Honda Malaysia sets 109,000 sales target for 2018, to focus on aftersales

At the launch of the facelifted Honda Odyssey, Honda Malaysia announced their 2018 target of 109,000 sales units and to achieve this target, the company will focus on after-sales and prioritise customer satisfaction for the coming year.
The target set is based on the company’s stable momentum over the past four years which will be bolstered by two new model launches in 2018 – first being the
facelifted Odyssey with Honda Sensing
. After an aggressive product line up for the past two years starting with the
Civic FC
 to the
Civic Type R
, Honda Malaysia will now shift its focus to aftersales service to elevate the ownership experience of the Honda brand.
Honda Malaysia delivered the 250,000th Honda City in 2017
Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Toichi Ishiyama said, “According to our internal survey, our Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) score has increased by 23 points compared to the previous year. To further provide more Joy, we will significantly enhance this area in 2018.”
“This year we are focusing on the three main areas of dealer expansion and customer experience, skilled associates at dealers, and customer’s virtual touchpoint. Towards this end, customer satisfaction will be the main emphasis in 2018. The total investment to enhance Honda’s operation and after-sales is estimated at RM31 million”, Ishiyama-san added.
Honda Malaysia MD & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama
Moving forward,
seven more dealerships
 are expected to be opened, ranging from 3S Centres to standalone Body and Paint Centres over the course of 2018. In addition to new dealerships, current Honda facilities will  gradually be upgraded to feature the brand’s New Corporate Identity based on the concept of
Innovative and Inviting with Human Centric
 elements to enhance the quality of service and hospitality for customers.
In 2017, Honda Malaysia achieved
record sales of 109,511 cars
 and has maintained its Number 1 position in the Non-National segment for the third consecutive year as well as its Number 2 position in overall TIV (Total Industry Volume) for the second year running. Despite the challenging economic climate, Honda achieved 19 percent increase in overall sales.


Refreshed Peugeot 508 revealed, new face and new engine lineup [+Video]

Peugeot’s D-segment contender the
508
 has received a nip-and-tuck treatment that brings mostly cosmetic enhancements to the exterior, and a revised engine lineup.
The 508 range consists of the
Sedan
,
SW
 wagon, and another one that’s not available here in Malaysia, the
RXH
. Throughout the range, the 508 gets a
totally new face
, with
full LED headlamps
 on the top of the range models. The main grille has been shifted upwards, bringing the lion that used to be on top of the bonnet into the grille. A pair of
new taillights
 and a redesigned rear bumper is only for the Sedan while the SW and RXH retains their existing taillights.

Nothing much is changed inside, a
7-inch touch screen
 that sits in the middle of the dash helps to clear some buttons off the central panel, and there’s a new closed storage box in the center console.
Blind Spot Sensors
 and a
reverse camera
 have been added to the equipment list, that already includes keyless entry and starting, auto electric parking brake, quad-zone climate control, and a JBL sound system.

As for the revised engine lineup, the petrol range consists of a
1.6-litre VTi 120
 paired to a 6-speed manual, and a new
1.6-litre THP 165
 that replaces the 1.6-litre THP 156 with a choice of a
6-speed manual
 or the new
EAT6 6-speed auto
.
For diesel, these five engines are carried over from the pre-facelifted 508, a
1.6-litre e-HDi 115
,
2.0-litre HDi 140
,
2.0-litre BlueHDi 150
,
2.0-litre HDi 160
, and a
2.2-litre HDi 200
 in the 508 GT. All can be paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed auto, with the exception of the HDi 140 and BlueHDi 150 only available with the manual transmission, and the HDi 200 is only offered with the automatic transmission. A new addition to the diesel lineup is the
2.0-litre BlueHDi 180
 paired to a 6-speed automatic.
There’s also the
508 HYbrid4
, that combines a
2.0-litre HDi
 that drives the front wheels with a
37 hp electric motor
 to power the rear wheels.
The revised 508 will be displayed at the Paris Motor Show in October together with the
308 GT
, and in Europe sales will start from November. It will be launched in China from January 2015, so we can expect it to be here in Malaysia soon afterwards.
[divider]
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Volkswagen is official car sponsor for Le Tour de Langkawi 2020

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has once again been appointed as the official car sponsor of Le Tour de Langkawi 2020, marking the third time the brand has been involved in the sporting event since 2016.
As official car sponsor, VPCM will be providing
120 units
 of the
Tiguan Highline
 for the event. The compact SUV will be used throughout the 10-day race by riders, safety marshals, and officials.
VPCM Managing Director, Erik Winter, said, “We are honoured to be back as part of LTDL this year as the race celebrates its silver jubilee, and we are confident that the Tiguan will be a good fit and support to the operations team in terms of safety, endurance, agility and speed.
“On behalf of Volkswagen, we wish the participants all the very best for this year’s race,” he added.
Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) is a multiple stage bicycle race that has gained multiple accolades in the sport. Now recognised as a highlight in the global competitive cycling calendar, The race attracts some of the world’s top road cyclists every year.
Now in its 25th year, LTdL 2020 will once again include East Malaysia as part of the race route. The last time LTdL visited the Borneo Island was in 1997.
Le Tour de Langkawi 2020 will be happening from the
6th to 15th of February 2020
.


Italian aiport gets a RWD Huracan LP580-2 as airplane chaperone

Automobili Lamborghini has extended its collaboration with Guglielmo Marconi Airport in Bologna, Italy for the 6th time with nothing less than flamboyance to show for.
After generously delivering a Lamborghini a year to the airport for official use since 2013, the company has continued the tradition with the 4th Huracan LP580-2 RWD in six years.
It’s also the
 same model gifted to the Pope recently
while other models delivered to the airport in the past included the Aventador LP700-4 and Huracan LP610-4.
The new “Follow-Me” Huracan will be used to lead aircrafts taxiing to the runway or to their parking stands.
Dressed with a special livery designed by Lamborghini Centro Stile, the RWD Huracan’s side profile is perhaps the most attractive with decals that mimic the supercar’s tail lights, coloured by the red, white and green of the Italian flag.
The 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 Huracan with
 580 hp
 and
540 Nm
 is also equipped with an orange light-bar on the roof and a radio to stay connected with the control tower.
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New limited-edition Isuzu D-Max Stealth comes with a really cool first-in-class feature!

Isuzu Malaysia
 has just launched the new D-Max Stealth that’s
based on the 1.9-litre turbo diesel model
 which
we drove in Phuket, Thailand
. With only 180 units available, the limited-edition model is priced at RM125,799.20 on-the-road without insurance.
Available either in
Stallion Black Metallic
 or
Silky White Pearl
exterior colours, each model is accompanied with a 7-year unlimited mileage warranty. Those who register the D-Max Stealth by August will receive a free sports roll bar.

There are no performance upgrades in the Stealth, which makes
150 hp
 and
 350 Nm
 from its 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox with Sequential Shift. Unlike the standard 1.9-litre variants of the D-Max, the Stealth does not come with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
As for the exterior, the bulk of changes are at the front. Instead of a massive chrome grille in the standard variants, the Stealth gets a blacked-out front grille with a silver line that stretches across the headlights. Further down, the Stealth also gets a new front lip extension with black accents. The fog lamp surrounds have also been blackened, along with the roof rails and rear bumpers.
At the rear, the Stealth now gets a damper for the tailgate which softens the tailgate opening and makes it extremely easy to close – you can literally do it with just one finger. Also enhancing the Stealth’s exterior are newly designed 18-inch wheels with a Stealth emblem on one of the spokes.
The icing on the cake has to be the
powered side step
, a first-in-class feature. When retracted, it’s so flush you wouldn’t notice anything there but open the doors and it will gracefully extend out, accompanied with welcome lights.
Inside, the cabin comes with red and black seats, with a mix of leather and fabric upholstery. The Stealth is also added with a first-in-class front and rear digital video recorder with a 32GB mini SD card.
Using motion detectors, the cameras can record a 140-degree view when the vehicle is parked or when it detects an impact on the vehicle. The recordings can be played back through the owner’s phone via WiFi and the IROAD app available on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Another first-in-class feature in the D-Max Stealth is the
Around View Monitor with 3D Image Guide
. Using four cameras around the vehicle, it can provide either a bird’s eye view or a 3D view when the reverse gear is selected. The user can also manually activate or switch to different views with a switch placed behind the steering wheel.
Additionally, the Stealth is also equipped with a front parking sensor which operates up to speeds of 25 km/h. Once the vehicle slows down to 20 km/h, it will automatically reactivate. While off-road, drivers can opt to switch off the system with a Parking Sensor switch added next to the USB ports.
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Tesla Model Y launched in Thailand – from RM246k, up to 542 km range

One of the two cars that spearhead
Tesla
’s entry into the Thailand market is the
Tesla Model Y
, now offered in three variants in the land of smiles. Prices start at 1,959,000 baht (approx.
RM246,151
), and the Tesla Model Y is fully imported (CBU) from China.
Mirroring the Tesla Model 3 (
which has also just been launched in Thailand
), the three variants of the Tesla Model Y are as such:
Single Motor RWD – 1,959,000 baht (approx.
RM246,151
)
Dual Motor Long Range AWD – 2,259,000 baht (approx.
RM283,846
)
Dual Motor Performance AWD – 2,509,000 baht (approx.
RM315,258
)
Essentially a high-riding tesla Model 3 with 5-doors, bigger wheels, and a taller roof, the Tesla Model Y can sometimes be hard to differentiate from its sedan counterpart. It measures 4,751 mm long, 1,921 mm wide, and 1,624 mm tall. With a wheelbase measuring 2,890 mm, it is about the size of a
BMW X3
 or a
Mercedes-Benz GLC
.
RELATED:
Tesla Model 3 launched in Thailand – from ~RM221k, up to 614 km range
Tesla Model Y Single Motor RWD
As an entry-level option, the Single Motor RWD is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor that makes
347 hp
 (metric) and
420 Nm
. The Single Motor RWD accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in
6.9 seconds
 and has a top speed of
217 km/h
.
A 57.5-kWh battery gives the Single Motor RWD an electric range of
455 km
 (WLTP). Charging can be done at a maximum rate of
11 kW
 for AC charging and
170 kW
 for DC fast charging.
RELATED:
The Tesla Model S Plaid has apparently set a new EV lap record at the Nurburgring
Tesla Model Y Dual Motor Long Range AWD
In the middle of the variant hierarchy is the Dual Motor Long Range AWD that has a combined system output of
514 hp
 (metric) and
493 Nm
. The mid-range Model Y does the century sprint in
 5.0 seconds
and has a top speed of
217 km/h
.
Storing energy in the Long Range Model Y is a
75-kWh
 battery pack that provides
542 km
 of range (WLTP). AC charging can be done at a maximum rate of
11 kW
 while DC fast charging is capped at
250 kW
.
RELATED:
Someone stuffed an actual V8 engine into a Tesla Model S
Tesla Model Y Dual Motor Performance RWD
The most powerful version of the Model Y is the Performance model which makes a total of
534 hp
 (metric) and
660 Nm
. It launches from 0 to 100 km/h in
3.7 seconds
 and has a top speed of
250 km/h
.
Housing the same
75-kWh
 battery pack as the Long Range Model Y, the electric range is a little less at
514 km
 (WLTP). Like the Long Range, the Performance model can handle
11-kW
 AC charging and
250-kW
 DC fast charging.
Over the Long Range Model Y, the Performance Model Y adds on 21-inch alloy wheels with Uberturbine wheel design, a performance brake system, a carbon fibre rear spoiler, and aluminium alloy foot pedals. For better handling, the Performance model even throws in a set of lowered suspension.
Mirroring the Model 3’s warranty package, the Tesla Model Y provides a 4-year/80,000 km general warranty as standard. The Single Motor RWD gets an 8-year/160,000 km battery and drive system warranty, while the Dual Motor Long Range AWD and Dual Motor Performance AWD both get an 8-year/192,000 km battery and drive system warranty.
RELATED:
ONE’s experimental battery tech gives Tesla Model S 1,210 km of range on a single charge


Ferrari sold more than 10,000 cars a year for the first time in its history

Ferrari has just released its financial and sales performance data for the year 2019.The Prancing Horse managed to deliver
10,131 vehicles
 last year, making it the first time Ferrari has exceeded the 10,000 units mark.
The figure also translates to a
9.5% increase
 from 2018, which Ferrari says is partly driven by the increased uptake in its core V8 models, up by 11.2%. The V12 models saw an increase of 4.6% in demand.

Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong saw the largest region growth for the brand, with a 20.3% boost compared to 2018, delivering a total of 836 vehicles. However, the region with the highest demand (in terms of volume) goes to the EMEA with 4,895 units delivered (+15.8%).
Americas followed behind with 2,900 units delivered (-3.3%), and lastly the rest of APAC saw a growth of 12.9%, with 1,500 units delivered.
Financials wise, Ferrari recorded a net revenue of
Euro 3.8 billion
 2019, 10.1% increase year-on-year. Cars and spare parts revenue represented 77.7% of total revenue (Euro 2.9 billion), up 15% from 2018.
Ferrari says that the increase in volume can be attributed to the robust delivery of the
Ferrari Portofino
,
812 Superfast
,
488 Pista
 and
488 Pista Spyder
, as well as the first deliveries of the
F8 Tributo
.
Although Ferrari is expected to cool off in 2020 compared to the last year where it launched five new models, the Maranello-based luxury supercar maker seems bullish about the year ahead, and has revised their financial guidance with a higher net revenue estimate, at Euro 4.1 billion.


15 new Nissans to be displayed at next month’s Tokyo Auto Salon 2018

Come mid-January next year, Nissan will be displaying 15 exciting new cars with the latest custom and aftermarket parts at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2018 – an exhibition famous for hosting the latest modified cars and aftermarket products.
The broad range of models will include
grand touring concepts of the new Nissan LEAF
, the NV350 Caravan and the X-Trail, the Nissan Fairlady Z Heritage Edition and some of
NISMO’s high-performance road cars
such as the new
Nissan Serena Nismo
 that went on sale in Japan recently.

Also on display are concept cars by the newly-launched AUTECH sub-brand, which will uphold premium craftsmanship and sporty driving performance as it mantra.
The first “Autech-enhanced” model was the recently unveiled
Serena AUTECH
. It’s been reported that AUTECH will co-exist with Nissan’s
existing NISMO sub-brand
 as the latter focuses on drawing from Nissan’s motorsports DNA.
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Turn your NB Mazda MX-5 into a 1930s Alfa Romeo race car with this conversion kit

I’ll probably get a lot of flak here for saying this, but the second-generation
Mazda MX-5
 – or better known as the NB for enthusiasts – isn’t a very attractive car. Although, I am fairly certain that I’m not the only one who thinks so, because the popular ones on the internet are always the first-generation models.
We still think it’s a great car, mind you, but if you have one of these and want to make it a little more special,
Tipo 184
 is now selling a kit to convert the Japanese roadster into a 1930s race car. More specifically, the Alfa Romeo 158 – one of the most successful Grand Prix (and Formula 1) cars ever produced.
Created by British car builder and TV personality Ant Anstead, where he also built an Alfa Romeo 158 tribute on his show Master Mechanic, the kit consists of the entire space frame chassis, body panels, replica seats, as well as the replica steering wheel and instrument panel. The details on the Tipo 184 look immaculate – and if anything, probably just slightly off in scale!
The Tipo 184 conversion kit even comes with a replica exhaust with four functional pipes and four fake ones, to simulate the look of the original 158’s supercharged inline-eight engine! From the photos, it seems like the kit will also come with a Wilwood brake kit, complete with a housing to make it look like the drum-brake system from the original race car.
In case you’re wondering how the original Alfa Romeo 158 looks like.
If you’re wondering why the kit is called the 184, here’s a cool little trivia: The Alfa Romeo 158 was called that in reference to the 1.5-litre engine, and eight cylinders. With the Mazda MX-5’s 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated four cylinder mill, it’s only appropriate to call it the 184, don’t you think?
For now, only 10 of these kits are being made available as part of a pre-launch offer. They’re priced at GBP7,499 + VAT each (~RM41k), but you’ll get the opportunity to spend a weekend in their workshop, building the car with Ant’s guidance!


Jaguar Land Rover combats driver fatigue with new noise cancellation tech

In order to combat driver fatigue and keep the roads safer for everyone, Jaguar Land Rover will be equipping the updated
Jaguar F-Pace
,
Jaguar XF
, and
Range Rover Velar
 with a new noise cancellation technology to reduce unwanted road and tyre sounds from the cabin for a more refined driving experience.
Developed by Silentium, the Active Road Noise Cancellation system uses sensors on each wheel to constantly monitor the vibrations from the road surface. The specific opposite phase sound wave is then calculated in real-time and emitted through the cars’ Meridian sound system to remove the noise.
The system also monitors the occupancy status in the cabin with the seatbelt sensors, optimising the performance of the noise cancellation sounds in the cabin for all passengers by adjusting the levels and position of the noise cancellation sounds.
Jaguar Land Rover says that the new noise cancellation tech allows for unwanted road noise – especially those from potholes and rough surfaces – to be “isolated and removed”; lowering unwanted noise peaks by
10 dB
, and overall noise levels by
3-4 dB
 – equivalent to turning down the in-car sound system by four notches.
Citing studies, JLR says that reduction in exposure to low-frequency noises (below 300 Hz) can help prevent driver fatigue on longer journeys. The company also says that fatigued drivers on average have an increase in reaction time by 16.72% compared to those fully alert.
The system is being launched under the brand’s Destination Zero banner, an initiative to make societies safer and healthier, and our environments cleaner – zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion – through technology innovations like the Active Road Noise Cancellation system.
JLR also says that an added benefit of the noise cancellation system for its hybrid models is that it allows for the powertrain to be “refined for lower CO2 emissions and efficiency with no impact on driver experience”.
“Active Road Noise Cancellation technology not only has the potential to improve road safety but also wellbeing and quality of life for our customers,” said JLR Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steve Iley.
“In a post-coronavirus world, where a ‘new normal’ is emerging, we expect customer expectations of private transport to change. An extra focus will be placed on safe, clean mobility where personal space, wellbeing and hygiene carry a premium.”


Proton sold 14,989 units in March, best sales month since Sept 2013

Proton has just posted its monthly brand sales information for the month of March, which recorded a total of
14,989
 vehicles sold that includes
e
x
ports
.
The national automaker said this was its
best sales month since September 2013
 and based on internal intelligence, places Proton at an estimated market share of 23.5%.
The company is also incredibly proud of the Q1 2021 achievement, accumulating 32,826 units that result in their highest quarterly market share figure since March 2012.
With just two
SUV
 models in its line-up, Proton managed to deliver 5,850 units, led by the
X50
 model with 3,513 units. Proton seems to be placing the X50 in the same category or segment as the smaller Perodua Ativa, as the company highlights that even with 3,513 units, they are
second in sales
 in the B-Segment SUV.
In the first three months of 2021, Proton has delivered 7,940 units of the X50, making it their second best-selling product after the Saga. The month of March also saw strong deliveries for the Saga, where dealers managed to move 5,589 units. In February, Proton launched the R3 limited edition variants of the
Saga
 and
Iriz
models.
The Proton
Persona
 (2,151 units), Iriz (810) and Exora also posted their best figures for the year with the evergreen MPV once again claiming the crown for highest C-segment MPV sales with 584 units.
Proton Edar CEO, Roslan Abdullah said, “After a soft start to the year, Malaysia’s automotive industry has finally hit its stride for 2021. We estimate TIV to be over 63,000 units, suggesting all brands will post their best numbers for the year. For Proton, March was a very good sales month as we achieved our
highest figure in 90 months
 but our sense of achievement is tempered by the fact that it could have been even better if we were able to produce more units.”
Mr Roslan also added that the order bank is still high and plans are underway to increase production to fulfil customers demand before the end of the sales tax exemption incentive that is ending on June 30th.
Proton’s in-house auto-financing arm, Proton Commerce, is also receiving a better response from buyers. Nearly 4,000 loans were disbursed in the first three months of 2021 with an estimated 1,700 customers in March alone. The latter figure is equivalent to a 122% growth over February and overall, disbursements for the first quarter of the year are up by 141% over 2020.


This is the time to get yourself a Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benz!

If the flare and glare of recent Mercedes-Benz vehicles have enticed you to the brink of desperation for a three-pointed star, the time is now.
That’s cause NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd, authorised dealers of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will be opening their floodgates to an extensive range of certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz vehicles at the Naza Automall in Petaling Jaya
from the 2nd of August till the 4th of August 2019
 (10am to 5pm).
The extensive range of vehicles, with over 100 pre-owned models to choose from includes the A-Class, C-Class, CLA, E-Class, GLA, GLC and S-Class with
prices ranging from RM190k to RM650k
.
The Mercedes-Benz that will be on display are of the 2018 model year and are
 no older than one year
.
If that isn’t enticing enough, this should make you check your bank account balance and acquire your spouse’s permission – NZ wheels is collaborating with Maybank to offer visiting customers low loan rates.
Those who opt for the hire purchase loan with Maybank on-the-spot will stand a chance to redeem an exclusive Mercedes-Benz watch worth RM1,500.


BMW Group Malaysia presents multi-partnership event on sustainability and future mobility

BMW Group Malaysia today officially kick-off the first day of NEXTGen Malaysia – the three-day event on sustainability and electrified mobility held at Mandarin Oriental KL.
The event brings together various industry players and experts to facilitate conversations on sustainable innovations and solutions is in partnership with the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Siemens Malaysia, alongside Samsung Malaysia Electronics and Glenfiddich by William Grant & Sons.
At the opening day of NEXTGen Malaysia, attendees include CEO of Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), Dato’ Madani Sahari; President of the Malaysia Automotive Recyclers Association (MAARA), Datuk Haji Khan Bin Mohd Akram Khan; Senior Director, Technology Solutions Group at MGTC, Huzaimi Nor bin Omar; and Head of TV & Audio Visual at Samsung Malaysia Electronics, Calvert Yap.
The multi-stakeholder sustainability event which was officiated by YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) also saw a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing held between BMW Group Malaysia and its partners, MGTC, TNB, and Siemens Malaysia, to further develop the ecosystem and infrastructure for electric vehicles in the country.
RELATED: BMW adds three new charging bays in the Northern region
Entrance for the public will commence at 2:00 P.M. tomorrow with a panel discussion featuring Subang Jaya State Assemblywoman YB Michelle Ng amongst others. An exciting line-up of public keynote speeches and panel discussions (more information
here
) featuring leaders and experts in the field of sustainability across various industries, as well as exhibitions by Sunway XFarms, Circular Future and KUALESA.


Why you need to tune in to Formula 1 again

If you’ve not been watching Formula 1, well, you should reconsider. After four stonking races in a row, the much-maligned blue-ribbon motorsport spectacle has somehow rediscovered some lustre and making MotoGP look pedestrian in comparison.
When others raise their game, F1 isn’t so predictable anymore.
While Hamilton’s lead at the top of the drivers’ standing looks secure, with nine races to go, there’s still a lot to play for, particularly with Red Bull Racing, powered by the now reliable Honda power unit, looking competitive in most circuits. If not for an inspired strategy call in
Hungary
, the Hamilton and Mercedes-AMG would’ve been defeated in a straight fight, having already been beaten to pole by Max Verstappen in qualifying.
The wet, then dry German GP was epic, watch the
highlights here
.
But it isn’t just the close racing but the changing of guard that’s unfolding before F1 fans. Charles LeClerc (Ferrari), Lando Norris (McLaren), Alex Albon (Toro Rosso), even George Russell (Williams), and of course, Verstappen are all in their early 20s (actually Norris has yet to turn 20) and are proving themselves to be the future of Formula 1 with sterling performances in the season so far. It’s not that the ‘regular’ cast are old either; Hamilton, Vettel, Ricciardo, Bottas and Perez are technically in their prime and still have much to offer.
LeClerc, 21 (right)
Norris, 19
Albon, 22
With 12 races run and nine to go, including legendary circuits such as Spa, Monza and Suzuka to come, exciting times lie ahead. Can Hamilton bring it home and seal his sixth title nudging him to within one championship off Michael Schumacher’s record seven? Can Honda add to the two race wins in what is a dream season for them and Red Bull? Will Ferrari go winless for the rest of the season? Who will Mercedes-AMG pick to partner Hamilton in 2020?
The F1 circus is currently on a three-week summer break and the
racing resumes on 1
st
 September with the Belgian GP at
Spa-Franchorchamps. Well worth waiting for? Hell ya!


Toto Wolff rubbishes reports claiming Mercedes is exiting Formula 1

What better way to rebut reports that your F1 team is leaving the sport than to sign on even
more sponsors
 on a
long-term basis
, and that’s exactly what the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team has done by welcoming UK petrochemical giant
INEOS
as a
principal partner
 (Petronas remains as title partner of the team) and also
AMD
as a team partner, both being multi-year sponsorships.
During the unveiling of the
new livery for 2020
 (but not on the 2020-spec race car, that will come later this week), F1 team boss Toto Wolff reaffirmed Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to the sport and that
reports
of the company planning to exit F1 were
‘nonsense’
 and written by
‘some lunatic’
 out to generate controversial headlines.
“This is what we do, we build race cars and we build road cars. Formula 1 is the
halo platform
 for
hybrid engineering
, something that is not communicated enough because it was talked down at the beginning of the hybrid era. It’s something we should put more emphasis on,” said Wolff during the press conference, as quoted by
formula1.com
, the official F1 channel.
INEOS branding will occupy the top of the airbox and inner endplates of the front wing.
However, Wolff also alluded to the fact that Mercedes, like other teams, are still
locked in negotiations
 with rights holders
FOM
(Formula One Management),
FIA
and stakeholders on the commercial contract (otherwise known as Concorde Agreement) of the sport, and that he hopes to see that concluded before the start of the 2021 season.


Five things I hate about the 2016 Honda Civic

The
10th-generation Honda Civic
 is no doubt
the
 hottest car of the year. With its stunning good looks and lengthy list of equipment, it’s no wonder that there are so many on the roads today. I mean, it’s everywhere.
There is much to like with the new Civic, from the gorgeous LED headlamps to the first-in-class digital display instrument cluster. Not to mention bragging rights too, for being the first Japanese carmaker to slap on a turbocharger onto their C-Segment sedan.
However, even the best cars have its flaws. The Civic is no exception. So here are five things I hate about the all-new
Honda Civic 1.5TC-Premium
.
1. Unpolished Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
In the name of efficiency, Honda has equipped the Civic with a CVT and I respect that decision. The issue I have with this transmission is the refinement when climbing up the revs. Pedal to the floor and the unpleasant CVT drone/whine seeps into the otherwise impressively insulated cabin. This makes hard accelerations a considerably irksome affair. Perhaps this is Honda’s way of discouraging the lead footed? Maybe…
2. Obscure Cruise Control Operations
Cruise control is a wonderful feature that helps lessen the driver’s burden when travelling at a constant speed for an extended period of time. Simply select your desired speed and the car will automatically feed gas to the engine, thus maintaining velocity. However, with the Civic, activating cruise control is not as straightforward as you may think.
First, it does not display the limited speed anywhere on the instrument panel. Instead you will have to travel to a desired speed and push the “Set” button on the steering wheel, making it quite a chore to activate a simple driver assistive feature.
This brings me to my second point. While cruise control is activated, increasing and decreasing the speed limiter is an ambiguous process. I have no clue whether by pressing “+” am I increasing the top speed by 1 km/h or 10 km/h. But all I know is that, I am going faster. I’m certain Honda can find a tiny space on the massive LCD instrument cluster to display this info.
3. Unintuitive Climate Controls
Fortunately, on the Civic, the climate controls are not entirely housed in the 7-inch touchscreen display like on the
HR-V
. In this case, only the fan speed and A/C are controlled via the touchscreen display. To me, it’s an unnecessary step to a feature we use on a daily basis, simply because I can’t complete the operation without diverting my attention to the screen. I’d much rather have the antiquated knob and button controls than this.
4. Uncomfortable Seating Position
The driver’s seat comes with six-way powered adjustment which should satisfy most people but the biggest gripe I have is the lack of lumbar adjustment. Yet on the Civic, the driver’s seat feature this permanently protruding “lumbar support” that’s non-adjustable, making long distance journeys literally a pain no matter how much you adjust the seat.

5. Limited Cubby Space
While there’s no denying the brilliantly designed cabin, I was surprised by the scarcity of stowage compartments to keep my loose belongings. The side door bins are just enough for a puny 500ml bottle and a SmartTag, while the hard-to-access centre tray barely fits anything larger than a SmartTag. The gear lever just makes accessibility worse. Don’t get me started on the hidden tray below the centre console that takes quite a reach. Although the centre armrest has great depth, I would like it if some of my belongings can be kept somewhere within reach.

Some of the points may just be me nitpicking on the car, but these are some quirks that I’ve learnt after spending a lengthy amount of time in the Civic, quirks that short test drives around the block wouldn’t reveal. Don’t get me wrong, the car is impressive in its own way as shown in our
written review
 and
video review
. However, do take these points into consideration before putting your money down on the Civic. And if you’re so inclined, we will be reviewing the even more promising
Hyundai Ioniq
 a test, so watch this space before you visit that dealership!
Credits to
Vehicle Virgins
 for the content idea.


Bentley Flying Spur W12 S is the first four-door Bentley to hit 325km/h!

Bentley has just introduced a new variant to its Flying Spur line-up, the Flying Spur W12 S. The W12 S sits at the top of the Flying Spur range, above the existing Flying Spur W12.
As the S badge denotes, the massive 6.0-litre twinturbo W12 is tuned for more power and the chassis is upgraded for better dynamics. The engine now outputs
626 hp
, up 10 hp from before and
820 Nm
 of torque (800 Nm on the Flying Spur W12). As such, the Flying Spur W12 S is the first four-door Bentley to break the
200 mph
 (325 km/h) mark. Century sprint in the two tonne machine is done in a blazing 4.5 seconds.
Adding on to the already luxurious appeal of the Flying Spur, the W12 S comes with distinctive styling bits to stand out from the rest of its siblings. These include the redesigned lower bumper inserts, 21-inch alloys, W12 S badges and W12 S emblems on the interior.
New to the W12 S is, as Bentley calls it, colour split. Customers are able to choose from 17 different colours of leather to contrast against the single tone interior. Also unique to this model is a Sport Plus steering wheel.
Deliveries of the Bentley Flying Spur W12 S begins at end of this year. Locally, the Flying Spur W12 is not listed on Bentley Motors Kuala Lumpur’s
website
. However, no harm enquiring if you are keen on a 200 mph four-door Bentley.
IMAGE GALLERY


GoCar will now allow “P License holders” to use their facility

After a successful pilot phase, GoCar’s services will now extend to P License holders. Noble idea, but it does raise an eyebrow.
With majority of students and young adults opting out of buying a car due to added expenses and long-term responsibilities, the need for affordable, accessible and flexible means of transportation has never been more necessary.
As the vast majority of car rental services do not allow P licence holders (we’re guessing for good reason) to rent cars, GoCar’s pilot campaign allowed P Licence members to drive selected GoCars from locations within Klang Valley and it quickly proved that demand was high.
Since the launch in November 2019, the
GoCar app has seen a 500% increase in the number of active P Licence members
, with a significant portion of these members aged between 18 – 21 years old.
It’s a noble, non-discriminatory move but as a mobility solutions provider, it’s uncertain (as details have been sketchy) if they have considered the very basic mobility concerns – for the P drivers, the other road users and the car’s they’re using for this service.
Get
28% off your GoCar booking
when travelling on the ERL. P/S: We miss Anthony Loke.
Let’s face it, P license holders are not the best drivers and it’s a legit concern if they’re able to manage the vehicle (even in short drives) for it to be faultless and safe for others to use subsequently. There’d likely be concerns if they’d be able to conduct themselves properly on the road, i.e not being a nuisance by parking indiscriminately.
250 cars were made available last month in seven states and this service will be extended to all of their cars. Alongside this movement, the GoCar App will ensure that P Licence members can book any GoCars at all locations.
To encourage more new members, GoCar is offering discounts for P Licence holders who
sign up between 13th of March 2020 till 31st March 2020
. Approved P License holders can get a RM20 off promo code and an additional RM20 off by using the “USNLYA” referral code.
In support of these new developments, GoCar, CEO, Alan Cheah, said, “Our goal is to create affordable mobility options for everyone in the car-sharing community. Through this campaign, we realised the majority of P Licence holders do not own a car and prefer alternative transportation. Now with the P Licence campaign, they have the flexibility of paying and accessing a GoCar as needed.”
Image source:
GoCar Facebook


Grab and Hyundai expand partnership to accelerate EV adoption in the region

Hyundai Motor Group and Grab Holdings Inc. today announced an expanded partnership of their ongoing strategic collaboration in mobility services.
The announcement is in conjunction with the technology company’s first annual Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) report which outlines the company’s commitment to create socioeconomic empowerment and safeguard the environment while delivering strong financial performance.
The partnership, now entering its fourth year, is intended to
accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the ASEAN region
. New EV business models such as leasing EVs with battery-as-a-service model or car-as-a-service model and EV financing have been earmarked for pilot programs after feedback from Grab driver- and delivery-partners.
Grab and Hyundai will also conduct an in-depth feasibility study on the gaps and barriers to wider EV ownership and adoption, as well as develop a joint roadmap to make EVs a more viable option for on-demand mobility and delivery services. Both companies hope to provide governments and ecosystem partners with ideas and best practices on how EV policies can be shaped for best efficiencies.
Geely performs a battery swap in just 60 seconds!
The pilot programs will start this year, beginning in Singapore and expand to Indonesia and Vietnam.
Both Hyundai and Grab started the ball rolling via a fleet of 200
Hyundai Kona EV
 models to complement the original line-up of Ioniq EV in 2019. The technology company also partners with SP Group with expanding the network of DC and AC EV chargers.
Hyundai has also selected Singapore as its latest Innovation Centre which will act as a testbed for intelligent manufacturing of small-scale EVs and other associated smart mobility projects. The project broke ground in October 2020, with construction to complete by end of 2022.
In Indonesia, Grab is assisting the government with an EV ecosystem roadmap to reach 20% penetration of transportation being electric by 2025. Grab also launched its GrabCar Elektrik fleet of Hyundai Ioniq vehicles at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta airport.


Get excited, the all-new BMW M2 Coupe is coming, along with AWD M2 Gran Coupe and 1M

The BMW M2 Coupe has been given the go-ahead, according to a report by
Autocar
. Given the internal codename
G87
, the second-generation M2 Coupe will retain its rear-wheel drive architecture as
 previously reported
, unlike the rest of the 2 Series line-up.
The G87 M2 Coupe will be based on the forthcoming 2 Series Coupe (known internally as G42), which is reportedly built on BMW’s
 Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform
. The chassis is said to be heavily related to the
BMW Z4
 and
Toyota Supra
.
According to the report, power will come from a detuned version of BMW M’s latest six-cylinder engine, the
S58,
 which reportedly will also make an appearance on the upcoming M3 and M4 models.
Nothing is confirmed as of now, but the
three-litre six-cylinder
 mill is expected to output north of
420 hp
, 10 more than the current
M2 Competition
.
The BMW M2 Coupe will still be offered in both manual and automatic transmission. A
eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox
 will replace the existing dual-clutch gearbox, matching developments elsewhere in the BMW M line-up.
The torque-converter gearbox will also be crucial for the
 48V mild hybrid
 technology, as permitted by the CLAR platform. However, the M2 is expected to launch without the mild hybrid powertrain.
In addition to the G87 M2 Coupe, BMW is also reportedly set to offer a full-fledged M version of the four-door Gran Coupe, as well as the 1 Series, contrary to
previous reports
 on the matter.
Rivalling the likes of the Mercedes A 45 and upcoming Audi RS3, the M2 GC will be powered by a highly-tuned two-litre four-cylinder engine from the M235i, producing about
400 hp
. Power is sent to all four wheels via a
fully-variable all-wheel drive system
.
The same powertrain combo will also make its way down to the full-M 1 Series, which will most likely be named the 1 Series M Coupe, or affectionately called the BMW 1M. This is to avoid the legendary M1 nameplate, reserved only for the first M car ever produced.


Geely looks to make flying cars a closer reality with Terrafugia

It seems like the Zhejian Geely Group don’t understand what a break means and with no intentions of slowing down in their acquisition quest – leaving us at the edge of our seats, wondering what they could be up to next.
Their latest acquisition? A US-based flying car developer, Terrafugia, with the hopes of accelerating the inevitable reality of a flying car. Reports by
CarAdvice
 stated that Geely has committed to investing substantially in Terrafugia as they aim to introduce to the market its flying car by
 as early as 2019
, followed by the world’s first vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) flying car
by 2025
.
Terrafugia is masterminding the TF-X, a fully-electric flying car concept with a range of
 800 km
 and a cruising speed of
320 km/h
. It will be able to take off and land vertically and would supposedly fit in standard parking spaces and garages. As Terrafugia claims, flying the TF-X would require less training than that of an actual pilot – no matter, the TF-X comes with a safety cage and even airbags!
IMAGE GALLERY


Volvo XC40 officially launched in Malaysia, T5 AWD R-Design priced at RM256k

After releasing a series of teaser images on their social media channels, Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) finally unveils their latest addition to their SUV family, the Volvo XC40. Not only it’s the first small SUV for Volvo, the XC40 is also the first vehicle to be based off their new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA).

Only a single variant is currently available, which is the
XC40 T5 R-Design AWD
, priced at
RM255,888
. Being the top-of-the-line variant, the R-Design is packed with loads of standard equipment.
The exterior features the trademark Volvo’s LED “Thor hammer” daytime running lights, black roof and
19-inch wheels
, and inside there’s leather and Alcantara upholstery,
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
, and 9-inch Sensus infotainment system.
As part of the R-Design package, the cabin is also furnished with R-Design sports seats, steering wheel, gear lever and pedals among others.
There are four colours to choose from: Bursting Blue, Fusion Red, Crystal White, and Osmium Grey.
The
T5
 badge on the boot lid signifies a
2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
 under its bonnet, delivering
252 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via an
8-speed automatic transmission
. The XC40 T5 will get from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
 6.4 seconds
, with fuel consumption rated at
7.7 litres per 100 km
.

As in any new Volvos safety is paramount, and apart from airbags scattered around the cabin the XC40 is equipped with an array of active safety features such as
Cross Traffic Alert with Auto Brake
,
Pilot Assist
 semi autonomous driving, and the latest generation of
City Safety
 which includes the autonomous collision mitigation and avoidance.
IMAGE GALLERY


First CKD Mitsubishi Xpander rolls off assembly line, mass production begins at Pekan plant

The first locally-assembled (CKD) Mitsubishi Xpander has officially rolled off the assembly line, marking the start of mass production at the Hicom Automotive Manufacturing plant in Pekan, Pahang – the third country to assemble the seven-seater crossover after Indonesia and Vietnam.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has invested in a new body shop, painting jigs, and tester line at the Pekan Plant, which is designed for a production capacity of 6,000 units annually. Hailed as one of the most advanced paint shops in ASEAN, the locally-assembled
Mitsubishi Xpander
 also undergoes pre-treatment and electro-deposition process, where it performs a “360-degree somersault” in an ED coat tank during the production process.

A layer of primer is then painted by a robotic system and then dried heated in an oven bay. Thereafter, the Xpander is painted again with multiple coats to a fine finish. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) certified auditors are also stationed at the assembly plant to ensure that the production of the seven-seater crossover is up to standards and quality of Mitsubishi Motors production worldwide.
MMM Chief Executive Officer, Tomoyuki Shinnishi said, “The Xpander is a significant model for MMM and we are confident that it will be a favourite among many Malaysians. The move to localise the Xpander is to meet the demands of our Malaysian customers. We want to offer more price competitive model with better specifications providing customers more convenience and comfort.”
“We ensure all our customers that each unit of the Xpander undergoes extensive quality control tests, before it is shipped out. Every inch is checked by human-eyes and cutting-edge technology.”
MMM hopes to mirror the success of the Mitsubishi Xpander in the region, which has seen approximately 270,000 units sold in Indonesia (including Xpander Cross) since the
model’s introduction in 2017
. Locally, the CKD Mitsubishi Xpander will only be offered in just one variant at launch. It will be powered by a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated engine, good for
105 hp
and
141 Nm
 of torque, with power sent to the front axle via a four-speed automatic gearbox.
The Mitsubishi Xpander will arrive in Malaysia in the facelifted form – which can be seen from the updated LED headlights and U-shaped louvres on the grille. Other exterior highlights – aside from the striking Dynamic Shield face – include LED taillights, and 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.
The Malaysian-specification CKD Mitsubishi Xpander also receives several unique features and equipment, including black quilted leather seats, 360-degree 3D around-view monitor, built-in dashcam, as well as a nine-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – making it
one of the few vehicles on sale in Malaysia
 under the RM100k mark (if estimated pricing is accurate) to come with these connectivity features.
The full-list of equipment and features is available at our write-up over
here
. The Mitsubishi Xpander has been open for booking since last week, although no pricing information has been announced just yet – though it has been hinted to fall underneath the RM100k mark. MMM says that the launch of the Mitsubishi Xpander is targeted for next month.


Hey guys, Volkswagen is axing the Beetle and Scirocco. Time to say goodbye

The dieselgate scandal that rocked the Volkswagen Group has taken a huge toll on the German giant. Now, after much deliberation, Volkswagen is dropping two emotionally valuable models from their lineup – the Beetle hardtop and Scirocco coupe.
Unfortunately, both models are slow-selling models. Their combined sales throughout the whole of 2016 couldn’t even match the number of
Golfs
 the Wolfsburg-based carmaker sold in January 2017! The third-generation
Beetle (A5, launched in 2011)
, which was based on an old platform, is losing popularity from the increasing competitive market. The only good news is the Beetle Convertible will be retained. Meanwhile, the Scirocco coupe, introduced in 2008, will most likely not be succeeded.
Back at home, the Beetle is offered by Volkswagen Passenger Car Malaysia with a starting price of
RM135,888
 for the 1.2-litre turbocharged variant. Meanwhile, do check out what we think of the Beetle 1.4 TSI variant below! Besides, when was the last time you saw a slender GC Mah?
Source:
Autocar UK


What the Buzz: 5-Star NCAP means nothing if you don’t buckle up

The automotive industry has made great strides in vehicular safety and car brands in Malaysia, in particular, are championing for safer cars regardless whether it’s a compact hatchback or large SUV by subjecting their cars to the New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP).
Sadly, we take this luxury of safety for granted. Because I’ve seen way too many drivers on the road who don’t buckle up. You can have all the airbags in the world and the strongest chassis known to man but if you can’t do the simplest act of wearing your seat belts, all that effort into making a safe car just went down the gutter.
Crash test ratings are done under the premise that the occupants – toddlers, children, front and rear passengers – are properly strapped onto their seats before other safety features (passive and active) come together to keep you
ALIVE
, if you ever get into an accident. That’s the whole point of having a 5-Stars NCAP rating, otherwise you’re just a billiard ball taking full force from a cue stick. There are just one too many sad stories on the Google search page of “child flung out car”.
You may think it’s inconvenient to take two seconds to buckle up for that five-minute journey to the neighbourhood store but for some, it was the few seconds they wished they never saved.


Facelift BMW M5 gets additional equipment without additional firepower

BMW Malaysia has just introduced the new locally assembled
BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport
 but they’ve been equally busy on the global front; rolling out updated versions of the BMW M5 and M5 Competition, after
 revealing the facelift G30 5 Series last month
.
If you’re expecting more power, you’d be disappointed as the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, that’s paired to an 8-speed automatic from before, still makes
600 hp
 and
750 Nm
 of torque.
The M5 Competition on the other side of the ring, makes
625 hp
 and
750 Nm
. As such, there’s no changes to their 0 to 100 km/h time – 3.4 seconds for the M5 and 3.3 for the M5 Competition
from before
. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h but opt for the M Driver’s Package and you’ll be hitting the 305 km/h mark.
On the outside, the centre opening on the front bumper now features a hexagonal design while the more prominent differences are the redesigned headlamps as seen on the facelift 5 Series, and a more mesmerising 3D-look for the tail lights. Opting for the optional “BMW Individual Lights Shadowline” will literally add shadow lines on the headlamp for an even more pronounced look.
The M5 retains the adaptive dampers from before but the Competition gets a slightly better treatment in that department with dampers from the
8 Series Gran Coupe
, stiffer engine mounts and 20 mm lowered ride height. Meanwhile, there’s also an optional 20-inch M double-spoke items in polished Orbit Grey as seen in the
 BMW M8
.
The M Compound brakes are retained but if you need additional stopping power, the optional M Carbon Ceramic brakes with gold calipers will not only do that but reduce weight by 23 kg.
Inside the cabin, the larger 12.3-inch central touchscreen display would immediately rob your attention. Adopted from the BMW M8 is a more straightforward way of selecting various driving modes via two buttons on the centre console.
At the press of the “M Mode” button, the driver can choose between Road or Sport settings. In the BMW M5 Competition, holding the M Mode button would engage its “Track Mode”. Selecting “Setup” allows the driver to individually select powertrain and chassis options.
If you feel like splashing a little more cash on the cabin, there are optional M multifunction seats with head restraints and an illuminated M5 logo. It also comes with thicker side bolsters and backrest to offer better lateral support and better support for the shoulder area.
For a better impression of what the BMW M5 is capable of, here’s
our first impression video of the car
, as it was driven in Sepang –
twice
.
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Leona Chin and team claims overall victory at 2021 Sepang 1,000 km race

The privateer team of Leona Chin, Akina Teo, Tham Yik Choon, Adrian Chong and Mohd Nasri in their green Beautyful-Excel Group Suzuki Swift Sport (no.7) took the overall champion of the 2021 Sepang 1,000 km endurance race after starting from 8th on the grid. A total of 39 cars started this year’s race in hot and dry conditions.
While the Akina Teo drove the Suzuki Swift Sport to take the second spot overall when the chequered flag was waved, the team were promoted to first and overall champions due to a breach of sporting regulations by the pair of Hayden Haikal and Timothy Yeo in the Toyota Yaris MTC (No.39).
The duo was added with post-race time penalties by race organisers for violating driving time requirements under Article 18 and Article 16 of the sporting regulations and thus demoted to the third position overall in an updated document that was released at 11:58 pm, nearly four hours after the end of the race.
Leona Chin commented, “Thanks to the fellow sponsors and the team for the arrangements of S1K. We are happy that we won the race. The dramatic race. Lots of challenges from it, and surely we will cherish this moment.”
Last month, Leona Chin also drove another ZC31S Suzuki Swift Sport to
two victories
 in the MTC category of the Malaysian Championship Series at Sepang International Circuit.
A steady performance from the Tedco Racing team and their Honda Jazz MTC (no. 15) led them to finish the race in third place and then promoted to second, with their combinations consisting of Yee Kok Jun, Mah Siew Chean, Foo Yung Chieh and Aaron Lim Say Joon.
The team commented, “It was a tough long day, luckily we came through cleanly at the end. Unfortunately for the other competitors, I guess that’s racing. We experienced ups and downs this year, and thankfully we got miracle on our side.”
While it was a bitter pill to swallow for the drivers and Wing Hin Motorsports, the pace of the Toyota Yaris MTC over its debut weekend (starting from second) was a huge psychological win.
In total, three Toyotas occupied the top five front positions on the starting grid for the 181-lap race on Saturday morning, with Wing Hin Motorsports’ Toyota Vios MTC (no. 38) just behind in third and
Team Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia
 Vios MTC (no. 37) driven by
Tengku Djan
, Akio Takeyama and Naquib Azlan in fifth.
The 2021 Sepang 1,000 km was far from a procession, with fans treated to a battle of four cars trading places for the lead throughout the race. Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia’s Vios MTC was in a strong second place until 26 laps to the finish when the front left wheel was ripped away and eventually immobile after getting stuck in the gravel trap of Turn 14.
Their misfortune left the victory for the taking for car number-100 Hi-Rev Dream Chaser Suzuki Swift Sport driven by Mitchell Cheah and Brendan Paul Anthony but their hopes of a victory too came to a crushing end when mechanical problems 10 laps to the finish put them into retirement and also out of the classification.
In the highly competitive SP2 category that saw a field of 25 cars, the R Engineering-HMRT team and their Honda Jazz cars took a one-two finish, with the pairing of Lai Wee Sing and Calvin Wong (no. 339) ahead of Putera Adam and his partner, Chiow Teck Song.
The SP2 category saw the pairing of Eddie Lew and William Ho leading its category for much of the race until disaster struck at the back straight for the yellow Honda Jazz (no. 98) just 18 minutes before the end.
The privateer team consisting of Baron Sim, Pee Sau Fan and Ian Wong Jien Sean finished in third place, completing an all-Honda Jazz podium.
The champion, Lai Wee Sing and Calvin Wong commented, “We did a pretty well overall race, and we won the race with the luck was on our side. Overall, the team did a good job to keep all the strategy happen.”
In the inaugural Toyota Vios Enduro Cup, Aylezo Motorsports’ trio Mirza Syahmi Mahzan, Zen Low and Aiman Haziq completed 166 laps en route to bagging a cash prize of RM10,000. It was a one-two victory for Aylezo with Dato Danny Yip, Kenneth Teh and Chang Choon Ming placed second. In the third spot was 23 Motors’ Al- Farouk and Abdull Miqail, followed by Toyotsu Racing’s Liew Jo Choon and Tan Chan Wei in fourth.
The Team Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia rookie team consisting of
Jwan Hii, Mika Hakimi
 and Zizan Razak completed the five-position podium ceremony, ending their first endurance race after what seemed to be a promising first half of the race until mechanical issues slowed down the performance of the Toyota Vios SP2 racer.
Action at Sepang International Circuit continues into this month, with Rounds 3 and 4 of the Malaysian Championship Series (MCS) scheduled to take place from 14th to 16th December.
Image credits: Facebook/
owenleejunhui
 –
Photo specialist at Sepang Circuit

and Facebook/
S
epangCircuit
GALLERY


New GDSI-compliant Hyundai 3S centre opens in Klang

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) together with their dealer-partner MN Automart has opened a new 3S centre in Bandar Bukit Raja, Klang to cater to customers in the vicinity. The new 3S centre will be the only outlet in central Klang, with the nearest alternative in Port Klang.
Carrying Hyundai’s
Global Dealership Space Identity (GDSI)
, the new 3S Centre will feature a premium customer lounge with free Wi-Fi connectivity and creature comforts as vehicles are attended to.
HSDM Managing Director, Mr Low Yuan Lung said, “Having MN Automart as our dealer and partner, especially in Klang, will benefit Hyundai greatly considering that many of our customers are from here.
“Setting up a GDSI 3S here is timely to cope with the demand for service maintenance,” he added. The Klang outlet will be Hyundai’s 9th certified GDSI centres in Klang Valley.
The new Klang 3S is located at
No.3, Jalan Astaka 4/KU2, Bandar Bukit Raja, Klang
. The showroom will be open from 9 am to 6 pm on Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday and public holidays.
As for
servicing, operating hours are from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm on Monday to Saturday
, it will be closed on Sunday and public holidays. Customers can call their service hotline at
03-84081813
 for reservations.


2017 Audi R8 LMS Cup begins in Sepang, Picariello and Alex Yoong triumphs!

The 2017 Audi R8 LMS Cup kicked off its first round at the newly resurfaced Sepang International F1 Circuit and saw reigning champion, Alex Yoong and Alessio Picariello scored one victory each.
This year, five rounds will be contested across Asia, with each leg comprising two sprint races. The
push-to-pass
 feature makes a return, giving a temporary 50 hp boost for drivers. Notice the red-illuminated numbers on the side of the R8s? That’s the percentage of boost remaining for each driver.
Last year’s young talents, Martin Rump and Alessio Picariello fought tooth and nail, with the latter narrowly losing the title to Alex by a single point. Joining this year is Mitch Gilbert, the Malaysian-based Australian who just won the opening race of this year’s Blancpain GT Asia series. Together with other young guns such as Shaun Thong of Hong Kong and our very own Akash Nandy, Alex Yoong’s quest for the fourth consecutive title could be his biggest challenge yet.
During the first race, Picariello drew first blood by becoming the first to reach the chequered flag. Rump finished behind with Thong following really closely behind the Estonian. Meanwhile, Alex Yoong went out of bounds mid-race and eventually settled for eighth. Mechanical difficulties forced Gilbert to retire, robbing his podium finish at the same time.

In race two, Yoong got the better advantage than Picariello by overtaking his younger rival right after the start. Yoong did not lose the lead and eventually completed the race in first place, much to the delight of the local crowd. Picariello finished just behind Yoong and clocked the fastest lap time of the weekend; an amazing feat considering the Belgian carried the maximum weight ballast of 50 kg for winning the earlier race. Gilbert overcame his disappointing last race by taking the final podium spot.
As it stands, Picariello is the man to beat as he tops the championship standings. The 2017 Audi R8 LMS cup will resume in a month’s time, and that will take place in Suzuka, Japan.
IMAGE GALLERY

Images by Travis & Wah Jian


Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad resigns as Proton Chairman

Tun Dr.Mahathir, the very pioneer of Malaysia’s modern automotive industry and brainchild of national brand Proton, has announced his resignation as Chairman of the company. His exit also means he will no longer be the Chairman of Group Lotus as well.
A statement issued by Proton reads, “We respect his wish to step down. We would like to register our utmost appreciation for his valuable contribution, commitment and dedication for his role as Chairman since 2014 as well as an Advisor since 2003. We would like to express our gratitude and recognise Tun Dr. Mahathir’s role as the creator of the national car company.”
Following this shocking development, along with the appointment of Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Mohd Kenali as Proton’s new CEO (effective April 2016), it’s unclear if this would affect Proton’s future direction and all their current undertaking. This year is supposed to be a critical year for the struggling carmaker, with four planned launches to be carried out throughout the year, beginning with
new Perdana
.
The Perdana was supposed to be launched in Q1 this year, but it has missed its deadline. We tip our hat off to you, Tun, for all that you have done.


Westar Maxus opens first 3S Centre in Bukit Mertajam, launches new V80 Van

Westar Maxus has just opened its first 3S Centre in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. The new facility is the first of its kind in the northern region and will serve as the service hub for customers in Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis.
After sales is an integral part of the company’s overall plan to grow the Westar Maxus brand to become a mainstream automobile player in Malaysia said Executive Director, the Weststar Group, Datuk Vikram Menon. The 3S Centre will better support its appointed service dealers in the region to provide a better after sales experience to its customers. Plans are underway to open a separate 3S facility in Alor Star to consolidate the brand’s presence in the Northern region.
Westar Maxus also took the opportunity to unveil its latest 15-seater commercial van, the Maxus V80. Powered by a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine with
136 hp
 and
330 Nm
 of torque, the V80 is known for its highest space utilisation rate, best ground clearance and flexibility for customisation that is perfect for mobile offices, food and kitchen trucks, ambulances, mobile libraries, delivery vehicles, and mobile sales showrooms.
Among its growing number of fleet customers for the V80 include Eco Coach Travel and Tours, DHL, Federal Express and FFM-Massimo. A fleet of V80s are already been operated by various government agencies including the Malaysian Armed Forces, Ministry of Health, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, among others.


Peugeot wants to send you to Bahrain to watch the FIA WEC, but only if…

…you buy a
Peugeot
 first. Yes, you read that right,
Bermaz Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd (BAASB)
, Peugeot’s sole distributor in Malaysia, is holding a Peugeot nationwide campaign titled “Catch the Alluring Peugeot 9X8 at Bahrain”, where one lucky customer who purchases a Peugeot vehicle before
August 31
 this year can win an all-expense paid trip to see the Peugeot 9X8 race car at the 2023 Bahrain World Endurance Championship race, which will be held on
November 4
,
2023
.
The campaign is held from
May 1
 to
August 31
,
2023
, and will be applicable to any customers who have their new Peugeot vehicle registered during the campaign period by any authorized Peugeot dealers. This includes every purchase of any Peugeot model, which includes the
Peugeot 2008
,
Peugeot 3008
,
Peugeot 5008
, and
Peugeot Landtrek
. Participants must then log in to the brand’s
official site
 to complete the entry form by submitting creative slogans.
Peugeot Landtrek
BAASB is also offering a financial package and exclusive rewards during this campaign period. Financing interest benefits or options of insurance subsidy packages are available as well. To purchase a Peugeot model, you can either visit any of Peugeot’s authorised dealerships nationwide or drop by BAASB’s roadshows held across Peninsular Malaysia. Venue and date details of the roadshows are as below:
1 Utama Shopping Centre, Selangor
June 1
to
5
,
2023
Queensbay Mall, Penang
June 14
 to
18
,
2023
East Coast Mall, Kuantan
June 21
 to
25
,
2023
Mid Valley Southkey, Johor Bahru
July 12
 to
16
,
2023
Queensbay Mall, Penang
July 26
 to
30
,
2023
RELATED:
Peugeot 2008 facelift unveiled – up to 406 km range for e-2008
Peugeot e-2008 previewed at the 2023 Malaysia Autoshow
Although the Peugeot roadshow will be happening in five sessions across four states, the first Peugeot roadshow will be a joint showcase with Mazda and Kia, which are part of the
BAuto
 distributorship, referred to as the BAuto Vehicle Showcase. This will be happening at 1 Utama’s Oval Concourse from
May 31
 to
June 5
,
2023
, and will be open to the public from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Models that will be present at the company’s 1 Utama roadshow are the Peugeot Landtrek,
Peugeot e-2008
,
Mazda MX-30
,
Mazda CX-3
,
Kia Sorento
, and the
Kia EV6
. BAuto will be offering exclusive deals, a Bonanza Dip, and instant gifts upon sign-up of any model at the roadshow. In addition to the three brands’ offers, customers who purchase any vehicle under BAuto’s brands are entitled to participate in the Bonanza Dip with
RM180,000
 total worth of vouchers up for grabs.
RELATED:
Next-gen Mazda CX-5 reportedly coming in 2025 – Possible hybrid variant


2023 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 4MOTION in Malaysia now with IQ.Drive, from RM299k

Like the
recently updated Golf GTI
, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has updated the 2023
Arteon R-Line 4MOTION
, now with IQ.Drive technology.
The IQ.Drive system comes with features such as Travel Assist (adaptive cruise control), Lane Assist (lane departure prevention with adaptive lane guidance, Front Assist (autonomous emergency braking), Side Assist (blind-spot monitor) and rear cross-traffic alert.
Under the hood is a 2.0 litre turbocharged TFSI engine with 280 hp and 350 Nm, paired with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox to drive all four wheels with the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. The Arteon takes just 5.6 seconds to get from 0-100 km/h.
RELATED:
Mk8 Volkswagen Golf is the last petrol Golf, major 2024 update before going full electric
With the Arteon’s Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), owners can select from five different driving modes including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual. On the outside, the Arteon comes with 19-inch Montevideo wheels, LED headlamps with Dynamic Cornering Lights and 3D taillamps, along with sequential indicators.
The 2023 Arteon’s exeterior is topped off with an R-Line kit including R-Line front bumper, rear bumper, spoiler, and side skirts. A hands-free powered tailgate opens up to a 563-litre boot while colour options consist of Manganese Grey, Lapiz Blue, Pyrite Silver, Deep Black and Oryx White.
New to the cabin is a wireless charging port and a new steering wheel. A 700-watt Harman Kardon sound system, 11.7-inch digital instrument cluster and 9.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The updated Arteon R-Line 4MOTION now goes for
RM299,990,
 up from RM276,990. It comes with three years free maintenance, a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance.
RELATED:
Volkswagen ID.7 unveiled – up to 700km range, 200kW DC charging


Proton Saga breaks the 4,000 units barrier for the third month in a row

Proton has just posted their sales performances numbers for the month of November 2019, reporting a total sales of
 9,643 units
 – double of the figure from the same period last year.
The cumulative volume for the year now stands at
89,476 units
 for the national carmaker, which marks a 50.1% growth in total year-on-year numbers. Proton also says that their market share has grown to an estimated
16.2%
 for the whole of 2019.
Leading Proton’s sales performance is the
Proton Saga
, which has broken the 4,000 units barrier for the third month consecutively, as
4,091
 cars were delivered in November. The figure puts the Proton Saga on top of the A-segment sedan sales table, adding to a total of
34,422 units
 sold so far in 2019 – a volume growth of 32% for the model.
Proton’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Li Chunrong said, “In just four months, we have already achieved more than
35,000 bookings
 and currently, every unit our factory can deliver has been spoken for.

“Our challenge therefore is to increase our production capacity for the Saga and we have had intensive discussions with our vendors to work towards a volume increase next year”, he added.
Approaching the one year anniversary since its market introduction, the
Proton X70
 continues to perform strongly in sales. In November, the national carmaker delivered
2,000 units
 of their first SUV. Dr Li has said that Proton is committed to growing the market interest in the coming year.


Fourth-gen Renault Megane breaks cover, embraces Renault’s new family styling

Renault has released a few exterior shots of their new C-segment hatch, the Megane, and as you can see here, Renault appears to have another looker in their product range.
Featuring the new design language debuted on the Espace and recently the
Talisman
, the new
Renault Megane
 sports the brand’s new corporate face, beginning with the
C-shaped headlamps
 and the
oversized vertical logo
 on the nose.

The detailing on the front fenders and the sharp lines along the lower edges of the doors are also present here, while the tweaked dimensions such as the
shorter overhang
, wider front and rear tracks as well as a
longer wheelbase
 give the Megane a more dynamic stance. Similar to the front, the rear end features the a new
LED lighting signature
 that stretches across the rump.
At the top of the new Megane range sits the
Megane GT
. The GT will be dressed with unique
Renault Sport
 styling kit, featuring
honeycomb grille
, bespoke front and rear bumpers and a set of
18-inch Renault Sport aluminium wheels
.
Renault is still keeping mum about the new Megane’s complete details, but they will be fully revealed soon at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. Are you liking what you’re seeing yet?
IMAGE GALERY


Opel brings back the classic Manta coupe, in the form of an EV

Opel has brought back the iconic Manta as a
one-off all-electric special
 to celebrate the coupe’s 50th anniversary.
Named the Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD, it’s powered by an electric motor with 147 hp and 225Nm of torque. The Manta GSe also comes with a 4-speed gearbox that allows drivers to manually change gears. Alternatively, drivers can engage the 4th gear and drive automatically.
With a 31kWh lithium-ion battery, the Manta GSe with regenerative braking has an electric range of around 199 km. Charging takes place through a 9kW onboard charger with a full charge taking just
under four hours
 to complete.
The Manta GSe comes with a Pixel-Vizor front end that stretches across the entire width of the front. With the Pixel technology, it can project messages, much like the Honda e, followed by a silhouette of a manta ray gliding over the Pixel-Vizor.
The wheel arches house specially-designed 17-inch Ronal alloy wheels with 195/40 R17 tyres at the front, and 205/40 R17 tyres at the rear.
The classic round instrument dials have been replaced by the Vauxhall Pure Panel, with two driver-oriented 12-inch and 10-inch digital displays. The sound system has also been modernised with a new unit from the legendary Marshall brand.
The steering wheel is a Petri 3-spoke wheel reworked by Opel, and feature a yellow marker in the 12 o’clock position for an added sporty touch.
GALLERY


Millenium Welt breaks ground on new BMW 4S Centre in Seremban 2

Millenium Welt, an authorised BMW dealer in Malaysia, has broken ground on its new 4S centre in Seremban 2. The RM60 million facility is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2023, and when built, will occupy a footprint of 153,948 square feet.
The upcoming Seremban 2 4S outlet is designed based on the latest BMW Retail NEXT concept, and will feature 12 dedicated bays for aftersales services, as well as 181 parking lots.
The outlet will also house models from brands across BMW Group Malaysia’s portfolio, including
BMW
, BMW i,
BMW M
, BMW Motorrad,
MINI
, and their respective pre-owned divisions.
“As the sole authorised dealership for
BMW Group Malaysia
’s portfolio of BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles in Negeri Sembilan, Millennium Welt has been an invaluable and reliable partner who continues to exemplify the brand’s promise of delivering Premium Ownership Experience,” said BMW Group Malaysia Managing Director, Hans de Visser.
“With this new facility, we are confident that these standards will not only be upheld, but also exceeded in the near future when the doors are open to our Seremban customers.”
ALSO READ: BMW Malaysia unveils new DC Fast Chargers for public use – 180 kW, first location now open
Millenium Welt Managing Director, Bryan Wong added: “At Millennium Welt, the Premium Ownership Experience journey begins as soon as the customer steps into the dealership. It is our determination to help every prospective customer find the perfect BMW, MINI or BMW Motorrad vehicle that truly fits their needs.
“From there, a seamless ownership experience awaits, as we are committed to delivering the promise of a premium aftersales experience. With this new facility, we look forward to igniting a greater sense of fascination for our premium vehicles amongst our customers in Negeri Sembilan.”


Ferrari F40 voted most iconic supercar of all time!

Now this is a topic of debate. In a 10 iconic supercar lineup comprised of the McLaren F1, Porsche 911, Jaguar XJ220, Ferrari Enzo, Audi R8 and Alfa Romeo 8C, the Ferrari F40 came out at the top of the polls as the most iconic supercar of all time.
The votes were carried out by the organisers of The Fast Car Festival, a major new car show that will take place in Donington Park in Derbyshire at the end of this month (30 to 31 July 2016). Votes were casted throughout June, and upon tabulation the F40 bit the largest chunk of the pie with 18 percent of the total vote! Its closest runners-up were the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Ferrar LaFerrari and McLaren F1.
The Ferrari F40 was built to commemorate the brand’s 40th anniversary when it was introduced back in 1988, and was the final model signed off by Enzo Ferrari himself before his death. These 10 supercars will not be the only models on display at the Fast Car Festival, though. Porsche, Aston Martin, Lotus and McLaren will all join the fray with some of their most hardcore performance cars, as well as a few more from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar.
Among them is the RM10 million Ferrari FXX prototype, a Lamborghini Huracan and some four models from McLaren. There will also be a Retro Paddock for classic car owners to display their prized collections.
Here’s the list of top 10 supercars of all time:
Ferrari F40
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Ferrari La Ferrari
McLaren F1
Koenniggsegg
Porsche 911
Pagani Zonda
Ferrari Enzo
Audi R8
Jaguar XJ220


Mercedes-Benz offers its 3D printers for medical equipment production

Every bit counts in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, and Mercedes-Benz is offering its expertise and technology for the production of medical equipment via
3D printers
, where much-needed components can be made
urgently
.
Mercedes-Benz typically produce up to
150,000 plastic and metal components

each year
 utilising 3D printing machines for
prototype construction
 and
small-series production run
, but the capacity can now be channelled entirely for medical purposes.
“With our highly competent team and years of experience in 3D printing technology, we are ready to make our contribution to the production of medical devices,” says Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG, Production and Supply Chain. “To this end, we are also in contact with the state government of Baden-Württemberg. Our expertise and specialist knowledge is available for production; now it is up to the medical technology sector to contact us. Our 3D printers are definitely available.”\
These are not usual times.
Our 3D printers are ready to support.
#COVID19

#Daimler

pic.twitter.com/f2uyzn67Jw
— Daimler Truck AG (@DaimlerTruck)
March 27, 2020

In additive manufacturing, digitally developed components are built up
layer by layer
 in a ‘printer’. The raw materials used include plastic and metal powders or resins which are fused by an
energy source
 – usually one or more
lasers
. Once a layer is finished, a new layer is applied automatically and the solidification process starts again. This process is repeated until a
three-dimensional component
 is created.


GoodYear Malaysia continues tyre sponsorship to St. John Ambulance of Malaysia

GoodYear Malaysia, in an endeavour to give back to the community has generously donated for the last nine years to the emergency medical services in the way of – yes you guessed it, tyres.
And that support continues to be unwavering as this year alone, Goodyear will be showing their support in the form of
16 brand-spanking-new sets of G28 tyres
 for use on a fleet of
Toyota HiAce
 ambulance vehicles. The tyres boast better
durability
 and
handling
 features to support their efforts in emergency services.
St. John Ambulance of Malaysia was established in
1908
, initially serving as stretcher bearers and first aiders. These days, in addition to rendering first aid and home nursing services, the organisation also carries out community projects such as mass,
 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
 (CPR) training,
Citizen Action and Response in Emergencies
 (CARE) and many other initiatives.
Through
Goodyear Malaysia’s community outreach program
, support is extended also to organisations with an eye on enhancing safety, well-being and improving education, as well as offering volunteering opportunities for Goodyear associates. Other supported organisations include the
Spastic Children’s Association
, the
Malaysian Association for the Blind
, the
Independent Living and Training Centre
, the
National Kidney Foundation
 and
Mercy Malaysia
.


2015 Honda HR-V launched, three variants priced from RM99.8k to RM118.8k [+Video]

The up and rising B-segment compact SUV segment now welcomes another worthy and quite possibly the most competent player in the segment thus far, the all-new
Honda HR-V
, short for
H
ip & Smart
R
unabout
V
ehicle
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Honda HR-V 1.8L (Grade S)
Honda HR-V 1.8L (Grade E)
Honda HR-V 1.8L (Grade V)
Segment
B-Segment Compact Crossover
Engine
 1,799cc; inline 4-cyl SOHC i-VTEC
1,799cc; inline 4-cyl SOHC i-VTEC
1,799cc; inline 4-cyl SOHC i-VTEC
Transmission
CVT
CVT
CVT
Max Power
 140 hp @ 6,500 rpm
140 hp @ 6,500 rpm
140 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
 172 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
172 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
172 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
Price (OTR
with
insurance)
RM99,800
RM108,800
RM118,800

The HR-V is offered here in three flavours, from base model
S
,
E
 and
V
 trims. Honestly speaking, the HR-V looks good to top this booming segment before it gets pitted against
Mazda’s CX-3
, which could very well give it a run for its money. Now, on with the HR-V!

EXTERIOR
Because its demographically aimed towards you guys in the
25 to 34 years of age
, the HR-V is crafted to suit the lifestyle of the young, outgoing and sociable. As such, you get a coupe-like styling whereby the rear door handles are integrated into the C-pillars.

Now, exterior features that are standard across the range are LED rear combination lights, front and rear fog lamps, 16-inch wheels, shark fin antenna, keyless entry and auto headlights.
LED daytime running lights and headlamps and chromed outer door handles are exclusive only to the range topping V spec, whereas the S and E trims will have to settle with halogen lamps and DRLs. The base model S trim also loses out on the side mirror integrated signal indicators, but sits on the same 16-inch wheels as the upper variants.
INTERIOR
Inside the HR-V you get a raft of features that we think will justify its asking price. For instance, you get
electronic parking brakes
 and
auto brake hold
 as standard, including a console pocket underneath the gear lever panel. There’s also
Hill Start Assist
 as standard, and a unique wide-flow air conditioning vent positioned on the passenger side dashboard.

The instrument clusters have ambient rings and with seven different colours, including a green-lit theme when you’re in ECON mode. Another interesting feature of the HR-V is its
touch panel single-zone auto air conditioning
, but whether or not it’s convenient to use on the fly is a different story altogether.
Differentiating the three from the inside is a rather simple affair, because all three variants come with a different head unit. In the Grade V variant, you get a 7-inch touch screen display panel with HDMI connectivity and a multi-angle rear view camera. The mid-spec E variant gets a 5-inch touch screen display and the Grade S gets a standard 2-DIN radio and CD player.
Six speakers are to come with the Grade V, whereas the lesser two will have to make do with four speakers.
PERFORMANCE
All three variants of the HR-V share the same
1.8-litre
 SOHC i-VTEC engine (also in the
Civic
) that’s paired to a
CVT
 gearbox. The engine displaces
1,799cc
 and makes
140 hp
 at 6,500 rpm and
172 Nm
 of torque at 4,300 rpm, driving the
front wheels
.
SAFETY
On the safety front, the HR-V is equipped with dual front airbags, though the V-spec variant benefits from four additional airbags – side and curtain airbags. Reverse sensors, vehicle stability assist, ABS with EBD and brake assist come as standard, as well as emergency stop signal and rear seat ISO Fix mounts.
WHAT ELSE?
Packaged along with the HR-V is Honda’s new service package, giving you a
5-year warranty
 with
unlimited mileage
 and up to
six free service
 (10,000km interval) on every alternate visits. It can be had in
five different colours
 – Alabaster Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Taffeta White, Crystal Black Pearl and
a new shade
, Ruse Black Metallic.
The HR-V will go against the
Ford Ecosport 1.5L
 and Peugeot 2008 in this considerably new segment. It will undoubtedly sell well, especially after collecting more than 1,500 bookings since the past month, even before anyone knew how much the HR-V would cost. The question now is, how will it stack up against the
Mazda CX-3
?
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
2015 Honda HR-V

VIDEO GALLERY


Video: How to Change Air Filter – AutoDIY

Breathing with a blocked nose can be quite an inconvenience; sometimes even downright irritating.
If your car could speak, it’ll probably agree the same – especially when its air filter has been neglected beyond oblivion.
Air is drawn from the outside and “purified” for the lack of a better word, before it enters the engine’s combustion chambers.
Hence, the less restrictive (or clogged) your air filter is, the better your car breathes and with cleaner air, the better your engine will perform.
So here’s how you can make sure “your car’s nose isn’t blocked” with a few simple steps.
A new episode of
 AutoDIY
 will be aired every Wednesday, with many more interesting and informative episodes to come.


Dinamikjaya opens first Kia 3S Centre in Klang Valley, taking over old Hyundai showroom

Dinamikjaya Motors
, the new sole distributor for the
Kia
 brand in Malaysia has opened its first flagship 3S Centre in Klang Valley. The new 3S Centre is a full-fledged facility that comprises sales, service, and spare parts, providing a worry-free ownership experience for Kia customers in the region.
The new 3S Centre features Kia’s new brand identity of the Kia Store concept, a concept that aims to shift the customers’ mindset and provide them with a meaningful experience with the Kia brand. The spaces of the showroom are partitioned by red loops across the store that connects the display area and customer area.
The wood tone in the facility radiates an earthy cosiness with a minimalistic and natural sensibility that creates a warm space for customers. The point of this space is to initiate a whole new customer experience in the journey of purchasing a car. The interior design creates a tranquil environment that ensures the vehicles on display receive undivided attention.
RELATED:
First CKD Kia Carnival rolls off production line, set for export to ASE
AN countries
With a built-up area of 39,240 sqft and taking over the old Hyundai showroom, the facility is Kia’s first 3S Centre since
Dinamikjaya became the brand’s sole distributor
. This outlet can display up to four vehicles at any time, and the state-of-the-art service facilities are equipped with 20 operational service bays with trained and skilled technicians.
The company says that it is committed to providing the best ownership experience as part of the Bermaz Automotive Group with this new facility. The service centre is equipped with the latest manufacturer’s diagnostic system equipment and maintenance tools for ensuring the vehicle’s performance. Customers are treated to a comfortable waiting lounge with refreshments and a working space with Wi-Fi amenities.
RELATED:
Video: Kia EV6 GT Line AWD launched in Malaysia, 5 Things
The new Kia 3S centre is located at No. 1, Jalan Pelukis U1/46, Temasya Industrial Park, Seksyen U1, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor. Showroom operation hours start from:
8:30 am to 7:00 pm on weekdays
9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday
10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday/Public Holiday
Service Centre operation hours start from:
8:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays
8:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday
Closed on Sunday/public holiday
If you are a Kia owner, you may head over
here
 to update your information with Kia Malaysia to allow their system to check your warranty, or recall notification.
GALLERY


Could this be the new Toyota GR86?

It’s no secret that Toyota and Subaru are working on the next-generation
GT86/BRZ twins
, as confirmed by the companies during the announcement of their
renewed business alliance
 in September last year.
Although the new sportscar – rumoured to be called the
Toyota GR86
 – is supposedly slated to be launched in “Summer 2021” according to a
leaked roadmap
, we have still yet to see any working prototypes undergoing on-the-road testing, hinting at how the new
Hachiroku
 might look like. Well, until now – possibly.
Provided to YouTube Channel
Matt Maran Motoring
 by Instagram user
Kystify
, the new video footage shows a prototype vehicle – purportedly the new GR86 – roaming around the busy streets of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where Toyota’s North American Technical Centre is located at.
From what we can see, we’re inclined to believe that this is indeed the new 86, too, as it shares a lot of the general proportions from the current coupe – including the starkly sloping C-pillars and a low-slung front bonnet.
However, the front and rear fascia seems to have received a major rework. The front end looks more modern than before with a cleaner-looking headlights with an integrated LED daytime running light strip, while the rear gets a chunkier rear bumpers and redesigned taillights, along with a pronounced lip spoiler at the top.
Aside from the looks, which we can only vaguely see via a blurry shot of a heavily camouflaged prototype vehicle, what’s underneath the car still remains a mystery. Previous rumours suggested that the new Toyobaru twins will be built on Toyota’s new
TNGA platform
, while others say that it will sit on a modified version of the chassis from the current 86.

Subaru’s FA24F 2.4-litre turbocharged Boxer engine, capable of producing
260 hp
 and
375 Nm
 of torque, is also heavily rumoured to be the prime choice in the new GR86. However, some parties – including
Matt Maran
 here and Japanese automotive news website

Best Car

– claims that the new sports coupe will remain naturally aspirated.
In any case, we only have to wait for another year or so (hopefully!) before we get to see the new GR86 in full, and we already can’t wait!


Chery Tiggo 8 Pro launched in South Africa with 10-year/1,000,000 km warranty!

Here in Malaysia, a two- to four-year warranty is fairly standard; five-year packages, although increasingly common, are still seen as an “extra mile” goodwill offering by car companies in order to sell more cars. So imagine our surprise when we heard that Chery is offering a 10-year warranty for the all-new Tiggo 8 Pro in South Africa!
The all-new seven-seater SUV, which is offered in three variants in South Africa starting from ZAR496,900 (approx. RM136k), will be following in the footsteps of the smaller Tiggo 4 Pro by offering buyers a “comprehensive 10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty” that’s tied to the original owner.
Meanwhile, the car itself comes with a five-year/150,000 km warranty, a five-year/60,000 km free service maintenance programme, and five years of roadside assistance.
“In planning for the South African introduction of the Tiggo 8 Pro, we used the analogy of first-class travel,” said Chery South Africa Executive Deputy General Manager, Tony Liu. “Once in first class, your every need is taken care of. There are no hidden costs, no surprise bills, and luxury is a given.”
South Africa is the first nation in the African continent to receive the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, just shortly after its debut in other large markets such as South America, Russia, and the Middle East.
RELATED: Watch out, Proton X50 – Chery Omoda 5 confirmed for Malaysia launch
Chery says that the Tiggo 8 Pro is a showcase of its next-generation design language, dubbed “Movement Design”, characterised by the “galaxy-inspired” three-dimensional grille, and the slim matrix-LED headlights (which are standard across the range) with dual daytime running lights signature.
To further send-home the “first-class” experience and appearance, the muscular SUV is further adorned with satin chrome accents throughout the entire exterior, complemented by the 18-inch two-tone black and chrome alloys on all four corners.
On the inside, almost all major controls have been digitised into three separate screens – a horizontal 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, an 8-inch climate control screen, and a 10.25-inch floating infotainment display on top of the dashboard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
As for standard equipment, the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro comes with an automatic dual-zone climate control system with a built-in N95-grade air purifying system (third-row air-conditioning system for the range-topping variant), wireless charging pads, leather upholstery, and an eight-speaker Sony surround sound system.
Advanced driver assistance features, however, are limited to just the range-topping Executive variant. The suite includes Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Automatic Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSC), Intelligent High-beam Control (IHC), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSD), Front Collision Warning (FCW) and an emergency Brake Override System (BOW).
Six airbags, 360-degree suround view monitor, tyre-pressure monitoring system, hill assist, and the downhill ascent control system are standard features across the range.
The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro is powered by the marque’s award-winning 1.6-litre turbocharged engine making
197 hp
 and
290 Nm
, and is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Interested? Here’s some good news for us Malaysians – Chery has confirmed that the Tiggo 8 Pro is among the Chery models planned for launch here in Malaysia, alongside the
Omoda 5
! Keep your eyes peeled as we bring you the latest news as soon as we get them.
GALLERY


Volkswagen’s next-gen interactive lighting system is pure genius

Volkswagen has just previewed its next-generation interactive lighting technology that aims to improve visibility and vehicle-to-vehicle communication which ultimately boosts road safety for everyone.
Dubbed as the IQ. Light Matrix LED headlamps, it uses laser light and micro-pixel HD technology that projects information directly onto the road, alerting the driver as well as other road users of the obstacles ahead. This enables the Optical Lane Assist where the headlamps project a guided path for the driver, giving the precise information about the width of the car, the distance to the road lane markings and the curvature of the roads.

The IQ. Light Matrix LED technology is also applied to the taillamps where warnings such as when the vehicle is coming to a stop, reversing pathway and turn signal indicators are projected onto the floor. Alerting passer-by and other cars to be more aware of the vehicle’s pathway.
This technology is vital for autonomous vehicles of the future whereby it will allow driverless vehicles to communicate its intentions to other driver’s and road users, greatly improving road safety and vehicle-to-vehicle communication.
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