Don’t be fooled, the Porsche Macan GTS is as much a sports car as it is an SUV

These days, SUV buyers are no longer looking just for practicality, but also style, speed, and even sports-car rivalling performance. If you’re looking for an SUV that can deliver “agility and responsiveness of a true sports car”, Porsche’s facelifted Macan GTS might be the only car you need.
The facelifted Porsche Macan GTS gets a suite of goodies to make it the sportiest of the bunch. Firstly, under the hood is a new 2.9-litre V6 biturbo engine that delivers
380 hp
 and
520 Nm
 of torque, which puts it in between the
 Macan S
and the
 Macan Turbo
 in terms of power.
Despite the smaller displacement engine, the updated Macan GTS gains 20 hp and 20 Nm from its predecessor. Combined with the specially tuned PDK dual-clutch gearbox and the optional Sport Chrono package, the Macan GTS completes the century sprint in
 4.7 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
261 km/h
.
The GTS abbreviation (for Gran Turismo Sport) on a Porsche usually means outstanding driving dynamics, and the Macan GTS is no different.
The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) damping control system has been specifically tuned for the new GTS, while the chassis has been lowered by
15 mm
 for a lower centre of gravity. The optional adaptive air suspension lowers it by a further 10 mm.
The Macan GTS rides on
20-inch RS Spyder Design wheels
, housing the 360 mm front and 330 mm rear cast iron brakes. The brakes can be upgraded with a tungsten carbide coating or ceramic composite units for enhanced stopping performance.
Visually, the Macan GTS inherits the
facelifted Macan
 design, but gets a Sport Design package as standard that includes sportier front and rear trims and side skirts. The distinguishing black accents from the GTS models are applied on the front apron, taillights and LED light bar, rear diffuser, tailpipes, and the wheels.
The LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) are also darkened, and can be fitted with the PDLS Plus system.
The sportiness of the GTS is emphasised on the inside with generous use of Alcantara on the GTS exclusive sports seats, centre console armrests and door panels. Leather upholstery can be had in either Carmine Red or Crayon to offset the swath of Alcantara cloth.
Of course, the Macan GTS still needs to be a competent everyday road car where it will mostly be driven. Porsche is making available a whole list of optional equipment for the Macan GTS, including a Bose Surround Sound system, wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, heated windscreen and even an air ioniser.


Point S opens new flagship service outlet in SS2, tyres, car maintenance and more

Point S, the world’s leading tyre and car service dealer network has just opened its third outlet in Malaysia here in SS2, Petaling Jaya. Strategically located in the heart of PJ, the newly established outlet was officiated by French Ambassador to Malaysia, His Excellency Frederic Laplanche and the new outlet will serve as the flagship store for the entire South-East Asia (SEA) region
Established in 1971 in France, Point S is a tyre dealer association created by independent business owners in the early 70s. Following its booming success, Point S is now represented in 32 countries with over
3,500 outlets worldwide
. At every Point S store, you can expect tyre and car maintenance related services such as full range of tyre change, alignment, balancing, oil change, air-conditioning service and many more. The newly opened flagship store has
eight dedicated service bays
 and is able to accommodate all types of vehicles – Continental makes, JDM, lowered, 4×4, you name it.
Point S Malaysia has also partnered with Pirelli Asia to establish a
Pirelli Performance Centre
 at this facility, further highlighting Point S’ expertise in the tyre industry. Other named partners include LiquiMoly, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone and many others.
Besides that, Point S Malaysia has also partnered with
GoCar Malaysia
 car rental service provider where customers can rent a car at a discounted rate while waiting for their vehicles to be serviced. The two GoCars are parked in the vicinity of Point S SS2, how convenient!
Point S currently has three outlets in Malaysia – SS2, SS15 and Kayu Ara with plans to expand their presence in East Malaysia in the coming months. Point S SS2 will officially be opened for business on 15 January 2018.
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The gorgeous Aston Martin Vantage goes topless – to arrive next year

Fans of convertibles and cabriolets have a new eye candy as Aston Martin has just teased the Vantage Roadster on
Twitter
!
Aston Martin unveiled the
second generation Vantage
back in 2017 with a stark new design. Drawing inspiration from the non-production DB10, the current Vantage features slimmer headlights, larger signature Aston Martin grille and light-bar taillights, which we quite fancy.
But since its launch, the Vantage has only been available in coupe form. However, it seems like we will get our hands on a cabriolet version very soon.
The drop-top version of the Vantage still carries the sleek body shape of the coupe version, and from what we can see, only the hard top has been swapped with a electronically-retractable fabric cover.
Aston Martin hasn’t revealed any information for the Vantage Roadster as it is called, other than a few photos with the words “Opening Spring 2020” plastered on the body of the development sample. Given that Spring is just about five months away, we can expect the design and specifications to have been finalised so it’s only a matter of time before we hear more from Aston.
As the roadster is based on the regular coupe variant with a few additional tweaks, there’s pretty much no doubt that the roadster will also be powered by the same AMG-sourced
4.0-litre bi-turbo V8
.
As a quick recap, the Aston Martin Vantage pushes
503 hp
 and
685 Nm
 of torque to the rear wheels, and takes
3.6 seconds
 to reach 100 km/h from standstill. However, with the required additional strengthening of the body due to the removal of its roof, we expect Vantage Roadster to be slightly heavier hence slower than the coupe.
The interior of the Vantage Roadster will probably remain largely the same as its coupe twin
The soft-top Vantage will also most likely inherit the 8-speed ZF automatic box from its coupe twin. Fingers crossed that Aston Martin will include the
 optional manual transmission
 for the Roadster as well!
According to
Autocar
, Aston Martin’s convertible versions usually command a higher price of approximately 8% than its coupe counterparts. With the Vantage priced at
 RM1.6 million
(after tax before options), you do the math and guess what it’ll cost when (or if) it reaches our shores!
IMAGE GALLERY
2017 Aston Martin Vantage


New BMW 8 Series Coupe undergoes testing – to be launched this year

A close-to-production prototype of the new
BMW 8 Series Coupe
 is currently undergoing intensive testing on a high-speed proving ground in Aprilia, Italy. The goal is to optimise the vehicle’s driving dynamics; further affirming its launch in 2018.
Tests are currently being carried out with a heavily camouflaged prototype but it’s already clear to see what the new 8 Series Coupe would look like. At the 4 km long oval circuit which includes steep bends, high speed and high friction coefficient tests are being conducted.
 Acceleration, braking and steering behaviour of the new sports car are also being analysed on circuits, slalom courses and different road surfaces. The highly demanding test programme also aims to ensure all drive and suspension systems are perfectly in-sync with one another.
The new BMW 8 Series Coupe is also being developed in tandem with the new BMW M8 and the BMW M8 GTE race car. Location wise, the Nurburgring Nordschleife has been the main proving ground for testing and further enhancements of the new BMW M8.
“The test drives under the most severe conditions show that we are right on target with our concept for the new BMW 8 Series Coupe. The vehicle dynamics values already achieved are absolutely impressive. Our customers and fans can look forward to a genuine sports car,” says board member of BMW AG, Development and Research, Klaus Fröhlich, who is overseeing the test programme in Italy.
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Lexus NX facelift to debut in a month’s time, features sexy new headlights

Lexus is set to unveil the facelifted
NX
 SUV at the Shanghai Motor Show next month. The NX is currently the smallest SUV in the Lexus range (until the
UX
 takes that place) and has been around since late 2014. It’s now time for a successor.
This single, super futuristic teaser of the NX’s new headlamps show a much more streamlined design, but still retaining the boomerang shaped LED DRLs. Also retained but redesigned is the Spindle grille. The interior is expected to be updated as well. Overall, it’s going to be a small yet distinctive update to the SUV which hasn’t even shown signs of ageing!
Lexus Malaysia just recently launched the
NX Special Edition
Nothing is mentioned on the mechanical bits, but judging from the recent
IS
 facelift, power outputs should remain the same. The two same engines will continue propulsion duties; a
 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine
with twin scroll turbo and VVT-iW producing
235 hp
and
 350 Nm
of torque, as well as a naturally aspirated
2.5-litre four-cylinder
 mill making 197 horsepower. A six-speed automatic is paired with the 2.0-litre turbo, while the hybrid settles for an e-CVT.
The updated Lexus NX, together with the new
LS 500h
, will headline Lexus’ booth at the Shanghai Motor Show which begins on 21 April 2017.


Updated 2021 Mazda MX-5 RF now comes with wireless Apple CarPlay

Mazda has just announced the arrival of the updated 2021 MX-5 RF and just like the updated Mazda 6, the hard-top convertible will no come equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay along with Android Auto.
Aside from that, everything remains the same from the
previous update in March 2020
. A year ago, Mazda updated the MX-5 RF with improved safety with features such as blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, Smart City Brake Support, adaptive LED headlights, and lane departure warning system.
Alongside the enhanced safety features, the Mazda MX-5 RF’s 2.0-litre engine was also upgraded with new internals; increasing the engine’s redline to 7,500 rpm – 700 rpm more than before. Output was rated at
184 hp
 and
205 Nm
 – a 24 hp and 5 Nm increase.
Bermaz Motor also introduced an
updated CX-3 in early March
.
The MX-5 RF will be available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed automatic. Top speed in the automatic is rated at 200 km/h while the manual will hit 220 km/h.
Inside, the MX-5 RF comes equipped with a 9-speaker Bose Sound System, linked to a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display, among other creature comforts. As for safety and driver aids, it comes with four airbags, traction control, hill launch assist and dynamic stability control.
The updated, fully-imported Mazda MX-5 RF is priced at
RM258,591
 for the manual and
RM260,527
 for the automatic. Each is accompanied by a 5-year/100,000 km manufacturer’s warranty and free service package.


Toyota Corolla Cross launched in Japan with a unique face!

Following a successful roll-out around South East Asia, Taiwan, and even the United States, the
Corolla Cross
has now made its way over Toyota’s home country in Japan, although this time with a significantly redesigned front end.
The trapezoidal grille on the global Corolla Cross is moved downwards to now serve as the lower intakes, while a hexagonal protruding trim piece with a letterbox-style slit replaces the regular grille area.
Halogen projector headlamps
Bi-LED projector headlamps
A “C” emblem (representing
Corolla
) sits in the middle of the trim piece, as opposed to the regular elliptical Toyota logo. Flanking the new “grille” are the headlights, which also gets a significant redesign to their light signature, particularly on the range-topping models with Bi-LED projection.
Check out the Malaysian-spec Toyota Corolla Cross in more detail here!
The rest of the exterior remains pretty much faithful to the global model, except for the slightly-reworked tail lights, plus a new rear bumper featuring a slim satin-aluminium strip.
It’s a similar story on the interior, where it’s also largely identical to the global model. The Japanese Toyota Corolla Cross however does get a few additional goodies over our Malaysian-spec model, including a seven-inch digital display in the instrument cluster, and an electronic parking brake (as opposed to the ancient foot-operated one on ours).
Can the Toyota Corolla Cross dethrone the Honda HR-V as the ultimate family crossover? Read our first drive review here.
Just like most international markets, the Toyota Corolla Cross in Japan is also offered in two powertrain configurations – a regular petrol ICE model and a Hybrid variant – both with 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated engines.
The 1.8 2ZR-FA engine in the petrol variants makes
140 hp
 and
170 Nm
 of torque, with power sent to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox, while the Hybrid variants pair an Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor for a combined output of
122 hp
.
Toyota Taiwan has just unveiled a GR Sport edition of the Toyota Corolla Cross! Check it out here.
The Hybrid variants are also available with the E-Four all-wheel drive system, which adds another motor to the rear axle. Unique to the AWD variants is also the double-wishbone rear suspension; all other models get a torsion beam suspension at the rear of the TNGA-C platform, just like our Malaysian-spec model.
Toyota Safety Sense 2.0
is also available as standard across all Corolla Cross variants in Japan, which includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, adaptive cruise control, lane centring assist, automatic high-beam, and blind-spot monitoring.
The Toyota Corolla Cross is also available with a limited-edition Modellista bodykit in Thailand. Check it out here!
Pricing wise, the Toyota Corolla Cross starts at JPY1,999,000 (approx RM79k) for the base petrol G “X” variant, and tops out at JPY3,199,000 (approx. RM121k) for the Hybrid Z E-Four variant.
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Lexus’ new sub-B-Segment city car, the LF-SA Concept debuts at Geneva

Lexus is 26 years old this year, and to commemorate this milestone, the luxury carmaker is thinking small. Real small. Introducing, the
LF-SA concept
 city car. Designed in their Europe-based studio, the ultra compact sub-B-segment car aims to explore territories previously untouched by Lexus.
Hatchbacks have undoubtedly gained incremental popularity over the years, and Lexus hopes to tap into this market by introducing a wildly designed concept, one that has several design cues borrowed (or inspired) from the
NX200t
. It evidently isn’t a big car to begin with, but Lexus has managed to somehow cram two additional rear seats into the urban vehicle.
Measuring at 3,449 mm in length, 1,699 mm wide and 1,430 mm tall, it’s hard to argue about interior space, especially so for the rear occupants. But it’s a concept still, so it’s all about the idea and the design elements behind it. Lexus explains the LF-SA’s highly sculpted surface panels reflects a more challenging modern contemporary styling approach.

The overall design is said to flow rearwards from the spindle grille, influencing the design of the front fenders and side bodywork. Headlight design is also modern Lexus, featuring L-shaped lamps in a ‘flying-buttress’ design, followed by L-shaped LED daytime running lights and the L-shaped protruding LED tail lights.
Being a concept car, there’s not much going on in the cabin. Lexus however, says the clever manipulation of ‘lightness’ gives the cabin a more spacious feel than its size suggests. That said, the LF-SA is still essentially a city car, so it’s overall design layout is to give priority to the driver. Info system is projected onto a futuristic hologram-style digital display supplemented by a wide-angle Head-up Display.
Lexus has certainly come a long way, haven’t they? Let us know what you think of the LF-SA 2+2 concept below!
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2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ facelift launched in Malaysia – from RM510k

Alongside the
new A 200 and A 250
,
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
 today also unveiled the facelifted 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4 Matic+ here on our shores for those who are looking for a little more bite. Offered solely in the hatchback form, the new 2023
Mercedes-AMG A 45 S
 will be fully-imported from Germany, priced from
RM509,888
.
Its younger brother, the A 35 Sedan, wasn’t shown off at the launch event in Sepang today. However, press information from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia indicates that it’s also now available for pre-booking, at an estimated price of RM354,000, pending approval from authorities.
Looking to renew your car insurance? Check out MotorTakaful.com by Etiqa for an instant 10% rebate, plus cashback at the end of your coverage. Head on over to
 MotorTakaful.com
 to find out more.
The new 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S’s powertrain is completely
unchanged from before
, and continues to be powered by the same AMG-specific M139 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, making
421 hp
and
500 Nm
 of torque.
Power is sent to all four wheels via the eight-speed DCT gearbox and 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system, translating to a century sprint of
3.9 seconds
, onward to a top speed of 270 km/h. Uniquely, the AMG A 45 S is the sole variant in the A-Class line-up here in Malaysia to not feature any 48-Volt mild hybrid assistance.
Meanwhile, the A 35’s utilises the same M260 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine as the A 250, with outputs rated at
306 hp
 and
400 Nm
. Just like its regular A-Class siblings, the new 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 35 4Matic also gets the 48V mild hybrid system, supplying up to 14 hp of extra temporary boost when needed.
Paired to a new dual-clutch transmission with one more extra ratio than before (the same AMG SpeedShift eight-speed DCT as the A 45 S), the new 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 35 4Matic accelerates to 100 km/h from a standstill in 4.8 seconds, onward to a top speed of 250 km/h.
Visual changes on the new 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 35 and A 45 S mirrors that of the standard A-Class, with the most obvious update being the new headlamps, now featuring a single brow-type daytime-running light and an oval-shaped projector unit for the MultiBeam LED system with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus.
Two new “power bulges” adorn the bonnet (on the A 35), while the front grille has also been reprofiled slightly, fitted with the signature Panamericana mesh to differentiate itself from its non-AMG counterparts. The round badge above the grille now bears the AMG emblem instead of the traditional Mercedes-Benz star, while the tail lights also gets a mild update with new graphics.
The updated bumpers here mimic those of the AMG Line kit for the A 250, but the true-blue AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ does get a few unique items, including the quad exhaust tips round the back (dual ovals on the A35), as well as the Aerodynamics Package as standard that adds flics, bumper inserts, a more elaborate diffuser at the back, and a front splitter for a more aggressive appearance.
Obviously, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4 Matic+ is also the sole variant in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class family here in Malaysia to come in a hatchback form; the A 35 continues to be offered as a sedan.
Other exterior highlights include the 19-inch AMG five-twin-spoke light alloy wheels, with additional matte black aerodynamic panels on the range-topping A 45 S model, red-painted brake callipers, as well as the AMG Night Package that removes most chrome elements on the exterior.
At launch, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ will also be offered in a limited Street Style Edition that offers an exlusive Manufaktur mountain grey magno paint job on the outside, edition-specific fluorescent orange accents, an AMG fuel filler cap, Edition decals and gloss black model badging, and a unique 19-inch cross-spoke forged wheels.
Inside, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S is equipped as standard with the new AMG Performance steering wheels with touch-control panels and Multicontour AMG Performance Advanced seats, alongside unique AMG-specific trim pieces on the dashboard. The MBUX system for the dual 10.25-inch screens also gets unique AMG displays, including a built-in drag race timer. Just like the normal A-Class facelift, the touchpad on the centre console has been removed.
The seats are wrapped in Artico man-made leather and Microcut microfibre as standard on the A 45 S, and Artico only on the A 35’s standard sports seats. Other interior highlights include the red seat belts, 64-colour ambient lighting, illuminated AMG door sill plates, Burmester surround sound system, and a panoramic sunroof (exclusive for A 45 S).
Opt for the Street Style Edition, and you’ll get pure microfibre upholstery on the seats, with additional orange accents all throughout the cabin as well. The AMG aluminium trim elements on the interior also gets the same pattern to match the exterior decals.
Safety kit on the AMG models include a 360-degree surround view monitor as part of the active parking package, driving assistance package with lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, and exit warning assist.
The new 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ is priced at
RM509,888
 for the standard model, and
RM539,888
 for the Street Style Edition. Prices are on-the-road, without insurance, and inclusive of the standard five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
Pricing for the A 35 variant is not yet confirmed, though the press kit mentions a
RM354,000
 estimated pricing.
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Next-gen Porsche Macan might not be EV-only after all

Porsche has said
as early as 2019
 that the next-generation Macan will be an electric-only model. But now, it seems like they’re having second thoughts on ditching internal combustion engine for the Macan, at least in the US.
As reported by
Automotive News
, Porsche will instead be taking a “wait-and-see approach” to go EV-only with its best-selling model in the US, following discussions at its dealer meeting last week.
The sudden U-turn stems from the lack of well-maintained public charging infrastructure to support the Macan’s customer base in the US. The SUV currently accounts for nearly a third of all Porsche sales in the US, which is expected to rise to 80,000 units in 2024.
“They got customer pushback, they realised there are not enough chargers out there,” a Porsche retailer in attendance of the meeting told the publication. “They know it’s a problem, and they’re trying to figure out how to do this most efficiently.”
READ MORE:
2022 Porsche Macan review – a realist’s ode to sports cars
The charging network availability issue is further exacerbated as the majority of charging facility in the US utilises Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) ports, rather than the Type 2 CCS connections that Porsche uses on its EVs.
The NACS port standard recently received widespread adoption, with major carmakers, including Ford, GM, Volvo, and Polestar, all committing to use the charging port on their cars manufactured for the US market moving forward. Porsche, however, is still hesitant on following the rest of the industry in the US.
Initially scheduled to begin production this year
 ahead of its official launch in the second half of 2023, the upcoming second-generation Porsche Macan will be built on the marque’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, featuring a 100 kWh battery pack and an 800V electric architecture. The latter enables DC fast charging of up to 350 kW, allowing it to charge from 5-80% in under 25 minutes.
Porsche also previously announced that the fully-electric Macan will be available in both all- and rear-wheel drive configurations, the former giving up to a maximum output of
450 kW (612 hp)
 and
 1,000 Nm
 of torque.
It’s unclear if Porsche’s decision for the US will spill over to other markets.


Facts & Figures: 2021 facelifted Peugeot 5008 Allure now available in Malaysia – RM177,312

Bermaz Auto Alliance, the
new
 sole distributor of Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia, is proud to announce the availability of the new facelifted Peugeot 5008 SUV in Malaysia, a day after its launch event in Thailand.

Available in only the 5008 Allure variant, the new locally-assembled Peugeot 5008 SUV is priced from
RM177,311.90
, on-the-road without insurance and inclusive of the sales tax exemption that now has been
proposed to be extended until June 2022
.
EXTERIOR
Headlining the facelifted Peugeot 5008 is the new front face identity for the Peugeot brand. The new intricately designed frameless grille takes a commanding space, neatly integrating with the new LED headlamps and further accentuated by vertical fang-like signature lighting.
The model name ‘5008’ is now placed on top of the Lion emblem, as does the entire Peugeot range such as the latest
Peugeot 308
. The rear meanwhile gets a pair of LED tail lamps in 3D-effect claw with scrolling indicator lights. All these changes are also seen in the new
facelifted

Peugeot 3008

that was simultaneously launched today in Malaysia.
Standard features include:
Auto on-off LED headlights with DRL and cornering lamps
3D-effect LED tail lamps with scrolling indicator lights
18-inch ‘Detroit’ alloy wheels with 225/55R18 tyres (Continental CrossContact LX2)
Chrome door mirror covers and side mouldings
Hands-free powered tailgate
Roof rails
Rear bumper protector plate
Two-piece panoramic moonroof
Exterior colours available for the new Peugeot 5008 are Amazonite Grey, Pearl White, Nera Black and Emerald Crystal.
INTERIOR
Changes in the interior of the seven-seater SUV are minimal, with the digital i-Cockpit displays being tweaked for better graphics and content. Elegant piano-styled toggle switches continue to highlight as physical shortcut keys to the new 10-inch central infotainment touchscreen system. A new feature in the facelifted Peugeot 5008 Allure is the addition of a wireless smartphone charger, beneath the toggle switches. Other features inside are:
Power adjustable driver and front passenger seat
Second row seat with 40-20-40 split fold seatback, 60-40 sliding bench
Two individually removable third row seats
Ambient lighting
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning
Rear air vent with fan speed controller
12.3-inch digital driver’s instrument cluster
10-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment display
6-speaker audio system
GPS navigation system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Wireless smartphone charger
An interior in black leather is the only available option for the Peugeot 5008 Allure. There are
secret floor compartments
 hidden beneath the footwell of the second row.
PERFORMANCE
Behind the new stylish face of the Peugeot 5008 Allure is the 1.6L Twin Scroll Turbo High Pressure (THP) petrol engine. Outputs remain the same at 165 hp and 240 Nm of torque, transmitted to just the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
Engine: 1.6-litre, twin-scroll turbocharged, four-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed automatic (AT6 III)
Driveline: Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Max horsepower: 165 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max torque: 240 Nm @ 1,400 rpm
0 – 100 km/h: 8.9 seconds
Top speed: 205 km/h
Fuel consumption: 7.0L/100 km (NEDC)
Other features that add some confidence while driving off-road or unpaved surface is the Advance Grip Control featuring driving modes over sand, mud and snow. Sport mode is also available as well as manual control of the transmission via steering wheel shift paddles.
SAFETY
In terms of safety features, the new Peugeot 5008 comes with a limited advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). They are complemented by the standard safety features such as:
Blind Spot Monitoring
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Driver Attention Warning
Speed Limit Recognition with Intelligent Speed Adaptation
180-degree reverse camera
Tyre pressure monitoring system
6 airbags
PRICING
As mentioned above, the new 1.6-litre turbocharged Peugeot 5008 Allure is priced from
RM177,311.90
 here in Peninsular Malaysia. Prices are on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales tax exemptions.
Included in the price is a five-year/100,000 km manufacturer’s warranty coverage and a three-year/60,000 km (whichever comes first) free scheduled maintenance programme.
The new Peugeot 5008 plus the 3008 five-seater are locally assembled at the
Stellantis manufacturing plant
 in Gurun, Kedah and is exported to the ASEAN region in markets such as Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.
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Lexus NX facelift unveiled, new looks and suspension, coming to M’sia soon

Following last month’s
teaser
, the 2018 Lexus NX facelift has been uncovered at the ongoing Shanghai Motor Show. Apart from the usual cosmetic enhancements and added kit, the facelifted
NX
 unexpectedly gets a new name, now called the NX 300 instead of the 200t moniker from before.
New to the NX is the fascia, where the Spindle grille and front bumpers have been updated with a more fluidic approach. The headlights and taillights have been given subtle touches and the lower bumper is reshaped as well. Two sets of new 18-inch wheels are also available this time around.

The interior gets more changes, beginning with the larger, much crisper
 10.3-inch central display
. Gone are the plastic buttons for the air conditioning controls, only to be replaced by toggle switches with a metallic satin finish. In typical Lexus fashion, the analogue clock continues to be featured in the centre dash, but has been redesigned.
Other nifty tweaks include a larger remote touch interface and Qi wireless charging tray, as well as a redesigned palm rest. The F Sport variant gets ‘
Naguri
’ aluminium trimmings with white/black seating surface treatment and LFA-inspired displays.
Powertrain option remains the same as before, meaning all NXs are powered by a
2.0-litre twin scroll turbocharged
 engine, while the hybrid gets a naturally aspirated
2.5-litre petrol
 unit paired with
two electric motors
.
The biggest news is the inclusion of Adaptive Variable Suspension, a technology shared with the new
LC 500
. It offers up to 650 instantaneous compression and damping adjustments, allowing the NX to handle with much more stability and control. The suspensions have also been tweaked, and anti-roll bars also contribute to the NX facelift’s newfound dynamics.
NVH levels are said to be improved, and the Lexus’ Safety System + suite also makes its debut here in the NX. Expect the NX facelift’s arrival on our shores later this year, if not in early 2018.
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Lamborghini uses 3D-printers to produce “fake lungs” to test ventilators

Just a fortnight after showing off the
Lamborghini-tagged face masks
, an item that undeniably affirms the company’s superiority over all things on four wheels and ability to make items of abject desire, even in these chaotic times, the Bologna-based supercar maker is now on to bigger things.
They may have
released a clothing line in collaboration with Supreme
 that makes you question their fashion sense but the company that brought us the

fastest SUV in the world
 is now lending a hand to help co-engineer and produce breathing simulators – a sort of fake lung – with Italy’s top ventilator manufacturer Siare Engineering International Group.
The breathing simulator enables a researcher to carry out initial evaluations of the ventilator’s performance before reaching the final checking stage. In just two weeks, Lamborghini has used its 3D printing laboratory to design, produce and validate the simulator and
plans to make 18 simulators per week
, alongside the 3D-printed production of medical visors using polycarbonate.
As Covid-19 ravaged the entire nation, Lamborghini has pledged to
produce 1,000 face masks
and
200 units of medical visors per day
. Once completed, these equipment would be tested and validated by the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, prior to their delivery to hospital.
As a sign of unity and support for the people of Italy, every evening Lamborghini lights up the historic headquarter buildings in Sant’Agata Bolognese, with the colors of the Italian flag.
Italy’s supercar makers have been at the very front lines in the combat against Covid-19, with Ferrari also rolling up their sleeves to
build ventilators
 and
produce components
 to construct these life-saving devices.
In other efforts, BMW reportedly
obliged with Dubai’s police force requests to use their ConnectedDrive services
 to broadcast “Stay At Home” messages on the infotainment display of their customer’s vehicles. On the other hand,
Mercedes-Benz
 and
Volkswagen
 utilised their 3D printers to produce protective equipment for healthcare workers.
GALLERY


Volvo appoints SISMA Auto as authorised dealer, opens new showroom in KL

SISMA Auto, the sole distributor of Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) vehicles in Malaysia, has just been appointed as an authorised dealer by Volvo Car Malaysia Sdn Bhd (VCM). SISMA Auto will operate its own Volvo showroom alongside its JLR branches in Glenmarie and Penang.
VCM has been aggressively expanding their dealership network nationwide to cater to the ever-growing fan base in Malaysia. With SISMA Auto onboard, customers – current and future alike – will now have even more options for their Volvo needs.
VCM’s latest model
V40 T5 Inscription
“SISMA Auto has an excellent track-record of managing luxury brands and with their inclusion into the Volvo Cars family, we will be able to meet the growing demands for our brand,” said Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, Lennart Stegland.
SISMA Auto will be transforming their JLR city showroom located at Menara Worldwide, Kuala Lumpur into a Volvo showroom. Scheduled to begin operations in October this year, the showroom’s strategic location in the heart of Kula Lumpur’s premier residential and commercial district will help to further enhance the visibility and awareness of Volvo’s latest model range.
Current Volvo owners can also access to SISMA Auto’s Concierge Service that offers vehicle pick-up and drop-off at their preferred location. In conjunction with the opening of the new showroom, customers who purchase any new Volvo model from SISMA Auto would stand a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Sweden, the home country of Volvo.
SISMA Auto Managing Director, Syed Khalil Syed Ibrahim said that the company was thrilled to welcome another premium Continental car brand into its portfolio.
“We are looking forward to working with Volvo, which has an exciting range of new models at very competitive prices that meet the needs of the Malaysian market,” he said.


These drawings by 9 Malaysian children prove that there’s hope for the future

I remember my best attempt at creative arts in high school to be something like this: halve a potato, carve stars in potato, dip potato in Buncho water colour, stamp potato onto A3 paper, all in the exact order. Nothing ever came close to making me feel like a potato king – until today.
Nine children, aged between 7 to 15, are the new potato kings of my life. They are among 1,300 super talented young artists who each submitted drawings to UMW Toyota Motor for the company’s annual Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. What brought tears to my eyes wasn’t their sheer talent, but the purity of the message in their drawings.
Participants at the national level were split into three categories: Under 8 years old, 8 to 11 years old and 12 to 15 years old. Through simple math, you would’ve deduced that each category will have three winners. If you got that wrong, well… you too can be my new potato king.
Without further ado, let me show you the nine winning masterpieces:
Category 1 – Under 8 years old
Second runner-up: Chew Xin Ni, 7 years old
First runner-up: Choo Han Yean, 7 years old
First place: Lim Wei Wen, 7 years old (this one is my personal favourite)
Category 2 – 8 to 11 years old
Second runner-up: Lim Xiao Yun, 11 years old
First runner-up: Tan Ee Ven, 9 years old
First place: Lee Pei Lin, 11 years old
Category 3 – 12 to 15 years old
Second runner-up: Lim Yuan Qian, 13 years old
First runner-up: Chee Ying Xuan, 13 years old
First place: Charmaine Lim, 14 years old
The winners here will represent Malaysia in the World Contest, which upon winning, will win a free a trip to Tokyo, Japan to attend the awards ceremony in August 2017. This contest aims to develop young talents and have them express their ideas on futuristic mobility through art form. In other words, these pictures are their dream cars.
Winners of each category received a brand new Apple iPad Mini 4, whereas runner-ups and second runner-ups get mountain bikes and tickets to Legoland respectively.
On a more personal note, this is a cause I wholeheartedly support; to continuously provide opportunities through multiple mediums for our young friends to hone (or at the very least discover) their best talents. Thank you, Toyota. And thank you, Lim Wei Wen for the delightful, artsy treat.


Valtteri Bottas is ready for the 2020 Formula 1 season with a brand-new beard

Many people associate Mercedes-AMG F1 driver Valtteri Bottas’ boost in success in the 2019 season to his beard. The sharp upturn over the winter has also earned him the nickname “Bottas 2.0” during the season.
However, as well as his season started, bad luck and mistakes caused the Finnish racer’s Championship Title chances to slowly fade away. Still, he
finished second
 in the season with 326 points, his most successful season to date with four wins.
Determined to put up the fight to teammate Lewis Hamilton, who will be challenging for his
 seventh Formula 1 Championship Title
 this year, Bottas had to go with something a little more extreme this winter break.

‘Introducing Valtteri Bottas 3.0’, according to a
YouTube video
 posted by Mercedes-AMG F1. Sporting a beard almost as long as his entire body, the video shows Valtteri Bottas going about his day with his latest facial feature, including eating his “breakfast for champions”, porridge (oats).
Will the longer facial hair help Valtteri Bottas clinch his first ever Formula 1 World Championship title? Or will it add too much weight to the car and unsettle the balance? We’ll have to wait and find out.
There's something different about
@ValtteriBottas
 this year… 😅
https://t.co/ca8tNNU27A

pic.twitter.com/QnCsp7iOWx
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1)
February 12, 2020

Fortunately (or unfortunately for some), the team has came clean
on Twitter
, and admitted that it’s all just for a laugh, probably to generate some hype before the unveiling of the team’s new car tomorrow. Either that, or the PR intern had a little too much free time during the winter break.


MINI teases new steering wheel, OLED screen for upcoming models

After teasing the next-gen
MINI Countryman
 and
MINI Electric
,
MINI
 has continued to tease us with some design details of its upcoming all-electric model family. The new design language, which the company calls Charismatic Simplicity, is a reduced design language that focuses on the essentials, according to the company.
Among the details of the new design language teased by the British carmaker include its new wheels, steering wheel, OLED display, and seats. Let’s first start with MINI’s new wheel design, shall we?
The wheels that will be fitted onto the upcoming all-electric MINI family are completely redesigned. This is done according to the principle of the new Charismatic Simplicity design language.
The new alloy wheel design no longer focuses on the sculptural nature of the spoke structure but on a graphic design characterised by strong colour contrasts. Combined with the outward-pointing spokes, this design creates an illusion of size. Thanks to the wheel’s pared-back, two-dimensional design, the new MINIs’ aerodynamic performance should also see an improvement.
RELATED:
Next-gen MINI Cooper Electric specs revealed – up to 400km range, 214hp
Now, let’s talk about the new steering wheel that will be coming with the upcoming all-electric MINI family. Just like the alloy wheels, the new steering wheel is redesigned and will appear in different design forms in different versions of its upcoming all-electric models. A two-spoke design comes as standard in the upcoming models’ standard versions, while optional versions get a fabric finish as an add-on.
Future buyers of the future MINI models will have a variety of sustainable materials, colours, and also textile designs to choose from. The carmaker has also mentioned that the Vibrant Silver colour will be here to stay.
The head unit on the outgoing version of the MINI only covers the rectangular area of the circular display. The next-generation MINI will have the digital display covering the entire circular area.
Inside the upcoming MINI models will of course feature the iconic circular central instrument display, which has always been one of the brand’s most iconic designs. However, with future MINIs, the instrument display will be dashboard mounted and will be reinterpreted in the form of an OLED display this time around.
Based on leak images that have surfaced, it appears that the display covers the entire circular area as supposed to the rectangular display on the outgoing model. However, no images of the instrument display were officially shared.
Measuring approximately 9.45 inches, the frameless-looking OLED display combines the functions of the instrument cluster and the onboard monitor. The circular OLED display is also said to house MINI’s user interface that also controls the integrated infotainment as well as climate functions.
Seats-wise, the upcoming all-electric MINIs will come with a combination of new colours and patterns paired with classic style elements, such as the houndstooth pattern. This helps build a bridge from the past to the future, said the company. The seats will also come with new details such as laminated seat side panels, and also armrests that are integrated into the seats.
RELATED:
Electric MINI Countryman specs revealed – 313 hp, est. 450km range, AWD
Gallery


Mercedes-Benz C 250 with AMG Line introduced, priced at RM340k

Exactly a month ago, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) introduced the fifth-generation C-Class in
two flavours
 –
C200 Avantgarde and C250 Exclusive
, both costing RM286k and RM315k respectively. Now, MBM has added another variant to the baby S-Class lineup, the
C250 AMG Line
.
Priced at
RM339,888.00
(OTR without insurance), the fully imported C250 AMG Line costs a good
RM25k more
 than the C250 Exclusive. Before you start getting excited over the AMG badge, let it be known that there is
no increase in output figures
. The AMG Line shares the same
2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
 engine found in the C250 Exclusive, making
211 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque, gets paired to the
7G-Tronic Plus
 automatic gearbox which drives the
rear wheels
.
That said, the RM25k price jump does give you
plenty of tech
 on top of the already impressive kit the C250 Exclusive offers. For starters, the AMG Line gets a
sportier exterior body
, most notably the
AMG front bumper
 with splitter finished in matte iridium silver. It also gets the
AMG side sill panels
 and
AMG rear bumper with triple diffuser fins
.
To complete the whole look, the car now rides
15mm lower
thanks to a set of sports suspension, while sitting on the
five-spoke 18-inch AMG wheels
. The sports suspension is paired to a
more direct steering ratio
, which makes for a
more sporty drive
.
For a quarter of RM100k you also get Mercedes’
LED Intelligent Light System

with Adaptive High-beam Assist
. This allows the driver to drive with the
high-beam permanently switched on
, but automatically lowers the light thrown if an oncoming vehicle is detected. This feature is
active from 30 km/h upwards
 on pitch black roads.

Furthermore, the AMG Line grants you the
COMAND Online
 feature that comes with an
8.4-inch high-res screen
 with the built-in touch pad. This non-touch screen gives you a control and display system with DVD player, radio, 10 GB of memory for your audio and video files. It also comes equipped with the
Burmester Surround Sound System
 that drives
13 high-performance speakers
 with a total system output of
590 watts
.
The C250 AMG Line is the
second variant
 of the lineup to get the
electric panoramic sliding sunroof
, alongside the C250 Exclusive. The sunroof
 automatically adjusts in three stages
 to match the vehicle’s current speed. It lowers at high speeds to reduce noise, and raises itself at low speeds to let more light in to the cabin.
The electronic panoramic sunroof as seen in the C250 Exclusive
So folks, that’s about all you get for the RM25k premium you pay over the C250 Exclusive. If you think the AMG Line deserves to be the top-trim option in the lineup, do you think it’s worth the additional dough? Do
 let us know
 what you think in the comments section below.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Old vs New: All-new Toyota Harrier 2.0 Luxury – lower output but more features!

After spending over a decade as one of the key products at premium used car dealers, the Toyota Harrier was officially sold (and thus inclusive of warranty and aftersales support) by UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) in late 2017. Demand was so strong that many only received their vehicles
much later
 into 2018.
After its premiere in Japan in June 2020, UMWT was able to quickly launch the all-new fourth generation Toyota Harrier in April 2021, priced from
RM249,707
. This fourth-generation model has also turned into a more global product, with the North American market using this vehicle as their all-new Venza.
The biggest change, for us with right-hand drive vehicles, is the change in the powertrain, moving from a downsized turbocharged 2.0-litre engine to just a regular 2.0-litre engine.
Singapore
 meanwhile gets the powerful 2.5-litre hybrid system (with 215 hp) thanks to generous incentives for emission of low CO2 figures.
Let’s check out what else has been added in the latest Toyota Harrier.
POWERTRAIN
Headlining the biggest change moving from the
third-gen (ASU60)
 to the fourth-gen (MXUA80) Toyota Harrier is the drastic reduction in output from the powertrain. The all-new Toyota Harrier 2.0 Luxury, as UMWT assigns it, is powered by the new M20A-FKS 2.0-litre naturally aspirated Dynamic Force engine.
Maximum output is rated at
173 hp
 and
203 Nm
, a huge deficit compared to the turbocharged 8AR-FTS 2.0-litre turbo engine, with 58 hp and 147 Nm extra.
Straight-line performance as such has taken a hit; taking up to 2.4 seconds longer from 0 to 100 km/h at 9.7 seconds. However, thanks to a lighter CVT gearbox with better ratios, the new Toyota Harrier returns a 14% better fuel economy of 6.5 L/100 km (or 15.3 km/L).
The new Toyota Harrier continues to be a front-wheel drive luxury SUV, with the transmission featuring the latest Direct Shift CVT that features a mechanical launch gear for better low-speed performance and response. It also offers the drivers up to 10 virtual ratios or “gears” when in Manual mode. This powertrain is also used in the
Lexus UX 200
 we reviewed.
EXTERIOR
The latest Toyota Harrier certainly looks more dynamic and imposing than its predecessor with slimmer headlamps and a steeply raked rear quarter profile. Dimensionally, the all-new Toyota Harrier gains a longer wheelbase measuring 2.69 metres, up 30 mm compared to its predecessor. Presence on the road is also strengthened through a wider (increase by 20 mm) and lower stance (overall height decrease by 30 mm).
The golden Harrier emblem on the grille has also been replaced with the oval Toyota emblem, in line with a unified global look. Wheel size is still 18-inches, but the tyres are of less sporty profile, moving from 235/55 to 225/60. These should provide lower noise levels together with a plusher ride.
Other new exterior features include a hands-free function (foot sensor) on the powered tailgate, exquisite full-width signature lighting for the rear, dual exhaust tips and tiny LED signal lamps that are placed at the corners of the rear bumper.
INTERIOR
Inside, the all-new Toyota Harrier oozes a more premium and sportier ambience thanks to the use of high-quality, soft touch materials, and strategic placement of satin finishing. Toyota says the tall and wide lower console takes styling cues from a horse’s saddle.
In line with the vision to offer better cars to drive, the front seats feature a sportier mould as well, with increased support for the shoulders and hips. The ergonomics such as the position of the seat and steering wheel has also been optimised for better comfort and minimising fatigue.
While key comfort and convenience features such as air-conditioned seats with memory function and Nanoe X air purifier are maintained, the all-new Toyota Harrier gets more gadgets such as a digital rearview mirror for unobstructed back view, full content head-up display and an integrated wireless smartphone charger.
Thanks to the large 7-inch multi-information display (MID), individual tyre pressure readout can also be displayed, plus other detailed information on the Toyota Safety Sense.
Transparent to…
Frosted, immediately
The most apparent upgrade in the all-new Toyota Harrier has to be the full-sized panoramic moonroof with electrochromic technology. At a touch of a button, the entire glass panel can either be fully transparent or frosted to reduce light into the cabin. A powered shade is also provided to keep the heat away plus full opacity.
Sharing the TNGA-K platform with the
Toyota Camry
 and
Toyota RAV4
, the development team has ensured that the interior of the all-new Toyota Harrier is a lot quieter than its siblings as well as the predecessor.
Apart from high levels of sound insulation and damping materials plus placement locations, the shock absorbers also feature ultra-low velocity valves for a supple ride.
Unlike its predecessor that has the head unit locally fitted, the new 8-inch unit in the all-new Toyota Harrier comes with the vehicle as a whole unit, thus integrating the driving information and better overall user experience.
SAFETY
In terms of safety systems, both the previous generation model and the latest one features the Toyota Safety Sense ADAS suite that includes Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Lane Tracing Assist.
The all-new Toyota Harrier also comes with seven airbags which include a driver’s knee airbag.
The current model stands out sith the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control that operates at all speeds (coming to a full stop and proceed when set), blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic auto braking plus intelligent parking sensors.
The last feature is especially useful to those who aren’t very good with an estimation of distance during parking. The parking sensors will automatically apply the brakes if it senses that the all-new Harrier is getting too close to obstacles or objects, saving the bumpers from scratches and impact damages.
Additional visual aid for parking is however still limited to just a reverse camera in the all-new Toyota Harrier.
PRICING
From its launch in April until December 31st 2021, the all-new Toyota Harrier is priced at
RM249,707
, benefitting from the 50% exemption on the sales tax. Compared to the latest pricing details for the outgoing model, the new model is roughly RM10,000 cheaper than its predecessor.
Based on the additional feature level inside the vehicle as well as the claimed refinement, the lower pricing is certainly a good trade-off for the lower straight-line performance level.
So there you have it – a quick rundown on what’s new on the all-new Toyota Harrier 2.0 Luxury.
GALLERY


BMW thinks you’ll eventually get used to subscriptions on cars

If online sentiment is anything to go by, then it seems that most people aren’t too fond of subscription-based services in their cars. That, however, hasn’t stopped BMW from doubling down on its stance to
offer items such as seat heating and high-beam assistant for a monthly fee
, insisting that its customers will eventually get used to the new way of life.
Click to enlarge – a snapshot of the BMW ConnectedDrive Store as of 14/7/2022.
To be fair to BMW, many of the criticisms online were slightly misguided; the company clarified that customers who have already purchased the feature in their cars will not need to pay a monthly subscription to unlock them. But still, charging a fee for items already built into the car does still leave a sour taste in our mouths.
BMW says that its subscription service is meant to offer even more flexibility for its customers, and in certain cases, even saving them money in the long run. Owners will be able to test out offerings from the ConnectedDrive store before deciding to purchase (or subscribe to) them, and the carmaker also envisions a future where customers can unlock features – including entertainment and even performance upgrades – even for just single trips.
RELATED:
BMW Malaysia starts charging subscription fees for things your car already has
In a new report from
Bloomberg
, BMW spokesperson Torsten Julich was quoted as saying, “We know from our customers that their mobility demands are not as static as they used to be.” And to a certain degree, we do agree with that sentiment.
For example, many of us are now driving less frequently as the pandemic has shifted a large part of the workforce to work-from-home arrangements, so paying for rarely-used features such as Driving Assistant Plus on a per-use basis (on road trips for example) does sound more enticing than shelling out a huge sum upfront.
Still, with the amount of bad press BMW is getting, there must be a more substantial reason for them to keep up with this subscription crusade right? Well, there is, and as always, it’s about money.
According to the report, BMW is expecting a revenue in the region of EUR5 billion from its digital offerings just from this decade, and they’re not alone in this – Stellantis is eyeing EUR20 billion of extra revenue from software-driven features by the end of the decade, while Volkswagen has also been on a hiring spree to build its pay-as-you-go software model on the Cariad software stack.
ALSO READ:
All Volkswagen Group vehicles will soon share the same EV platform and software
And don’t get us started with Tesla, who arguably pioneered the subscription model in cars by charging its customers an “activation fee” for features already built into their cars.
So is there anything that we consumers can do? In all honestly, the answer is probably no. But if they’ve
walked back
 once before on
charging a subscription fee for Apple CarPlay
, there’s a possibility – however small it may be – that they’ll do it again, so vote with your wallets.


McLaren 570S GT4 and 570S Sprint are the “tamest” track-prepped cars

McLaren has just unveiled two track-day specials of the
570S
 – the 570S GT4 and 570S Sprint. These two machines, built based on the road-going Sports Series model are designed and engineered primarily for their motorsports foray.
The 570S GT4, as its name suggests, is developed with GT racing in mind. It receives race-spec goodies such as adjustable dampers with coilovers, full aerodynamic package, centre-locking magnesium wheels and an FIA-approved roll cage.

At the back of this GT4 lies the same
 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8
 engine, but it’s slightly detuned (down from 562 hp and 600 Nm) to promote fair racing. A
 seven-speed seamless shift gearbox
 is tasked with transferring all the power to the rear wheels.
The 570S Sprint on the other hand, is specially built for enthusiasts. It features most of the GT4’s racing components, but comes with added creature comforts such as air conditioning and leather seats. Buyers can choose to spec-up to the GT4 trim though, should they see fit.
Not much information on the Sprint has been released up to this point, but what we do know is that the GT4 will cost some
£159,900
 (approximately
RM954,000
) and will be making its maiden race debut at the British GT championship in April 2016.
IMAGE GALLERY


Next on Renault’s chopping block: Alpine A110?

After just
three years in production
, the critically-acclaimed
Alpine A110
 might be up next on Renault’s chopping block. The move is a result of a larger cost-cutting plan from the French carmaker.
First reported by French weekly newspaper
 Le Canard Enchaîné
 and later picked up by
Autocar UK
, Renault is penning the closure of four factories across France, including the Alpine factory in Dieppe, as a core part of its restructuring plans to reduce overhead by €2 billion.
The Dieppe plant was given a €36 million overhaul in 2017 in a bid to resurrect the Alpine brand. Previously the home of the last-generation Renault Clio R.S., the specialist factory employs approximately 150 people, according to
Autocar
.

Niche products such as the Alpine A110 are always the first to face the axe, as the cost of keeping the programme running is just too high for the limited-production model. The Alpine A110 troubles are compounded with falling demands, with only 61 units registered across Europe in February.
The
coronavirus pandemic
 does not help Alpine’s case either. As factories and dealerships are forced to close, the financial strain further unsettled Renault’s already shaky financial footing since the dismissal and arrest of CEO Carlos Ghosn.
The newspaper further reports that five Renault models will cease to exist after its current lifecycle – the
previously reported Megane
 hatchback, along with the
Koleos
,
Talisman
, Espace, and
Scenic
 – the latter three not sold here.
Renault is due to announce the cost-cutting measure on 28 May. Let’s hope that the rumours remain as nothing more than just that – the world can use more of back-to-basics sports car like the A110.


Volvo XC90 earns 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award, book now for 5 years of free service!

The
Volvo XC90
 has been awarded the 2023 Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The achievement is especially significant as the organisation has only recently increased the requirements for the awards, with tougher criteria for side crash protection, pedestrian crash prevention systems, and headlights performance.

Most notably, the new IIHS side crash test now involves “82% more energy”, and requires vehicles to earn a ‘good’ rating to qualify for TSP+. Despite the tougher requirements, the Volvo XC90 still passed the tests with flying colours.
“The Volvo XC90 continues to prove, year after year, that it is among the safest vehicles on the road,” said Volvo Cars Safety Centre chief, Asa Haglund. Safety has been ingrained in Volvo’s name for as long as the company existed, and the company has committed to its vision of having no serious injuries or fatalities in a new Volvo, from 2020 onwards.
Recently updated here in Malaysia
, the new Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 Ultimate now offers a higher total system output of
462 hp
 and
709 Nm
. The battery pack capacity has also been increased from 11.6 kWh previously to now
18.8 kWh
, giving it a pure-electric driving range of up to 77 km based on the NEDC test cycle.
As for the Volvo XC90 B5 Ultimate MHEV, a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine underneath the bonnet sends
263 hp
and
 390 Nm
 of torque all four wheels. With electric assistance from the mild-hybrid system, the B5 Ultimate boast a century sprint time of 7.9 seconds, and a combined fuel consumption figure of 8.9 L/100km.
READ MORE:
Volvo updates Recharge T8 PHEV powertrain for 60, 90 series models in Malaysia – 462 hp, 90 km EV range
The 2023 Volvo XC90 also now comes with the
Google Android Automotive OS
 on its infotainment and instrument cluster displays.
From now until the 31st of March 2023, customers who place a booking for the Volvo XC90 (both the B5 mild-hybrid or the Recharge T8 plug-in hybrid variants) will also receive a
complimentary five-year service package (VSA5+)
. The VSA5+ package provides comprehensive coverage for all of the car’s scheduled servicing needs within its first five years, and includes wear and tear items that may need to be replaced.
Volvo Car Malaysia is also offering the complementary VSA5+ offering to the
S6
0
,
S90
,
V60
,
XC60
, and
XC40 B5
 models. Meanwhile, customers who made bookings for the
XC40 Recharge Pure Electric
 EV during this period will receive a complimentary wall box voucher worth RM7,000.
For more information, visit Volvo Car Malaysia’s website, linked
here
, or drop in to your nearest dealer.


Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX concept EV travelled over 1,000 km on a single charge

Even for a concept car, the
Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX
 looks weird, almost like a single-seater Le Mans racer and solar eco-car rolled into one. But it’s weird for a reason, and the reason is aerodynamics –
Mercedes-Benz
 claims that the Vision EQXX can be driven for more than 1,000 km in just a single charge, and they’ve now proven it with a real-world driving test.
The test took place on a road trip across multiple European countries starting from Sindelfingen in Germany, travelling all the way down south in real-world traffic to the port town of Cassis along the Côte d’Azur – and yes, that means crossing the mountainous Swiss Alps too.
Real-world test in real-world traffic.
Mercedes-Benz says that the road trip was carried out in chilly and rainy weather, with temperatures ranging from 3-18 degrees Celsius. They’ve also not closed any roads specifically for the test, so the car had to travel at regular road speeds in both traffic jams and prolonged fast-lane cruising at up to 140 km/h on the German autobahn, not to mention the treacherous (for EVs) hill climb route – all of which are known to be battery range killers.
So how did the EQXX fare? According to independently-verified data, the fastback-sedan-thing-car completed the “over 1,000 km” journey with 15% battery charge to spare, which amounts to a remaining range of around 140 km. Average consumption was also measured at a record-breaking low of just
8.7 kWh per 100 km
!
Charging port sealed off to prevent cheating.
When the Vision EQXX concept car was first unveiled earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz claims that the 1,000 km range is “completely realistic”, due to the many technical design choices including its weird shape that gave it a drag coefficient of just 0.17 Cd – for context, the company’s own EQS, claimed to be the
“world’s most aerodynamic production car”
, only manages a 0.20 Cd.
The EQXX’s tyres have also been specifically made in partnership with Bridgestone to reduce rolling resistance, while the entire vehicle weighs just 1,750 kg (or about 900 kg lighter than the Mercedes-Benz EQS and
Porsche Taycan
), making it more energy-efficient up on uphill climbs.
RELATED: Mercedes-Benz EQS to be launched in Malaysia soon? ROI now open
The real-world test has certainly proven the claim without a shadow of a doubt. We’d even argue that they’ve
bested
 the claim by quite some margin, as the usual WLTP range quoted by carmakers are all measured in ideal circumstances, and not real-world traffic; don’t be surprised when your EV’s actual real-world range is some 20% lower than what’s claimed on paper.
Mercedes-Benz says that many of these technological advancements will be integrated into future production vehicles, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.


Video: Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG Line, 5 Things

With car showrooms reopening even to those who are not fully vaccinated, businesses look set to return in full swing and we’d expect nothing less for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia after a myriad of launches recently.
They include the new
E 300 Coupe
, the
E 200 Avantgarde
, and the
E 300 AMG Line
, and the enormous
GLE 450
 which has been dressed with AMG attire.
Like its direct competitor, the
BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport
, the GLE 450 AMG Line is powered by a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbocharged straight-six engine.

Like its plug-in hybrid BMW rival, the GLE 450 also offers plenty of low-end performance, albeit delivered in a more traditional fashion. The only electrical assistance here is a 48V mild-hybrid system.
With the big turbocharged engine, the GLE 450 delivers 367 hp and 500 Nm, feeding power to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission. That’s less than the BMW’s 394 hp and 600 Nm, but on paper, they’re not far off. The GLE does 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds while the X5 is just 0.1 seconds quicker.
Compared to its direct competitor, the GLE 450 AMG Line costs about RM30k more at RM475,501. Is it worth the extra money? Think you’ll be easily convinced after the video.


Video: 2022 Toyota Camry 2.5V Review – uncle car no more?

The
Toyota Camry
 has built itself a reputation for being the indisputable “uncle-car”, thanks to its sedate driving experience, and its weird penchant for beige seats and wooden trims on the interior. But that notion has begun to change since the introduction of the
latest-generation model in 2018
, and with the
latest 2022 update
 for the model here in Malaysia this year, it’s probably as far away from “uncle-car” as you can get.

On the outside, the XV70-generation Toyota Camry has ditched the safe, boring look commonly associated with the model, for a sleek – or even mildly sporty – sedan silhouette. It’s also the same story for the interior, with black carbon fibre-looking trims replacing the gaudy shiny wood veneers, and black leather in place of beige.
Despite all its new youthful amenities, the 2022 Toyota Camry still does what a Camry does best – or even better. The rear seats now even come with electronic recline adjustability, which you can control via the Lexus-esque control panel located in the centre arm rest.
RELATED:
Facelift 2022 Camry’s new feature makes it more Lexus than Toyota
The main highlight of this 2022 Toyota Camry, however, is actually found underneath its bonnet. The Dynamic Force 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine, having eluded us in the pre-facelift model, finally makes its way onto the Camry on this 2022 update, giving the D-segment sedan a big boost in driving performance.
While it doesn’t have the same low-end kick as the forced-induction engines on most of its competitors, the 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four mill still makes a respectable
209 hp
 and
253 Nm
 of torque – all of which delivered in a gentle yet assertive manner, almost like riding on a big wave.
There’s a lot more good news on the new 2022 Toyota Camry, enough to make even an almost-30-year-old like yours truly truly infatuated with an “uncle-car” like this. We won’t spoil it any further, watch the full review video above!


GoCar Subscription is another way to ‘own’ a car, but is it for you?

It’s probably not for everyone, at least not yet. But for those who do not subscribe (pun intended) to the traditional notion of ownership and do not want to be financially tied down to a car, GoCar subscription may be the way to go. Just imagine this as the Spotify or Netflix service for cars.
As far as we know, GoCar Subscription is the first of its kind in Malaysia and it’s an extension to the car-sharing services offered by the company since 2015. For a start, two models are offered – the Nissan Almera and Renault Captur, with monthly subscription fees starting from RM 1,600 for the Nissan and RM 2,500 for the Renault. If you sign up from now till 9
th
 October 2019 (for a 3-month subscription), the first month’s fee is 50% off.
50% off for the first month if you sign up before 9th October.
Conditions? You need to be signed up as a GoCar member, of course. A refundable deposit of RM 2,500 will be charged to the account once the subscription begins; two additional drivers can be nominated at sign up stage and they must be GoCar members too. There will be no refunds if the car is returned before the three-month period and the payment is done monthly via bank transfer (find out more
here
).
It’s pretty straightforward, but do you think this arrangement works for you?


All-new 2022 Perodua Alza to be launched in Malaysia on July 20

Mark your calendars, as the national carmaker has just announced via its Facebook page that the 2022
Perodua Alza
 will make its official debut on the 20th of June. The all-new MPV will be revealed via a livestream on its social media channels, starting at 12pm this coming Wednesday.
Order books for the all-new 2022 Perodua Alza has
opened since last month
, with three variants on offer. Estimated pricing for the seven-seater MPV starts at RM62,000 for the X, moving up to RM68,000 for the H and RM75,000 for the range-topping AV variant.
Based on the
all-new Toyota Avanza
, all three variants of the all-new 2022 Perodua Alza will be powered by the same 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i naturally-aspirated inline-four engine, paired to a D-CVT gearbox. The powertrain is most likely the same unit found on the
latest 2021 Perodua Myvi facelift
, and is rated for an output of
101 hp
 and
136 Nm
, with drive sent to the front wheels.
RELATED: New Toyota Veloz open for booking in Malaysia – to replace Toyota Avanza
As for equipment, all variants – including the entry-level X – will come equipped with LED headlights, although the higher-end H and AV gets an additional adaptive driving beam function, alongside sequential turn signals.
The all-new Alza also gets digital air-con controls as standard across all variants, alongside rear air con blowers (with manual controls), four airbags, and most importantly, the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) that includes autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and prevention, as well as auto high beam across the board.
Moving up to the H variant will net you an additional seven-inch multi-info display in the instrument cluster, a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment display, reverse camera, front parking sensors, auto retractable wing mirrors, as well as rear armrests on the second-row seats.
As for the range-topping AV, it gets all the “luxury” items including a two-tone semi-leather upholstery, electric parking brake with auto brake hold (a first in a Perodua), two additional airbags (six), and a 360-degree surround-view monitor (also a first in a Perodua). The advanced safety kit also gets a boost in features, including the addition of adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitor, and rear-cross traffic alert.


Auto Bavaria launches digital showroom for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad

Auto Bavaria, BMW largest authorised dealership in Malaysia, has just introduced its digital showroom in response to the ongoing Movement Control Order (MCO) amid the
coronavirus pandemic
, which has now been extended to the 28th of April.
The digital showroom showcases all of the latest models from BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad. In addition, the latest rebates and offers are also published on the website. For example, the
BMW 520i Luxury Line
 is listed with rebates of up to RM20,000, and interest rates starting at 1.88%.
If you require more information, a “brochure” is available in the form of BMW Malaysia’s official website for each specific model.

If something catches your attention while browsing, simply fill in the interest form at the top of the page with your details, preferred model and enquiries, as well as your preferred doorstep test drive date (after the MCO).
After submitting the form, an Auto Bavaria sales advisor will be in touch assist with your questions. The rest of the booking process can be then completed from home. The Auto Bavaria digital showroom also has a live chat functionality if you require immediate assistance.
The Auto Bavaria digital showroom is located at
www.abdigitalshowroom.com
, and is (technically) open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


Four dead in a horrific accident after rich kid loses control of Porsche [+Video]

Speed, when handled at the hands of the less capable, most certainly kills. A 24-year old man driving along the Athens – Lamia highway in central Greece lost control of his Porsche, fatally crashing into a vehicle that was legally parked at a rest stop.
Porsche driver Iorgos Vakakis, son of Greek millionaire and supermarket magnate Apostolos Vakakis, reportedly crashed into the Honda Civic at an obscene speed close to 200km/h. The legal speed limit was 120km/h. An intense fire immediately broke out upon impact, incinerating all but the sole passenger in the Porsche (also a 24-year old male) who was ejected from his seat and quickly succumbed to his injury.
Unfortunately, the parked vehicle wasn’t vacant. In it were a 33-year old mother and her 3-year old girl, both of whom were waiting for their husband/father who was using the restroom. The 41-year old man immediately rushed out screaming but was unable to help his family.


Facts & Figures: Fully electric Hyundai IONIQ 5 Lite, Plus & Max launched in Malaysia, from RM199,888

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has unveiled the IONIQ 5 in Malaysia with three variants available. The Lite starts from
RM199,888
, Plus from
RM229,888
, and Max from
RM259,888
.
All variants come with a 2-year or 50,000 km warranty, while the EV battery comes with an 8-year/160,000 km. The Lite and Plus are rear-wheel drive, powered by a single electric motor, while the Max comes with all-wheel drive; with an electric motor each in the front and back.
The Lite and Plus come with 170 hp and 350 Nm, while the Max offers 305 hp and 605 Nm. The Lite and Plus does 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, and 5.2 seconds for the Max. Top speed is limited to 185 km/h for all variants.
The Lite and Plus are fitted with a 58 kWh lithium-ion battery, while the Max gets a larger 72.6 kWh battery. Electric driving range is rated at 384 km for the Lite and Plus and 430 km for the Max.
Using a Type 2 AC (11kW) charger, the IONIQ 5 can be charged from 0 to 100% in just 5 hours. With the quicker DC charger, the IONIQ 5 can be charged up to 80% in just 18 minutes.
The IONIQ 5 is driven with a single-speed gearbox, with four driving modes available – Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow.
The IONIQ 5 is built on Hyundai’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), measuring 4,635 mm long, 1,605 mm tall, and 1,890 mm wide. By comparison, it’s just a whisker smaller than the BMW X3. And we haven’t got to the wheelbase; at 3,000 mm long, it’s as long as the BMW 7 Series!
As for the body of the car, the IONIQ 5 features a clamshell front bonnet, the first in any Hyundai. Upfront, the clamshell bonnet (a first for Hyundai) helps minimise panel gaps for enhanced aerodynamics, while lower down, the bumper takes on a unique V-shape design, framing the headlights into a single blacked-out rectangle area, just like the Hyundai Pony.
Featuring Hyundai’s new Parametric Dynamics design language, like the Elantra and Sonata, the IONIQ 5 is fitted with 19 or 20-inch wheels depending on the variant. The 20-inch wheels are the largest fitted to a Hyundai vehicle.
The distinctive headlamps feature 256 Parametric Pixels, while an Active Air Flap helps improve aerodynamics and cooling, whichever is needed. The IONIQ 5 comes with full LED lighting for all variants. Fog lights are only available at the rear. The highest spec Max variant even comes with a solar roof.
The IONIQ 5’s is built around a ‘Living Space’ theme, as seen by the “Universal Island”, a movable centre console that can slide as much as 140 mm. As for the front seats, they’re 30% thinner to offer more legroom.
The seats are clad in an eco-processed leather that is dyed and treated with plant oil extractions from flaxseed. Raw materials extracted from sugar cane are used on the headliner, carpet, and seat covers.
Surfaces such as the dashboard, switches, steering wheel, and door panels are coated in polyurethane bio paint composed of oils from rape flowers and corn.
Onboard features include five USB ports, dual-zone air conditioning, a wireless charger, dual 12-inch screens, electric seats, a 7-speaker Bose sound system (highest spec), Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
The lower variants come with a standard 6-speaker sound system, along with fabric seats. Only the top 2 variants, come with leather seats. The most practical feature perhaps the 230V plug point, using Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology. It can power electronics such as electric scooters and camping equipment up to 3.6 kW, even with the car switched off.
Boot space is rated at 531-litres while the frunk offers 57-litres of cargo space. Safety and driver aids include seven airbags, blindspot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert with brake assist, lane-keeping assist, lane following assist, leading vehicle departure alert, smart cruise control with Stop and go, high beam assist, forward collision warning with brake assist, and safe exit alert.
GALLERY


Toyota built an autonomous GR Supra that drifts on its own

Toyota Research Institute (TRI) in the USA, together with Stanford University’s Dynamic Design Laboratory have just made an autonomous GR Supra perform drifts all without the need of a driver.
However, it is not what we think about making
record attempts
 for
the longest
, largest, or fastest car drifting.

The collaboration is actually to gather plenty of data and information to further develop self-driving cars. This exercise is aimed to
‘teach’ self-driving vehicles to execute a slide or drift
 when avoiding obstacles that exceed the vehicle’s handling limits.
“Since 2008, our lab has taken inspiration from human race car drivers in
designing algorithms that enable automated vehicles to handle
 the most challenging emergencies,” said Professor Chris Gerdes of Stanford University’s Dynamic Design Laboratory.
Late last year, the team from Stanford built their first autonomous drifting vehicle using a modified
electric DeLorean
.
 The autonomous Toyota GR project is a follow-up to that experiment.
In the video, the autonomous GR Supra is seen to be controlling all aspects of the drifting, including down-shifting, weight shifting and transitioning, applying precise steering angles and feathering the throttle, with the driver just being there for poses and if required, bring control back from an overenthusiastic self-drifting car.
Separately, TRI is also working with Toyota’s Vehicle Dynamics Control Team in Japan to
apply the drifting architecture for future Toyota
 vehicles.

More information about the Toyota GR Supra in Malaysia can be
found here
The specially-prepared
650 hp
 autonomous GR Supra used in this experiment can trace its origins back to the SEMA 2019 show. It closely resembles the
GReddy GR Supra Drift Concept
 car fitted the eye-catching Pandem widebody kit. The car even won an award for “Best 20 GR Supra of SEMA”.
GALLERY


Kia’s new 8-speed auto is exactly the size of the current 6-speed, weighs 3.5kg less!

Kia has revealed a new eight-speed automatic transmission (8AT) developed entirely in-house. Set to debut in the 2017 Kia Cadenza, the said slush box is engineered for front-wheel drive cars.
For starters, the gearbox will replace the existing six-speed automatic transmission that’s in our current Kia models. Besides getting two extra cogs, the 8AT takes up the same space as the current six-speed auto while weighing
3.5kg
 less.
Development of the gearbox is not an easy feat. Engineers at Kia faced packaging constraints to fit two extra gears where the current six-speeder sits. As such, this led to innovations that gave birth to 143 new patented technologies. The new 8AT boasts smooth acceleration from standstill,
better fuel efficiency
, improved NVH and more
decisive acceleration
 at high speeds.
To achieve this feat, the oil pump was significantly reduced to allow for more efficient use and distribution of hydraulic oil throughout the unit. Kia engineers also boasts the oil pump to be the smallest unit among production transmission in its class. A direct control valve body is incorporated to allow solenoid control of the clutch directly.
Therefore, instead of the previous 20 control valves, the 8AT only requires 12 valves, significantly improving packaging and facilitates quicker gear shifts. The gear ratios between the highest gear and the first gear has increased by
34 percent
, resulting in a more linear power delivery that aids fuel economy and performance.
According to Kia, the new 8AT will be adopted into future mid-sized and large-size front-wheel drive models. Faster gearshifts, better fuel economy plus weight savings? The new eight-speed auto transmission is definitely something to look forward to, possibly making it to our shores in the near future.
IMAGE GALLERY


Italy’s Bologna Airport gets a new Lamborghini Huracan Evo to escort its planes

Remember the
Lamborghini Huracan airplane chaperone
 at the Bologna airport in Italy? The Italian supercar maker has just renewed its partnership with the Guglielmo Marconi Airport for the
seventh time
 since 2013, and this time round, with a shiny new
Huracan Evo
.
Just as before, the new ‘Follow Me’ Lamborghini Huracan Evo will be used to lead aircraft taxiing to the airport runway or to their parking stands, until January 7th of 2022. Sounds like a pretty short tenure for the new Italian bull, but I guess that’s just part of the knock-on effect of
Covid-19
.
Anyway, The Huracan Evo chaperone car is dressed in a livery specially designed by Lamborghini Centro Stile, featuring a chequered design in Arancione Matte, on top of a base colour of Verde Turbine Matte.
Check out the previous Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2 ‘Follow Me’ Car!
Lamborghini says the design of the livery is inspired by the operational vehicles in aircraft manoeuvring areas. Completing the exterior is the “Follow Me in Our Beautiful Country” slogan on the sides, highlighted by the colours of the Italian flag.
Other modifications are for operational purposes, such as the flashing warning lights on top of the roof, as well as a radio system connected directly to the airport control tower.
But aside from that, the car is pretty much a standard Lamborghini Huracan Evo, which means it’s also powered by a5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 engine that’s capable of sending
640 hp
and
 600 Nm
 to the wheels.
Learn more about the Lamborghini Huracan Evo here.
Century sprint in the Huracan Evo takes just 2.9 seconds, before hitting top speeds of over 340 km/h – though the Follow Me car will probably spend the majority of its time puttering along the airport tarmac, and never unleashing all 640 hp of its Italian fury.
We’ve actually seen one of these Lamborghini aeroplane chaperone in action ourselves – here’s to hoping we’ll be able to catch this one in action, soon!
GALLERY


Video: Citroen C3 Aircross 1.2L turbo review

The all-new Citroen C3 Aircross will have no trouble standing out in a sea of SUVs today with its quirky styling and bright paintwork. Beyond the (dividing) exterior design, there is plenty to love about the C3 Aircross as Eu Jin has learnt.

A modest 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech turbo petrol engine with
112 hp
and
205 Nm
 is tasked to move the C3 Aircross while a 6-speed automatic sends drive to the front wheels. Century sprint takes
10.4 seconds
 while top speed is rated at
200 km/h
.
If you’re not sold on its looks and features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, speed limit recognition and Lane Keeping Warning, perhaps its first-in-class rear sun blinds and reclining rear seats is something that might tickle your fancy.


Are you ready for Round 3 of Toyota Vios Challenge in Stadium Batu Kawan?

Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR)
Racing Festival will be heading to Stadium Batu Kawan, Penang this weekend (23 –
24 February 2019) for the Round 3 of Toyota Vios Challenge.
The two-day festival
will see an abundance of activities for enthusiast of the sport, fun and games
for the family and a street food fest for everyone. Festive goers will have the
opportunity to meet the Celebrity Racers which includes Diana Danielle, Janna
Nick, Nabil Ahmad, Khai Bahar, Akim Ahmad, Mohd Shukri Yahaya, Shawn Lee, Wany
Hasrita, Nabila Razali and Aiman Tino.
The 1.56 km Stadium Batu
Kawan street circuit features 11 corners and six straights and will see some 40
drivers competing for glory in the Promotional, Sporting and Super Sporting classes.
UMW Toyota Motor Sdn
Bhd Pesident, Mr Ravindran K. said: “The atmosphere in Penang over a race
weekend is phenomenal going by the overwhelming reception we received when we
first embarked on the TGR Racing Festival here in 2017 and it gives Toyota
great pleasure to return to Stadium Batu Kawan with an even more exciting
line-up of activities for fans.”


MCO 3.0: Closure of JPJ branches plus relaxation on renewal of licence and road tax

In line with the new directive of a nationwide 14-day “Full lockdown” MCO 3.0, the Ministry of Transport Malaysia (MOT) has released a statement regarding the operations of agencies under its purview.
The
JPJ, Puspakom, APAD
 (Land Public Transport Agency) and similar agencies operating in Sabah and Sarawak are temporarily
closed from the 1st to 14th June 2021
. Services and matters regarding commercial vehicles that fall under National Security Council’s (NSC) essential services that require cross-border movement are only allowed subject to appointment.
Similar to last year’s MCO, the MOT is
relaxing the renewal of driving licences and road tax
 that have expiry dates between
1 June until 31 July 2021
. Owners of said driving documents can perform the renewals from
1 August to 30 September 2021
, in other words, granted a 60-day extension.
While you may still be able to drive with an expired road tax and licence, your
vehicle must still have insurance coverage
. Drivers are urged to carry their vehicle’s insurance cover note while on the road.
Returning to the previous normal, driver’s licence and road tax renewals can be done via
MySikap JPJ
 or
MyEG
 online portals. Those who have renewed the said documents do not need to collect the physical documents over the counter during the MCO 3.0 period; merely showing the proof of payment/receipt will do.
The MOT has also directed JPJ to open its
self-service kiosk
 at the latter’s premises. The kiosk, which is said to be able to renew road tax and driver’s licence, will have two operating hours- 6:00 am to 8:00 pm for kiosks placed outside of the premise, while 8:30 am to 4:00 pm for kiosks inside JPJ premises.
On the matter of
Puspakom inspection
 validity, the date of expiry will be extended following the duration of the MCO3.0. As for those who have made an inspection appointment during the “lockdown” dates, Puspakom will issue a refund of the payment within 30 working days.
Such measures have been taken to avoid the gathering of large crowds and to also ensure that the supply of essential goods to the public will not be affected by the MCO.


B10 Biodiesel to be made available in Malaysia by October 2015

Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) Minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has announced that B10 grade biodiesel is expected to hit the pumps nationwide by October of this year. This move will replace the current B5 grade biodiesel that has been on sale since 2014.
The mandate, according to MPIC, will effectively increase the domestic consumption of palm oil by
1.2 million tonnes annually
. B10 biodiesel is essentially a mixed ratio of
10 percent palm based methyl ester and 90 percent petroleum diesel
. This move is also set to stimulate the local economy by producing over
30,000
 new jobs in
Sarawak
.
The idea of biodiesel isn’t a new, as the government has been toying with the idea since
June 2011
 when six fuel stations in
Putrajaya
 began selling them. BMW also announced that their diesel cars can only run on B7 biodiesel; any higher in fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content will be deemed unsuitable for use, citing component corrosion due to higher water content in the blended fuel.
More on that front – Sime Darby in 2010, led by President and Group Chief Executive Dato’ Sri Ahmad Zubir Murshid swapped over his gasoline powered
F02

BMW 7 Series
 for an oil-burning variant which was ran on
B5 biodiesel
.
Typically speaking though, most diesel vehicles are rated at B7 (a fuel variant that’s available in East Malaysia) and aren’t sure how this move will be received by car manufacturers. As of now, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Isuzu have all revealed that the B10 biodiesel is not compatible with their cars. More on this to come.


GoCar expands pay-by-the-minute trips across most of Selangor, new longer-term rentals

In light of the financial impact post the Covid-19 pandemic,
GoCar Malaysia
 has now introduced several new and enhanced services to offer customers greater savings for customers, while offering the same convenience as owning their own private cars.
First, the
pay-by-the-minute one-way trips
, previously available only at Petaling Jaya and Subang Jaya, has now been expanded across most of Selangor to include the following new areas: Shah Alam, Sepang, Ampang Jaya, Kajang, Selayang, and Klang.
Priced at RM0.17 per minute, and charged according to your usage with no minimum period, GoCar says these one-way trips are ideal for shorter drives such as a quick run to the supermarket.
Thanks to a partnership with Smart Selangor Parking and Flexi Parking, customers can also enjoy free street parking, either when they’re using the car, or when returning after their trip – at any location of their choice.
Free parking at any street-side parking bays!
The fees will be capped at a maximum of 10 hours per day, and for extra protection for their customers, all one-way trips are covered by a Collision Damage Waiver Lite package in case of any unfortunate incidents.
Users are not required to make any advanced bookings and there are no mileage caps. They only need to turn on the GoCar app to find the nearest available vehicle to them and the car is theirs to drive for a long as they need it.
GoCar has also unveiled new
longer-term round trip
 rentals for selected models in its stable, specifically for longer durations of three days and more.
The new service is available for the Nissan Almera, Serena, Teana, and Renault Captur, with pricing starting at RM55 per day – booking fees are tiered, so the longer the booking is for, the lower the daily rates. A full breakdown of the booking rates can be found below, all of which are inclusive of unlimited mileage:
More information on both service offerings can be found on the GoCar Malaysia’s website, linked here, or through its mobile applications on the App Store and Google Play.


Honda Malaysia ups prices for all new cars in January 2016 due to weak Ringgit

It’s only a matter of time before similar news as such gets announced across the board. Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd is the latest to announce a price hike for all their cars due to the depreciating Ringgit, after
Toyota
,
Lexus
 and
Nissan
.
The estimated price increased is currently set between
2 to 3 percent
 depending on the model – a relatively conservative (which is good news, of course) estimate when compared to Toyota’s 4 to 16 percent hike. However, the pricing will vary greatly depending on the Ringgit’s performance, and Honda Malaysia will continuously monitor the exchange rate before coming up with the revised price list later in December.
Over the past few years, the company successfully streamlined operations to increase working efficiency to introduce products at reasonable price points. However, the Ringgit has
fluctuated
 by as much as 30 percent against the US Dollar, causing a rapid increase to the cost of imported parts and components. Despite their best efforts to reduce operational costs and expenses, Honda Malaysia had to choice but to draw the last straw through price increment.
CEO of Honda Malaysia, Yoichiro Ueno said, “After weighing all possible options, a price increase is

an
 inevitable
 step for the company to continue offering high quality products and services to our customers. If the Ringgit recovers to its previous level, we would reevaluate the pricing structures once again.” As for now, the current and foreseeable future purchases will remain exposed to the instability of Ringgit.
Despite that, Honda Malaysia remains positive about hitting their 2015 sales target of 85,000 units and is currently leading the Non-National Segment as at September 2015.


Facts & Figures: All-new 2022 Ford Ranger launched in Malaysia – from RM109k

The highly-awaited
all-new 2022 Ford Ranger
 has finally made its debut in Malaysia today, offered in seven different variants, including the XL, XLT, XLT Plus, and WildTrak. Pricing for the all-new Ranger starts at
RM108,888
 for the entry-level XL variant, and maxes out at
RM168,888
 for the WildTrak.
EXTERIOR
The Ford Ranger has been redesigned from the ground up on this all-new generation model, most notably on the bold front-end styling, characterised by the signature “C-Clamp” headlights design and massive hexagonal grille, both of which taking inspiration from the F-150.
The sides of the pick-up get a mild redesign with new character lines and reworked wheel arches, while at the back, the tailgate also sees a new debossed ‘Ranger’ word mark, alongside the new vertical taillights with intricately-designed LED light signatures.
In terms of equipment, the all-new Ford Ranger comes with the following:
XL
Halogen headlamps
16-inch wheels, 255/70 R16
Two 240V, 400 watt power sockets in truck bed
XLT
LED reflector headlamps
LED daytime-running lights
17-inch wheels, 255/70 R17
XLT Plus (adds)
Plastic-moulded bed liner
WildTrak (adds)
Matrix LED projector headlights
Integrated side steps behind rear wheels
18-inch wheels, 255/65 R18
PERFORMANCE
The all-new Ford Ranger will be offered in two different powertrain options, both powered by the same 2.0-litre inline-four diesel engines, but in single- or bi-turbo configurations.
Ford Ranger XL, XLT
Engine: 2.0-litre single-turbocharged inline-four, diesel
Transmission: New six-speed manual, or six-speed automatic gearbox
Max horsepower: 170 hp @ 3,500 rpm
Max torque: 405 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm
Ford Ranger XLT Plus, WildTrak
Engine: 2.0-litre bi-turbocharged inline-four, diesel
Transmission: 10-speed automatic gearbox, with e-Locking Rear Differential
Max horsepower: 210 hp @ 3,750 rpm
Max torque: 500 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,000 rpm
Ford says that both engines, alongside their gearboxes, have been put through extensive tests to ensure their reliability. The new six-speed manual transmission on the single-turbo variants is also said to have been in development for four years across four continents, featuring a new gear set for smoother gearshifts.
Other improvements come in the form of a strengthened chassis, alongside a 50 mm increase in both the wheelbase and track width to enhance the truck’s comfort and stability, both on-road and off-road. The dampers for the rear suspensions have also been moved outboard of the frame rails and springs to offer a more controlled ride, whether the vehicle is laden or not.
The drive mode selector, which was previously exclusive to the Raptor, has also now moved down the product line-up to offer up to six drive modes (depending on variant) across the board. These modes adjust various settings ranging from gearshift to throttle response, traction and stability control, as well as ABS and more.
INTERIOR
The big changes continue inside, featuring a new “coast-to-coast” dashboard architecture headlined by the massive vertically-oriented central display in the centre. Ford says that the user interface of the dashboard has now been simplified, with many of the features being moved into touchscreen operation.
Aside from the massive central screen, the seven-inch digital instrument cluster is also standard across all variants, significantly lifting the overall modern feel of the cabin. Equipment varies according to variants, with the highlights being:
8-inch digital instrument cluster
Electronic dual-zone climate control
Fabric seats (leather upholstery on WildTrak)
Power adjustable front seats (WildTrak)
12-inch vertical central infotainment display with Sync 4A operating system (WildTrak, 10.1-inch on other variants)
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Electronic parking brake (WildTrak)
Qi wireless charging pad (XLT and higher variants)
360-degree surround view monitor (WildTrak)
SAFETY
Advanced safety assistance features will be offered on the all-new Ford Ranger, starting from the XLT Plus variant and up. These features include:
Enhanced autonomous emergency braking with cyclist, pedestrian, and junction traffic detection support
Dynamic brake support
Post collision braking
Evasive Steer Assist (WildTrak)
Reverse Brake Assist (WildTrak)
Rear cross traffic alert (WildTrak)
Adaptive cruise control with stop-go functionality (WildTrak)
Lane keeping and centring assist (WildTrak)
PRICING
Pricing for the all-new Ford Ranger starts at RM108,888 for the entry-level manual XT variant, going up to RM168,888 for the range-topping WildTrak. Prices are on-the-road, without insurance, and inclusive of a five-year/160,000 km warranty – the latter extendable up to seven-years.
Ranger XL MT – RM108,888
Ranger XL AT – RM113,888
Ranger XLT MT – RM124,888
Ranger XLT AT – RM129,888
Ranger XLT Plus AT – RM142,888
Ranger WildTrak – RM168,888
Sime Darby Auto Connexion also teased the all-new 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor for Malaysia at the launch today. The Baja-inspired off-road racer will make its launch in Q4 this year.
GALLERY