McLaren F1 with under 400 km mileage just sold for more than RM86 million

A McLaren F1 road car has set a new record auction price of USD 20.465 million (approx. RM86.7 million), surpassing the previous record of USD 15.62 million (approx. RM66.2 million) in 2017.
The figure is the
highest ever for a McLaren F1 car
, as the previous closest figure was only USD19.8 million (approx. RM83.9 million) – for a McLaren F1 road car that was converted into an LM-specification race car.
The McLaren F1 had
only clocked around 390 km
 and was found to be in the same condition as it left the showroom over 26 years ago in 1995.
It has spent most of its life hidden away in a private Japanese collection, but this is no abandoned barn find. It’s been carefully maintained and rarely driven.
In fact, the car is “so original” that it even had the same Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres that were on the car when it left the factory. It’s also complete with an original luggage set, titanium tool kit, owner’s manual, and special TAG Heuer watch.
McLaren 765 LT Spider debuts – 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds! Read all about it here!
The car with chassis No.29 is the 25th McLaren F1 ever built and is the
only one
with the Creighton Brown exterior colour. The unique combination of brown and purple was named after a McLaren executive who was instrumental to the company. The distinctive exterior is complemented by dark brown/light tan leather upholstery.
Just 106 units of the three-seater, BMW-powered V12 supercar were produced between 1992 and 1998, with just 64 units sold with original road car specification. To this day, it’s still the fastest naturally-aspirated production car with a top speed of 386 km/h.
Special edition McLaren Speedtail revealed with an “uncle name”…find out why!
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Mazda CX-60 launched in Indonesia – 2 variants, MHEV only, 3.3-litre turbo inline-6

After making its entrance to the ASEAN market and being launched in the
Philippines
 and Singapore, the
Mazda CX-60
 has made its launch in the Indonesian market. The 5-seater SUV is offered in two variants – Elite and Kuro, which feature the same starting price of IDR1.1888 billion (approx.
RM359,033
).
On the outside, the Elite variant features design details such as a chrome signature wing, alongside the side signature, window trim, and rear bumper garnish that are all finished in chrome as well. It also comes with a vertical bar-style front grille and 20-inch diamond-cut wheels.
The Kuro variant, which the name itself means black in Japanese, has its signature wing, side signature, window trim, and rear bumper garnish finished in black. As the sportier variant of the two, it also gets a honeycomb front grille and a set of 20-inch gloss black wheels. What’s standard across the range are the adaptive LED headlights, LED tail lights, and a powered tailgate with hands-free access.
Powering the Indonesian-spec Mazda CX-60 is the 48-volt M-Hybrid Boost mild hybrid system, which features a 3.3-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder e-Skyactiv-G engine that is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, together with a
0.33 kWh
 lithium-ion battery. This combo results in a total of
280 hp
 and
450 Nm
 sent to all four wheels via the brand’s i-Activ all-wheel drive system.
RELATED:
Mazda CX-60 makes ASEAN debut in the Philippines – petrol and diesel 6-cylinder, MHEV only
Inside, the Mazda CX-60 Elite is fitted with white Nappa leather upholstery and maple wood trim. To match the CX-60 Kuro’s exterior,
Mazda
 has equipped it with tan-coloured Nappa leather.
The Indonesian-spec CX-60 is also equipped with two 12.3-inch displays, which consist of the digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen, as well as a full-colour Active Driving Display. A dual-zone climate control system, 12-speaker Bose sound system, panoramic sunroof and a wireless phone charger are also included as standard.
In the safety department, both the Elite and Kuro variants of the Mazda CX-60 get the amount of safety kit. This includes seven airbags, front and rear Smart Brake Support (AEB), front and rear cross-traffic alert (FCTA & RCTA), lane departure warning (LDW), blind spot monitoring (BSM), driver monitoring system, driver attention alert, and a 360-degree camera system.
The Mazda CX-60 is the most expensive model in Mazda’s lineup in both the Indonesian and Singaporean markets. In Malaysia, the
Mazda CX-9
 is currently the brand’s flagship product, which prices start at
RM281,499.70
 (OTR, without insurance). And thus far, there is no information regarding the CX-60’s entrance into our market just yet.
RELATED:

Next-gen Mazda CX-5 reportedly coming in 2025 – Possible hybrid variant
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Perodua reveals more images of the facelift Myvi’s interior – to launch 18th Nov!

After a series of quick clips showing the front design and the instrument panel of the new Perodua Myvi facelift, the company has now shared the launch date-
November 18th
. A digital broadcast of the launch event has also been planned and viewers can tune into Perodua’s key social media pages which are
Facebook
 and
Youtube
 from
9:00 P.M.
As for the new details regarding Malaysia’s favourite car, the interior sees a liberal splash of red. Earlier
images
 show the air-conditioning vents surround by red highlights, with another teaser image showing an all-new instrument cluster with sporty red graphics and mid-sized coloured display, which look very similar to the unit found in the all-new
Daihatsu Xenia
.
The latest short-reel video clip showed the black front seats sporting upholstery with plenty of red inserts, even more than the ones found in the
Perodua Ativa AV
.

As for the updates to the Myvi’s exterior, the front and rear bumpers now sport a cleaner design, removing the massive finned black resin inserts with much smaller strips. The front features a vertical light bar for the DRL function, while the ones on the rear are just styling items.
We also noticed the symmetrical two-tone five-spoke alloy rim design and taillamps remain unchanged, with the new red paintwork called Cranberry red completing the facelift items.
Current versus facelift design
Perodua has also improved the technical performance of the Myvi, with signs pointing towards the fitment of the Dual-mode CVT (D-CVT) and ‘Power’ mode on the steering wheel that are also found on the Ativa compact SUV. Fuel efficiency has improved by 5% to 22.2 km/L.
Based on the number of key messages and placement of videos on Perodua’s
website
, it looks like the company has one last short clip (on safety) to share before the official launch on November 18th, focusing on the updated Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PDSA).
The new facelifted Perodua Myvi is now open for booking at all showrooms plus through their
online

portal. The new model sees a jump in retail pricing, now ranging from
RM45,700 to RM58,800
.


Autonomous vehicle project launched by MOSTI – demonstrates delivery robot

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) has officially launched the NanoMalaysia Autonomous Vehicle Initiative (NAVi) at Technology Park Malaysia (TPM), Bukit Jalil.
Led by Dr Rezal Khairi Ahmad, CEO of NanoMalaysia, the agency under the purview of MOSTI has been working on the technology of autonomous vehicles since 2017 for the use in transportation. NAVi-Delivery (NAVi-D) is an evolution of autonomous vehicle technology that focuses on last-mile delivery.
At the launch event officiated by MOSTI Minister, Dato Sri Dr Adham bin Baba said, “The Covid-19 pandemic has rushed the world to the era of digitalisation, with high demand for minimal contact and interaction. This development is in-line with the ‘High Tech, Low Touch’ initiative that was spearheaded by MOSTI,”
In the live demonstration, a rather cute autonomous vehicle designed to send small packages has been fitted with a 3D 16-channel LIDAR (light detection and ranging) scanner and stereo camera for better obstacle detection and avoidance. YB Dato Sri Dr Adham ordered a ‘teh tarik’ from the auditorium, and the NAVi-D vehicle sent the drink from a coffee stand outside to the entrance of the auditorium, completely unmanned.
Meanwhile, NanoMalaysia also used a
Proton Perdana 2.4
 as a base to develop Autonomous Driving technologies to achieve
visual-based
 autonomy. The demo vehicle is said to achieve Level 3 – 4 Autonomous Driving on a visual-based approach specifically towards lane tracking and turning via image detection of predefined markets such as QR codes and signs.
Honda Sensing Elite takes care of automated driving on the highway, even performing overtaking on its own! More about the tech here!
NanoMalaysia says the commercial application for the visual-based technology include private commercial transit and logistic operations in a controlled environment. Dr Rezal provided examples such as ports and Sunway Line’s Bus Rapid Transit system due to its fixed route and clear signages.
NAVi is now undergoing a trial phase at the compound around the technology park. Roadways spanning up to 12 km from Phase 1 to 3 of TPM are scheduled to be approved dedicated lanes for autonomous vehicles (AV) under the practical laboratory framework of TPM International Innovation Hub.
To further support the development and completion of AV in the future, infrastructure such as road signs, signboards, central command centre and 5G connection are currently being constructed, enabling TPM to be the main facility to test the latest technology in AV.
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Price of RON95 & Diesel fixed, RON97 to float every Thursday

The Ministry of Finance (MoF), under the leadership of Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, has just announced that the Pakatan Harapan Government will start to implement price stabilisation measures on fuel prices, in line with the coalition’s manifesto for the 14
th
 General Elections.
Effective immediately, retail prices of
RON95
 petrol and
diesel Euro 2M
 will be maintained at
RM2.20
 and
RM2.18
 per litre respectively – unchanged since 22 March 2018. According to the MoF, the retail price of
RON97
 will be maintained at
 RM2.47
 per litre from 1 to 6 June 2018 despite the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is zero-rated from June 2018 onwards (RON97 was previously subjected to GST).
It remains to be seen whether diesel Euro 5M will be subjected to a floating mechanism like RON97 or simply command a premium (previously 10 sen) over the Euro 2M pump price. But at the moment (1 June 2018),
diesel Euro 5M
 is still priced at
 RM2.28
 according to
Caltex
 and
Petron
 Malaysia’s official website.
From 7 June 2018 (Thursday) onwards, pump prices of RON97 will be set based on market prices using the
managed float system
. The retail price of RON97 will be
reviewed every Thursday
 at the stroke of midnight. Note that
global crude oil prices are on a steady recovery
 so be prepared for some upward adjustments.
Although no further details of the managed float system’s mechanics were provided, the previous Barisan National Government adjusted the weekly fuel prices according to the average crude oil price over seven days and make the adjustment on Wednesday.
We will still be updating the latest fuel price on our neat little widget
Additionally, Lim also announced that the Federal Government is working on introducing targeted petrol subsidies for cars below 1,300cc and motorcycles below 125cc to fulfil one of the coalition’s “100 days” fiscal reform. It remains to be seen how the Government will channel the targeted fuel subsidies to the intended population as there are many
premium
 vehicles like the
Peugeot 2008 PureTech
,
Volkswagen Vento TSI
,
Ford Fiesta EcoBoost
 that packs a less than 1.3-litre engine thanks to
turbocharging
.


Second-generation Toyota Mirai buries the ghost of the original

The Toyota Mirai of 2014 was a showcase for hydrogen fuel cell technology. But it also came across like a Prius that was left to bake in the oven for too long. Instead of talking about its ground-breaking propulsion system, observers were left bewildered by its clumsy styling.
Don’t adjust your screens or rub your eyes, this is how the original Mirai looks.
Well, Toyota must have changed the chefs at its design kitchen because the second coming of the Mirai is absolutely gorgeous, with a cabin design that would make a Lexus blush. In fact, this may even be the most beautiful car in the entire Toyota stable when it goes on sale in 2020.
Where the original was stumpy and frumpy, the 2020 Mirai is slender and sexy, with a long hood and the swoopy silhouette of a rear-wheel drive…because it is now a
rear-wheel drive
 (previously FWD), built on
Toyota’s latest RWD modular platform
 engineered to accommodate different powertrains, including a
hydrogen fuel cell
.
The new body structure of the second-generation Mirai allows it to have larger hydrogen tanks, along with improvements to the fuel-cell system, Toyota is
targeting a 30% increase in driving range
 from around 500 km previously to
645 km per tank
.
Despite looking like an oddball, around 10,000 units of the original Mirai were actually sold to customers in countries with hydrogen fueling, more often than not utilised by governments and local councils for test programmes.
Mirai chief engineer Yoshikazu Tanaka said, “We have pursued the goal of making a car that customers will feel they want to drive all time, a car that has an emotional and attractive design and the kind of dynamic and responsive performance that can bring a smile to the driver’s face.”
While still categorised as a ‘concept’, we think the Mirai is pretty much the finished item as it prepares to make its public debut in the forthcoming
Tokyo motor show
. With looks that kill, it’s safe to say that the second iteration of the Mirai is going to sell more than 10,000 units.


Production of the Ford Fiesta has ended – Bids farewell after 47 years

The
Ford Fiesta
 finally bids farewell to us all as its production finally ended on
July 7, 2023
. The departure comes after 47 years of the little Ford hatchback.
Autocar
 reports that the final two Fiestas will remain with the company – one to join the international heritage fleet and the other to join the UK heritage fleet.
The news isn’t exactly a surprise as last year Ford has actually revealed that it will no longer produce the Ford Fiest by mid this year. We have now finally reached the prophesized date which was necessary to make way for more space in the Cologne factory to make way for electric vehicles by the company.
Ford Model E Europe general manager, Martin Sander said, “We decided to build our first high-volume electric vehicle here in Cologne. There comes the point where we need the space for construction, because we are turning the Fiesta plant into a fully battery-electric plant. This is why we had to make a decision that we have to stop Fiesta production.”
The Ford Fiesta is a compact hatchback smaller than the
Ford Focus
 and was previously even sold in the Malaysian market. In its most economical form, the Fiesta was even made available with a 1.0-litre turbocharged Ford EcoBoost engine. Ford’s Malaysian line-up currently only consists of the
Ranger
 and
Everest
.
RELATED:
RIP – Ford Fiesta to be killed in 2023 after seven generations
The company expects to sell 600,000 EVs annually by 2026 under its Ford Model E division, which operates separately from its ICE car and commercial vehicle divisions (Ford Blue and Ford Pro, respectively).
After close to half a century, the Ford Fiesta finally bids farewell to us all, having cemented its place in the hearts of some enthusiasts. Following the cease of production of the Ford Fiesta, Ford has also announced that it will axe the Ford Focus in 2025.
RELATED:
Need more EV range? Ford patents roof-mounted backup battery for EVs


Porsche Centre Johor Bahru now open – first 4S centre and Porsche Classic Partner in Malaysia!

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP)
has opened its doors to Porsche Centre Johor Bahru, its latest 4S facility for the brand with state-of-the-art features that set it apart from the other outlets in Malaysia.
Situated at the Danga Bay waterfront, the new three-storey facility occupies a space of 5,412 square metre, and is built to the brand’s latest “Destination Porsche” corporate architecture concept. In simpler terms, the new corporate identity emphasises on creating a “gathering space” for Porsche enthusiasts and fans alike.
With an investment of over RM28 million, the new Porsche Centre Johor Bahru takes the form of a full-blown 4S outlet, the first in Malaysia with the brand’s new body and paint facilities. Additionally, the new outlet is also the first in Malaysia to be certified as a
Porsche Classic
 Partner.
Porsche Centre Johor Bahru’s showroom floor is split into multiple modular areas, designed to highlight a multitude of Porsche models including a special area for the electrified E-Performance cars, as well as Porsche Classic.
The Certified Pre-Owned area is situated upstairs alongside the Esports racing simulator corner, while the Fitting Lounge, delivery bay, and lounge area are all fully equipped to function as conducive social spaces for customers to consult with highly-trained Porsche staff, or even as a cosy environment for gatherings, in line with the Destination Porsche ethos.
The service centre meanwhile features nine fully-equipped bays with telescopic hoists, capable of catering to all Porsche vehicles (including classics). Taking the ramp to the third floor will bring you to the fully decked-out body and paint centre, capable of high-quality restoration and bodywork repairs, using advanced reconstructive repair techniques and Porsche-certified materials and water-based paints.
As part of its commitment to sustainability, the new dealership features a full-length light well in the main showroom area, allowing as much natural light as possible to enter the building, reducing electricity consumption. Outside, the new Porsche Centre Johor Bahru is also equipped with 175 kW DC fast chargers as well as 22 kW AC charging points, available exclusively for use to all
Porsche Taycan
 owners.
RELATED:
Shell and Porsche announce cross-country 180 kW charging network, six stations in M’sia
“With the opening of this new showroom, we aim to provide an elevated brand experience while fulfilling the desires of sports car fans in the Southern region of Malaysia,” said SDAP Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Hunter. “With our focus to grow beyond the traditional dealership, we strive to provide high standards of quality, experience, and customer service.”
“After sales service is one of our key priorities in maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction with Porsche owners in Malaysia. With the facility well-equipped to fulfil our customers’ need, they can continue to bask in the fascination of driving a Porsche, while we care for their dream sports car. We are proud to introduce Malaysia’s first certified Porsche Classic Partner to breathe new life into these classics to ensure that these legends will remain on the road for a long time,” he adds.
Commenting on the launch, Sime Darby Berhad Group Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson added, “It has been quite a year for our partnership with Porsche in Malaysia, with the
first locally assembled Cayenne rolling out of our plant in Kedah
earlier this year, and now the addition of the first 4S Porsche Centre in Malaysia in Johor Bahru.
“We have seen positive growth for the Porsche brand in Malaysia, and the setup of this new dealership forms part of our plan to provide world-class standards of customer experience, for both Porsche and Sime Darby Motors.”
READ MORE:
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS makes official debut in Malaysia – from RM1.55m
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Video: Honda 1 Million Dreams – 7 special edition model giveaway, 5 Things

In celebrating their 1 millionth unit sold, the on-going
1 Million Dreams
 contest by Honda Malaysia not only marks a historic milestone for the company but is a way to give back not just to their customers but also
more importantly, to frontliners
.
Of the 7 special edition models, which includes the Accord, CR-V, BR-V and City, to name a few, the company has allocated the Honda Jazz to be won specifically by frontliners.
Check out our gallery here
!

Each of these seven cars come with identical cosmetic upgrades. At the front, every model comes with a red strip either across the front bumper or the front grille, red strips on the side mirrors, an exclusive Honda 1 Million Dreams badge on the front fenders, a red spoke on each wheel and a dual-tone exterior.
On the inside, all 7 models also receive special touches that differentiate them from the rest of the Honda vehicles in Malaysia. You get a leather-wrapped steering wheel, finished with a red centre marker and red stitching, headrests embossed with “1 Million Dreams” lettering, and a simple badge on the dashboard.
The Honda Jazz 1 Millionth Edition…
….specially for one (1) lucky frontliner to win!
To join the contest, simply participate in any of these six activities:
Downloading and signing up for the HondaTouch app
Playing the 1 Million Dreams Quiz Game at
Honda Malaysia’s official website
Test driving a Honda vehicle
Booking a new Honda vehicle
Servicing or repairing a Honda vehicle
Registering a new Honda car within the “1 Million Dreams Campaign” period
The campaign ends on the
24th of March,
 where the winners will be announced shortly after.
GALLERY
Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Honda City
Honda Jazz
Honda CR-V
Honda HR-V
Honda BR-V


Video: The new Mercedes-AMG A35 is a “baby AMG” you can live with everyday

If your missus (or perhaps even husband) starts complaining about a lack of space and that you need a more comfortable AMG to carry the family, you now have a solution.
Looking what the
RM348,888 A35 AMG
 offers, it’s clear this is an AMG you can properly use to go about all the dreadful (responsible) things you need to do during the day – like dropping the kids off at school and carrying a tonne of groceries from Tesco.

But when night falls, there’s still plenty of AMG essence to be had with 306 hp and 400 Nm to play with and that’s good for a “Golf R-smoking” 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.8 seconds.
Looking at the AMG A35, you’d think there isn’t much to distinguish it from the
A250 sedan we reviewed recently
, especially in terms of exterior design. In fact put two of them side by side and you’d be hard pressed to tell one from the other but the devil is in the details – like how they actually sport different grilles, and that their rear diffusers look slightly different.
So it’s got a big boot, plenty of leg room, a roof that isn’t sloping like the CLA 45 offering more head room and with enough power and grunt for it to don the AMG but is it worth your attention? Here’s my thoughts for your consideration.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia extends warranty period to vehicles affected by MCO

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia isn’t the first car brand to announce
the automatic extension of a vehicle’s warranty if the expiration falls over
the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, and probably won’t be the last.
So, if you own a Mercedes-Benz with a warranty period ending between
18
th
 March to 14
th
 April

2020
or have a regular maintenance service to adhere to over the same time frame, you can still claim warranty or get that maintenance service performed
within four weeks after the MCO is lifted
.
The current MCO is scheduled to end on 14
th
 April, but that is subject to the latest directive by the government. Till
then, please stay home and help #FlattenTheCurve.


All-new McLaren Senna hypercar unveiled, more hardcore than the P1

When the
McLaren P1
 made its debut in 2012 with its twin-turbo hybrid trickery, its performance was unquestionable. But there was only one problem, weight. The hybrid system with its battery pack and electric motors were not exactly beneficial for the cars ultimate performance.
A hybrid hypercar is now a
been there done that
 for McLaren Automotive and now the company is embarking on another conquest – the ultimate track car for the road. Named after the legendary Formula 1 driver, Ayrton Senna, the McLaren Senna joins the P1 in the Ultimate Series line up as the most extreme McLaren road car yet.
This time there are no next-gen hybrid trickery or alternative fuel here, just an honest M840TR 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 massaged to push out
789 hp
 and
800 Nm
 of torque; just
79 hp
 and
30 Nm
 more than the
720S
, mind you. Sending drive exclusively to the rear wheels is a seven-speed double clutch gearbox.
Just like the 720S, the Senna rides on McLaren’s
carbon fibre Monocage III
 chassis, albeit taken to the extreme for ultimate structural integrity. Every body panel of the Senna is made from lightweight carbon fibre, resulting in a road car that tips the scale at just
1,198 kg
 – that’s about the weight of a
Volkswagen Polo
!

Its chassis is complemented by the
RaceActive Chassis Control II (RCC II)
 hydraulic suspension that promises maximum connection between the driver and car at all speeds. The double-wishbone suspension features hydraulic dampers that give variable stiffness and ride height, an improved version of the one found in the P1.
As
hinted earlier in the year
, McLaren has taken the form-follows-function design philosophy to the extreme resulting in its unique and unforgiving visual impact. Every curvature has been fully exploited in the name of aerodynamics with new innovations include next-gen front and rear active aerodynamics, double rear diffuser, double-element hydraulic carbon fibre rear wing and many more.

Inside, the cabin has been completely stripped bare from sound insulation, interior trims and what not – just like a proper race car. The steering wheel only houses the paddle shifters and nothing else because McLaren wants the driver to focus on pure sensory feedback. All driver controls can be found on the centre console and roof mounted switches. McLaren said that they were
this
close to removing the passenger seat.
Production of the McLaren Senna is limited to 500 units only and just like any limited-run McLaren, all cars have been snapped up despite costing £750,000 (RM4.08 mil) per pop. The track-focused hypercar will make its public debut in March 2018 at the 88
th
 Geneva International Motor Show.
IMAGE GALLERY


Honda open to partnerships to lower cost of electric vehicles

In Europe, strong consumer demand, as well as government legislation, have push automakers to accelerate their electric vehicle (EV) portfolio. Volkswagen, Renault as well as Hyundai and Kia have strong sales for their EVs in the region, with the
Volkswagen ID series
 leading the EV market and Tesla following closely behind.
The same cannot be said for the Japanese automakers. Within the Japanese big three (Toyota, Honda and Nissan), only
Nissan
 has established the
Leaf
 in Europe. Honda began their EV journey with the compact, premium-positioned three-door
Honda e
 last year. Their footprint in Europe is tiny (100,000 units a year), hence, the push for EV has never really been a priority.
Honda marks 15 million units sold in China, including 500,000 hybrids in just five years! Read about it here!

Now, Honda is reportedly open to form new alliances to make electrification profitable. In a report by
Reuters
, Honda’s new CEO, Toshihiro Mibe said, “If Honda can accomplish its goals sooner through an alliance, then we would be willing to form an alliance.”
The
Honda eSUV
 based on the latest HR-V/Vezel will spearhead Honda’s EV charge in China from mid 2022
Mibe’s comment reflects the pressure on the global auto industry; not only build electric vehicles a lot faster but also cheaper as seen with the Volkswagen Group.
In the USA, Honda has
teamed up with General Motors
 to offer their first EV for the region called the
“Prologue”
which is scheduled to hit showrooms in 2024. The EV in the form of an SUV will be built on General Motor’s platform and the company’s Ultium batteries with Honda tasked to develop the interior and exterior of the Prologue.
“Building an alliance will become a huge direction in terms of increasing the number of electric vehicles, considering how electrification is not commercially feasible right now,” he added. Profitability for the company has also been a huge issue, with their operating income margin just 1.0% for their car business in the most recent financial year filing.
Research suggests that EVs might become cheaper than petrol-powered cars by 2027. More about it here!

In April this year, Mibe announced a carbon-neutral goal for the company’s products and corporate activities by 2050, including electrified vehicle sales targets.
By 2030, the company is targeting 40% of vehicles to be made up of battery and fuel-cell EVs. The figure is expected to double to 80% by 2035 and subsequent by 2040,
100% of vehicles sold by Honda will be electric
.
Toyota, who has technical partnerships with Subaru, said that just
going with one option is not viable
 for the company. The company wants to offer multiple powertrain options as well as keeping hybrids to offer the best solution to meet customers demands.
Source:
Reuters


Gallery: Hyundai Elantra 1.6L Elegance facelift

The
facelifted Hyundai Elantra
has been officially launched last week, this time in four flavours, one up from the pre-facelift lineup. We made our way to the showroom in Glenmarie only to find one of the four variants on display – the
Elantra 1.6 Elegance
, which is the lineup’s base variant.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Hyundai Elantra 1.6L Elegance
Hyundai Elantra 1.6L Executive
Hyundai Elantra 1.6L Premium
Hyundai Elantra 1.8L Premium
Engine
1,591cc; inline-4 DOHC
1,591cc; inline-4 DOHC
1,591cc; inline-4 DOHC
1,797cc; inline-4 DOHC
Transmission
6-speed auto
6-speed auto
6-speed auto
6-speed auto
Max Power
128 hp @ 6,300 rpm
128 hp @ 6,300 rpm
128 hp @ 6,300 rpm
148 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
158 Nm @ 4,850 rpm
158 Nm @ 4,850 rpm
158 Nm @ 4,850 rpm
178 Nm @ 4,700 rpm
Price (OTR
without
 insurance)
RM86,328.00
RM96,116.00
RM100,986.00
RM115,616.00

New to the 1.6L Elegance’s head lamps is the LED light guide, but it’s the only variant of the range to have it just as a non-functioning white plastic strip. It doesn’t illuminate like the rest, so it’s solely there for aesthetic purposes. The rear lights however, are new and standard across the range. Fog lamps are out of the equipment list, although it still sits on 16-inch wheels, this time with a new design.

We wouldn’t go as far as to say that the Elegance’s cabin is stripped bare, but it does look pretty basic to begin with. You’ve got fabric seats with manual adjustments, tilt-only (not telescopic) steering wheel, basic multimedia head unit with CD and MP3 support, and two airbags to complete the interior kit list. The steering wheel comes with audio controls switches as well.
In the 1.6L Premium, you get projector headlamps (halogen), leather seats, telescopic leather wrapped steering wheel with switches, 6.2-inch touch screen display with DVD player and Bluetooth connectivity, rear air conditioning vents push-start button,  rear view camera and six airbags. The range topping 1.8L Premium is as well equipped as the 1.6L Premium, but gets additional equipment like powered Nappa leather seats, 8-inch touch screen with navigation system, rain sensor, front parking sensors, cruise control and dual zone air conditioning. Sunroof is no longer offered here, but it sits on 17-inch wheels while the rest will have to make do with 16-inchers.

Both the 1.6L and 1.8L Premium come with Hyundai’s Flex Steer System which allows drivers to choose from Comfort, Normal or Sport steering feel. It doesn’t change suspension behaviour to say the least, it simply alters how the steering wheel feels.
Mechanically, the Elantras retain the same engines and transmission choice. The
1.6-litre Gamma engine
 displaces 1,591cc and makes
128 hp
 at 6,300 rpm and
157 Nm
 of torque at 4,850 rpm, while the
1,797cc
 (1.8L)
Nu engine
 makes
148 hp
 at 6,500 rpm and
178 Nm
 of torque at 4,700 rpm. Both engines are paired to a conventional
six-speed torque converting
 automatic gearbox driving the
front wheels
.
The Hyundai Elantra comes with
five exterior colours
 – Creamy White, Sleek Silver, Tomato Red, Carbon Grey and Phantom Black. Packaged along with the Elantra is a five-year or 300,000 km warranty programme, whichever occurs first. Customers who purchase the car between 5 March to 5 April will be offered an additional three-year or 60,000 km warranty.
[divider]
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All-new 10th-gen Honda Accord previewed, to get 1.5L and 2.0L turbos!

The 10th incarnation of the
Honda Accord
 is scheduled to make its global debut on 14 July in the United States. With just a few weeks to go, Honda released a single teaser picture of their latest D-segment darling.
It is with absolute certainty that the
new Accord
 will bear the same corporate face as the
Civic
 and
CR-V
. And just like the Civic, the new Accord will get a fastback-esque rear end. Honda claims the new Accord will feature a “
dramatic new styling direction
”, and it will be the most
fun to drive
 Accord model ever crafted.
Earlier, it’s known that the new Accord is the third recipient of the
 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC four-cylinde
r engine, which will be mated to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) or a six-speed manual transmission. The most interesting of all is the range-topper Accord with a
 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC
 that’s paired to a
10-speed automatic transmission.
The unveiling of this 10th-generation Honda Accord will take place in Detroit, but the launch will be streamed online on YouTube.


Facelifted 4th-gen Honda CR-V gets 1.6L i-DTEC & 9-speed auto transmission

At the upcoming 2014 Paris Motor Show, Honda will reveal a comprehensive update of its models and engine line-up for 2015. We already know that the
2015 Civic Type R Concept
 will take the stage, along with their new compact SUV, the HR-V. Before that, here’s the facelifted fourth generation Honda CR-V.
The popular compact SUV CR-V gets a new facelift as exterior will see obvious styling tweaks, beginning with the
front headlights
 with integrated
LED Daytime Running Lights
, revised front grille, square shaped fog lights (pre-facelift had rounded fog lights), skid-plates, new set of wheels and new
LED combination tail lights
. The rear is also complemented with a
huge chrome bar
 across the tailgate.
Front
 and
rear bumpers
 are revised too, with the front sporting
more angular cuts
.
Underneath the bonnet of the 4WD variant lies a new
1.6-litre i-DTEC
, four-cylinder
diesel engine
 that can be paired to an optional
nine-speed automatic transmission
. Nine actual cogs there, not a CVT box. The 1.6L will effectively replace the outgoing 2.2-litre i-DTEC mill. Numbers for the 1.6L diesel are
160 PS
 and
350 Nm of torque
,
10 PS
 more than what the 2.2L makes.
Emissions play a big role in the European market, and the smaller diesel unit (paired to the six-speed auto) emits just 130 grams of CO2 per kilometer – 11 percent better than the preceding unit.

The nine-speeder emits less than 135 g/km of CO2, that’s 20 percent better than the outgoing one.
There’s also the front-wheel drive CR-V that is available with a manual transmission. The old
1.6-litre i-DTEC
 engine that makes
120 PS
 and
300 Nm
 soldiers on, but emits just 117 g/km of CO2.

More details about the facelifted CR-V will be announced at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, so stay tuned for the latest updates.


Lamborghini Urus SUV gets a 650 hp twin turbo V8, launching end-2017

Porsche’s decision to make luxury SUVs (an act of blasphemy according to purists) had saved the company from financial ruins. Now, the folks at Sant’Agata wants to emulate the same success story, thus giving the green light to produce the
Lamborghini Urus
 SUV.
CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, Stefano Domenicali has just confirmed that the Urus will be motivated by a
 twin-turbo V8
 engine that belts out
650 hp
. In keeping up with the
Volvo XC90
, a
plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)
 is among the cards as well, but that will arrive a year after the petrol V8 goes on sale.

According to the Italian supercar manufacturer, the Urus will make its worldwide debut by the end of the year and will be built alongside the
Huracan
 and
Aventador
. The platform is largely the same as the
Audi Q7
 and
Bentley Bentayga
 – both a spinoff based on the same underpinnings.
European sales of the Urus will begin by the second quarter of 2018 with a 1,000 units, followed by 3,500 units annually in 2019. The reason for this is that Lamborghini’s annual capacity is limited to just producing 3,500 cars, although upgrading works are now well underway.
Now, the price. The Urus carries a sticker price of
210,000 euros
 (approximately RM996k) a pop, considerably more expensive than the
Cayenne Turbo
. Just as a heads up: it’s probably coming to Malaysia as well!
Source:
Automotive News
IMAGE GALLERY


The new 2019 Kia Forte looks simply fantastic in motion!

You’ve seen the
 concept renderings,
 you’ve also most likely read our post on its
introduction in the USA recently
and
how Kia pitched the Forte against a Lamborghini
 but this new video released by Kia Motors Corporation on their Facebook page will make you want the new Kia Forte real bad!
Known here as the Cerato, it’s powered by a 2.0-litre Nu four-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual or Kia’s all-new Intelligent Variable Transmission. We don’t have to tell you that the manual variant is most certainly not coming to Malaysia.
Power is rated at
147 hp
 with
180 Nm
 of torque. The body is now
16% stiffer
 along with reworked suspension geometry for improved steering response and handling.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is standard equipment inside, along with safety systems like Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) and Smart Cruise Control (SCC).


Volvo XC60 crowned 2018 World Car of the Year

The new Volvo XC60 SUV has just been crowned World Car of the Year 2018 at the 2018 World Car Awards in conjunction with the on-going New York Auto Show. Previous winners have included the Jaguar F-PACE (2017) and the Mazda MX-5 (2016).
The Volvo XC60, which was also Euro NCAP’s best overall performer in 2017, was chosen from an initial line-up of 34 cars, reduced to a shortlist of
three finalist including the
Mazda CX-5
 and the
Range Rover Velar
.
The World Car of the Year win is the first for Volvo Cars as the XC60 also scooped the prestigious North American Utility of the Year Award earlier this year, while the XC40 small SUV was named European Car of the Year at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month.
“I am pleased to see our company’s product investments paying off,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Cars (and now World Car Person of the Year). “We are up against some tough competition, but this award for the XC60 show that Volvo has the right combination of design, connectivity and safety that appeals to customers across the world.”
Other winners at the 2018 World Car Awards are as follow:
2018 World Luxury Car –
Audi A8
2018 World Performance Car –
BMW M5
2018 World Car Design of the Year –
Range Rover Velar
2018 World Green Car –
Nissan LEAF
2018 World Urban Car –
Volkswagen Polo


#ABC2016: AutoBuzz.my Best Cars of 2016 [+Video]

Many of us consider ourselves to be car aficionados. Some like cars for their aesthetic appeal, some go gaga over big bore V8s while others depend on the euphoria of traffic light drag races in their Golf GTIs as fuel to their self entitlement.
Okay, regardless, if you have a soft spot for cars, it’s really up to you what you do with it. For the impassioned team of
AutoBuzz.my
, we take great pride in dissecting new cars and telling you the good, the bad and the ugly. You must be wondering, with the keys to dozens of new cars every year, just which one would we actually buy?
Honestly, most of us here find it difficult to decide. In fact, this conundrum is shared with other industry colleagues as well. So we thought we’d make it simpler and put together a list of the best cars each one of us has driven all year. Now, without further ado:
GC Mah – Ferrari 488 GTB
As the successor to the hugely popular and adored
458 Italia
, the 488 GTB has got a lot to live up to, especially after news broke out that it was going to be turbocharged. But the Italian chefs at Maranello really know what they’re cooking, so let’s trust in that.
To be brutally honest, I wasn’t quite fond of it when I first drove the car. The team asked if I liked it, and I actually said… “Meh”. Yes, I know. In the high court of the Ferrari Fan Club, I would be sent to the gallows, serving my death sentence. But do hear me out.
The feeling was completely reversed the next day. (Yes I had it for a few days. I’m a lucky bastard, am I not?) Throwing it around tight corners, going up and down hill through the snakiest of roads; that was when it all made sense to me.
The 488 was remarkably easy to drive and forgiving in many, many ways. But with 660 horses right behind my head, I expected it to be a tad more mental than this. It however, turned out to be very clever and predictable. And, that’s the beauty of it! Any carmaker can drop in a powerful engine under the hood, but to actually engineer it to a level where it makes just about anyone feel like Michael Schumacher, that’s something else.
Najdi Uzaimi – Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC
This car is a proof that the Germans do have sense of humour. Come on, 381 hp and 475 Nm from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder? And they’ve stuffed it in a range of compact cars with different body styles to suit different types of buyers.
I love cars that could make me giggle within a few metres down the road, and driving the AMG CLA 45 is quite amusing. I try so hard to contain a silly grin on my face every time it rockets out of a toll booth gate, and I kept making excuses just to go for a short spin, even though if it’s just for a quick trip to the sundry shop for a loaf of bread.
A full tank would barely last me one and a half trip to my favourite B-road, but it’s worth every sen filling it up with RON 97. Yes, running it isn’t cheap, but it offers big car thrills for a fraction of the price (and size). And they said the next generation of AMG 45 cars will have at least 400 hp from the same engine. Insane…
Travis Chang –
Ford Focus 1.5L EcoBoost
To most people, the
10th generation Honda Civic
 is perhaps their go-to choice for the most preferred car for 2016. Other C-Segment cars have since been relegated to the second division, including this praiseworthy hatch from Ford.
I chuckle every time the Focus dances through a series of black ribbons. This experience is made better with the adequately powerful and responsive turbocharged engine. Power delivery is simply effortless. Drive it over any terrain, rain or shine, the Focus remains comfortable as it is planted on the roads. Cabin insulation is also unbelievably impressive. Despite being grossly overlooked, its unrivalled driving dynamics is the single biggest reason why the Focus is the best car I’ve driven in 2016.
Dominic Yee –
Mazda MX-5
Driving has always been something fun for me as opposed to taking a high performance car to the track. The quick accelerations and the way it handles are the makings of a true car, to me at least.
The fourth-generation Mazda MX5 is everything that encapsulates that, if not more. It’s an amazingly fun car to drive especially with the top down. Blasting up the winding roads and feeling the dewey breeze of dawn on the weekend makes one feel free – to run wild and free, as they say.
It’s explicitly engaging to drive, beautiful (thanks to the Kodo design) and feels almost like an extension of your body. This is why the Mazda MX5 is the best car I’ve driven in 2016.
Adrian Chia – Renault Megane R.S 265
The Renault Megane R.S 265 Sport is an amazing machine that makes absolutely no sense. Six-speed manual, 265 hp, two doors and comfortable damping. It’s quick off the line, rapid around the bends yet manages Klang Valley’s notoriously potholed roads. The whole car is unlike anything I’ve ever driven this year.
Never mind the RM199k price tag, never mind the spartan spec (it doesn’t even come with keyless entry), nor the difficult clutch (long travel, short bite point), because the smile on my face when blasting through a stretch of empty B-road is all the reason I need for this to be the best car I’ve driven in all of 2016.
Chung Yi-Shen –
Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription
As the only SUV of the lot, this Volvo is definitely the biggest, but not the slowest.
With 407 bhp and 640 Nm of torque on tap, it is capable of a sub-6.0 second century sprint. That well toned Nordic
derrière
 is what most German sedans on the market would see if you have a naughty right foot. And you get to enjoy all that stonking performance in a sumptuous, airy cabin of open pore wood and supple Nappa leather. Similarly priced German interiors are all about fit and finish, but this Volvo is about style and finesse.
There’s also a huge central screen that swipes like an iPad, with big, easy to tap icons. Physical buttons are not missed here, at all. If you plug it to the mains at malls (real world electric range of 30km is entirely possible), you can glide home in near silence with a full view of the starry sky, courtesy of the panoramic sunroof.
But that’s not even the best part. Everyone, including the driver, can enjoy a magic carpet ride of a different level with the intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control and Pilot Assist – with just one push of a button and the car will basically brave through the worst traffic jams for you with utter grace and poise.
Please. Make more cars, Volvo.
Matthew H. Tong – Lotus Elise 220 Sport
This year has been nothing short of surreal. I’ve had the honour of driving the
Audi R8 V10 Plus
,
Ferrari California T
, 488 GTB and a host of other copiously powerful cars. Though they’re each distinctly rewarding to drive in their own rights, nothing beats the holistic driving experience behind the wheel of this mid-engined British sports car.
Most modern supercars, although brutally quick, are severely pacified with electronic aids. They can be perfect when driven around the track at breakneck speeds (where you don’t have to worry about other motorists), but I genuinely don’t wield the skills required to properly handle cars with such ferocity. My dear friend
Aswan penned an insightful piece about learning to walk before you run
, which is precisely what the Elise is all about.
It’s unthinkable that a car nearly 10 times cheaper than the Ferrari 488 GTB could administer such grotesque levels of adrenaline at half the speed. The more I drove the Elise, the greater the affection I have for it. Every shortcoming – such as ingress and egress, being blinded by a tailing vehicle at night and to constantly be within another car’s blind spot – is easily compensated by the elating rawness and purity of the drive. It’s been a week since the Elise and I have parted ways. Every passing day since has become a battle against withdrawals. God I miss it.
Today, we at
AutoBuzz.my
 would like to give thanks to everyone for the overwhelming support, especially from our dearest readers, YouTube subscribers, industry players and media friends. You are all part of the reason why we enjoy what we do, and we look forward to bringing you more entertaining – but no less informative – content next year.
VIDEO
IMAGE GALLERY


Dress up your Volkswagen with these JOIN accessories worth up to RM12,000

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has just introduced a special edition model line up, the “JOIN” accessory package for their locally assembled models here at the 2018 Volkswagen Fest. The “JOIN” models gain cosmetic bits as well as official VW tint.
Depending on the model variant, the cars get dressed up with side scuff plates, rear spoiler, trunk garnish, VW tint, “JOIN” emblems and leather seats and other exclusive add-ons worth up to RM12,000.

The
Polo
 and Vento (Comfortline and
Highline
) “JOIN” costs RM7,000 more than a standard variant while the Tiguan Highline and Passat Comfortline will set you back RM10,000 and RM12,000 more if you opt to have the “JOIN” accessory kit.
However, following the success of the
special edition Beetle
 that was listed exclusively on the popular e-commerce website, Lazada.com.my, VPCM is once again collaborating with Lazada to offer 25 units of the
“JOIN” models on the e-commerce platform
 from 12 to 30 October 2018.

Customers who purchase these vehicles through Lazada will receive the “JOIN” accessories for free and only have to pay the
retail price of a regular model
. To place a booking, customers are required to pay a booking fee of RM799 for the Polo and Vento “JOIN” or RM1,699 for the Passat and Tiguan “JOIN”.
Those interested to purchase one of these “JOIN” models will have to hurry and visit
VPCM’s official Lazada Store
 as 10 units are already sold. Customers who successfully placed a booking will receive a call from a Volkswagen representative for arrangements on the preferred dealership and complete the registration of the vehicle.
IMAGE GALLERY
Volkswagen Polo JOIN

Volkswagen Vento JOIN

Volkswagen Tiguan JOIN

Volkswagen Passat JOIN


BMW M Festival 2019 -celebrating the most powerful letter in automotive in South Africa

Celebrating the most powerful letter in the world, the BMW M Festival 2019 attracted over 23,000
M-thusiasts
 to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Held on the weekend of the 26th and 27th October, the legendary circuit was transformed into a full-blown
M Town
 and it was packed with activities for the whole family.
We may have had the
M Track Experience
 on a few different occasions before in Sepang, but the M Festival was a much bigger event than that.
Apart from getting behind the wheel of an M car and putting it through its paces, you could also do a little shopping, party to good music, chow down on gourmet food, or even experience the carnival rides.
A number of M Performance and M cars were unveiled at Kyalami, which included the new F40 M135i xDrive, F97 X3 M Competition, F98 X4 M Competition,
F95 X5 M Competition
, F96 X6 M Competition, and the
F93 M8 Competition Gran Coupe
.
None of the V8-powered models were available for abuse at Kyalami except the
F90 M5
, but that’s alright because yours truly was more interested to sample the new
S58
 engine in the F97 X3 M Competition.
The
3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six
will also be powering the upcoming
G80 M3
 and G82 M4, and in the F97 X3 M Competition and the F98 X4 M Competition it’s tuned to deliver
510 hp
 and
600 Nm
 of torque.
Being there also meant we got to drive the new
F40 M135i xDrive
 on the streets of Joburg
 and upon returning to Kyalami, local star Sheldon Van Der Linde was tasked with showing us what the M4 DTM race car was capable of.
Your Grab ride is here
Emulating Sheldon’s racing line with the X3 M Competition was impossible after the adrenaline-fueled taxi ride in his “office” but fortunately, a professional instructor was on board to guide this amateur on his first lap around Kyalami.
Kyalami itself is a beautiful circuit with generous undulation changes that can catch you off-guard on your first lap; particularly when ascending to Turn 10, where the track levels out and descends just after a slight kink that tightens to a left turn.
Despite that, the X3 M Competition was surprisingly nimble on track with prodigious amount of control and grip. If it weren’t for the instructor’s advice though, I wouldn’t have dared to push the car as hard as I did in the corners. It might sound like an exaggeration but for something as tall as the X3 M Competition, it handled like a C-segment hot hatch.
The S58 under the bonnet is a gem, it pulls strongly and revs smoothly with linear power delivery, and if my memory serves me right, it sounds better than the old S55 it replaces. Judging by how well it performed in a sub two-tonne SUV, expectations have grown for the G80 M3 and the G82 M4 to be spectacular.
We also did a couple of laps the
F87 M2 Competition
 and the
G20 M340i xDrive
. The former needs no further introduction except that it’s a sublime machine that justifies itself from the get-go while the latter is a formidable contender to the
AMG C 43
.
On a separate note, a day before the event, members of media were treated to an off-road excursion at the nearby
BMW X Park
 with BMW South Africa’s locally-assembled
G01 X3 xDrive30d
 present.
All the obstacles were overcame without breaking a sweat; a proof that a standard X3 is a highly capable SUV whose purpose stretches beyond doing school runs. It’s just a shame that the brawny straight-six diesel engine
isn’t an option in the Malaysian X3
.
Besides showcasing their new vehicles on (and off) track, there was a display of BMW M’s heritage cars in the paddock area which included the infamous
M1
. Although the star of the show was the elusive
E12 530 MLE
, a car which was conceived here in South Africa a few years before BMW officially launched their first M5 (E28).
Above the paddock was a pop-up dealership selling not only M cars but almost the entire range of BMW vehicles; with special discounts too! One fine example was a gorgeous, fully-loaded
F80 M3 CS
 in San Marino Blue with a price tag of R1,447,000 (approx. RM420,000). It’s a good thing dreams are free.
There were also BMW merchandise on sale, but most of the (cheaper) stuff were snapped up as quickly as the M cars get from zero to hundred km/h.
BMW South Africa CEO Tim Abbott
Judging by the crowd, South Africans love their BMWs as it’s also one of the biggest market for BMW M.
BMW South Africa CEO, Tim Abbott said, “The power of the letter M really resonates with our customers. They love the M and M Performance vehicles and hence we want to put together a real spectacle to showcase the M cars that we’ve built today and some of the history as well.”
Other than South Africa, the BMW M Festival was also held in Canada and Japan. Next stop, Malaysia please?
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Meet the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class range – E 200, E 300 & E 350

Since the
discontinuation of the Mercedes-Benz E 350e plug-in hybrid in Malaysia
, official distributor Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has reshuffled the E-Class range in Malaysia.
There are now three variants of the locally assembled E-Class limousine available starting from the E 200 Sportstyle Avantgarde, E 300 Exclusive Line and E 350 AMG Line. All variants are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine but only the E 350 gets an additional EQ Boost Integrated Starter Generator (ISG).

QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz E 200 SportStyle Avantgarde
Mercedes-Benz E 300 Exclusive Line
Mercedes-Benz E 350 AMG Line
Engine
1,991cc; 4-cylinder turbo
1,991cc; 4-cylinder turbo
1,991cc; 4-cylinder turbo with EQ Boost
Transmission
9-speed automatic
9-speed automatic
9-speed automatic
Max Power
197 hp @ 5,500 rpm
258 hp @ 5,800 rpm
299 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Max Torque
320 Nm @ 1,650 – 4,000 rpm
370 Nm @ 1,800 – 4,000 rpm
400 Nm @ 3,000 – 4,000 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
7.5 seconds; 240 km/h
6.2 seconds; 250 km/h
5.9 seconds; 250 km/h
Price (Estimated)
RM329,888
RM379,888
RM399,888
The E 350 AMG Line succeeds the
E 300 AMG Line
 as the range topper in this revised line up, priced at RM399,888 – a mere RM10k more than the previous range-topper. Standard kit reads AMG Line exterior with Night Package, Multibeam LED headlamps, 19-inch five-twin spoke AMG alloys, Dynamic Body Control suspension, Nappa Leather upholstery, Panoramic sunroof, Burmester surround sound system, powered tailgate, wireless charging and 360-degree camera.
Safety kit is a big jump over the old E 300
AMG Line with the inclusion of Driving Assistance Package that bundles Active
Blind Spot Assist, Lane Tracking Package, autonomous emergency braking and Distronic
plus (adaptive cruise control with stop & go).
Stepping down to the E 300 Exclusive Line,
the only difference with the E 350 AMG Line are the Exclusive Line exterior and
interior kit as well as 19-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels. The rest of the equipment
dittos the range topping model.
Into the entry level E 200 Sportstyle Avantgarde,
it gets a more basic set up with 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, Avantgarde exterior
(more generous chrome treatment), LED High Performance headlamps, reversing
camera and Artico leather upholstery. It loses out on the powered tailgate, panoramic
sunroof, Burmester surround sound system, powered tailgate and Driving
Assistance Package (Active Blind Spot Assist is fitted onto the E 200).
Both the E 200 and E 300 are powered by the M264 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with the lower variant getting
197 hp
/
320 Nm
and
258 hp
/
370 Nm
on the E 300. The E 200 can manage the century sprint in
7.5 seconds
with a top speed of
240 km/h
while the higher output E 300 gets there in
6.2 seconds
and have its top speed raised to
250 km/h
.
The E 350 is too powered by the same M264 unit but is supplemented by an additional EQ Boost ISG that promotes drivability and fuel economy. Output is now rated at
299 hp
and
400 Nm
which allows the E 350 to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
5.9 seconds
. Top speed remains at
250 km/h
.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz E 350 AMG Line Launched in Malaysia


Facts & Figures: CKD Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG Line launched, from RM475,501!

When Mercedes-Benz Malaysia introduced the GLE 450 AMG Line here
a couple years ago in 2019
, the reactions were fairly unanimous – it was a little steep. It costs a whopping RM633k for the 5-seater and RM638k for the 7-seater.

The X5 then, in the form of the
fully imported xDrive40i M Sport
, was no better. It had a price tag of RM640k!
Now that it’s locally assembled for a more “attractive” price tag of RM475,501, the Volvo and BMW camps with their XC90 and X5 respectively, have a worthy contender to take note of.
The XC90 Recharge T8 is priced at
RM393k
while the
X5 xDrive45e PHEV M Sport
goes for
RM440k
.
PERFORMANCE
Engine: M256 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six
Transmission: 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
Max Power: 367 hp @ 5,550 rpm – 6,100 rpm
Max Torque: 500 Nm @ 1,600 rpm – 4,5000 rpm
0 to 100 km/h: 5.7 seconds
Top Speed: 250 km/h
EXTERIOR
AMG Line body kit
21-inch light alloy wheels with Continental Sport Contact 6 tyres
Multibeam LED headlights
AIRMATIC adaptive damping
Hands-free tailgate
2019 GLE 450
2021 GLE 450
Inside, the architecture is similar to the GLE 450 previewed two years ago however it now features darker trims, and as a whole, it just looks a little… well, too dark.
It’s a good thing the panoramic sunroof has been retained, to shed some much needed light over the somber cabin. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are standard, with 13-speakers to serenade you.
INTERIOR
MBUX Dual 12.3-inch display including a touchscreen infotainment
Burmester Surround Sound System
Open-pore oak wood trims
Wireless charging
The second row seats offer 40:20:40 split folding while the 3rd row seats can be collapsed through the switches on the side of the boot area.
As for the safety and driver assistance systems, the GLE 450 AMG Line counts on the autonomous emergency braking feature, a 360-degree camera display, blindspot monitor, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and a parking assistant feature.
GALLERY


2020 Porsche Taycan S gets 0.2s faster from 0-200 km/h just through a software update

Feels like a dystopian sci-fi future now, doesn’t it? Getting more performance out of a car historically required actual, physical modifications, but in the modern world where electrons provide propulsion, a “performance tune” can be as simple as just a software upgrade.
Case in point: Porsche has just rolled out a new software update for the 2020 model-year
Taycan EV
, with the Turbo S variant in particular receiving improvements to its wheel slip control – and as a result, shaves off 0.2 seconds in its 0-200 km/h sprint!
To be clear, this specific software has already been updated on the Taycan in September of last year, so this is really to get the older Taycans in line with the latest versions. According to Autocar, the update relates specifically to the car’s dynamics, the charging functions, the Porsche Communication Management (PCM), as well additional Porsche Connect features.
For Taycans with adaptive air suspension, the update adds on a new Smartlift function to the car, which can be programmed to automatically raise the ride height of the car at predetermined locations. For example, if your regular commute includes a section of speed humps, the Taycan can remember that specific location and automatically raise the car whenever you approach.
The Taycan also received updates to its battery management and navigation system, both interlinked through a new battery-saving function which reduces the power output from 270 kW to 200 kW where possible – helping to prevent overheating in the battery cells.
The navigation system also now displays more online-sourced information, such as more precise traffic data. iPhone apps are also now available in the infotainment system, with Apple podcasts being the new addition onboard. Android Auto however remains unavailable.
To some extent, these cars are now more “tech” than “car”.
Despite this being a software update, this specific release for the Taycan will need to be completed at a Porsche dealership, unlike what some of its rivals – including
Tesla
 – are doing.
Taycan’s product chief, Robert Meier explained that this is due to safety reasons: “We have changes on control units that are safety relevant – for example, the power electronics of the engine – and we want to be absolutely sure that this update goes through in a completely safe way. And that when we give the car back to the customer we want to be sure that it’s completely bug-free.”


Porsche Malaysia introduces new Training Academy-Apprentice Programme with TOC

Porsche Malaysia, represented by
Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP)
, has introduced a new factory-supported technical training programme in partnership with TOC Automotive College (TOC).
Called the Porsche Training Academy-Apprentice Programme (PTAAP), the new technical course is designed to nurture the next generation of local talent, while ensuring that the local workforce supports the service quality requirements at Porsche Centres nationwide.
The PTAAP course will be delivered in a “2+1” year training programme that places equal emphasis on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills expertise, with learning locations split between TOC classrooms and Porsche Centres.
The syllabus starts with a two-year classroom and workshop-based curriculum that focuses on the increased complexity and technological advancements of future Porsche vehicles, with routine assessments to ensure knowledge retention remains at a high level.
A dedicated Porsche technical trainer will also go through specific Porsche International Zertifizierter Porsche Techniker (ZPT) modules to allow for a greater understanding of the Porsche models.
RELATED: CKD Porsche Cayenne now open for pre-orders – from RM550k
Following the two-year hybrid curriculum, students are given the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge via a compulsory one-year on-the-job training period at Porsche Centres nationwide.
An overall evaluation is then conducted at the end of the programme. Top performers that achieve the passing mark are awarded Porsche Certified Technician Bronze Level certification, together with a TOC programme certification of their choice – either the Diploma in Automotive Technology or the Master Technician Course.
“We believe that this intensive three-year programme offers attractive career opportunities, especially within an exciting sports car company like Porsche that continuously drives innovation together with tradition,” said SDAP Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Hunter.
“Designed for highly motivated individuals, passionate about sports cars and technology looking for an attractive career, this programme will allow us to continue to stay ahead of the transformational curve in the industry, especially in view of the recent confirmation of
local assembly in Malaysia
.”
“Nurturing young technical talent from the beginning whilst upskilling our current workforce, we aim to equip our local talent with this culture of collaboration with a like-minded partner like TOC,” Hunter added.
ALSO READ: Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo launched in Malaysia, from RM645k
“The PTAAP programme aligns with our vision of producing future-ready automotive professionals who are instilled with the right attitude, skills and knowledge for enhanced career growthm said TOC Executive Director, Dato’ Iqmal Shafiq.
“With electric mobility gaining momentum in Malaysia, this partnership with SDAP is a step forward in the right direction for TOC to offer a more rewarding career path to our students.”
First enrolments for the three-year PTAAP programme will commence from February 2022.


全新Honda Civic RS版本在大马亮相！现已开放预定！

在刚刚发布
全新的City Hatchback
不久之后，Honda Malaysia在今天突然宣布
全新11代Civic
也即将到来，并且已经开始接受预定！杀得我们一个措手不及！
目前他们并没有公布太多的详情，在昨日雪邦赛道里出来亮相给媒体的也只有在大马首台Civic RS。即便如此，媒体们也只能得到几个经过挑选后的特定亮点，而整辆车的内部结构在发布日期前都不允许公开。
虽然如此，但我们知道的是RS版本将会是下一代的Civic里的最高等级，并在外观上配备了几个更运动的设计元素。这些元素包括大灯中的黑色环形嵌条，前后的RS标志，18寸哑光黑色五双辐轮毂，以及车窗、门把手、侧后视镜、鲨鱼鳍天线和鸭尾扰流板上的亮黑色装饰部件。
至于外观配置，全LED大灯，具有独特特征的日间行车灯，智能远光灯。这个独特特征的日间行车灯的造型也被衍生到了尾灯上，也是采用全LED组合。
第11代Honda Civic RS将会由一样的1.5升涡轮增压VTEC四缸引擎所驱动，拥有
182匹
马力和
240牛顿米
扭力，比起上一代多出了9匹马力和20牛顿米扭力。变速箱依然是使用CVT变速箱，但Honda Malaysia并没有给出任何的性能数据。
在安全方面，最高等级的Civic将会配置完整的Honda Sensing高级驾驶辅助系统，这套系统现已有9个功能，多亏刚推出的前车离去提示系统。
其他Honda Sensing配套里的功能包括带有低速跟踪的自适应巡航控制，车道保持辅助系统，车道偏离警告，道路偏离缓解，前方碰撞警告，碰撞缓解制动系统，以及自动远光灯。
其他的被动安全系统方面，Honda Civic RS将会标配六具气囊。但是较为落伍的Honda LaneWatch系统还是被延续到了第11代的车型上，而并没有使用上他们更高科技的盲点侦测系统。
就如现在正在贩售的Civic一样，全新Honda Civic也将会拥有离去上锁车门和远程启动功能。
目前售价并还没有公布，但是全新的Honda Civic已经开始在全马经销商接受预定。和往常一样，请持续关注我们以获得关于第11代Civic的最新详情！
【英文版】
【图集】


BMW iX – nearly 1,000 units sold in 2022, over 300 MINI Cooper SE

During the recent business briefing event,
BMW Group Malaysia
 announced that it has delivered over 4,000 electrified BMW and MINI cars in 2022, accounting for over 31% of their total sales last year.
That figure means that the total number of electrified BMW Group Malaysia vehicles on the road today have exceeded 25,000 units. But more impressively, from that 4,000 units, over 31% of them are
fully electric
.
The solid performance in 2022 was led by the BMW iX, which saw over 970 new owners last year. The fully-electric SUV made its debut in Malaysia back in August 2021 with the
 xDrive40 variant
, and was only recently given a new variant – in the form of the
 xDrive50 Sport
 – just last week.
BMW’s fully-electric line-up also includes the
 iX3
 and
 i4
, although the company did not provide a detailed breakdown of their sales figure. We do know that the flagship i7 will soon be joining the stable here in Malaysia, with the model already being sighted on Malaysia roads multiple times recently.
RELATED:
 BMW Group Malaysia sold 13,088 cars in 2022 – sales leader in premium segment for 3rd straight year
As for MINI, the fully-electric MINI Electric (also known as the Mini Cooper SE) accounted for 25% of the company’s total sales in 2022. With over 1,300 units sold, that amounts to roughly 325 units. As a whole, electrified MINI models contributed over 65% to the overall record-breaking sales performance.
Now over two years since the model
 made its debut in Malaysia
, MINI has just given the Cooper SE a slight update to its equipment list, and is now available in a new exterior colour – nanuq white. You can learn more about the 2023 MINI Cooper SE
 here
.
To facilitate with the adoption of EVs in Malaysia, BMW Group Malaysia has also continued to populate its public charging network throughout Malaysia via several partnerships with charging solution providers, including
ChargEV
,
JomCharge
, and Gentari. Together with the over 80 BMW i Charging facilities at its dealerships nationwide, BMW and MINI EV owners in Malaysia now have easy access to over 610 charging stations.
The company says it already has a strategic infrastructure expansion plan in place for 2023.
Speaking at the recent media event, BMW Group Malaysia managing director and CEO, Hans de Visser said, “The year ahead is building up to be an exciting one and we are ready to continue delivering not just the Premium Ownership Experience, as we have done for the last two decades, but also Sheer Electric Driving Pleasure.”
“As we charge into the new year, we look forward to new opportunities in every aspect of sustainability, beginning with our existing partners in sustainable solutions,” he added.


Hyundai Kona an all-new B-segment SUV, part of 30 models to come by 2021!

Few years ago, no one understood the appeal of a compact B-segment SUV. Today, almost every single car manufacturer is planning for one, with Hyundai Motors being the latest to join the game. We’ve got a name as well, called the Hyundai Kona.
Sitting below the Tucson, the Kona will go up against the likes of
Honda HR-V
,
Mazda CX-3
 and
Renault Captur
. Being the fourth SUV in Hyundai’s stable (other markets get the more upmarket Grand Santa Fe), the Kona features progressive styling to attract new customers into the brand. From the way Hyundai has been styling their cars, such as the
Sonata LF
,
sixth-generation Elantra
 (which by the way is
coming to Malaysia)
 and
Accent
, one can trust the designers to properly execute the look of this Kona.
Not even the
CX-3
‘s LED headlamps are as sleek as the Kona’s
The name Kona is derived from the Kona district on the Big Island of Hawaii, inspired by the island’s energetic lifestyle. It is the perfect illustration of the Kona’s dynamic character. Hyundai Motors is looking to introduce 30 new models – derivatives included – by 2021 to propel the company’s position as the leading Asian automotive brand in Europe. Watch out Japs, the Koreans are onto something here.


What’s the Buzz: Flying in the face of logic

It is mean spirited to dismiss ideas that come with worthy
intentions, but this isn’t an example of that.
I don’t pretend to know enough about flying cars to judge its commercial feasibility. I can however suspend disbelief and indulge in the thought that this prototype (yes, another prototype) which the Minister of Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof is going to spend RM 1 million on (hey, are tax payers footing this bill?) will somehow take flight.
Soon, every trip to the mall will be an adventure for Malaysians.
Yet we have no idea when, who, how, what… but we should trust the minister, nevertheless.
If the flying car project was pulled out of a hat to make the proposal of a third national car company seem more feasible and plausible, then the minister has succeeded. Mightily.
The
 Terrafugia TF-X
, a fully-electric flying car concept with a 800 km range and cruising speed of 320 km/h.
But much like the
national car prototype
 which Mohd Redzuan alluded to last year (which has since dropped off the radar), it is not so much the subject matter but the manner which the minister goes about divulging info to the press.
After receiving a round of ridicule from the public for mooting a flying car, he defended himself by saying that according to global indexes (err…which one?), there are many young Malays who are users of high-tech aerospace technologies, and that they have been successful in aircraft interior designs in Japan (well, good on them) and will somehow contribute in putting this prototype together. Wow, don’t trust us, read this
Sinar Harian report
.
Audi, Airbus and Italdesign’s flying taxi combines an autonomous car with a passenger drone. It’s a 1:4 scale model revealed late last year.
Dear minister, if you want the public to buy into your flight of fantasy, please share more substantive information. Never mind that we have no clue as to why Malaysia suddenly has a need for cars that fly (what problem is it supposed to solve?) or if there are even regulations sanctioning such an endeavour.
Is it a scale model prototype you’re talking about, which entity are you working with to produce this prototype? Is your boss aware of this?
Frankly, I really can’t wait for its maiden flight and witness you in the flying car at its launch. I’m sure it’ll be fun to watch all the naysayers and sceptics eat their shoes too (or maybe not). You have a good weekend now, sir.


Facelifted MINI hatch has landed, JCW also joins the party

The refreshed MINI hatch is now available in Malaysia in three different variants – Cooper S 3 Door (RM 226,888), Cooper S 5 Door (RM236,888) and John Cooper Works (RM283,888), and as far as mid-life facelifts go, you could say that MINI has given its iconic hatch more than just the expected nip and tuck.
Cooper S variants gets new shift-by-wire electronic shifter.
For starters, both the Cooper S variants get a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, it is of the wet sump variety and produced by Getrag for MINI and BMW models with transversal engine layouts. In the Cooper S, the DCT replaces the previous six-speed automatic ‘box, though the more powerful JCW (only as a 3 Door) sticks with a torque-converter auto, but with eight forward ratios instead of six previously.
The 231hp and 320Nm JCW can be yours for RM283,888, 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds.
The faster-shifting DCT on the Cooper S is mated to a reworked and lightened 2.0-litre TwinPower turbocharged four-cylinder incorporating a carbon-fibre engine cover. MINI claims improved fuel efficiency of 5.5L/100km and 5.6L/100km for the 3 and 5 Door respectively while churning out an unchanged output of 192hp and 280Nm.
The new DCT is also capable of ‘coasting’ (i.e. decoupling from the engine) in ‘Mid’ driving mode for additional fuel saving. Idle to 100km/h takes 6.7 seconds in the Cooper S 3 Door and 6.8 seconds in the slightly heavier Cooper S 5 Door, while the John Cooper Works with 231hp and 320Nm requires 6.1 seconds.
Now you can definitely tell a post-facelift MINI from the pre-facelift model.
While the introduction of the LED tail-lamps with the Union Jack motiv isn’t quite as divisive as the Brexit referendum, it is a talking point nonetheless. What it really does is that it sets the updated MINI apart from the pre-facelift version simply at a glance, which isn’t something you can say about past MINIs. Otherwise, look out for the reconstituted LED headlamps with oval-shaped daytime running lights-cum-side indicators and the new take on the MINI emblem which incorporates a flatter design, not to mention more aggressive-looking body kits and new alloy wheel designs.
The Union Jack is also cheekily deployed as part of the interior ambient lighting on the dashboard of the 3 Door (there are 12 different shades in total) and JCW (but not the Cooper S 5 Door, oddly enough), along with new touch-screen displays (6.5-inch in Cooper S, 8.8-inch in JCW) and electronic shifters for the Cooper S models.
Fancy having your name on the dashboard? Why not.
Of course, no MINI is complete without the ability to add your own customisation. To this end, MINI is making the endeavour a lot easier with the MINI Yours Customised Accessories service expected to be available soon for customers in South East Asia (go to
www.yours-customised.mini
). In short, you can have your own initials or graphics of choice etched on parts such as the side scuttles, cockpit facia, door sills, even the LED door projection and have them couriered to you within three to five weeks. Now, how cool is that?


All 2017 Mazda cars excelled in IIHS safety ratings, including the new CX-5!

While we are all familiar with Mazda’s engineering ingenuity and stylish design, their safety department deserves some mentioning. The Hiroshima-based automaker’s commitment towards safety has paid off when all 2017 Mazda models selected by IIHS, including the new
 CX-5
, earned the highest Top Safety Pick Plus rating.
IIHS or the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
 is a non-profit group funded by insurance companies. They evaluate new cars sold in the United States via six test: a small-overlap front test, a moderate overlap front test, a side test, a roof-strength test, head-restraints-and-seats test, and the frontal collision avoidance evaluation
Instead of the star rating system used by NCAP, IIHS devised a category-based rating based on these four categories: Poor, Marginal, Acceptable and Good. There are two awards for the cream of the crop. The Top Safety Pick is awarded for cars that performed exceptionally well for its class. The
Top Safety Pick Plus
 award sits on top of the earlier award.
The Mazda cars tested this year are the
CX-9
,
CX-3
,
3
,
6
, and the all-new
CX-5
. They all came with the optional front crash prevention and adaptive LED headlights, and each was awarded with the highest Top Safety Pick Plus award.
The reason behind Mazda’s stellar ratings is quite simple, really. While Honda has
Honda Sensing
, Mazda’s own equivalent is called
i-ACTIVESENSE
,

comprised of adaptive LED headlamps, Lane Departure Warning System, Lane Keep Assist System, Smart City Brake System, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. So far, only the facelifted
Mazda6
 comes with it in Malaysia.
On the other hand, the second-generation CX-5 will make its
Malaysian debut
 later this year 2017, and it’ll be locally assembled. It remains to be seen if Mazda Malaysia will package the new CX-5 with I-ACTIVESENSE as a countermeasure to the new
Honda CR-V
.


Protect your car’s paint with 3 of Nippon’s new clear coats!

Recently at the Nippon Paint’s Automotive Refinish Media Experiential session, a survey was released noting the several reasons why consumers would like to have their cars repainted.
71% of which opt for a repaint for want of a new colour, 26% due car accidents, 21% of which have been enticed by attractive repainting packages and 5% did so to resell their cars.
Nippon Paint is the
first coatings company
 to unveil regional paint and colour offerings catered specifically to the Asian palate in its Trend Beyond Colours initiative. With that, Nippon Paint has developed the
Automotive Trend Colour (ATC)

2016/17
 which has
 39 colours,
 categorised within three themes –
Wander-Lust
,
New Eco
 and
We Are One
.
The Wander-Lust colour schemes projects flamboyance and vibrancy in its bright colours while the New Eco colour schemes takes a more subtle approach with nature-inspired colours for a more elegant and contemporary outlook. The We Are One colour schemes offer a more timeless look with calm and pleasant on the eye colours.
Nippon also offers total automotive coating solutions that revolve primarily around its patented
CyGLAZ technology
. It’s a formula technology that increases the durability of the paint’s coating, enabling it to form a layer of shiny, smooth and durable protective layer of film on the surface of the car. The said formula is applied to three different ranges of coating and each are engineered to provide their respective benefits.

Nax Premila 9800 Clear 2K Premium HP Velocity Clear 2K Premium Hi Solid 2:1
A 2-component Clear Coat which is used in a clear cover base system. The coating gives the surface a deep gloss and bright appearance as it can also be used for spot, block and overall repair.
Special features:

 1. High build finish
 2. Provides a smooth, deep gloss film appearance
 3. Can be used over solvenborne and waterborne basecoats
 4. Excellent chemical resistance and exposure durability
Nax Premila 9800 HP Velocity Clear 2K 2:1
Nax Premila 9800 HP Velocity Clear 2K 2:1 is an ultra-fast curing type clear coat for improved productivity and cost
 reduction. Its dry to polish time of less than 30 minutes under ambient cure conditions (25 to 30-degrees celcius) helps avoid the need for high temperature baking cycle therefore meeting the requirements of “quick repair” and “energy saving” needs.
If required, an extremely short time bake of 5 minutes at 50-degrees celcius is more than sufficient to achieve ultra-fast curing results. As a premium clear coat, it gives the surface an excellent glossy appearance when polished. The medium solids clear coat is suitable for spot repairs (single-panels) and block repairs (multi-panels) under air dry conditions and low bake environments.
Nax crystal 9905 Mirror Image Clear 2K 2:1
Nax CRYSTAL 9905 Mirror Image Clear 2K, an innovative high solids automotive finish that incorporates the CyGlaz technology to provide unrivaled toughness, high flexibility and excellent chemical resistance on the paint’s surface. The product is specially engineered to exhibit excellent scratch and impairment resistance to withstand day-to-day wear and tear e.g. car wash, acid rain, bird droppings etc to ensure a longer lasting effect of the paint’s gloss.
Special features:
 1) High scratch resistant clear coating suitable for any base paint system
 2) Excellent gasoline and chemical resistance
 3) Mirror image clear coating and lasting shine
Would you like to win a FREE car paint makeover?
Nippon’s “Colour My Ride” contest
 runs from the 13th of September to the 3rd of October where two lucky winners with the most creative short story will be selected to have their cars repainted with any colour of their choice by the intricate professionals at Nippon Paint Automotive.


Land Rover will let you customise your new Range Rover SV in 1.6 million different ways

Just a couple of weeks after unveiling the
all-new fifth-generation Range Rover
, Land Rover has now brought out the big guns with the new Range Rover SV, the more luxurious version of the marque’s flagship SUV.
The badge SV means it’s been through the hands of LR’s
 Special Vehicle Operations (SVO)
 division, which also means it gets all of the exclusive bells and whistles that’s not offered to the regular-Range-Rover-buying peasants.
In fact, JLR says that the all-new, L460-generation Range Rover SV can be personalised in up to (an estimated) 1.6 million different ways. That’s definitely a little daunting to choose all the options by yourself, so luckily SVO has helpfully provided two starting points – SV Serenity, which “exemplifies pure luxury detailing”, or SV Intrepid if you like a darker, sportier theme.
Among the different materials offered to SV customers include unique leather and “Sustainable Ultrafabrics” upholstery, veneers, and even smooth ceramic on the control knobs and dials.
On the wood veneer front, there’s even an optional “mosaic marquetry” trim option for the centre console, which features a mosaic of hundreds of “meticulously arranged hand-laid laser-cut pieces”, the smallest of which measures just 6 mm by 8 mm.
The Range Rover SV will also be offered in 14 exclusive colour choices from the SV Bespoke Premium Palette, and includes both gloss and satin finishes. Customers can also specify a contrast roof in either Narvik Black or Corinthian Bronze, and if that’s still not enough, there’s also the SVO Bespoke Match to Sample service that offers basically an unlimited amount of exterior colour choices.
Speaking of exterior, the Range Rover SV also comes with a unique front bumper characterised by a wide lower intake covered by four horizontal bars, alongside a five bar grille above it, flanked by the headlights.
To go along with the exterior colour choices and accents, SVO is also offering the optional 23-inch triple-finish forged, diamond-turned alloy wheels on the all-new Range Rover SV, with 10 directional spokes and finished dark grey gloss, further contrasted by coloured inserts in a choice of Bright Atlas Satin Silver, Narvik Black Gloss, or Corinthian Bronze Satin.
RELATED: Range Rover waves goodbye to the Sport SVR with a swanky new “Ultimate” edition
The all-new Range Rover SV will be offered in both standard- and long-wheelbase versions. For the first time ever, the LWB version will also be offered in either four- or five-seater configurations – the former is the SV Signature Suite cabin that comes with a Club Table and refrigerator.
Powertrain options meanwhile include the 530 hp/750 Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol, as well as a straight-six turbodiesel. Additionally, the standard-wheelbase version can also be optioned with the 510 hp plug-in hybrid powertrain.
GALLERY


Ford Mustang launched in Malaysia, priced at RM489k and RM599k

The American stallion has finally arrived in Malaysia (in a quiet way), following an announcement made by Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC). Two variants are on sale beginning today, starting with the 2.3-litre EcoBoost and 5.0-litre V8. Pricing begins from RM488,888.00.
For the first time since the Mustang was conceived, it’s now finally available with a right-hand drive and sold beyond the borders of the United States. The pony was
previewed
 in Publika last year but it took like a year later for SDAC to officially unveil the car here. Malaysia is one of the selected few countries in Asia to receive the Mustang.
For Malaysians, two engine options are offered. If turbo power is what you’re seeking, there’s a
2.3-litre EcoBoost
 engine that deploys
315 hp
 and
432 Nm
 of torque. Muscle car purist will crave for the
5.0-litre V8
solution that liberates
414 hp
 and
530 Nm
 of torque. Both engines are mated to a
six-speed SelectShift automatic
 with paddle shifters.
Apart from the gearbox, the new Mustang also receives active grille shutter to save fuel and SYNC2 connectivity system which is also available in the Focus we recently reviewed.
Safety kit is decent as well. The Mustang is equipped with AdvanceTrac with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS), Post-Crash Alert System, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and eight airbags.
The Mustang is available in five colours: Race Red, Oxford White, Shadow Black, Deep Impact Blue, and Magnetic; the V8 variant gets the special Triple Yellow Tri-Coat paint. The all-American muscle car (yes, it’s assembled at Ford’s plant in the United States) begins at
RM488,888.00
 for the 2.3-litre EcoBoost variant, while the 5.0-litre V8 can be had for
RM598,888.00
. All prices are OTR but excludes insurance.
IMAGE GALLERY


MINI Track Days 2017 – with a massive load of fun!

They say good things come in pairs, we say that’s cause they’ve not come across the triplets from John Cooper Works womb.
Yesterday marked the launch of two MINI John Cooper Works models,
the Clubman
 and
the Countryman
. In conjunction with the event at our very own Sepang International Circuit, MINI Malaysia also held the MINI Track Days 2017. Apart from allowing us to let loose with the three JCW offerings, the Cooper, Clubman and Countryman, we also got to try out the “conventional” three and five door Cooper and Cooper S’s.
There were three different activities lined up; a slalom test and handbrake parking manoeuvres followed by a blast through the South section of the circuit in the three MINI JCW models. Setting off in the three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged five door MINI Cooper,  you’d instantly notice the unmistakable characteristic that all MINIs have been known for – its immensely direct steering.
Getting off the line for the slalom test, the 136 horsepower five-door Cooper clearly did not have the blistering pace to match the Cooper S. But despite being longer than the three-door variants, the signature precision and agility associated with the brand was reflected in manoeuvrability of the vehicle. The immediacy in the vehicle’s reaction to every throttle and steering input made it a joy to slither around the cones.

Next up in the program was what we were all anticipating; sampling all three of JCW’s products in the unrestricted surroundings of the South section of the circuit. Getting into the JCW MINI Cooper, you’d immediately notice how much more responsive the accelerator was compared to the five-door MINI Cooper as we sprinted out of the pit lane.
The next activity was quite something; one that required us to summon the inner Russ Swift. Remember that Brit who rose to fame by throwing a MINI around tight spaces, who parallel parks by way of yanking the handbrake? That’s what we were tasked with. Yet again, the five-door Cooper, despite having a longer wheelbase, still retained the agility and nimbleness as the MINI was meticulously swung sideways into a pre-determined slot.
Upshifts were relentless in the eight-speed Steptronic transmission but what really caught our ears, even through the insulation of our helmets was the burble of the exhaust at every gear change. Its pace was also accompanied by an intoxicating engine soundtrack in its last 1,000 rpm before hitting the rev limiter.

Braking towards the first bend, we couldn’t help but notice how composed the vehicle was despite decelerating from a high speed. That’s before we realised how excessively supportive the Dinamica leather John Cooper Works sports seats were as we powered out of the bends with sheer poise with the aid of the vehicle’s Performance Control system, Dynamic Traction Control and Electronic Differential Lock Control.
Moving on with the JCW Clubman and JCW Countryman, despite making the same 231 horsepower as the JCW Cooper, it produces 30 Nm more torque than the Cooper S’ 320 Nm. And frankly, we thought it could do with more. Don’t get us wrong, they’re both still mighty quick with 0-100 km/h times of 6.3 seconds and 6.5 seconds for the Clubman and Countryman respectively.

That said, burdened with the excess weight, as is the Achilles heel for all performance cars, the urgency of both cars under hard acceleration just isn’t as profound as the JCW Cooper. Even so, with all that weight lugging around to manage, stability wasn’t at all compromised. Working in tandem with the car’s Dynamic Stability Control, its ALL4 all-wheel drive system which distributes torque between the front and rear wheels proved handy in managing the vehicle’s precision through the corners.
Under normal driving conditions, the vehicle works as a front-wheel drive and only when needed will it engage the rear wheels to provide maximum traction. Also proving handy was the comprehensive heads-up display which displayed speed, current gear, rev display and even tells you when to change gears!
With all that time spent being drenched in exhilaration behind the wheel, we fear there isn’t much we can say about the striking details of the interior; which we would cover comprehensively in our review articles. For now, all we can say is that, with clearly visible Harman Kardon speakers, enormous touch screen display, edgy sports seats and the motorsport-inspired dashboard, MINI MALAYSIA pretty much got you covered when it comes to style, functionality and all-rounded performance in these three awe-inspiring models.
And as motoring writers, these are the days that fully justify all the shortcomings of our mediocre profession.
IMAGE GALLERY


All-electric Maserati Grecale Folgore debuts at Auto Shanghai – 500km range, 400V

Maserati has unveiled the fully electric
Maserati Grecale
 Folgore
 at
Auto Shanghai 2023
. The Grecale Folgore is Maserati’s first fully-electric SUV and the brand’s second fully-electric car after the Gran Turismo Folgore. You might have noticed by now that the ‘Folgore’ moniker indicates fully-electric cars in Maserati’s lineup.
The Maserati Grecale Folgore comes in an exclusive Rame Folgore colour, which has been created through extensive research into how paint interacts with light. The colour is inspired from contemporary architecture like the façade of Guggenheim in Bilbao.
At the front, the Grecale Folgore features a modified inverted grille for cooling the electric propulsion system. The special Folgore grille has gloss black inserts on a slightly anodised black base. Maserati says that the Folgore’s design is inspired by the Trofeo version of the SUV. As for the wheels, the Grecale Folgore is available with a set of either 19-,20-, or 21-inch wheels.
In terms of dimensions, the Grecale Folgore measures 4,865 mm long, 1,948 mm wide, and 1,651 mm tall. Its wheelbase measures 2,903 mm long. As for weight, this electric SUV by Maserati weighs 2,480 kg with a 47.2/52.8 front/rear distribution.
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Powering the Maserati Grecale Folgore is a dual-motor all-wheel drive system. Each motor produces 205 kW (279 hp metric) and 410 Nm. Combined, the dual-motor system outputs 410 kW (
557 hp
 metric) and
820 Nm
. The Grecale Folgore accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.1 seconds
 and from 0 to 200 km/h in
16.1 seconds
. The top speed is rated at 220 km/h.
As for battery and range, the Maserati Grecale Folgore houses a
105-kWh
 battery that provides 500 km of range (WLTP). The Grecale can handle a maximum charging rate of
22 kW
 with AC charging and
150 kW
 with DC charging. Unlike the Gran Turismo Folgore, the Grecale Folgore is built on a 400 V architecture.
RELATED:
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Charging from 20% to 80% takes
29 minutes
 with 150-kW DC charging. The Grecale Folgore can essentially regain 100 km of range (WLTP) in 9 minutes. AC charging time of the Folgore is not specified, 22 kW is a decent charging rate by today’s standards.
Inside, the Folgore version of the Grecale is distinguished by the ‘Folgore’ lettering embossed on the dashboard. The Folgore also features distinctive carbon copper 3D touch interior trims that are emphasized by the ambient lighting. Both first-row seats get Sport seats with 14-way power adjustment.
The Grecale Folgore is equipped with a 12.3-inch head unit that supports wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Baidu carlife. Two phones can be connected at one time. There is also an 8.8-inch comfort display on the dashboard. As for the cockpit, the driver gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
RELATED:
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Bermaz Motor sponsors six units of Mazda3 for 11th ASEAN Skills Competition

Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd, the official and sole distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia will be sponsoring the 11th ASEAN Skills Competition (ASC), a competitive platform that aims to promote technical and vocational skills within the region.
A total of
six Mazda3
 will be sponsored throughout the period, four of which will be used in a nationwide awareness campaign while the remaining two units will be used in the competition to assess the skills and aptitude of the finalists.

ASC 2016 will be held from
19 to 29 September
 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serving (MAEPS) and will see participants from Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. Nine finalists competing in the Automobile Technology sector will get to go hands on with the Mazda3, and they will be assessed on five specific skill areas – (i) Engine Management System, (ii) Gearbox, (iii) Steering, Suspension and Brake Systems, (iv) Engine Overhauling and (v) Body Electrical System. These finalists will be assessed over the span of three days, and each assessment will take three hours.
Just to give you some context, the ASEAN Skills Competition is held once every two years (it’s Malaysia’s third time hosting), jointly organised by the Department of Skills Development (Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran), Ministry of Human Resource (Kementerian Sumber Manusia) and Public Works Department (Kementerian Kerja Raya).
A total of 25 technical and vocational skills will be contested, ranging from Automobile Tech, Mechatronics, Electronics, Welding to Restaurant Service and many more. Click
here
 to find out more about ASC 2016.
IMAGE GALLERY


Video: Mercedes-Benz S560e PHEV, 5 Things

Alongside the
 brutish S 450 L
, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has added the
 new S 560 e PHEV
, priced at RM658,888, to their luxury limousine line up.
At first glance, the differences may not be apparent but look closer and you’d spot the obvious new wheel design, revised grille, front and rear bumpers.

Because it’s a PHEV, the charging point is position at the right side of the rear bumper and “golf bag space” sadly has been reduced to just 410 litres, compared to the S 450 L’s whopping 530 litres.
In pure EV mode, the S 560 e is capable of returning up to 50 km of pure electric driving, while charging its batteries, in a domestic power socket, would take approximately six hours.
IMAGE GALLERY


Santa Claus drives an E34 BMW 525i Touring during his off days

With Christmas looming, we expect most if not all the car brands to produce some form of video greeting and if this were a race, I reckon BMW is already ahead of it.
This tasteful, tongue-in-cheek video set out in the countryside drops hints as to who the character in the video is and what he does “for a living”. It really doesn’t take a genius to tell though, unless the concept of Christmas is completely foreign to you.
What was actually surprising though, was that BMW opted for an old E34 BMW 5-series Touring for the video instead of some new, electronically-festooned 5-series; it just wouldn’t work in my opinion.
If you’ve not been aware, the E34 was the first BMW 5-series that offered a wagon body style. Production began from 1990 until 1996, even after the newer E39 BMW 5-series was launched.