior colours – Conquer Grey,
Absolute Black, Arctic White
 – remain available.
With the newly added kit, the 2020 Ford Ranger Raptor comes with a slight increase in price too. The updated Ranger Raptor now costs
RM208,888
 (OTR w/o Insurance), which is a RM9,000 jump from before.
If you’re interested in booking one of this bad boy for yourself during the Movement Control Order period, perhaps try out Ford’s new
Digital Salesperson
 feature through WhatsApp live chat.


Car wash and accessory shops, dealerships allowed to resume business from today

Following the announcement by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, 11 economic sectors still under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan are allowed for reopening from today, August 16th onwards. The services are only for customers who are fully vaccinated.
Here are the most updated movement and travel restrictions for August 2021. More details here!
Based on the data collected by key ministries and agencies, the government has seen positive progress from the increase in vaccination rates among adults, such as a reduction in Category 3 to 5 patients and a reduction of awaiting patients at the Emergency Department.
Two passengers per car? Three passengers for vaccination? Here’s the latest update on it!
As mentioned earlier, the government was looking into
relaxing movement restrictions

for those who are fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus. The 11 economic sectors that are set to welcome fully vaccinated individuals in states still under Phase 1 are:
Car wash centres
Car accessories shop
Car sales and distribution outlets
Furniture stores
Household items and kitchenware stores
Electrical and electronics stores
Sporting goods stores
Morning market and ‘pasar tani’
Clothing, fashion and accesories stores
Jewellery stores
Hairdressers, barbers and beauty parlours (only for basic haircuts)
For individuals in states under Phase 2, the government has allowed businesses such as toy stores, handicrafts and souvenirs, photography and its services, antiques and used goods as well as cosmetics, skincare, and fragrances, to reopen.
The government has set a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for these outlets, where customers are required to show their Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate before they are allowed to enter. A person is only fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose for the two-dose vaccine and 28 days after vaccines that only require a single dose.
As of the end of yesterday, the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine (JKJAV) announced that
32.9% of the total Malaysian population

have received its second dose
 with two-thirds of the adult population in Klang Valley achieving the milestone.
At a bigger scale of the reopening of the economy, the government has also agreed to allow non-essential activities in the manufacturing, construction, mining, and quarry industries regardless of NRP Phase to operate from today.
A scaled size of operation however is listed as the new SOP. Only companies with 80% to 100% of fully vaccinated employees are allowed to operate at full capacity. The next tier of having between 60% to 79% of fully vaccinated workforce can only operate at 80% capacity, while those with 40% to 59% can only operate at 60% capacity.
This is certainly good news for many of the automakers (
Honda
,
Toyota
 and
Naza
 have voiced their concerns) in the country, as they have expressed the prolonged business closure has not only hurt the sales force but also the supply chain.
Source:
National Security Council
 and
JKJAV


2023 Proton X90 scores 5-Star ASEAN NCAP rating – Full points for side impact test

Just launched in Malaysia, the results for the
2023 Proton X90
’s ASEAN NCAP crash test results are out on the official ASEAN NCAP website. The new large SUV by Proton managed to score a 5-star rating in the crash test with an overall score of
83.75%
.
With four pillars in the ASEAN NCAP safety testing, the 2023 Proton X90 managed to score 30.2/32 in the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) Pillar, scoring full 8/8 points in the side impact testing and full 8/8 points for Head Protection Technology (HPT). As for AOP frontal impact, the X90 scored 14.2/16.
As for the Child Occupant Protection (COP) Pillar, the Proton X90 scored 45.37/51, also scoring a perfect 8/8 score on the side impact test. The X90 also managed to get a full 16/16 score for COP frontal impact testing.
In the Safety Assist pillar, the 2023 Proton X90 scored 16.5/21 full 6/6 points for effective braking and avoidance (EBA) and a perfect 3/3 score for Advance Safety Assist Technologies. As for the fourth pillar of the ASEAN NCAP testing which is Motorcycle Safety (MS), the Proton X90 scored 10/16 with a perfect 8/8 score for Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Blind Spot Visualisation (BSV). It also managed to score a full 2/2 points for pedestrian protection.
RELATED:
2023 Proton X90 launched in Malaysia, from RM123,800
In the ‘Premium’ and ‘Flagship’ variants, the Proton X90 is equipped with the full suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Both the Premium and Flagship are equipped with Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, Lane Centering Control, Lane Departure Warning, Emergency Lane Keep Assist, Intelligent Cruise Control, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Change Assist, Intelligent High Beam Control, and Door Opening Warning.
The X90 also introduces several ‘Proton-first’ safety features. This includes Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Traffic Sign Information. Just launched in Malaysia, the Proton X90’s prices start at
RM123,800
 for the ‘Standard variant and top off at
RM152,800
 for the range-topping ‘Flagship’ variant.
RELATED:
2023 Proton X90 first drive – decent ride, but hard to hide that 3-cylinder sound


First CKD Kia Carnival rolls off production line, set for export to ASEAN countries

Ahead of its imminent launch here, Kia Malaysia (joint venture company between Kia Corporation and Bermaz Auto) announced that the first
locally-assembled (CKD) Kia Carnival
 has just rolled off the production line at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah. The Carnival will be the first Kia model to be produced in Malaysia under the new partnership.
As previously reported, the CKD Kia Carnival will be offered in three different variants, in both seven- and eight-seater configurations. Pricing for the locally-assembled models are as follows, on-the-road, without insurance, and inclusive of a five-year/100,000 km warranty and free service package:
2.2D 8-Seater –
RM 231,228
2.2D 8-Seater ‘High’ –
RM 247,228
2.2D 7-seater ‘High’ –
RM 261,228
The pricing represents a fairly steep jump over the
existing fully-imported counterpart
, as the latter benefitted from preferential taxation status, with the 11-seater being categorised as commercial vehicle.
For the extra dough that you’ll have to fork out, the equipment list does at least get an upgrade. The analogue instrument cluster is now replaced by a 12.3-inch display, while the taillights also now come with LED illumination as standard.
Other additional equipments, depending on the variant, also include a 12-speaker Bose sound system, Premium Relaxation seats in the second row that can be fully reclined, heated and ventilated seats, one-touch smart power sliding rear doors, as well as the Kia Drive Wise suite of advanced driver assistance systems.
Global model shown.
The latter, exclusive to the High variants, will come with features such as autonomous emergency braking with junction detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, lane centring and lane keeping assist, blind spot and rear cross traffic collision avoidance, as well as automatic high beam.
All three variants are powered by the same 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine under the bonnet, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission to send
199 hp
 and
440 Nm
 of torque to the front wheels.
“The roll-out of the Kia Carnival in CKD form was an important milestone in the marque’s renaissance in Malaysia. We are delighted to welcome the first Kia model produced here at Inokom for the Malaysian and ASEAN markets,” said Kia Asia Pacific President and Chief Executive Officer, Ted Lee.
Aside from serving its home nation, the company is also planning to make Malaysia the marque’s ASEAN hub, with vehicles built in the Inokom plant to be exported to several targeted markets within the region. Kia Malaysia says that the plan to export is “firmly on track”, with the maiden shipment to happen soon.
Global model shown.
Dinamikjaya Motors Managing Director, Dato Wong Kin Foo added, “The consumer’s response to the fully imported Kia Carnival 11-seater variant launched in January has been very encouraging, and we are confident that the consumers will be equally enthusiastic about the CKD Kia Carnival.
“We believe these CKD variations will serve the differing needs and expectations of those in the market for a modern and luxurious multi-purpose vehicle.”


BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage. The Icon Reimagined.

This year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa de’Este held on the gleaming shores of Lake Como in Italy, saw just what the visionaries at BMW Design are truly capable of. BMW showed the world its tribute to the timeless bejewelled classic of the 70’s, the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage.
Originally introduced in May of 1972, the 3.0 CSL was built primarily for the ETCC ( European Touring Car Championship ). BMW accomplished this by using
thinner gauge steel
 for the body,
deleted interior trimmings
, l
ight-weight aluminum for the bonnet
,
boot lid
 and
doors
, with
Perspex
 replacing the glass. Propulsion was provided by a
3,003cc straight-six engine
. As a result of this extreme diet, the predestined track dominatrix is
200kg lighter
 than the road going 3.0CS model ( BMW fitted the CSL with a ludicrous aero-kit earning it the name ‘The Batmobile’ ). Like the
i8
, the 3.0 CSL Hommage is an –
all-wheel-drive
.
The 3.0 CSL Hommage makes good use of space-age materials such as
carbon fibre
 – or
carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP)
 that has been gracefully sculpted to reflect BMW’s racing heritage and exudes utter elegance of design that continues to win the hearts of fans and purists.
The front end lays claim to being one of the broadest, low slung in the BMW family. Judging by the spatial depth and size of its hallmark designed kidney grille is an indication of the true beast that lives under the bonnet. BMW have not said much about the engine, except that it is a
straight-six cylinder engine
 that’s equipped with an
eBoost hybrid system
.
Making its cameo appearance here is the
Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED)
 used as the next-gen halo-esque
DRL (Day Running Lights)
 and
BMW’s Laser Lighting
 technology that has been incorporated into the headlight assembly, first seen on the
BMW i8
 super-hybrid model. Arranged in an X-formation, it conjures up memories of the headlight stickers originally used in the motorsport icon of the 70’s.
Similar styling cues have been employed for the vehicles rear design. Broad muscular elements bring out the immense presence of the 3.0 CSL Hommage. A particular highlight is the LED light that links the rear tail-lamps via the the CFRP spoiler.
The interior however is homage to minimalism. The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage puts its lightweight design on show and renders its racing character ever so elegantly. All interior elements and fixtures are there out of absolute necessity, every part has a high-quality design, structural or drive-related function to it. The steering wheel that greets you looks like it was taken straight out of a
Formula One
 car.
Furthermore, you are seated snugly into quilted carbon fibre moulded bucket seats secured firmly in place by a five-point seatbelt just as one would rightly expect. The Tron-esque all-CFRP interior features a wood-like dashboard that houses the instrument panel, eBoost display and the minimalist infotainment system.
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Hyundai Elantra Sport Edition launched: 999 units only, priced at RM92k

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has announced that the limited edition
Hyundai Elantra FL
 Sport is now for sale. Only 999 units will be made available locally and is just in time for the upcoming festive season.
The Hyundai Elantra Sports Edition comes loaded with a
sporty body kit
 that consists of the
front and rear bumpers
 as well as the
 side skirts
. The rear end is garnished with a
pair of  twin tail exhaust pipes
. Standard with all the 999 limited edition units is a
 vinyl sticker
 with a serial number from
001 till 999
 in the style of a
barcode
 that’s mounted on the lower rear quarter of the car.
On the inside, there’s a
6.2-inch LCD
 display for the entertainment and satellite navigation system. It also supports
DVD and Bluetooth
 connectivity. A
reverse camera
 is another RM300 cost option. This limited edition seems to be based on the lower spec
1.6-litre Elegance
 trim that comes with
dual airbags
,
manual air-conditioning
 and a
multi-function steering wheel
 with audio control to be exact.
Propelling the Sports Edition Elantra forward is a
1.6-litre MPI D-CVVT
 powerplant, one that makes
128 hp
 and 157 Nm of torque mated to a
six-speed
, torque converter
automatic transmission
 that drives the front pair of wheels. There is no mention of any changes to the suspension setup, though we highly reckon that they remain stock.
On the safety front, this Elantra comes equipped with
ESC
 (Electronic Stability Control),
anti-lock braking system
,
vehicle stability management
 or VSM and HAC or
 Hill-Start Assist Control
.
HSDM is offering a
5-year or 300,000km
 (whichever comes first)
warranty
 on all its new cars. Hyundai is also throwing in a
24-hour emergency road assist service
 for your motoring peace of mind. The Elantra SE retails for
 RM91,928
 (on-the-road without insurance) and is available in two shades of paint, namely
Creamy White
and
 Phantom Black.
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2022 Proton X70 facelift to be unveiled on June 9 – new 1.5T engine from X50?

Hot off the presses from the launch of the
new Saga
, Proton has now turned its attention to the upcoming 2022 X70 facelift, with new teasers on its social media channels confirming the launch date on the
9th of June at 11 am
 – just two days away from the time of writing.
 The company has published two teaser posts thus far, filled with the usual marketing-friendly buzzwords such as “discover new possibilities” and “level-up your driving experience”. Sift through the fluff, however, and you’ll find some pretty telling hints for what we can expect on the upcoming 2022
Proton X70
.
The first teaser shows off the X70’s new wheels, which looks to be the same multi-spoke 19-inch items previously seen on the
 2019 limited-edition Proton X70 Special Edition
 – which itself was borrowed from the
Geely Boyue Pro
.
Don’t expect the new 2022 Proton X70 to come with the Boyue Pro’s reworked styling, however, given that this facelift should only be a minor-change update; the rest of the aesthetic upgrades – if any – should be fairly minimal.
The same wheels from the Proton X70 SE.
What we are more excited here is actually in the second teaser post, published earlier this morning, which shows off the SUV’s engine cover. While yes, it does look identical to that of the
 locally-assembled X70 from 2020
, but there must be a reason Proton is specifically singling out the engine in a teaser post.
And if the rumour mill is right, that’s because the upcoming 2022 Proton X70 will be offered with the
1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder mill
 from the
 X50
.
Proton previously said that the 1.5T powertrain will be
used in other future models
, and this could be the first example of that. The same configuration is also being sold for export markets such as Pakistan, so it’s not too far out of the left field for the company to also offer it here in Malaysia.
What’s still a little hazy for now, though, is whether Proton will be offering the new engine across the entire range, or only for the lower-end variants with the premium trims retaining the 1.8-litre turbocharged mill. That’s because even at its most powerful configuration, the 1.5 TGDi powertrain only offers an output of
177 hp
and
255 Nm
 of torque, which is still below the
181 hp
 and
300 Nm
 from the existing 1.8 TGDi.
At least, we won’t have to wait too much longer to find out. So keep your eyes peeled on
AutoBuzz.my
 as we bring you the latest coverage of the new 2022 Proton X70 facelift!


Mercedes-Benz A 250 Motorsport Edition is here, yours for RM256,888

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM), just less than two weeks after launching the
facelifted A-Class
, have introduced the limited-run A 250 Motorsport Edition conceived to commemorate the brand’s successes in Formula One.
It’s essentially a done-up A 250 Sport (one that costs RM238,888), so the bulk of your RM18k premium will go to the rarity and exclusivity of the Motorsport Edition, if you’re into that sort of thing. So what do you get? Aesthetically, it comes finished with Petrol Green highlights (the colour scheme for Mercedes-AMG’s Formula One car) which adorn the front and rear bumpers, including the side mirrors and
19-inch AMG alloy
 wheels. There’s also a large rear spoiler with the sides finished in the same green hue.
Inside, the air conditioning vents get petrol green surrounds, and this extends to the stitching on the seats, floor mats, dashboard trim, centre armrest and door trims. The seats are upholstered in a mix of black leather and Dinamica microfibre, featuring – yes, you guessed it – more petrol green decorative strips. Elsewhere, things remain the same as the A 250 Sport; black roof lining, illuminated door sill panels, Audio 20 system with CD playback as well as the 8-inch head unit.
Despite bearing the word Motorsport in its name, the
turbocharged 2.0-litre engine
 shared with the A 250 Sport makes identical figures here –
211 hp
 at 5,500 rpm and
350 Nm
 of torque from 1,200 to 4,000 rpm. It sprints from 0 to 100km/h in
 6.4 seconds
 before maxing out at
240km/h
. Power is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, and it rides on the same sport suspension as the Sport which reduces ride height by 15mm.
If you fancy yourself the A 250 Motorsport Edition, be sure to place your bookings quick because MBM will only be selling a limited number of this fully imported variant. It’s unclear how many will be officially brought in, though. You can have yours in either Cirrus White, Cosmos Black, Polar Silver and Mountain Grey finishes. Unfortunately, the matte grey finish you see here won’t be available.
So, dear readers, would you spend RM256,888 for an A 250, or would you spend it on a more practical (but less powerful), locally assembled C 200 Avantgarde for
RM8,000 less
?
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2016 Toyota Camry coming soon, VSC & 7 airbags as standard!

UMW Toyota has announced that the order books for the updated Toyota Camry are now open. Apart from adding new variants, the 2016 Toyota Camry also receives the same update as the recently updated
Corolla Altis
 and
Vios
. This means that, at long last, all Camry variants sold in Malaysia come equipped with active safety and seven airbags as standard.
To start, four variants are offered, all of which are  based on the
XV50 Camry
 launched in 2012. The entry level variant starts with
 2.0E
, followed by the new
2.0G X
 which replaces the G variant. This comes with 17-inch wheels, leather interior and 7-inch infotainment unit with DVD support. The range topping Hybrid model now can be had in two trims –
2.5 Premium
 and
2.5 Luxury
.
Just like the Corolla Altis, no mechanical changes have been made. But just as a refresher, the 2.0E and 2.0G X variants are powered by a
2.0-litre four cylinder with VVT-iW
that kicks out
165 hp
 and
199 Nm
 of torque. The 6AR-FSE engine remains paired with a
six-speed automatic with Super ECT
. The engine can run in both Atkinson and Otto cycle, where the former setting is for efficiency while the latter is more performance oriented.
The hybrid meanwhile, soldiers on with a
2.5-litre four-cylinder VVT-i t
that’s combined with an
 electric motor
to produce a grand total of
 203 hp
 and
 270 Nm
 of torque. An
E-CVT box
is the only gearbox available for the hybrid.
Also new to the range is
Vehicle Stability Control
(VSC), and this is standard across all four variants. Moreover, the total airbag count is now up to
 seven
(Driver, Passenger, Curtain, Side and Driver Knee), and on top of that, the 2.5 Luxury now gets
Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
as well.
As for pricing, the revised 2016 Toyota Camry now starts at
RM152,900.00
 for the base 2.0E model, an increase of RM3,000 over the last year’s model. The updated 2.0G X retains the same pricing as the outgoing 2.0G at
RM159,900.00
, and the hybrid variant begins at
RM164,900.00
 for the 2.5 Premium and
 RM174,900.00
for the top of the range
 2.5 Luxury
.
We’ve reviewed the Camry 2.5 Hybrid last year (video below) and feel that it’s one of the more competent D-Segment sedans out there in the market. You can also check out our
written review
 as well!
VIDEO GALLERY
IMAGE GALLERY
2015 Toyota Camry 2.0G

2015 Toyota Camry 2.5 Hybrid


Gran Turismo, the sim racing game, is now an official Olympic sport

The Gran Turismo series became an instant hit with gamers since its introduction in 1997, thanks to its pretty graphics and abundance of car and track selections. Now in its seventh iteration, the
racing simulator
game
 even plays host to several international virtual racing leagues, thanks to its renewed focus on realistic driving physics and online racing netcode.
Despite its successes, no one in their right mind would ever say that one day, Gran Turismo will be a part of the Olympic Games. Yet here we are, in 2021, with the International Olympics Committee (IOC) announcing that the simulator racing game is now officially an Olympic Sport.
Is it time to brush up your sim racing skills?
Yes really, this is not a joke – but more accurately, the racing simulator title will be part of the first-ever Olympic Virtual Series. Taking place from
May 13 through June 23
, Gran Turismo (representing motorsports) will be joining virtual cycling, rowing, sailing, and baseball in an officially-sanctioned virtual event to essentially drive up the hype for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.
“The Olympic Virtual Series is a new, unique Olympic digital experience that aims to grow direct engagement with new audiences in the field of virtual sports,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “Its conception is in line with Olympic Agenda 2020+5 and the IOC’s Digital Strategy. It encourages sports participation and promotes the Olympic values, with a special focus on youth.”
UMWT Toyota’s annual Velocity eSports Championships
also runs on the Gran Turismo platform.
Specific details on the Olympic Gran Turismo event aren’t available yet, but the committee said each virtual sport will operate via the sport’s respective publisher platform (read: game). With this also being a partnership with the FIA, we think that the series may end up a lot like the other
FIA-sanctioned Gran Turismo events
, including the World Series Championships.
If we knew that playing Gran Turismo could one day make us Olympians, perhaps we would have been more serious about it instead of horsing around the Nordschleife every day after work. Or even maybe, your parents would actively encourage you to play more video games. What a strange world we live in today.


All-new Lotus Emira is here! Powered by AMG’s most powerful production 4-cylinder engine!

After months of anticipation, the new Lotus Emira has been revealed to lead the Hethel-based company’s
new line of mid-engined everyday sportscars
.
The
Emira
is the first all-new sports car from the company’s “Vision80” strategic transformation plan to enhance the brand’s presence around the world as it approaches its 80th anniversary in 2028.
Pronounced as
‘Eh-meer-ah’
, the word has been featured in several ancient languages and often translates as ‘commander’ or ‘leader’. The Emira will lead what is set to be the
last generation of internal combustion sportscars
 for Lotus as the company transitions to electrification.
Powering the sportscar are
 two engine options
, a 3.5-litre V6 engine previously seen in the Exige and Evora. They will be available in the “First Edition” launch models followed by a 2.0-litre turbocharged AMG engine – the most powerful production 4-cylinder engine in the world – co-developed with Mercedes-Benz. The latter will be available from mid-2022 onwards.
Transmission options are extensive with manual, automatic and AMG’s dual-clutch options available. Power output is expected to range from
365 hp to 405 hp
 with up to
 430 Nm
 of torque to play with.
Couple that with a (target) weight of merely 1,405 kg, the Emira is capable of 0 to 100 km/h in
under 4.5 seconds
, before topping out at 290 km/h.
Evija
Emira
The Emira is the first Lotus sports car to embrace a new design language first seen in the
2,000 hp Evija hypercar
. The exterior is not only muscular with profound character lines but it’s also blessed with the ability to cut through wind like a hot knife through butter.
The body features unique-in-class vents that channel air over the car while sculpted sections on the door help increase airflow into the air intakes, placed ahead of the rear wheels.
The Emira sits on 20-inch wheels all-round, wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 are offered as options as both tyres have been specially developed for the Emira. There are a total of five different wheel designs.
Aside from the stunning new exterior, the new Emira is also the

first Lotus to wear the company’s redesigned badge
. It’s available in Hethel Yellow, Shadow Grey, Magma Red, Nimbus Grey, Dark Verdant and Seneca Blue (launch colour).
The Emira’s bonded aluminium chassis is also new; built on the latest
Lotus Sports Car architecture
 with a lower centre of gravity and wider track than any Lotus car in recent history.
Available with two suspension and chassis setups,
“Tour”
 delivers a balance between comfort and performance while
“Sport”
(available through the Lotus Drivers Pack) provides a stiffer setup for better driving feel. To maintain its signature steering feedback, the hydraulic steering system is retained. The Lotus Drivers Pack also offers Launch Control.
Unlike before in older Lotus’, the days of sparsely furnished interiors are over beginning with the all-new Emira. Not only are there more soft-touch surfaces, better fit-and-finish using luxurious materials but it also offers more storage space! The Lotus’ of old would appear cave-like by comparison.
Combining the wraparound dashboard, raised gear shifter and flat-bottom steering wheel, the Emira prioritises the driver first, with intuitive controls and minimum distraction.
Gone are the fixed bucket seats of before, in the Exige and Elise. The new Emira offers powered seats as standard, with up to 12-way adjustments for both driver and passenger. Upholstery options include Nappa leather in Black, Red or Grey or Alcantara with different colour stitching.
There are two displays to rely on; a 10.25-inch touchscreen for entertainment and a 12.3-inch TFT display for the vehicle’s parameters. The infotainment displays were designed and developed by an in-house team at Lotus, with the system paired to a KEF premium sound system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
The new glass panels offer much-improved all-round visibility with Lotus also claiming best-in-class ingress/egress and headroom for the Emira. This should be interesting, considering what past Lotus sports cars were like.
The new Emira offers up to 208-litre of storage behind the two seats and 151-litres in the boot; enough for one cabin-sized luggage or a set of golf clubs.
Other creature comforts available include keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, and even curtain airbags! If that isn’t impressive enough, the new Emira also offers “semi pure-driving” features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane change assist, an anti-collision system and rear cross-traffic alert.
Prices are expected to be around £60,000, with the first customers taking delivery in early 2022. Pricing for the Malaysian-spec Lotus Emira has yet to be confirmed however those interested may contact
Lotus Malaysia
 to register your interest.
For more info on Lotus cars in Malaysia, reach out to:
Lotus Karz Sdn Bhd (Lotus Malaysia)
43 , Jalan Astaka U8/84A,
Bukit Jelutong 40150 Shah Alam Selangor
Call: +60 17 621 7227
GALLERY


Chinese man “blessed” his brand new BMW, burns it to the ground instead

Collecting a brand-new car is always an occasion and many car aficionados treat their prized ride to an expensive detailing treatment to celebrate this joyous moment while others settle with a selfie followed with an Instagram post. But not this Chinese national, he took car collection to a different high.
Upon collecting his BMW sedan (what we think is a G30 5 Series), the Chinese man from Yangzhou, Jiangsu province decided to
bless
his new whip by burning offerings and praying to the car. As you all know,
fire and cars don’t gel very well
…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6G_-NgbsV4
Based on an
interview with the alleged owner
, the unnamed male left the incense burning
far away
from the car and left it unattended. Around 20 minutes later, neighbours informed him that his brand new BMW was on fire and the fire department was called to the scene.
Other reports
 are suggesting malicious practice as CCTV caught children moving the position of the incense.
According to the Chinese media, the BMW was listed at 470k Yuan and the owner did not even have the chance to stick a number plate onto the car. Fortunately, the fire department managed to contain the fire but not before the car was left with bare metal. No injuries were reported from the incident.
If you want to thank the Gods on your new car purchase, we suggest going with a ceremony that does not involve burning of any sorts, because we can bet the discussion with your insurance company will not turn out pretty.
IMAGE GALLERY


We’ve just discovered what is likely the “Drift Video of 2019”

Nothing hits the spots and riles the nerves more than an epic stunt video.
With Mr. Block scraping the bottom of the barrel of to keep things fresh – resorting to hill climbs and swapping multiple cars in one video, the world awaits for the next best thing in automotive video production and this short film could just be it.
It’s titled “Flankers in the City” and could not have had a better start, with one of the cast saying “V8 sucks!” and proceeds to laud the merits of Japanese engines being reliable.

Taking some resemblance from the
Zenvo TSR-S
, the two drift cars piloted by the Evil Empire drift team, is actually based on the Chevrolet Corvette.
With Ken Block’s videos taking a repetitive turn, this one’s definitely a refreshing change of pace.
It’s 7pm and if you’re wasting the last few minutes in the office pretending to work, this one will help kill another five minutes. You’ll most likely find it more amusing than watching your friend’s Instagram story also!


Facts & Figures: Hyundai Palisade 7/8 seater launched in Malaysia, from RM328,888

Hyundai Sime-Darby Malaysia has launched the new
Hyundai Palisade
 available in four different variants starting from RM328,888. The Palisade will be available either as a 7- or 8-seater.
Prices start from
RM328,888
 for the 8-seater diesel (Exec 8),
RM338,888
 for the 8-seater V6 (Luxe 8),
RM348,888
 for the 7-seater Diesel (Exec 7), and
RM358,888
 for the 7-seater V6 (Luxe 7).

There are two engine options available for the Palisade; a naturally-aspirated 3.8-litre V6 or a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine. The turbo diesel variant even comes with additional drive modes including Mud, Sand, and Snow.
PERFORMANCE
Engine
3.8L naturally-aspirated V6
2.2L 4-cylinder turbo diesel
Transmission
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-wheel Drive
All-wheel Drive
Max Power
295 hp @ 6,000 rpm
200 hp @ 3,800 rpm
Max Torque
355 Nm @ 5,200 rpm
440 hp @ 1,750 to 2,750 rpm
0 to 100 km/h
7.8 seconds
10.2 seconds
Top Speed
210 km/h
190 km/h
EXTERIOR
On the outside, both the V6 and turbo diesel variants are equipped with identical features. The Palisade is fitted with MacPherson struts in the front and multi-link suspension at the rear.
LED head and taillights
LED daytime running lights
Hands-free powered tailgate
Puddle lamps
20-inch alloy wheels
Only the V6 comes with the Hyundai Smart Sense driver assistance and the only way to spot the difference between the V6 and the turbo diesel model is the radar sensor at the front bumper of the V6.
Inside, the Palisade is availabe with three different interior colour schemes – red, black and white. The driver seat comes with 12-way adjustablity while the front passenger seat comes with eight.
Only the 7 seater variants get ventilated seats front and back. As for the 8-seater variants, they’re only fitted with ventilated seats in the front.
INTERIOR
7-inch TFT multi-info display
8-inch infortainment display
Head up display
Dual Sunroof
7x USB ports
Wireless charging
3-zone air conditioning
As for boot space, the Palisade offers 704-litres of cargo space with the 3rd row seats down. With the 3rd row seats erected, you’re looking at 311-litres.
SAFETY
Safety features in the Hyundai Palisade include Safe Exit Alert and Rear Occupant Alert. All variants come with six airbags, however only the 3.8-litre V6 variants come with the full suite of Hyundai Smart Sense features. They include Forward Collision Warning, autonomous braking, High Beam Assist, Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keeping Assist, and Lane Following Assist.
GALLERY


The Hyundai IONIQ Electric is Europe’s cheapest car to run

It’s been observed that the Hyundai IONIQ Electric is the cheapest car to own across Europe, out of 66,000 vehicles studied by independent website Sust-It, to help car buyers get the best product for their budget.
The IONIQ Electric, which has a battery range of
280 kilometres
, was found to cost 0.02 Euro (9 cents) per kilometre to run, or 385.49 Euro (RM 1,836) over one year. Sust-it calculated the running cost of all 66,000 vehicles from the amount of energy they use and CO2 they produce over
19,000 kilometres
 – the average distance a person will drive every year.
Read out our first impression of the
Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid
 here.
For electric vehicles like the IONIQ Electric, carbon dioxide emissions produced to generate the electricity used during recharging was also taken into account. A major reason why the IONIQ Electric is so energy efficient lies in its design – minimising  air resistance and emissions.
Its exterior panels are designed to flex to boost aerodynamics further, producing a class-leading drag coefficient value of just 0.24. Its diffuser and rear spoiler generates downforce for better stability at higher speeds, whilst simultaneously minimising the effect of drag.
The gentle slope of the roofline merges seamlessly into the rear spoiler, while slim contoured door mirrors help airflow and minimise wind noise, creating a shape that is both sporty and aerodynamically efficient.
Hyundai Motor is the first automotive manufacturer to offer an electric, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid powertrain in one single body type. It has sold more than 28,000 units across Europe since late 2016.


All-new Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 & 63 S debut: MHEV, PHEV, 4-cylinder engines

Mercedes-Benz
 has unveiled the performance variant of its GLC SUV – the
Mercedes-AMG GLC
. It is offered in two variants, namely the GLC 43 4MATIC and the GLC 63 S E Performance. The all-new Mercedes-AMG GLC is the brand’s first performance hybrid SUV.
On the outside, both the GLC 43 and GLC 63 S come with AMG-specific design elements. This includes the radiator grille with vertical struts, AMG front apron with flics, and chrome-plated trim elements.
Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC
The rear apron on the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 is given a diffuser-look, while the GLC 63 S gets an additional diffuser board. At the back, there are two tailpipe trims, which are round on the GLC 43 and trapezoidal on the GLC 63 S.
The GLC 63 S E Performance is also available with the exclusive Edition 1 for one year from its market launch. Offered in the graphite grey magno or high-tech silver magno colour options, the Edition 1 GLC 63 S is fitted with 21-inch AMG forged wheels finished in matte black, together with a black and yellow interior.
RELATED:
Gallery: 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC, RM430k
Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC
Powering the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC is a 48V mild hybrid system consisting of a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine and a belt-driven starter-generator (BSG). The engine features an electric exhaust gas turbocharger, which makes it the only turbocharged production engine in the world to date to feature the technology. However, the Mercedes-AMG GLC is not the first Mercedes-Benz model to feature the engine, as it was already available in the
Mercedes-AMG SL 43 roadster
.
Paired with AMG’s Speedshift MCT 9G transmission, the mill produces
421 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque. The BSG is capable of providing an additional boost of
14 hp
 and
150 Nm
.
Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC
With power sent to all four wheels via the brand’s 4MATIC all-wheel drive (AWD) system, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 can sprint from 0-100 km/h in
4.8 seconds
, and reach an electronically limited top speed of
250 km/h
.
Carrying the performance SUV is a set of aluminium double wishbone suspension with Mercedes-AMG’s Ride Control and Adaptive Damping System. The GLC 43 is also fitted with a hydraulic dual-circuit brake system, featuring ventilated and perforated brake discs at the front and back.
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance
The Mercedes-GLC 63 S E Performance on the other hand is powered by a 400V plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, which produces a rated output of
476 hp
 and
545 Nm
, as well as an electric motor pushing out a total of
204 hp
 and
320 Nm
. Paired with the AMG Speedshift MCT 9G transmission, the GLC 63 S’ system output is rated at
680 hp
 and
1020 Nm
.
Power is sent to all four wheels. The engine powers the front wheels, while the electric motor powers the rear, thanks to the
6.1 kWh
 battery. The century sprint can be done in just
3.5 seconds
, and its top speed is electronically limited to
275 km/h
.
RELATED:
Mercedes-AMG SL 43 previewed in Malaysia – Estimated RM1 million, 2.0-litre turbo, 381hp, 275km/h top speed
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance
Charging the Mercedes-GLC 63 S can be done via the
3.7 kW
 on-board AC charger. Because the electric motor is designed to provide fast power delivery rather than the longest possible range, its electric range is rated at
12 km
 for you to travel around the city, for instance.
Inside the Mercedes-AMG GLC, the AMG-specific design elements continue. This includes AMG equipment such as AMG seats wrapped in Artico man-made leather and Microcut AMG microfibre. The performance SUV is also fitted with a flat-bottomed AMG Performance steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather for the GLC 43, and Nappa leather with Microcut microfibre for the GLC 63 S.
Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance
The signature set of round AMG steering wheel buttons is here too, allowing drivers to operate various dynamic driving functions, as well as the AMG Dynamic Select drive programs. AMG sports pedals, AMG floor mats and illuminated door sill panels with AMG lettering are also fitted with the Mercedes-AMG GLC as standard. AMG-specific displays and functions are included with the MBUX infotainment system. Closer to home, the “regular” Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC MHEV SUV is offered at RM430k.
RELATED:
No more dealer discounts – Mercedes-Benz implements agency model in Malaysia with retail partners
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Mercedes-Benz hybrid cars remain tax exempted for 2016

Last year was undoubtedly a runaway success for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) following their rapid lineup expansion and efforts in locally producing some three of their core models. However, this news brings not just one good news, but two!
Firstly, MBM’s customers will continue to benefit from import duty and excise tax exemptions for both their existing hybrid cars, the
Mercedes-Benz E300 BlueTec Hybrid
 and
Mercedes-Benz S400L Hybrid
.
Secondly, pricing for all Mercedes-Benz models will remain unchanged for the time being, but there’s no guarantee that prices won’t go up later this year. MBM’s Vice President of Passenger Car Sales and Marketing, Mark Raine said, “We will not increase the prices across the board at the start of 2016, but will continue to monitor all influencing factors.”
The company is set to reveal their sales performance throughout 2015 on Friday and have also hinted on launching their range of SUVs (
beginning with the GLE
 on 14 January) this year. Meanwhile, be sure to give the price list below a look.


Video: McLaren GT, 5 Things

It has opened up a new line of vehicles for McLaren under the GT series and will go head-to-head with the Aston Martin DB11, Porsche 911 Turbo S and the Ferrari Portofino – this is the all-new
McLaren GT
.
Based on the 720S, it’s powered by a 4.0-litre twin turbo V8, with an astronomical
620 hp
 and
 630 Nm
 to solely drive the rear wheels. As a result, it simply annihilates the 0 to 100 km/h run in just 3.2 seconds!

According to McLaren Automotive Asia Pacific and China’s Managing Director, George Biggs, McLaren’s GT series vehicles are designed to offer the best driving experience in any grand tourers while providing ample space for luggage, not so much for passengers and 4-door versions and SUVs are not in the pipeline.
Without the rear seats – which are usually non-functional on other grand touring cars anyways according to Biggs, the Woking-based carmaker was able to push the luggage capacity of the McLaren GT up to a class-leading total storage space of 570 litres – in a supercar!
For more about McLaren’s latest offering, allow Denis to give you a run-through of the GT’s fascinating facts.
IMAGE GALLERY


Subaru has now produced over 20 million all-wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles!

Subaru Corporation has announced that production of its all-wheel drive vehicles have
surpassed 20 million units
just last month in June.
The milestone was achieved just one year before the company’s 50th anniversary. The first-ever unit was a
Leone 4WD wagon
, introduced in September 1972. It was also Japan’s first mass-produced AWD passenger car.
Subaru Leone.
Currently, the company’s AWD models
account for 98% of its global sales.
These models are equipped with

a Boxer engine, to drive all four wheels via Subaru’s Symmetrical All-wheel Drive (AWD) system.
With the upcoming
all-electric Solterra SUV
due to arrive in 2022, and subsequently other hybrid vehicles by 2025, Subaru said its all-wheel drive technology will be enhanced along with its electrification technology.
Recently, Subaru was also recently named the
fastest-growing SUV brand
 in the UK. This follows after a news report by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) where Subaru’s UK sales in the first six months of 2021 have increased by 165%.
Subaru also recorded a
388% increase
 in car registrations in June 2021 compared to the same period last year.
Subaru has been on-point lately with their cars especially with the new Forester and XV. Both are built on the SGP platform that costed the company USD1 billion to develop.
The result is a vehicle with unrivaled traction from its Symmetrical All-wheel Drive system that channels equal power to all four wheels. This new generation of Subaru vehicles also offer high levels of stability and comfort as a result of the extremely rigid chassis which indirectly allows for suspension with softer settings.


Video: Mitsubishi Triton VGT Adventure X Review

Aside from the Ford Ranger, I honestly can’t think of another pick-up from the vast variety available in Malaysia that can be compared to the
new Mitsubishi Triton
.
While we may not have featured the Hilux in the video, we actually had one as a tracking vehicle and the difference, especially in ergonomics, between the two is startling.

As such, only the Ranger stands out, alongside the Triton, with a family-friendly passenger car-like cabin. Even so, the Triton has something even the Ranger does not offer – rear air vents on the headlining – which vastly changes the experience of being in the back seat.
Speaking of which, the angle of the rear seats, although said to have been improved from before, does not offer a profound difference from the model before or even compared to the Hilux we had for the shoot.

For a closer look at what the Triton offers, throughout the different variants, check out the video above!
IMAGE GALLERY


MINI Malaysia teases MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 PHEV, to be CKD?

In early 2017, MINI pulled off the wraps to its first ever plug-in MINI, the MINI Cooper S E Countryman and it appears that the car will make its appearance in Malaysia very soon. MINI Malaysia has taken to their social media pages to tease the imminent launch of the Countryman PHEV.
Upfront you’ll find a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine driving the front axle via a six-speed automatic while the rear wheels are driven by an electric motor via a two-stage single-speed transmission; giving it all-wheel drive capabilities. Combined output for the hybrid system is rated at
224 hp
 and is enough to propel the Countryman PHEV from 0 to 100 km/h in
6.8 seconds
. Mind you, the souped-up
Countryman JCW
 is only a fraction quicker than its eco-friendly twin.

MINI claims that the Countryman PHEV will have an all-electric range of up to
40 km
 (125 km/h electric top speed) on a full charge before the combustion engine assumes its duties. A full charge takes between 2 to 3 hours. The charging socket is located on the passenger side (for RHD models), just like all BMW PHEVs, neatly tucked behind the E side emblem.
Other unique items for the Countryman PHEV include Electric Lime accents on the badges, E emblems all round, hybrid-specific instrument cluster, a 6.5-inch infotainment screen as well as an
eDRIVE toggle switch
.
BMW Group Malaysia’s manufacturing plant in Kulim, which is also where the Countryman petrol is put together, have the technical means to assemble high-voltage vehicles. It would only make sense (pricing wise) for MINI Malaysia to take advantage of the EEV incentives for CKD hybrid vehicles and locally assemble the Countryman PHEV.
What also remains to be seen is whether the
Cooper S Countryman petrol
 will suffer the same fate as the
BMW 330i
 when it was replaced by the cheaper and more capable
330e
 or form a three-model line up – Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper S E.
Registration of interest for the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 is now open at
MINI Malaysia’s dedicated website
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Bentley gets stoned with an all new interior trim option from Mulliner

Bentley is a name (amongst others) that conjures up visions of luxury and grandeur, fit for royalty and the aristocracy, from dignitaries to premiership footballers and of course the Kardashians. The British luxury brand has always taken immense pride in their craft and has stood by it with a burning passion.
W.O. Bentley was the
kinda
chap who believed that luxury lied in the Holy Trinity of automotive luxury, namely
wood
,
leather
 and
shag
. With the latter being an innuendo-laden reference to the deep luscious carpets that graced the floor pans in Bentley’s of old. And if we were truthfully honest, that has always been the defining characteristics of luxury cars back in the day. Utter, nay whisper the word ‘Sports’ or Carbon Fibre and you’d be hustled out the front gate by a burly eastern European security bloke. Such was the exacting standards of Bentley.
Walnut
,
eucalyptus
,
maple
and
cherry
; no these aren’t random items on mum’s weekly grocery list but rather it’s just a few veneer types that Mulinner keep around in the wood shed which as one report mentioned, Bentley keeps up to
£250,000
 worth in store. Only the top
five
 to
ten percent
 of materials produced meet Mulliner’s expectation are
acquired
.
But that seems to be a passing motion when you consider that Bentley’s spirit of innovation lives on strong as the Crewe-based crafts men have resorted to using stone – oddly enough, to craft its veneered dash trimming’s and as it happens, it’s a first for the marque.
Just as those artists picked the choicest wood, the same care and attention has been paid to the type of
quartz
 selected for this endeavour. Naturally the British-brand sought inspiration from its former colony
India
 where quartzite stone is sustainably sourced by stone masons. Sounds as exotic as a Victorian tale doesn’t it, but in reality that slab of stone is shipped back to England where craftsman
match
 and
grind
 the stone down to a thickness of just
 0.1 mm
 thick. The stone is then
ground
 and
polished
 so fine that its almost
translucent
 – almost.
Geoff Dowding, Director of Mulliner Operations, comments: “Bentley is the established expert in the
handcrafting
 of wood and leather, and now we are exploring new, fine and rare materials to offer even more
bespoke
 tailoring and choice to our customers. Stone veneers are another first for Bentley – but only the beginning of what we plan to do with this luxurious and unique material.”
Mulliner
 for the first time ever is now offering
Stone Veneers
 in a natural finish, in four different colours on Continental and Flying Spur models:
Galaxy
,
Autumn White
,
Terra Red
 and
Copper
. As is Mulliner’s reputation of coach building, they will handcraft the stone veneer bespoke to their client’s exact requirements. Quality and perfection is the name of the game that the boys from Crewe know all too well and will continue to uphold for times to come.


2021 BMW 320i Sport updated with bigger screen and digital instrument cluster – from RM231k

BMW Malaysia has just given the entry-level
320i Sport
 model a spec bump for the 2021 model year, with a new infotainment system bringing it up to par with its more expensive siblings.
The new BMW Live Cockpit Professional system, now coming as standard on the 320i, includes a 10.25-inch centre touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument display – a big upgrade over the existing 8.8-inch screen and analogue instrument cluster from before.
With the new upgrade, the 320i Sport also now runs on the BMW iDrive 7.0 Infotainment System, which includes features such as Apple CarPlay connectivity, “Hey BMW” Intelligent Personal Assistant, over-the-air software updates, as well as a more modern user interface with larger tiles.
Read our review of the BMW 320i Sport here!
Otherwise, the rest of the 320i’s equipment list remains largely identical from before, including the Sport Line exterior package, adaptive LED headlights with LED fog lights, gloss black side window frames and 18-inch V-spoke style 780 two-tone alloy wheels.
Over on the interior, the 320i still retains the same Vernasca leather upholstery and aluminium mesh trim with pearl chrome highlights, tri-zone climate control system, power-adjustable front seats with memory function on the driver’s side, six speakers, and the comfort access hands-free kick-open bootlid. Although, the wireless smartphone charging pad has been removed on this update.
The Driving Assistant advanced driving assistance suite have been retained from the
previous upgrade
, with features including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear collision prevention. The Parking Assistant feature with Reversing Assist is also included on the BMW 320i Sport, alongside a rear-view reversing camera.
The BMW 320i Sport was BMW Malaysia’s bestseller last year, with more than 1,400 units delivered.
Also unchanged are all of its mechanical bits, with the 320i continuing to be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four mill with
184 hp
 and
300 Nm
 of torque, paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The 320i takes
7.1 seconds
 to complete the century sprint, onward to a top speed of
235 km/h
.
With the new upgrades, the BMW 320i Sport here in Malaysia is now priced starting from
RM230,764
, a RM4,000 increase from before. The price is inclusive of the
SST exemptions
 and a standard two-year unlimited mileage warranty. With the
optional five-year warranty and free service package
, the price increases to
 RM243,889
.
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Proton ends Q1 2022 with 13k units sold in March – 41.2% jump over February

Proton
 has just reported its sales performance for the month of March 2022, which saw a total of
13,028 units sold
(domestic and export sales), translating to an estimated
19% market share
 for the month. The figure represents a
41.2%
 increase over February.
The positive growth was contributed largely by its export sales at 794 units in March, hitting an all-time high since March 2013. Pakistan was the biggest export market last month, accounting for 690 units alone.
Taking into account the March sales figure, Proton ended its first quarter with a total of
26,706 units
 in cumulative units sold, which translates to an estimated market share of 17.5%, placing them second in the nation’s overall table. However, when compared to the same period last year, Q1 2022 saw a 5.7% decline in market share, and an 18.6% drop in sales.
Proton says that the drop in sales was a result of a combination of unfortunate events outside its control, including the
 recent devastating flood
which affected its local vendors and logistics services, plus the global chip shortage issue that has plagued carmakers worldwide.
RELATED: Proton dealers now required to have 3-months holding stock
As a silver lining, however, the national carmaker’s overall exports sales grew to 1,117 units in Q1 2022, which is an increase of 175% over the same period last year.
The main contributor to Proton’s sales performance in March was again the
Proton Saga
, the company’s bread and butter model, with 6,422 units delivered last month – making it not just the best-selling A-segment sedan for the month, but also topping the charts for the entire A-segment in Malaysia.
The Proton
X50
,
X70
, and
Exora
 also contributed to the figure with 1,573, 2,320, and 536 units sold respectively, topping each of their respective segments.
“The first three months of 2022 has been tough for Proton and our customers,” says Proton Edar CEO and
Proton Deputy CEO, Roslan Abdullah
. “Production issues continue to suppress our true potential and as a result, created a long waiting list for our cars.”
“Our parts supply and hence, production volumes, began to stabilise in March but we’re expecting a few more disruptions in the coming months as other industries ramp up their production. For the rest of the year however, Proton is still aiming to hit our targets as we work closely with our vendors and dealers to smooth out supply lines to deliver cars to our customers,” he added.
ALSO READ: Proton now has Malaysia’s largest parking lot bi-facial solar panel facility
“We are also making progress with sorting out our after sales issues and therefore, the company is confident it can rebound strongly over the next quarter.”


All-new Suzuki Swift reportedly to debut this year, hybrid Swift Sport in the works

The
Suzuki Swift
 has been a popular Japanese hatchback since it was first introduced to the market in 2004, especially among car enthusiasts. This is for a couple of reasons, including its sporty looks, nimble handling, rev-happy engines, and most importantly, the Swift is a practical, economical, and no-frills daily runabout.
The Suzuki Swift is currently in its third generation, which was first launched in 2017, making the current generation Swift six years old in 2023 (time flies eh?), and one would expect a facelift or an all-new generation Swift to be in the process of development already. And you are probably right, as the all-new fourth-generation Suzuki Swift is reportedly making its world debut this year, with its hot hatch sibling – the Swift Sport coming sometime next year, according to Japanese publication
Bestcarweb
.
A rendering of the fourth-generation Suzuki Swift (Credit:
bestcarweb.jp
)
There has been a number of renderings of what people think the fourth-generation Suzuki Swift might look like being circulated online. However, the actual car has already been sighted testing on public roads, albeit wrapped in camouflage.
Even though the car was completely wrapped in camouflage, a couple of differences made to the car can be easily spotted. This includes a redesigned front fascia, sleeker-looking LED headlights, and a clamshell-shaped bonnet. The frontal of the upcoming Suzuki Swift was also seen sporting a revised bumper design, new fog lamps, as well as a wider air inlet.
RELATED:
2023 Suzuki Jimny Rhino Edition launched in Malaysia – 30 units only, RM175k
A rendering of the fourth-generation Suzuki Swift Sport (Credit:
bestcarweb.jp
)
Other cosmetic upgrades
Suzuki
 has given to the upcoming fourth-generation Swift include a sloping roofline design, new LED tail lights, a redesigned rear spoiler and bumper, as well as a tweaked tailgate. Another interesting change is the rear door handles that have seemingly been repositioned from the C pillars back to the conventional rear door position. The car’s overall dimensions are also expected to be larger than those of the third generation.
Powertrain-wise, Bestcarweb has reported that the regular Suzuki Swift will be sporting a mild hybrid system consisting of a 1.2-litre inline-three engine and an electric motor. As for the sportier Swift Sport, it is expected to be featuring a mild hybrid system as well, but with a more powerful 1.4-litre inline-four turbocharged engine.
At the end of the day, none of the details regarding the fourth-generation Suzuki Swift has been officially confirmed just yet. What we can say for sure is that a camouflaged all-new Swift has undergone testing on public roads. Therefore, we can only wait and see if those information will turn out to be true, or not.
Are you excited about the fourth-generation Suzuki Swift and Swift Sport? Share your thoughts down below!
RELATED:
Just like the G-Wagen, the Suzuki Jimny will be going fully electric too


Daihatsu Ayla EV concept unveiled – Electric Perodua Axia in the making?

Daihatsu Indonesia has unveiled the Daihatsu Ayla EV concept at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show 2022 (GIIAS 2022), which is basically an EV version of our beloved
Perodua Axia
. The concept explores the possibility of a budget EV for the South East Asian market – something that could possibly boost EV adoption in the region.
Looks-wise, you can still see the Axia/Ayla chassis that underpins the Ayla EV concept. As with most EVs, the front bumper lacks the “breathing holes” that an usual petrol car would have. Besides the two-tone colour treatment, a yellow tinge can also be seen on the exterior, helping the car pop out a bit more.
ALSO WATCH:
Perodua Axia, 5 Things
Side view canmers on the Daihatsu Ayla EV concept
Looking a bit out of place on the Ayla EV concept are the side cameras that are hooked up to retrofitted screens on the inside. Shoddy fitment aside, the cameras could be a sign of things to come for budget cars.
The original dash of the Ayla/Axia is only slightly adjusted for the Ayla EV. Notice where the steering wheel is taken from?
The familiar design of the Ayla/Axia is retained on the inside of the Ayla EV. Things to note inside are the steering wheel from the Ativa/Rocky/Raize trio, the digital instrument cluster, the centre honeycomb AC vent, and the rotary gear selector. Interestingly, the Ayla EV concept is not equipped with Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) as it still features the good ol’ handbrake lever.
RELATED:
All-new 2022 Perodua Alza bookings now 39k units strong, 4,000 units delivered
Time to convert your Axia taillights, boys.
Now, onto the EV numbers. Replacing the usual 3-cylinder engine in the Axia is a
60 kW
 electric motor that drives the front wheels. A
32 kWh
 battery pack powers the Ayla EV concept.
The electric range has not been specified, but a battery of this size can usually provide
about 200+ km
 of range depending on the weight of the vehicle, and the power output of the motor. For context, the
MINI Cooper SE
 with its 28.9 kWh battery has 232 km of WLTP range and the
Honda E

with its 28.5 kWh battery has a WLTP range of 222 km.
Type 2 socket only – Does this mean no DC fast charging?
As for charging, the only thing we can tell about the Ayla EV Concept is the use of a Type 2 charging socket. From the look of the socket, it seems the Ayla EV concept is only capable of AC charging. No further technical details have been provided on the Ayla EV concept.
Proudly built by Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM) Indonesia, Daihatsu says it has equipped the Ayla EV concept with a stronger suspension to cope with the added weight of the battery. They have also worked on the car’s underbody.
Daihatsu said, “By exhibiting these vehicles, Daihatsu will convey its approach of promoting the sustainable spread of practical electrified vehicles to visitors. It will also communicate its corporate commitment to contributing to the realisation of carbon neutrality in Indonesia”.
ALSO WATCH:
2022 Perodua Alza 7-seater MPV launched in Malaysia, from RM62,500


BMW Concept Compact Sedan previews the next generation 1 Series

The Germans are on a roll with small but fast premium compact sedans, with
Mercedes-Benz CLA
 and
Audi A3
 taking a healthy chunk in that segment. It didn’t take long for BMW to counter the CLA and A3. With that, BMW stirs competition by previewing the
BMW Concept Compact Sedan
, revealed in Auto Guangzhou 2015. This could also hint towards a true spiritual successor to the legendary E30 3 Series.
While it is expected to be the company’s first look of the
next-generation 1 series
, this concept has a longer wheelbase compared to the current 1 Series. Also to note, this four-door compact is built on the
UKL front-wheel-drive platform
. That’s right, this will be the first BMW compact saloon to join the ranks of the
2-Series Active Tourer
 and the brand new
F84 X1
.

On the brighter side of things, BMW can still produce fun-to-drive front-wheel-drive cars, as proven with the new MINIs. Perhaps the cheaper FWD configuration will allow the company to position the new 1 Series more competitively, attracting a broader segment of customers (new and old) in the process.
No word on the powertrain yet, but it’s expected to utilise the similar 2.0-litre N20 turbocharged unit from the current 128i/228i range. However, never rule out the possibility of putting a
320hp 3.0-litre
 N55 turbocharged unit as per the M235i. After all, hitting 300hp in a front-wheel drive car is pretty common lately, as proven by most recent hot hatches.
The current second-generation 1 Series has been in the market since 2011, with the
LCI facelift
 introduced barely a few months back. We might need to wait at least two to three years before the unveiling of the new third-generation 1 series. That should give BMW more than enough time to craft a balanced and well handled front-wheel driven compact saloon car that could silent critics who think front-wheel drive Bimmers are nothing but sheer blasphemy.
IMAGE GALLERY


2nd-gen Lexus LM debuts at Auto Shanghai 2023, previews next-gen Alphard

Perhaps the epitome of luxury MPVs, the Lexus LM now enters its second generation. The new Lexus LM has just made its world debut at
Auto Shanghai 2023
 and will be launched in 60 countries worldwide. For the first time, it will be made available for the first time in Europe.
On the outside, the second-generation Lexus LM was designed with the key concept of “Dignified Elegance”. The main goal of the exterior design was to create a unique identity through proportions that reflect “functional purity” and “dynamic performance”.
At the front end, the new Lexus LM sports a further evolved version of the Spindle Body, which has been the identity for the Lexus brand. This time around, a dash of body colour has been applied to the grille, making it look like a seamless integral part of the body. Lexus has also minimised the gap between the surrounding parts and body to improve aerodynamics.
Depending on the variant, the LM sits on either a set of 17-inch of 19-inch wheels. The Lexus LM measures 5,125 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,955 mm tall. Its wheelbase measures 3,000 mm long.
RELATED:
Lexus LM 350 brings First Class hospitality into a vehicle – RM1.148m
So far, there are two powertrain options for the LM, with both of them being electrified. The first is a 2.4-litre inline-4 turbocharged engine hybrid system with the brand’s “eAxle”. The second is a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine hybrid system with E-Four/FF.
Inside, the second-generation Lexus LM provides either a 4-, 6-, or 7-seater configuration. The 4-seat version is specially designed for chauffeur-driven use. In the 4-seater version, a partition separates the front and rear seats. The upper portion houses a retractable glass window with a dimming function. Below is a 48-inch widescreen display that can be used for a variety of purposes including online meetings and entertainment. A refrigerator and storage spaces are located under the display.
RELATED:
All-new 2023 Lexus RX to launch in Malaysia this year – rumoured pricing from RM470k
The main focus of the Lexus LM was both ride comfort and quietness. For rise comfort, torsional rigidity is 50% higher than that of the outgoing version. Structural adhesive has also been used for the upper body to help reduce vibration.
For seat development, passenger body movements were thoroughly analysed to ensure a naturally relaxed state for both body and mind no matter where you are sitting. Special attention was also paid to reducing head movement and stabilizing the line of sight. The front seats optimize surface pressure distribution on the seat cushion to hold the body, regardless of the amount of G-force during turning.
RELATED:
2023 Lexus RZ 450e debuts in Thailand – fully-electric SUV to launch in Malaysia this year?
Lexus-first features on the new LM include “AVS Suspension with Frequency-Sensitive Piston Valve” and a “Rear Comfort” drive mode. The former combines an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) actuator and a frequency-sensitive piston valve in the shock absorber. The latter enables an emphasis on rear-seat comfort. The dampening force characteristics of the AVS are set to prioritize rear-seat comfort, while integrated control of the gas pedal and brake reduces posture changes during acceleration and deceleration.
Safety features in the Lexus LM include Pre-crash safety, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) with all-speed follow function, Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Abnormal Driver Response System, and Proactive Driving Assist (PDA). The Lexus LM also features “Advanced Drive (traffic jam support)” and “Advanced Park (with remote function)”
Lexus International new LM Chief Engineer, Takami Yokoo said, “The inspiration for the development of the new Lexus LM was the increasingly diverse lifestyles of customers in the luxury segment. This is where the development concept was born: creating a mobile space where customers can be their true selves. Our goal was to provide an environment that would allow busy individuals to relax in mind and body, free from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives―a space to inspire positive thought and action.”
GALLERY


Facelifted Nissan X-Trail goes on sale in UK, updated looks with ProPilot safety

The facelifted third-generation Nissan X-Trail has finally gone on sale in Europe after its
dynamic debut in June
 early this year. Packing striking upgrades to the exterior design and new safety features, the world’s best-selling SUV is not going to let its position slide just yet.
As reported earlier, the X-Trail now gets Nissan’s latest “V-motion” grille, giving it a bolder road presence. The bumper has also been redesigned with new foglamp housings and black plastic trims. On variants that are equipped with full LED headlamps now benefits from the added
Adaptive Front Lighting System
that illuminates the apex in conjunction with the vehicle’s speed and steering input.

The rear benefits from new LED taillamps with revised graphics as well as a chrome trim across the tailgate. Additionally, a chrome trim around the sides gives the refreshed X-Trail a more robust look. New 18-inch alloy wheel design has been added to the options list. New colours include Monarch Orange, Palatial Ruby, Sapphire Blue and Picador Brown.
Inside, the X-Trail now boasts a range of upgrades that elevates the cabin’s overall look and feel. New items include a slimmer three-spoke steering wheel design that gives 17 percent better instrument cluster visibility, heated seats for first and second row occupants, Premium Tan and Black two-tone leather upholstery, leather knee pad, gloss black air vents, redesigned centre armrest and restyled gear lever.

The boot of the X-Trail is now 15 litres larger than before (now
565 litres
) on the five-seater configuration, thanks to improved packaging. Boot space on the seven-seater X-Trails remains the same at
445 litres
 with all seats in place.
The biggest upgrade on the X-Trail is the inclusion of
ProPilot
that gives semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The ProPilot bundles Lane Keep Assist, Intelligent Cruise Control and Traffic Jam Pilot which helps ease mental load when driving long distances and city commute.
Other safety technologies
 include – Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Stand Still Assist, Hill Start Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Driver Alertness, Intelligent Park Assist, Intelligent Around View Monitor and Lane Departure Warning.
Like before, the facelifted X-Trail is available in three powertrain options – a 1.6-litre turbodiesel with
128 hp
, 2.0-litre turbodiesel with
175 hp
 and a 1.6-litre turbo petrol with
161 hp
. All engines can be paired to either a six-speed manual or X-Tronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) as well as two- or four-wheel drive layout.
Prices for the facelifted Nissan X-Trail in UK starts from £23,385 (RM133k). Locally, Edaran Tan Chong Motors have the
pre-facelift third-generation Nissan X-Trail
 on sale but is severely lacking in the safety department (it only comes with two airbags!).  Perhaps this facelift model is what Edaran Tan Chong needs to hold its fort in Malaysia.
IMAGE GALLERY


Perodua Myvi facelift open for booking: priced from RM42k, launching on 15 January

It’s close now, a little more than a week to go before the official launch of the Perodua Myvi facelift. The outgoing Myvi
Lagi Best
 has been around since mid 2011 and have since swept the
Best Selling National Car
 title since it was first introduced here.
Four years down the road and the Myvi gets a new lease of life, this time with a new tagline –
The Love of the Nation
. It’s open for bookings too, as per the brochure seen on their
website
.
Now, onto the highlights. The Myvi facelift is priced
slightly cheaper
 than the model it will be replacing, starting from
RM41,500
 to
RM58,900
 as compared to the
RM41,936
 to
RM61,740
 tags before. It also gets a more straightforward naming convention that’s similar to the
Axia’s
.
The Myi 1.3L
Standard G
 will replace the current
Myvi 1.3 XT
, whereas the
Premium X
 replaces the Myvi 1.3 SE. Onto the 1.5L Myvi: two trims are available, the
1.5L SE
 and the
1.5L Advance
, no more Myvi Extreme here, and we applaud that. Under the bonnet rests the same engines with virtually no mechanical enhancements, with the
1.3-litre engine
 making
90 hp
 and
117 Nm
 of torque, whereas the
1.5-litre
 makes
102 hp
 and
136 Nm
 of torque.
Click image to visit
Perodua’s website
Both engines can be had with either a five-speed manual or four-speed E-AT transmission, however the Premium X 1.3L and Advance 1.5L won’t be getting the stick shifter. Its headlights are new too, featuring
LED daytime running lights
. The front bumper now includes
front parking sensors
 which were first seen on the Axia. Other new features inside the Myvi include a new multimedia head unit with integrated reverse camera, along with an anti-snatch hook and retractable cup holder.
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