2022 BMW X7’s new split headlights might be even more divisive than the kidney grille

BMW has just lifted the veils on the new 2022 X7 facelift, and even though we’ve already seen it in full thanks to an
 earlier leak
, it’ll probably still be a little while until we’re used to this new look – tough luck, because this will be the new corporate face for BMW’s luxury models, including the
upcoming i7
 and 7-Series.
The main identifying feature of the new front fascia is, of course, the new split headlights. The slim top sections, which have been pushed up to meet the bonnet shut lines, houses the LED daytime running lights (which also doubles as turn indicators).
Meanwhile, the actual low and high beams are located in a darkened and recessed housing on the bumper that’s integrated into the side air curtain intakes, the idea being that they’re somewhat hidden from view until the headlights are turned on.
BMW says that the new headlights design is meant to emphasise the car’s “upright stance and reinforce its road presence”, just like its enlarged kidney grille we all made fun of when the X7 was first unveiled – hey look, you’ve forgotten about them already, haven’t you?
Speaking of the grille, it’s not grown any larger this time round, but now features an updated two-tone design with darkened slats and brighter chrome surrounds. The grille also now gets a new Iconic Glow soft lighting effect, similar to that of the
Rolls-Royce Ghost
 – the illuminated grille is standard on the M60i variant, but can be optioned on the X7 xDrive40i.
RELATED: The jokes and memes have come to life – new BMW i7 kidney grille now occupies half its face
Other exterior updates include a new triangular trim piece on the front bumper bookending the lower intakes, alongside a new set of taillights with 3D graphics on the side, linked across the entire tailgate by a slim chrome strip. For the first time ever, BMW will also be offering massive 23-inch alloy wheels straight from the factory, as optional items on the X7.
The 2022 BMW X7 will also be offered with an optional M Sport package, which equips the X7 with M-specific front and rear bumpers, side skirts, dark trapezoidal tailpipes, and double-spoke two-toned 21-inch wheels. For even more sportiness, the M60i variant ditches most chrome elements for gloss black, while adding the aerodynamic M wing mirrors, bigger air intakes, M-badged grille, quad tailpipes, and 22-inch wheels.
Buyers of the M60i can also option the BMW M 50 Years emblems on the bonnet, tailgate, and wheel centre caps, which
 looks something like this
.
Aside from the front fascia, the next biggest change on the new 2022 BMW X7 is actually on the inside. Sitting atop the dashboard is now the marque’s latest
iDrive 8 infotainment system
, made up of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen in a single pane of curved glass.
The addition of the iDrive 8 on the BMW X7 marks the first time the system is featured in a ICE-powered BMW – it was previously only available in fully-electric models such as the
 iX
 and
i4
 – not even the
iX3
.
Other updates inside a cabin include a new tiny toggle gear selector lever, replacing the glass-topped joystick, while the multi-contour seats are now standard on the X7, topped with the vegan Sensafin faux leather in the standard xDrive40i variant, and Merino leather on the M60i.
RELATED: BMW’s all-new iDrive system wants you to forget about physical controls
Just as before, the new 2022 BMW X7 can be configured with either six or seven seats, the former featuring two individual seats on the second row. But no matter which seating configuration you choose, you’ll be happy to know that there’ll be enough firepower to haul all your passengers, thanks to the newly updated engines.
The base xDrive40i’s 3.0-litre inline-six turbocharged engine gets a healthy 40 hp boost to now make
380 hp
, while torque is also increased significantly to
519 Nm
, and can even go as high as 540 Nm momentarily when the now-standard 48V mild-hybrid technology kicks in to help out.
Paired to the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox and the standard xDrive all-wheel drive system, the xDrive40i can reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just
5.8 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
250 km/h
.
Going one step up to the M60i, and you’ll get an updated 4.4-litre turbocharged V8, now also paired to a 48V mild-hybrid system. Power output, curiously, is unchanged from the older M50i it replaces at
530 hp
 and
750 Nm
, as is the century sprint time of
4.7 seconds
.
Why? Well, perhaps because there’ll also be an even more performant model coming soon, courtesy of the
now-BMW-owned Alpina sub brand
. Dubbed the XB7, the range-topping variant boosts the output of the 4.4-litre V8 up to
639 hp
 (from 621 hp), while torque remains unchanged at
 800 Nm
. 0-100 km/h takes
4.2 seconds
, and top speed is raised up to
290 km/h
.
As for the oil-burners, the xDrive40d also now gets a 48V mild-hybrid system, and when paired to the 3.0-litre straight-six turbodiesel, power output is rated at
340 hp
and
700 Nm
(temporarily up to 720 Nm with mild-hybrid boost).
Aside from engine updates, the X7 now comes as standard with adaptive two-axle air suspensions across all variants. Rear wheel steering and active roll stabilisation are included as standard on the M60i, but can also be optioned in the lower variants.
Safety kit has also been upgraded across the board, especially on the advanced driver assist systems, including added detection zones for oncoming traffic for the front-collision warning system, as well as a new front cross-traffic warning to reduce risk of collisions at junctions.
The new BMW X7 will be produced at the company’s Spartanburg plant in the US, with worldwide market launch planned from August this year. Closer to home, the pre-LCI BMW X7 is available here in Malaysia as a locally-assembled (CKD) model, in a sole
 xDrive40i Design Pure Excellence
trim.
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Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing EVs for the US will be built by Geely’s Zeekr

Waymo, the autonomous driving technology company under Alphabet Inc (Google’s parent company), has announced a new partnership with
Geely’s premium EV brand Zeekr
. The carmaker will be building new fully-electric vehicles for Waymo, which will be used as part of the Waymo One autonomous ride-hailing services in the United States.
The new purpose-built EV is being developed at Geely’s China Europe Vehicle Technology Centre (CEVT) in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is said to be built with a “mobility-focused” design, incorporating the Waymo Driver autonomous technology at its core.
The concept vehicle that was shown off alongside the press release takes on the silhouette of an MPV-like vehicle. Waymo’s autonomous driving sensors are also mostly crammed onto the roof, resulting in a clean and futuristic-looking bodywork.
However, in the interest of prioritising the “comfort, convenience, and preferences of Waymo One riders”, the B-pillars seems to have been completely removed, resulting in a large aperture for easy ingress and egress – especially when paired with the low flat floor and sliding suicide doors.
ALSO READ: Hyundai IONIQ 5 ‘Robotaxi’ self-driving taxi to begin operation in 2023
This being a completely autonomous EV vehicle, there’s also no steering wheel and centre tunnel/control stack to be seen, freeing up valuable space for the passengers. The seats also look to be reclinable (at least on the front row), and there’s also easy access charging ports for your various electronic devices.
However, Geely says that the cars can also be configured with driver controls, depending on the needs of Waymo’s fleet (and regulators). When optioned without, like the one in the photos, the only user interface within the cabin is a large touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard, presumably for the purpose of inputting your destinations and accessing other infotainment controls.
RELATED: Daimler AG and BMW Group joins forces in developing autonomous vehicles
Waymo is already offering autonomous ride-hailing services in Phoenix, Arizona, and San Francisco, using specially-modified vehicles based on the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the Jaguar I-Pace EV.
Waymo did not mention when the Zeekr-built cars will begin operations, but said that they will arrive on US roads “in the years to come”.
Zeekr Technology CEO Andy An added, “By becoming a strategic partner and vehicle supplier to the Waymo One fleet, we will be able to share our experience, ideals and provide our expertise in collaborating on a fully electric vehicle that fits Waymo’s requirements for this rapidly expanding segment in the global market for sustainable travel.”


Isuzu Malaysia offers up to 6 months loan moratorium for D-Max pick-up in collaboration with Public Bank

Isuzu Malaysia is offering relief to potential customers of its D-Max pick-up with a moratorium on financing payments on new vehicles purchased
from 1st of June till 31st August 2020
.
As the first programme of its kind in the pick-up segment, the Isuzu Deferred Instalment offers
either a three or six month deferment period
 before customers need to worry about loan repayments.

In collaboration with
Public Bank Berhad
, the moratorium applies to every model in the Isuzu D-Max range except the 1.9-litre 4×2 Premium Auto variant. It offers up to 90% financing margin for a maximum tenure of 84 months. The minimum loan amount to qualify for this campaign is RM20,000.00.
According to CEO of Isuzu Malaysia, Light Commercial Vehicle Division, Masayuki Suzuki, “The objective of the moratorium is to help Malaysians move forward during this recovery period with the services of an efficient and versatile new Isuzu D-Max. By providing this moratorium, Isuzu hopes that customers will be able to speedily attain their new normal.”
Recently, the new 1.9-litre Single Cab version underlined its remarkable capabilities by traversing four of the highest peaks in Peninsular Malaysia carrying a tonne of load and covering a distance of 1,145km with fuel to spare underlining its capabilities as a dependable workhorse.
The 1.9-litre D-Max was
launched in September last year
 with prices starting from as low as RM80k. The highlight of the new D-Max is its smaller capacity engine; it’s quieter, more powerful, more efficient and reliable than before, alongside minor aesthetic upgrades. The new engine, to the Malaysian market at least, makes 10% more power and 9% more torque with
150 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque.


McLaren hits 20,000-milestone but aims to maintain exclusivity

Unlike the lukewarm fortunes of its Formula 1 racing team, McLaren
Automotive – the manufacturer of sports and bespoke hyper cars – has just
produced its 20,000
th
 unit, eight years after production began in
July 2011.
The scale of the achievement is even more significant when you consider that the cars are all hand-assembled and made on the spanking clean factory floor of its Woking facility at Surrey, alongside those orange-liveried F1 cars you see racing on some weekends.
You can probably eat your fish & chips on that production floor.
Those who may be ‘worried’ about the exclusivity of McLaren road cars, don’t. McLaren will maintain a production volume of around 5,000 units a year (it was 4,800 units in 2018, or 20 cars a day) into the next decade before increasing to 6,000 units, when required.
The 20,000th unit is a 600LT Spider, nice.
The 20,000
th
 car built was a right-hand drive 600LT Spider in Chicane Grey from the Sports Series range which was introduced last summer. If you’ve been twiddling your thumbs and wondering if you should go for the
Coupe variant
, well, all the production slots have all been spoken for.


2018 Toyota Camry unveiled, new 3.5L V6 and improved handling!

When Toyota Motor Corporation intended to export the Toyota Camry to America back in 1983, the company had to tweak the entire formula that would better suit the US market. After
teasing us with just one picture
, the best-selling car in America just made its debut at the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).
The eighth-generation Camry benefits from
Toyota New Global Architecture

(TNGA)
, which will help give it its renowned build quality and reliability but with a dose of fun driving experience. Toyota Senior Vice President, Bob Carter said, “The all-new 2018 Camry is, without a doubt, the most captivating mid-size sedan we’ve ever produced”.
This Camry, as much as it resembles our
Malaysian-spec Camry
, is actually entirely new. That’s because they both share the same
 “Keen Look” design philosophy
. Toyota incorporated a sleek yet aggressive profile by lowering the roof lines and hood height. This in turn allows engineers to create a more aerodynamic car while maintaining a sporty and elegant character.
Despite the lowered roof line, interior headroom has not been compromised. Achieving this required the engineers to lower the seating position by 25.4mm for the front seats and 30.5mm for the rear. This also brings the driver closer to the car’s centre of gravity, hence the newfound drivability.

The Camry will be available in the US in four trims – LE, XLE, SE and XSE. SE and XSE trims wear a sportier appearance as the S badge denotes. These two get more aggressive front bumpers, larger side intakes, mesh grille, restyled rear bumper with integrated diffuser, rear lip spoiler as well as smoked rear lamps.
On the other hand, the interior features a futuristic cockpit with a blend of functionality, personal space and craftsmanship. Toyota’s latest-gen
Human and Machine Interface (HMI)
 is also seen here. The latest HMI features a 10-inch coloured Heads-Up Display (HUD), 7-inch LCD multi-info display and 8-inch infotainment system with reverse camera. The latter is seamlessly integrated with the climate control.

It’s available in three engines: an all-new
3.5-litre V6 with D-4S Fuel Injection
, all-new
2.5-litre four-cylinder Dynamic Force petrol
 and a
2.5-litre four-cylinder Toyota Hybrid System (THS II)
. No output figures have been revealed at the launch, but Toyota assures that all three engines are expected to deliver exceptional fuel economy, relative to class of course.
The
 2.5-litre four-cylinder Dynamic Force petrol
 engine with the latest
Variable-Valve-Timing-intelligent Electric (VVT-iE)
and is paired to an eight-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission. The engine boasts a world-leading thermal efficiency of
40 percent
.
As for the hybrid powertrain, the
 2.5-litre four-cylinder Dynamic Force petrol engine
 is strapped to an electric motor and an e-Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with six-speed Sequential Shift and Sports Mode. The battery pack on the hybrid system is now relocated from the trunk to the rear seats for better driving dynamics.
To enhance drivability, Toyota used more ultra-high tensile steel and new moulding technology for improved chassis rigidity. Surprisingly, the rear axle is managed by a double wishbone suspension! On top of that, a new four-point engine mounting system is utilised to greatly improve NVH levels.
Toyota has certainly placed emphasis on the Camry’s safety features by including
Toyota Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P)
 as standard across the board. TSS-P includes a range of autonomous safety features such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA); and Automatic High Beams (AHB).
Selected models get additional Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). On top of the high-tech TSS-P, other standard safety features include – 10 airbags, ABS with EBD, BA, ESC and Smart Stop Technology.
Seems that our friends in the US will be getting a good looking and impressive Camry. In Japan, the next-gen Camry will soon be unveiled to the public, and that’s the version we will be getting.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mustang Club Malaysia sets largest Ford Mustang gathering record with 137 cars!

Over the weekend, Mustang Club Malaysia has successfully set a new entry in the Malaysian Book of Records for the ‘largest Ford Mustang gathering’ in the country, with 137

Ford Mustangs
 of various generations present at the gathering.
The gathering took place at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Shopping Centre, where the certificate of recognition was also presented on the spot to the Club President Alfred C.K. Joseph, by the Malaysia Book of Records’ Chief Operating Officer, Christopher Wong.
Within two years of its formation in 2018, Mustang Club Malaysia has now already grown to a staggering number of 245 registered club members. Created for members to share information on the new Mustang, the club is also used as a platform to promote safe driving habits, as well as building the comradeship between Mustang enthusiasts in Malaysia.
“We are delighted to have earned a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records for having the title of biggest gathering of Ford Mustang vehicles in the country. Our aim is to show unity and harmony by bringing all walks of life together in our multiracial community through our passion and love for cars,” said Joseph.
Sime Darby Auto Connexion Managing Director Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz added,”Kudos to Mustang Club Malaysia for spearheading this event and setting a new record in the country. It is a tremendous feat to organise and mobilise 137 Mustang vehicles and club members.
“We are incredibly proud of their efforts. We continue to be committed in maintaining close relations with the network of various Ford owners’ clubs and supporting their activities to foster deeper mutual understanding and camaraderie.”


New Motul 8100 Power engine oil in Malaysia – longer drain intervals, for modern engines

Motul has launched the new 8100 Power engine oil in Malaysia, a 100% synthetic Ester engine oil catering to everyday, mass-produced vehicles and those with high-performance engines. The 8100 Power engine oil is available in
0W20
,
5W30
,
5W40
 and
5W50
 viscosities.
With the Motul 300V engine oil as the company’s flagship product catered to high-performance cars and the 8100 engine oil catered to everyday vehicles, the new 8100 Power sits between the 300V and 8100 to offer the best of both worlds.
It combines both the qualities of the 300V and 8100 engine oils; offering protection against engine wear, better thermal protection, stable oil pressure, longer service intervals (compared to 300V) and is compatible with new vehicles with after-treatment systems. After-treatment systems essentially filter harmful exhaust gases before it’s released into the atmosphere.
The 8100 Power is also formulated with the latest
API SP formulation
 developed for modern engines
whether naturally-aspirated or turbocharged
. It helps to prevent low speed pre-ignition – a situation where fuel is not properly ignited – for more efficient fuel combustion in the engine. Low speed pre-ignition is said to be particularly common in small-displacement, turbocharged engines.
Made with Ester technology, the 8100 Power also ensures smoother engine operation, protection for the engine’s internal components and reduced engine vibrations. With longer drain intervals, the 8100 Power is able to comply with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended drain intervals.
Other benefits of the Motul 8100 Power include reduced friction between the engine’s internal components, reduced engine noise and quicker oil pressure build-up. While on the move, the engine should also feel lighter and less strained.
According to the company, the Motul 8100 Power is suited for vehicles such as the Honda CR-V, Suzuki Swift, Subaru BRZ, Honda Civic Turbo, Toyota GT86, Toyota Camry, Honda Civic Type R, to name a few.
“We are proud of our latest product that is not only about performance but also for protection. Modern car users will find the 8100 Power to be long lasting and requiring less oil change,” said Ravi Shankar, Country Manager, Motul Malaysia.
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The all-new 2021 DS4 completely rewrites the car design rulebook

The all-new DS4 is here and is set to go on sale at the end of this year. The coupe SUV/compact hatchback as DS calls it is built on the EMP2 platform, the DS4 is available with petrol, diesel and Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) variants. Just last week, DS Automobiles announced the arrival of the
DS7 Louvre Edition
.
Perhaps the first thing that catches your attention will probably be the DS Matrix LED Vision headlamps with daytime running lights that consists of
98 LEDs
!

As for the headlamps, it’s made up of 15 segments that light up and switch off individually depending on driving conditions. Along the side of the car are flush door handles, like the ones in the Range Rover Velar will certain, and origami-like C-pillars.
The rear end is perhaps the most beautiful section of the car with laser-etched taillights although there are two uncertainties from the rear end design.
It may look sleek, like the previous-generation Megane R.S. but we’re not sure what visibility is like; and we’re not sure if those exhaust outlets are fake – it was not mentioned.
By the way, those wheels measure up to 19- and 20-inch in size. DS claims that it is 10% lighter than conventional alloys of the same size but let’s be real, wheels of that size will be heavy, regardless.
It’s a whole different world on the inside the DS4 too. Every essential control is operated via hand gestures with invisible air-con vents!
That’s because the main air-con vents are actually positioned around the switches at the centre of the dashboard. Like the main air-con vents, you’d probably struggle to find the window switches as they’re discreetly positioned by the side air vents.
The super-futuristic cabin can be specified with a wide range of materials such as forged carbon fibre, Alcantara, wood, and of course, leather. The seats are said to be supremely comfortable too, with the use of high-density foam.
Entertainment is provided by a 690-watt Focal Electra sound system consisting of 14-speakers – the first in its segment – paired to a 10-inch infotainment system.
The standout safety feature in the DS4 has to be its 200 metre range infrared night vision display along with Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities and blindspot monitoring up to 70 metres. The DS4 also comes with an Active Scan Suspension system that scans the road ahead with a windscreen-mounted camera and adjusts each of the suspension individually for optimum ride comfort.
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Nissan BladeGlider Concept is a 708 Nm all-electric beast! [+Video]

Everyone, say hello to the Nissan BladeGlider. First surfaced at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Show, the DeltaWing-inspired electric vehicle (EV) is now on display at a special event in Brazil. The BladeGlider, in its version 2 guise, is now in its advanced prototype stage and could shape Nissan’s EV cars in the future.
Developed together with Williams Advanced Engineering, Nissan didn’t choose the moniker “BladeGlider” just because it sounds cool. While there are elements of “blade” in its aesthetics, the car “glides” in motion, made possible thanks to the performance of its dual 130kW electric powertrain.
The total output for this beast is
268 hp
 and
706 Nm
 of torque, and the BladeGlider weighs about
1,300kg
. The electric motors are juiced by a
220kW lithium-ion battery
. Performance wise, the BladeGlider completes the 0-100km/h sprint in less than
5.0 seconds
 and has a top speed of above
190km/h
.
Now here comes the interesting bit. The BladeGlider features a
torque vectoring
 system that channels appropriate amount of torque to all wheels. The system has three settings:
off, agile
 and
drift
 mode. If the driver demands for grip and precision driving, select the agile mode and the torque vectoring system will intelligently manage torque distribution to each individual wheel, while preventing understeer in the process. Otherwise, if the driver wants more fun by going sideways, the drift mode is pretty self explanatory.

Interior wise, the BladeGlider’s three-seater layout is a dead ringer to the McLaren F1. All occupants receive racing bucket seats with four-point safety harnesses with seats trimmed in a highly tactile blend of fabric and epoxy resin coating. As for now, two colour trims are offered: Cyber Green and Stealth Orange.
The racecar-inspired BladeGlider epitomises Nissan’s aim to expand its
Intelligent Mobility philosophy
, where driving pleasure is combined with environmental responsibility. That said, it would be interesting to see how much of the technology behind the BladeGlider will be incorporated into Nissan’s future cars, such as the second-generation LEAF hatchback. Or maybe an electric powered GT-R isn’t a bad idea after all…
IMAGE GALLERY


Meet the new 950 hp Aston Martin Valhalla – 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds!

Right after the weekend of the Goodwood Festival of Speed showcasing the V12-engined
Aston Martin Valkyrie
, the company continued its bespoke limited-run supercar unveiling with the Valhalla hybrid supercar.
The stunning mid-engine limited-production supercar was first shown as a
sketch concept in 2019
, said to only have V6 engine power.
After
joining forces with Mercedes-AMG
 as well as running its own Formula 1 team rather than partnership with Red Bull Racing, Aston Martin has now equipped the Valhalla with a
4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine
 and able to pivot from its own F1 racing program even more.
The company says the engine is its most advanced, responsive and highest performance V8 engine ever fitted to an Aston Martin, featuring a flat-plane crankshaft, redlining at 7,200 rpm and delivers
750 hp
, 30 hp more than the unit fitted in the
Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
.
There is still some time left before the end of the combustion engine so owners, as well as bystanders, can enjoy the aural pleasure carefully crafted from the V8 engine and top-exit tailpipes.
For the electrified portion of this supercar, Aston Martin will place a motor on each axle, making it an
electric all-wheel drive
 set up. The electrical system will run on a 400-volt architecture and the combined system output of the hybrid system is
950 hp
.
You won’t believe how much work goes into making an Aston Martin badge! More here!
Paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), the Aston Martin Valhalla will complete the century sprint in just
2.5 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
330 km/h
. When fully charged, the compact battery will allow the supercar to travel up to
15 km
 in zero-local emissions.
While the Aston Martin Valhalla sounds like it will compete directly against the
1,000-hp Ferrari SF90 Stradale
, the construction of the chassis makes the British supercar even more glamorous. The Valhalla will be built around a new
carbon fibre tub
 with fixed seats, featuring Formula One-style
pushrod front suspension
 with inboard damper units. The rear axle will have a multi-link design.
Pushrod suspension arrangement allows more precise movement of the wheel and a much more compact packaging of the entire assembly. Response of the steering is also more amplified, benefiting driver enjoyment.
Surprisingly, even with a carbon fibre tub, the Valhalla is not significantly lighter than the series-production Ferrari, targeted to weigh 1,550 kg or just 20 kg lighter than the lightest specification SF90 Stradale. As such, the weight-to-power ratio of the Valhalla at this current performance target is
1.63 kg/hp
, just a little worse than the plug-in hybrid Ferrari.
However, Aston Martin is quick to counter back these figures, as the Valhalla will have weight of a different kind that aids with cornering performance- high downforce. Thanks to the front surfaces, rear wing and underbody airflow through venturi tunnels, the Valhalla can generate
600 kg of downforce
at just 241 km/h, 54% more than the Italian hybrid supercar.
With all that horsepower and grip, Aston Martin is targeting a Nurburgring Nordschleife laptime of just six minutes and 30 seconds; a good 13 seconds quicker than the fastest production car, the
Porsche 911 GT2 RS with Manthey Performance Kit
.
Dynamic development of the Valhalla will be the task of Aston Martin’s award-winning dynamics team and complemented with an enviable pool of talent which also includes four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel, Lance Stroll and Nico Hulkenburg, the trio of drivers from the F1 Team.
They will give their invaluable perspective to the project and bring added authenticity to a car which boasts such a clear connection to Aston Martin’s Grand Prix machines.
The name Valhalla denotes a warrior’s paradise in ancient Norse mythology where warriors who die in battle go to rest. It also continues the tradition of Aston Martin “V” cars dating back to 1951 with the Vantage designation was given to the high-performance variants.
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Change at Daimler: Dieter Zetsche to pass the torch to Ola Källenius

It has been quite a run since 2006, but from next year onwards, we won’t be seeing the familiar sight of Mercedes-Benz’s CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche unveiling new models on the global stage. The Denim-wearing, moustache-rocking CEO of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars will step down from the Board of Management by end of this year and seek election as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board which is expected to take effect in 2021.
Ola Källenius will take over the wheel at Daimler and Mercedes-Benz in 2019.
Replacing Zetsche at the helm will be Ola Källenius, who currently oversees Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. The 49-year old Swede will be the first non-German to lead the largest automotive premium brand in the world. Källenius was appointed to the Board of Management in 2015 as the Head of Marketing & Sales for Mercedes-Benz cars and had been heavily tipped to succeed Zetsche.
From the demerger of Daimler and Chrysler in 2007 to reclaiming the premium car crown from BMW in 2016, Zetsche has steered Daimler through tricky waters and initiated transformation on many levels. Under his watch, Mercedes-Benz shed its stodgy image and reinvented itself as a cool carmaker driven by innovation and forward-thinking ideas and is now primed for the future of electrified and connected mobility. Dr. Zetsche also personally played his part in softening the image of Mercedes-Benz by appearing many lighthearted videos, such as the 2017 year-end message above. We are looking forward to his final one as CEO of Daimler in a few months time.


The 2023 Peugeot 208 facelift is now more handsome than ever, but you still can’t buy one

Forget supercars – the updated 2023 Peugeot 208 is
 the
 forbidden fruit that we’re drooling over the most, thanks to the latest facelift update that takes the
already-handsome compact
 hatchback to even greater heights. Why can’t we Malaysians have nice things, too? (
Spoiler: it’s you, you SUV-obsessed bunch
).
The biggest change on the new 2023 Peugeot 208 (and E-208) is up front. The frameless grille is now larger, and features a body-coloured mesh pattern to draw your attention to the new Peugeot emblem. At the corners, the previous single lion fang daytime-running lights are also replaced by a new triple vertical claws design that Peugeot says is inspired by the
9X8 hypercar race car
.
Round the back, the three claws tail lights from before are now horizontally aligned to visually widen the car. A set of new 16- and 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels round out the exterior updates, while the range-topping GT version takes the aggression up another notch with the blacked-out wheel arches and black roof, alongside the exclusive three-element headlights to match the new light signature.
RELATED:
Peugeot unveils new interior design – Panoramic screen, touch-based controls in upcoming 3008
Changes on the inside are fairly minimal, with most of the interior appointments and the i-Cockpit system pretty much carried over unchanged from the pre-facelift Peugeot 208. For this update, the 2023 Peugeot 208 now come equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen in the centre as standard, paired to a 10-inch digital instrument cluster on most variants.
Other changes here are mostly creature comfort upgrades; the cameras are now higher in definition, the wireless charger (if optioned) gets a higher output, and you also get additional USB ports all around the cabin. Opt for the GT version, and you’ll also get an Alcantara-lined interior, contrasted by Adamite Green accents on the armrests, dashboard, and seat pipings.
Variants with the automatic gearbox will retain their low-profile rocker gear shifter on the centre, but the manual variant gets an updated shift knob as part of the 2023 update for improved ergonomics.
Yep, the French carmaker will still be offering manual transmission options on the updated 2023 Peugeot 208. That said, they’re only available on the pure internal combustion engine (ICE) options featuring the 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder engine, rated at
75 hp
 (five-speed manual) for the PureTech 75 and
101 hp
 (six-speed manual) for the PureTech 100.
All automatic variants on the 2023 Peugeot 208 facelift, meanwhile, get 48V mild-hybrid assistance as part of its six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Paired to the same 1.2-litre turbocharged three-pot mill, outputs for the automatic variants are rated at
101 hp
 and
136 hp
 respectively for the Hybrid 100 and Hybrid 136 variants.
The highlight here, however, is the updated powertrain in the Peugeot E-208. A slightly larger battery pack (now 51 kWh instead of 50 kWh) increases the EV range up to 400 km (WLTP), up from 362 km from before, while an improved electric motor also raises its power output up to 156 hp, compared to the 136 hp of the pre-facelift model.
A 7.4 kW single-phase on-board AC charger is standard, requiring approximately four hours and 40 minutes to recharge from 20-80%. This can be shortened quite significantly if you opt for the 11 kW three-phase AC charger, or if you’re really in a hurry, DC fast charging is also supported out of the box at speeds of up to 100 kW.
ALSO READ:
2023 Peugeot 508 updated with new looks, but old engine tech
The European best-seller will begin deliveries in the continent later this year, before expanding to other markets by early next year. Don’t keep your hopes up for it to make an appearance here in Malaysia, though, as the crossover models are more popular locally, and Stellantis is in the business of making money instead of pleasing weird car nerds like me.
At least, the Peugeot 2008 also recently
received a facelift update globally
 with many of the same visual updates. The fully-electric
Peugeot E-2008
 was also only
recently previewed
here in Malaysia, so chances are we’ll be hearing about the launch of the fully-electric crossover very soon.
GALLERY


Peugeot Malaysia to launch five models in 2017 – 208, 2008, 3008, 5008 and Traveller MPV

Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of the Peugeot brand in Malaysia looks prepared to regaining the public’s confidence and customer satisfaction.
No thanks to the challenging economy in 2016, consumers are more cautious than ever with their spending. Having that in mind, the company has announced a RM5 million investment to strengthen their customer service arm. The investment will see the development of a new Technical Centre, Body & Paint Centre as well as complementary 3-Year Roadside Assistance.
In addition to that, following the successful launch of the high-tech 408 e-THP (click
here
 to find out just how high-tech), Nasim is aiming to go on the product offensive with five model launches in 2017. Besides the B-segment hatchback and crossover (
208 and 2008 facelift
), we will see the launch of the
all-new 3008 SUV
, all-new 5008 SUV (no longer an MPV) and Traveller MPV.
Based on the
limited information we have on hand
, the 3008 SUV will arrive here in Malaysia with a sole engine choice, the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, all
165 hp
 and
240 Nm
 are sent to the front wheels. We recently had a spin in the all-new 3008 in Bologna and it’s a shame that the
turbodiesel won’t be offered alongside the Prince
.
Moving onto the 5008, the new seven-seater SUV is positioned to go against the likes of Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe. Internationally, the 5008 is available in a variety of engine ranging from 1.2-litre turbo petrol to 2.0-litre turbodiesels. We can expect Nasim to introduce either the 1.6-litre PureTech 165 petrol or the 2.0-litre BlueHDi outputting
180 hp
. Perhaps both?
Lastly, the Peugeot Traveller, an upmarket MPV that’s able to accommodate up to nine passengers, will also be making its way here. It’s powered purely by Peugeot’s diesel engines, making anywhere between 95 hp to 180 hp. The diesel engines are all Euro 6 compliant. Comparable models include the
Mercedes V-Class
 and
Hyundai Grand Starex
.
With the 208 and 2008 facelift set to arrive in Q1 and the 3008 1.6 THP in Q2, it seems that the guys at Peugeot Malaysia are really going all out next year.
IMAGE GALLERY
Peugeot 208 5-door

Peugeot 2008 Crossover

Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP
Peugeot 5008 MPV

Peugeot Traveller


One million self-driving Tesla cars by 2020, claims Elon Musk

While Tesla CEO Elon Musk did not specifically spell out ‘Level 5 autonomy’, he claimed that by the middle of 2020, there would be a million Tesla vehicles with self-driving capability ‘at a reliability level that we would consider that no one needs to pay attention’.

Looks unreal, but it is happening.
Musk made this prediction at a recent briefing to investors called the
Tesla Autonomy Day
. He said that by virtue of a software update sometime next year, existing Tesla vehicles fitted with the necessary hardware can self-drive without human intervention or attention, and that includes being able to read traffic lights and to react to other vehicles and road users.
Tesla self-driving computer: developed in-house, manufactured by Samsung.
The push for a self-driving future at Tesla is further accelerated by the introduction of a self-driving computer with a proprietary micro-chip developed in-house and manufactured by Samsung.  Instead of sourcing from suppliers such as Nvidia, Musk claims that the Tesla’s micro-chip is the ‘best in the world’ and is many times more powerful than what it previously used, but also less costly.
Musk also revealed that the Model S, Model X and Model 3 are already being fitted with this new self-driving computer on the production lines.


Mercedes-Benz EQS to be launched in Malaysia soon? ROI now open

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) said that it’ll be unveiling two fully-electric models in the country this year. They’ve already launched the first one last week with the
 EQA
, but now it seems that we don’t have to wait too long for the second as the company has just teased the
Mercedes-Benz EQS
on its website, accompanied by a page for potential buyers to register their interest.
This seems to fall nicely in line with our
previous rumour
, suggesting that the all-new Mercedes-Benz EQS could be launched here in Malaysia in CKD (locally-assembled) form!
Screenshot: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
As usual, the company did not provide any form of information on the car’s local specifications. Globally, the fully-electric flagship sedan is offered in three variants, starting with the single-motor EQS 350 offering
292 hp
 and
565 Nm
 of torque, followed by the EQS 450+ with
333 hp
 and
568 Nm
, and lastly the dual-motor EQS 580 4Matic with
523 hp
 and
855 Nm
.
Seeing that the EQS will likely be MBM’s flagship EQ model, we’re guessing that the latter two might stand a better chance to be introduced here in Malaysia. They’re both equipped with the same 107.8 kWh battery pack, but the EQS 450+ is the range champion in the line-up, offering up to a whopping 770 km of range in a single charge based on the WLTP test cycle.
The EQS is also offered in a
Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4Matic+
 flavour, with a peak power output of
761 hp
 and
1020 Nm
 in Race Start mode. However, we’re guessing that it’s unlikely we’ll be seeing it in Malaysia for the time being – at least not until the base car is available here first.
VIDEO: 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 EV SUV now in Malaysia, 5 Things
As it is a flagship model after all, we can expect the Mercedes-Benz EQS to come with a pretty extensive list of standard equipments here in Malaysia, including the Digital Light headlights (which debuted here with the
all-new S-Class
), rear entertainment screens, and powered rear seats.
Pricing, as usual, is also still up in the air. But just for comparison’s sake, the all-new Mercedes-Benz S 580 e is
priced at RM 698,744
 – we’re assuming that the EQS will not stray too far from that figure, too, based on its pricing of the EQA compared to the
GLA 250
.
GALLERY
Mercedes-EQS


Petronas ROVR will bring the petrol pump to you

Getting fuel for your car from a tanker is probably one of the ideas petroleum companies thought of but never got to implementing. After all, there are numerous scenarios where this service can come in handy. Enter the ROVR, Malaysia’s first mobile refueling service.
ROVR mobile service is especially useful for fleet operators.
Petronas, through their retail arm Petronas Dagangan Bhd (PDB), have been running a pilot programme for commercial customers (imagine it being deployed at a depot housing a fleet of buses or lorries) since October 2018, delivering over 1 million litres of fuel, and they are ready to roll out to B2B customers nationwide.
ROVR has been on trial since October 2018, delivering over 1 million litres of fuel.
“At PDB, we invest heavily in understanding the customer journey and we address the frictions in their daily lives by offering progressive solutions. ROVR provides a new refuelling experience, and we are excited to have our customers be the first in Malaysia to experience this. We have received positive feedback from our B2B customers and we are ready to cater to more. We want our customers to move like never before as we continue to deliver a seamless and frictionless customer experience,” said Dato’ Sri Syed Zainal Abidin, MD and CEO of PDB.
Add a Silver Arrows pit crew for an unforgettable AMG track day.
ROVR fuel trucks are certified for fuel delivery and dispensing, adhering to health, safety, security, and environmental (HSSE) requirements stipulated by national regulatory bodies. All ROVR trucks are also equipped with sensors to monitor vital information and to maintain operational safety. ROVR’s current fleet includes a 4,000-liter and three 11,000-liter capacity trucks for commercial customers, with a 3,000-liter capacity truck for end-consumers at a later stage. PDB will expand ROVR services nationwide and set up more refueling sites by the end of this year.
This 3,000-litre mobile refueling tanker is currently undergoing testing.


The Saga and Persona continues to chart positive sales figures for Proton

Last month, Proton’s car sales saw a 2.3% increase with 4,091 units sold compared to 3,999 in the month of April. The improved sales numbers also helped Proton record an unofficial 8.8% market share.
The main drivers behind this positive feat are the Persona and the
Saga
 – currently two of Proton’s most popular models. The increase in sales is also credited to the
 Government’s recent zero-rated GST exercise
.
Check out our review of the 1.3L Premium Saga
here
“PROTON continuously strives to provide the best deals for its customers as we realised that having good products alone is not enough if there are no additional attractions to pull customers into our showroom,” said PROTON Edar Sdn Bhd, Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Rashid Musa.
Hence, we have concurrently put in place all the right measures and efforts for total quality improvement of our products, attractive offers for ease of car ownership and in the pipeline, the dealers upgrade of 3S and 4S centres which will prepare us to face the challenging market more positively,” he added.
The Iriz
you can’t have
.
In conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya celebrations, Proton is also carrying out a Duit Raya promotion; where
prices for the Saga starts from below RM 30,000
 for the 1.3-litre Standard Manual variant. There will also be savings of up to
RM4,000 for Iriz
 and Ertiga and up to
RM3,000 for Persona
, on top of 0% GST.


Ferrari reveals the new Portofino V8 GT – to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show

Still fresh from the hype of the new
Ferrari 812 Superfast launch in Malaysia
, Ferrari has added fuel to the fire by revealing the new Portofino V8 GT which will be making its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Named after one of Italy’s most picturesque towns, the new V8 Grand Tourer will be launched in a Rosso Portofino colour as a dedication to the charming town by the Italian Riviera.
Despite being a grand tourer, the new Portofino is no slouch. 0 to 100 km/h takes a blinding
3.5 seconds
 with a top speed of
320 km/h
. The source of this might comes from the Portofino’s twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 engine producing
591 hp
 @ 7,500 rpm and
760 Nm
 of torque @ 5,250 rpm.
Compared to the previous California T, the Portofino punches out
40 hp more
 with the adoption of a new intake system, an improved exhaust system, redesigned pistons and connecting rods and recalibration of the engine’s management software. A new one-piece-cast-exhaust header ensures that Ferrari’s signature zero turbo lag throttle response is maintained.
The improvements, coupled with the Variable Boost Management which adjusts torque delivery according to the gears selected, enables the Portofino to be more efficient throughout the rev range, gears and also in its fuel consumption.
The Portofino is the first Ferrari of its kind to adopt the third generation
electronic rear differential (E-Diff3)
 alongside the F1-Trac system, to enhance the grip and control of the vehicle while on the limit. It is also the first GT to be fitted with
Electronic Power Steering (EPS)
 for reduced steering ratio, increasing steering response.
As GT’s go, comfort levels are just as vital as the performance it offers. With that in mind, the
magnetorheological damping system (SCM-E)
 has been uprated with a dual-coil technology to help reduce roll yet improve on shock absorption.
On the 4.5 meter (in length) Portofino features a large radiator grille opening that stretches from edge to edge of the contoured nose, complemented by a new full LED headlight fixture. The air intake tucked on the outside edge of these new headlights vents air into the front wheel arch and exits along the flank to reduce drag.
Its tailights have been placed further apart whereby cleverly concealing the housing of the all-new retractable hard top that is not only lightweight but can be erected or retracted at low speeds. On the inside, the Portofino comes with a 10.2-inch touchscreen display, a new air-conditioning system, a new steering wheel and 18-way electrically-adjustable seats. Occupants will also appreciate the new wind deflector which cuts air flow inside the cabin by 30%.
California dreaming is over, next stop Portofino!
IMAGE GALLERY


Old vs New: BMW 5 Series facelift – pricier but better equipped!

The BMW 5 Series LCI (Life Cycle Impulse, or BMW speak for facelift) has
just made its official launch
 here in Malaysia last week, which brought with it some significant changes both inside and out of the executive sedan.
Locally-assembled here in BMW Malaysia’s Kulim assembly plant, the new 5-er is offered in two variants at launch, a 530e PHEV M Sport which starts at
RM317,534
, and the 530i M Sport starting at
RM368,122
 – both an increment over its predecessors. So what do you get with the extra dough? Let’s dive in and find out.
EXTERIOR
On the outside, the most obvious update on the new BMW 5 Series is on its front fascia. The kidney grille has been reprofiled to be slightly larger with a more upright stature, though it’s nothing like the ones on the
new M3 and M4
 that people like to criticise these days.
Flanking the new grille are the new LED headlights, perhaps the main highlight of the redesign. A new L-shaped daytime-running light signature replaces the old hexagonal corona ring-inspired ones, while the entire headlight lens also gets a slimmer profile for a sleeker, more aggressive look.
The Laserlight units also get the unmistakable blue “eyebrows”.
The range-topping 530i variant also gets the fancier BMW Laserlight system, which can project light twice as far down the road compared to the regular adaptive LED units on the 530e.
To complement the new light signature, the front bumper has also been restyled with a line running through the gap between the two ‘L’ light signature, forming a coherent line with the shut lines on the bonnet.
Moving over to the rear, the most noticeable change on the new BMW 5 Series are the tail light assembly, now covered with a new three-dimensional lens with a brand-new light signature. Further down, the bumper profile gets a slight makeover, alongside a new diffuser insert.
Tying up the exterior updates are the new sportier-looking Style 845 Y-spoke M wheels that are standard on both new variants, although its size is unchanged at 19-inches in diameter.
INTERIOR
Inside the cabin, the new BMW 5 Series LCI retains most of the aesthetics of the outgoing model, aside from the now darker Smoke Grey Aluminium Rhombicle trim on the dashboard, doors, and centre console. The buttons on the centre console surrounding the gear lever has also been slightly reworked, with a new gloss black finishing.
In terms of equipment, both variants of the updated BMW 5 Series gets a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display atop the dashboard (10.25-inch on the outgoing model), paired to a new 12.3-inch Live Cockpit Professional fully-digital instrument cluster. The range-topping 530i variant also gets an additional head-up display unit.
Aside from these changes, plus the slightly reworked buttons on the steering wheel, everything else is essentially identical to the pre-facelift model, including the Dakota leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, and the powered sunroof (or lack thereof).
SAFETY
Barring the styling tweaks, the biggest difference between the old and new BMW 5 Series facelift is in the safety and conveniences department – well, on the range-topping 530i variant at least.
Both new models now get the Parking Assistant Plus suite, which can automatically park your car in both perpendicular and parallel spots, alongside a new 360-degree surround view monitor (only reverse parking camera on the outgoing model) which can even send the 3D birds-eye view to your phone in real time.
However, only the BMW 530i gets the adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, a feature that was available on the previous fully-imported 530i model, and later removed on the locally-assembled one.
Otherwise, both the 530e and 530i come fitted with the BMW Driving Assistant package that includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert – untouched from the outgoing model.
Radar module on the front bumper, only available on the BMW 530i M Sport.
PERFORMANCE
Mechanically, the BMW 530i M Sport is essentially identical to its predecessor, aside from a higher pressure fuel injection system. Despite that, the engine output is still unchanged at 252 hp and 350 Nm of torque, and is paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox to send drive to the rear wheels.
Performance figures are also unchanged – 0-100 km/h takes
6.4 seconds
, onward to an electronically-limited top speed of
250 km/h
.
The new BMW 530e M Sport meanwhile receives an updated powertrain underneath the bonnet, which pairs the 184 hp/300 Nm B48 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four mill to a new 50 kW (68 hp) electric motor.
Although the
252 hp
and
420 Nm
 total system output figures are identical to the outgoing model, the updated PHEV powertrain features a new XtraBoost function that provides an
extra 40 hp for 10 seconds
, increasing the power output temporarily to 292 hp during heavier acceleration.
As a result, the PHEV 5-er’s century sprint time is dropped from 6.2 seconds to
5.9 seconds
, while top speed remains unchanged and is electronically cut off at
235 km/h
. Additionally, the 530e also now gets a larger 12 kWh battery (up from 9.2 kWh), which increases the fully-electric range up from 48 km to
67 km
.
So there you have it, an overview of what’s new on the BMW 5 Series facelift. Is it worth the extra cash? Well, that’s for you to decide. We do really like how the new car looks, though!
For a detailed breakdown of all of the new specifications on both the BMW 530i and 530e M Sport, be sure to check out our full Facts & Figures write-up,
here
.
GALLERY
2021 BMW 530e M Sport
2021 BMW 530i M Sport


Toyota Sienta previewed in Malaysia, may arrive by the end of 2016

A month after its launch in Indonesia, the
Toyota Sienta
 is set to join the Malaysian lineup after UMW Toyota Motor took the wraps off the small MPV at the My Auto Fest 2016. If all goes well, this small and funky seven-seater will be on sale by the end of 2016.
The Sienta will be sold alongside the popular
Avanza
, but Toyota says the former is packaged to suit the younger demographic and those with a small family. The top-of-the-line Sienta seen here in these pictures feature automated
soft closing rear sliding doors
.

What the Sienta shares with the Avanza is the powertrain, which means underneath the hood is the
 1.5-litre 2NR-FE Dual VVTI engine
mated to a
 CVT with seven virtual ratios
. The similar powertrain will be in place for the long-awaited
Vios facelift
. Drive is sent to the front wheels, unlike the Avanza’s rear-wheel drive configuration.
This variant gets a decent safety kit, comprised of all-round disc brakes,
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill Start Assist (HSA)
, ABS with EBD and
 three airbags
– dual front and a driver’s knee airbag.
Creature comforts are plenty in our Sienta, as it receives LED headlights, a 4.2-inch multi-info display built within the instrument cluster, touchscreen infotainment screen in the centre dash, digital air conditioning, electric sliding doors and keyless entry with push start button. The third-row seats can be uniquely folded down and pushed underneath the second-row seats in order to make room for cargo.
The Sienta will become UMW Toyota’s middle child between the Avanza and the Innova, and tentative pricing is around the RM100,000 ballpark. Look out for the Sienta when it’ll be officially unveiled before the end of 2016. Meanwhile, enjoy the gallery below.
IMAGE GALLERY


Canadian man now owns largest collection of Fast & Furious replicas after 20-year obsession

His name is Jorge and he hails from Alberta, Canada. Nearly 20 years ago, he watched the first The Fast and the Furious movie in 2001 and was instantly captivated with the aftermarket tuning scene following the first drag race in the movie.
It featured Vin Diesel in a Mazda RX-7, the late Paul Walker in a Mitsubishi Eclipse, and Ja Rule in a Honda Integra among others. Since then, he has never looked back. The interest grew into a hobby that has since snowballed into an obsession.

It’s an obsession he hopes would end with a
grand total of 35 replicas
 from the Fast and Furious franchise, due to spousal pressure. As it stands, Jorge has built, to near exact specification, a collection of 24 replicas featured in the last 20 years of the franchise.
And it all started with the green Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by Paul Walker in the original film. It wasn’t even his intention to have the largest collection of Fast & Furious replicas, highlighting that he had flipped 10 units of the A80 Toyota Supra to fund his “addiction”.
The level of dedication required to build such a collection of cars, however, extends beyond just having the financial means to do so. Take the blue Subaru Impreza Ver.10 for example, which Jorge said is his most accurately replicated Fast & Furious car, aside from the green Eclipse.
Jorge and his Mazda RX-7 replica from the The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift.
He had gone to the extent of contacting the owner of the original Impreza replica, just so he could get pictures and videos of it, in order to build his own replica to the exact specification.
It’s all got to be worth it though; who else can actually replicate the final race from the first-ever movie? Oh yea, that’s right. He has Dominic Toretto’s Dodge Charger too!
Credit:
Roads Untraveled


These images of a MINI Convertible Sidewalk and some cherry blossoms just looks incredible

Everything just looks more beautiful with cherry blossoms in the background, don’t you think? This MINI Cooper Convertible Sidewalk seems to have proven so.
Special spring messengers is what MINI calls them – an indicator that spring has arrived and a symbol of anticipation for magical moments to be celebrated together in the open air, it seems.
It’s beautiful, we get it and if I’m honest, there’s not much to this aside from a collection of beautiful images. Car companies are finding it difficult to produce content with the global lockdown so the cheeky boys and girls from MINI took this opportunity for shout about the MINI Convertible Sidewalk and how it’s the most “spring time” vehicle you can buy – we wouldn’t disagree.
This colourful splendour is located at Breite Straße (or rather Broad Street) in Bonn – once the capital of Germany. Contrasting the white and pink, is a Deep Laguna metallic Convertible Sidewalk, with 17-inch light alloy Scissor Spoke wheels. Convertible Sidewalk and Scissor Spoke – MINI is just going to town with the names, aren’t they?
The Sidewalk is sheltered by a roof that features artistically-woven arrow graphics and takes just 18 seconds to open up. With that, MINI said the first blossoms are able to fall on the anthracite-coloured seats contrasted with Petrol and Energetic Yellow stitching, but no thanks – vacuuming isn’t what I’d call recreational.
The four-seater Convertible Sidewalk is available with a 1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine with either 102 hp or 136 hp or a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder with 192 hp in the Cooper S Convertible Sidewalk. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual clutch unit.
Locally, the Sidewalk Convertible model isn’t available yet but you can still acquire a
Cooper S Convertible
, for RM279,888 on-the-road. It comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with
192 hp
 and
 280 Nm
. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something much more exclusive, check out the
60 Years Edition model
 with – you’ve guessed it – only 60 units available in Malaysia.
GALLERY


Five note-worthy features we discovered in the Lexus NX350 F Sport AWD

Lexus Malaysia has officially put the
all-new Lexus NX on sale in Malaysia
, after opening its order books at the end of April. The Lexus NX is available in two variants; the
NX250 Luxury from RM370,888
 and the
NX350 F Sport from RM389,888
. Both prices are on-the-road without insurance, excluding SST exemptions.
In its press release, Lexus highlighted that the all-new SUV consists of
95% new components,
 and since we’ve seen it (only the NX350 F Sport) in person, here are some of the highlights of the new SUV we thought are worth sharing.
Engine and Transmission
The NX350 F Sport model gets a more powerful 2.4-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine compared to the 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine in the NX250 Luxury. Both may come with AWD and an 8-speed automatic but the NX350 produces far more power, with
275 hp
 and
430

Nm
compared to the 204 hp and 243 Nm in the NX250 Luxury.
At the Sepang International Circuit, where we got to test mainly the SUV’s performance and cornering stability, it was clear how different the Lexus NX was in terms of acceleration compared to its German competitors.
Unlike the German SUVs fitted with turbocharged engines, with a (potent) forward surge when the turbo kicks in, the Lexus NX350 F Sport accelerated in a more progressive fashion even though it had far more torque than most 2.0-litre turbocharged German SUVs. The way it delivered its power felt more like an SUV with a big displacement, non-turbocharged engine…you almost can’t feel the turbo kicking in and that was what Lexus was aiming to deliver.
Electronically Controlled Full-Time AWD
Of the two variants, only the NX350 F-Sport comes with an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system that can distribute power between the front and rear wheels from 75:25 to 50:50 to offer different driving sensations and assurance depending on the road condition. Also, only the NX350 F Sport comes with Sport+ mode which sharpens the SUV even more; mainly the suspension and throttle response.
Adaptive Variable Suspension
Another item reserved only for the F Sport variant is the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system that offers sharper handling, and better stability with reduced body roll, which is especially obvious through the corners. The suspension setup varies according to the drive mode selected and has had a significant effect on the NX350’s driving feel when we drove the SUV through a slalom course at the Sepang Circuit.
In Comfort mode, body roll was more apparent but at the same speed, in Sport Mode, there was noticeably less body roll while the steering and throttle felt more responsive and engaging.
F-Sport goodies
With the striking new design of the Lexus NX – with more pronounced creases and arches than before – we thought the F Sport trim really allowed the SUV to pop. Opting for the NX350 F Sport allows you to stand out further with an F Sport Spindle grille with interlocking L-mesh design, Jet Black side mirrors, and roof rails, along with body-coloured wheel arch trims.
Inside, you’d first be greeted with F Sport seats which are not only pleasing to look at but were also very supportive as we have experienced when driving the SUV around the bends of Sepang Circuit. Other F Sport-specific items include the pedals, door sills, and an F Sport steering wheel. Also available exclusively in the F-Sport variant is the progressive rev meter upon selecting Sport+ mode.
L-shaped Daytime Running Lights
While we may not have considered the
previous NX
to be an eye-sore, it would take some convincing to call it good-looking. With the new NX, they’ve sharpened everything up and now, it’s extremely hard to not go “Wow!” but that’s not all.
Exterior design and F Sport items aside, Lexus has also taught the daytime running lights a new trick to give the SUV a little more character. Now, the DRLs get brighter upon acceleration and dims down when the SUV slows down, giving a sense of the Lexus NX ‘coming to life’.
Front doors
Rear doors
e-Latch door opening system
The Lexus NX debuts the new e-Latch door opening system that eliminates the conventional 2-step motion of unlocking and opening the doors. Instead of pulling the door handle from the inside or out to unlock the door, and subsequently pushing/pulling the doors open, the new system incorporates a switch on both ends of the door handles to unlock and open the doors in a single motion. The e-Latch system is also supported by a manual door lever mechanism to open the doors in case the e-Latch system fails.
More images of the Lexus NX350 F Sport AWD
here
!


Porsche’s new app allows you to customise and drive their cars – in Augmented Reality

Just yesterday, we posted a story on
Audi’s “on demand+” app
 which allows you to drive Audi’s comprehensive range of cars at hourly charges without the cost of ownership. Now Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) too is allowing you to experience their range – in Augmented Reality.
PCNA has just introduced a new 3D augmented reality app called the
Porsche AR Imagine
. The app literally places the brand into the hands of consumers – allowing them to design their own Porsche and digitally place it into their personal space such as on their porch.
Users can also customise their virtual Porsche by selecting from a range of exterior colours, wheel design and interior option but that’s not all. Once completed, you can also drive it in 3D augmented reality. Models on showcase now are the
911 Turbo S
,
718 Boxter S
 and
Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo
. The free app is available iPhone and iPad from the App Store in the United States.
“We’re excited to offer consumers and enthusiasts a completely new way of experiencing our sports cars. For us to be wherever our fans are – with the Porsche of their dreams – is the road ahead.”said President and CEO at PCNA, Klaus Zellmer.
The Porsche AR-Imagine app is compatible with
iPhone 6s
 or later, iPad Pro and iPad (2017) running
iOS 11
.
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450th Bugatti Veyron is the last Bug ever, sold and will be displayed at Geneva [+Video]

The Bugatti Veyron:
8-litre W16
 monstrosity, 64 valves,
four turbochargers
, a total of
10 radiators
, various output figures ranging from
1,000 hp to 1,200 hp
, blistering
2.6 seconds
 century sprint, top speed in excess of
400 km/h
; some say it’s the greatest car ever made, while Jeremy Clarkson thinks it’s the greatest car we will ever see in our lifetime.
A good ten years and
 450 units
 produced since the first Veyron shook the world, it’s time to bid farewell to the decorated four-wheeled rocket. The
450th Veyron Sport Vitesse La Finale
 (chassis number 450) has already been sold to a Middle Eastern customer and it will be on display at Geneva alongside the very first Veyron 16.4.

Watch the live stream video here next Tuesday evening at 6.10pm!
The La Finale signals the end of the current Veyron era, but the end is far out of reach for Bugatti. Sources indicated that the Veyron will be succeeded in
2016
, boasting some serious hardware that could make up to
1,500 horsepower
and
 2,000 Nm
 of torque. It all seems too good to be true as of now, but didn’t we say that before the Veyron’s conception?


BMW Malaysia has received 64 pre-bookings for fully-electric BMW iX

BMW Group Malaysia announced yesterday that it has received 64 pre-booking registrations for the fully electric BMW iX just five days after
its launch here
, coinciding with Malaysia’s 64th National Day.
“We are pleased to see Malaysians take a bold step in choosing sustainable mobility as part of their lifestyle, which underlines our belief that the future is in fact electric. We have long committed to shape the future of mobility in the country, and we will confidently continue to cultivate the shift towards electromobility further by accelerating the availability of charging infrastructures in Malaysia and rapidly expanding the BMW i dealer network in key cities nationwide,” said BMW Group Malaysia, Managing Director, Hans de Visser.
Launched: BMW iX xDrive40 electric SUV now in Malaysia, from RM419k!
The pre-booking was offered on the
BMW Shop Online
 platform for a fee of RM5,000. As part of the pre-booking fee, customers are also entitled to complimentary charger installation although you’d have to buy the charger yourself along with 1-year access to ChargEV’s public charging stations.
The offer was initially offered to 50 customers but has now been extended to 100 customers. The offer ends on the 22nd of September 2021.
In time, BMW Malaysia will also offer the iX xDrive50 but for now, the iX will only be available in the xDrive40 variant. It gets two electric motors to drive all four wheels, with an output of 326 hp and 630 Nm. 0 to 100 km/h is done in 6.1 seconds, with a top speed of 200 km/h.
It’s powered by a 76.6 kWh battery, capable of returning 425 km of driving range. A full charge with the standard charger will take about seven hours.
With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the iX xDrive40 starts from RM4,888 per month, based on an 80% loan on a five-year tenure.


2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia revealed, Quadrifoglio range-topper with 510 hp [+Video]

It’s been almost five years since the demise of the
159
, and now Alfa Romeo’s compact exec is back with a resurrected name from the 1960s.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the
 Alfa Romeo Giulia
(pronounced Julia), finally revealed after years of development hiccups, and just in time for their
105th anniversary celebration
.
Unveiled at the newly-refurbished
Alfa Romeo Museum
 in Arese, the Giulia is primed with an
all-new rear-wheel drive platform
, and already it has its sights set on the usual suspects, such as the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and the likes of it all. It even comes with a
 restyled Alfa Romeo badge
 to mark its return as a proper driver-focused Alfa.
EXTERIOR
The Giulia looks gorgeous in these official pictures. Being a rear-wheel drive sedan allows the Giulia to have a
shorter front overhang
 compared to the front-wheel drive 159 it replaces, giving it a
more dynamic stance
 than the nose-heavy predecessor.
Nothing too radical with the styling,
de rigeur
 triangular “
trefoil
” shield grille is present at the front coupled with a pair of keen-looking horizontal headlamps, the side is characterised by a deep signature line, while the back features a pair of sharp taillamps.

Marked by the
iconic triangular emblem
 on the front fenders, the Giulia you’re seeing here is the hot
Quadrifoglio
 variant, and it’s wearing a
 fancy aerokit
 to complement its equally hot hardware underneath.
The kit includes a front
Active Aero Splitter
 that serves to regulate the downforce, additional flics on the side skirts, a
boot lid spoiler
, a serious-looking
rear diffuser
 incorporating a couple of twin tailpipes on each side, and a set of anthracite five-hole wheels.
INTERIOR
Alfa haven’t release any official interior pictures yet, but they insist that the Giulia will have a
small steering wheel
 with a bunch of controls “
in a similar fashion to a Formula 1 car
“; we’re guessing something like the steering in the
Ferrari 488 GTB
. Additionally,
two simple knobs
 are provided to control the infotainment system and the
Alfa DNA selector
, where the driver can choose from Dynamic, Natural, Advanced Efficient, and an extra Racing mode in the Giulia Quadrifoglio.
PERFORMANCE
The Quadrifoglio variant is fitted with a
3.0-litre twin-turbo V6
 tuned by “engineers from a Ferrari background”, and it’s equipped with electronically-controlled
 cylinder deactivation system
. Constructed out of
lightweight aluminium
, the V6 generates
510 hp
 and it will get the Giulia from
0 to 100 km/h
 in a blistering
3.9 seconds
. The engine is also claimed to produce the special Alfa Romeo soundtrack to go with the said performance.
The suspension consists of a double-wishbone at the front and “Alfalink” multilink at the rear, together with electronically-controlled
adaptive dampers
. There’s also a
double-clutch Torque Vectoring system
 for optimum traction and the
Integrated Brake System
 for a quicker brake response.
Lightweight materials such as
carbon fibre
 for the bonnet and roof, and
 aluminium
 for the doors and front and rear frames help to achieve an impressive
weight-to-power ratio
 of
less than 3 kg per hp
. The components are also carefully organised to acquire the perfect
50/50 weight distribution
.
WHAT ELSE?
The Giulia will enter the European market some time next year, so it’s still a long wait for the
Alfisti
 out there. Alfa will eventually announce the lesser variants of the Giulia, and word on the grapevine that a couple of
 four-cylinder engines
 (petrol and diesel each), and a
V6 diesel
 will find their way under the Giulia’s shapely bonnet. There will be an
 all-wheel drive option
 too. So, what do you think of Alfa’s new ‘Romeo’?
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Volkswagen ID. Life is a car, mobile cinema, gaming lounge, and power bank all in one

Having introduced the
ID.3
and
ID.4
 electric vehicles (EV), Volkswagen is now moving downwards to offer a more compact city car under the
ID. sub-brand
. At the ongoing 2021 IAA Munich Motor Show, Volkswagen has presented the ID. Life concept that previews a compact and entry-level EV.
The design brief for the Volkswagen ID. Life is strikingly clear with simple lines without any complex shapes of geometry. Circular lighting at the front and back breaks away from the current ID. design language. Hidden door handles and the absence of physical side mirrors are meant to further improve the aerodynamic qualities of the concept car.
At this stage, the ID. Life is still viewed as a city hatchback with a crossover character and a high ground clearance of 190 mm. Measuring just 4,091 mm in length brings it like a Volkswagen
T-Cross
, but a very wide 1,845 mm width brings it as wide as a
Tiguan
. Not so compact anymore then.
It is however the interior of the Volkswagen ID. Life that sets it apart and vows young consumers, able to transform into a comfortable cinema or gaming lounge for two. This is possible thanks to the inclusion of a game console and projector with a retractable screen that will use the entire area of the windscreen. Heavy digitalisation will be key to winning new customers in this decade.
Unlike fully autonomous (Level 4) concept cars, the steering wheel and foot pedals

of the ID. Life will not be hidden away and as such, onboard entertainment will only be possible when the vehicle is parked.
The ID.5 GTX is Volkswagen’s first-ever all-electric SUV Coupe. More about the yet-to-be-released teaser here.
For those who plan to rest a little longer after the movie experience, the rear seats also can fold flat, making both rows of seats into a comfortable lying area in cabin space with a total of 1,285 litres of space, similar to a C-segment SUV. Lining the interior of the Volkswagen ID. Life concept are high amounts of natural and recycled materials such as sustainable wood for the dash panel and eco fabrics and textiles for the seats.
One common issue with usage of larger smartphones with connectivity to the car is the lack of proper storage spaces. The Volkswagen ID. Life is cleverly placing flexible smartphone pouches with charging function on the doors. The vehicle will also be able to provide electricity to the grid, akin to a mobile power bank to support the national grid or during emergencies.
The Volkswagen ID. Life concept, based on the smaller Volkswagen electric drive matrix (MEB) platform, will also be the first model in the ID. family to feature front-wheel drive propulsion. The front-mounted motor has
234 hp
 and
290 Nm
 and takes energy from a battery pack with 57 kWh content.
Ballpark figures for the performance of the Volkswagen ID. Life concept are a driving range of 400 km, a 10-minute charge adds 163 km of range and 0 to 100 km/h sprint in
6.9 seconds
. It is a much larger and more powerful EV than the
Honda e
.
The entry-level Volkswagen ID. Life is expected to be priced between
EUR20,000 to EUR25,000
 (approx. RM98,000 to RM123,000), with production to begin only in 2025 and perhaps carrying the ID.2 name.
Volkswagen will stop selling petrol-powered cars in Europe by 2035, with 70% of the line-up already EV by 2030. More about the plans here.
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Hyundai produced a rather cool video to showcase the updated 2021 Veloster N

First introduced in 2019
, Hyundai has updated the Veloster N with an 8-speed wet dual clutch gearbox that the company says can help the car shift faster – cutting its 0 to 100 km/h time to 5.6 seconds, down 0.5 seconds from the manual model – traditionally the designated gearbox for Hyundai’s N models.
They’ve gone to great lengths to produce this video to highlight a few other updates and frankly, it’s
a far cry from their earlier N promotional video which was amusing but borderline disturbing
. This one’s definitely more informative, interactive and entertaining.

The first significant feature in the video is the Veloster N’s or “corner rascal”, as Hyundai calls it,
N Power Shift
 system. It’s engaged when the car accelerates with more than 90% throttle input to reduce loss in power and torque during gear shifts.
The animated racer then proceeds to engage the Veloster’s
 N Grin Shift
 mode. When selected, the system
increases torque by 7% from 353 Nm to 378 Nm for a period of 20 seconds
. There’s even a countdown (as seen in the video) of that 20 seconds! Hyundai says it’s performance that is certain to induce “driver grin”.
Once the video transitions from an urban environment to the track, it highlights the car’s
N Track Sense Shift
 feature which operates automatically; knowing the right gear to select with quicker shift times, according to road and driving conditions. Hyundai claims that it has made the DCT-equipped Veloster N almost a second quicker around a track compared to the manual model.
What also caught our attention in the video were the
N Light Sports
 bucket seats. Wrapped in soft Alcantara, the seats are said to be thinner, two kilograms lighter than the standard seats and come with an illuminated N logo.
Finally, there’s the
N Power Sense Axle
 – an enhanced front axle – that’s lighter but stiffer for more responsive steering and the
N Corner Carving Differential
. It’s an electronic limited-slip differential that Hyundai says increases cornering speeds by 5%, reduces understeer and wheel slip.
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Updated Porsche Macan launched in Malaysia, more power and equipment

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has announced the arrival of the 2016
Porsche Macan
 range that has been given an update to the equipment list.
Customers can now specify the new
full-LED headlamps
 with
Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus
 (PDLS Plus) from the options list for the new Macan. By doing so they will get a pair of smart headlamps that bend in corners as well as automatically adjust the beam depending on the speed and surrounding light source detected by the on-board camera.

Equally smart is the new
Porsche Communication Management
 (PCM) infotainment system inside the cabin. Accessed by the tablet-like user interface on the
7-inch touchscreen
 display incorporated in the dashboard, it even has a proximity sensor and allows for on-screen multi-touch selection. The PCM also supports
Apple CarPlay
 connectivity.
The
navigation system
 is new too, featuring
3D map
, real-time traffic info, and accepts input via
voice commands
.
Under the clamshell bonnet, the
Macan 2.0
 receives a
 15 hp
 and
20 Nm power hike
, delivering a total of
252 hp
 at 5,000 to 6,800 rpm and
370 Nm
 at 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. The power increase cuts down the
0 to 100 km/h
 sprint time to
6.7 seconds
, 0.2 seconds quicker than before. The rest of the Macan range will soldier on with their respective powerplants.
SDAP will reveal the 2016 Porsche Macan’s prices at a later date. Currently, the outgoing Macan range is priced at RM435,000 for the Macan 2.0, RM560,000 for the Macan S Diesel, RM590,000 for the Macan S and RM820,000 for the Macan Turbo.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen Golf R gets Performance Pack, derestricted top speed & more!

Following the introduction of the “
R-Performance Pack
” for the
Volkswagen Golf R MK 7.5
 couple months back, Volkswagen has introduced yet another performance upgrade for its hot hatch – the Performance Pack. The new upgrade is only available for DSG equipped Golf R facelift.
For £2,300 (RM12.6k), you get new visual bits of
19-inch Spielberg alloy wheels
 and a
rear spoiler
 (hatchback only). The
“R-Performance” brake system
 that debuted on the “R-Performance Pack” cuts overall weight by
2 kgs
 and adds new high-performance brake pads with superior hot braking response to ensure consistent bite during track outings as well as silver brake callipers with R-lettering.
The electronically restricted top speed of 250 km/h has been lifted, allowing the Golf R hatchback to hit
267 km/h
 on the hatchback and
 270 km/h
 on the estate body. Volkswagen attributes the lower top speed on the hatch to the new functional rear spoiler that adds
20 kg more downforce
. Mechanically, it retains the EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged four-potter that churns out
306 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque paired to a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch.
Additionally, customers can now order the
Akrapovic titanium exhaust system
 ala carte from factory for £2,975 (RM16k). The new exhaust system saves
7 kg
 on the rear axles and features valve control technology that opens and closes the valves according to the car’s Driving Mode Selection – Eco Normal, Sport and Race.
The Volkswagen Golf R facelift has been a familiar sighting in other markets but is still missing from our local scene. Earlier this year, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) hinted that the
Golf facelift range was supposed to arrive on our shores this year
. But looking at the calendar, we might have to wait till 2018 for it to make its local debut.
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The all-new Audi RS3 is now the quickest compact car around the Nurburgring Nordschleife

When the
all-new Audi RS3
 was launched a couple of weeks back, we called it the new performance king of its segment, just because there’s nothing out there that can compare to its numbers. But numbers are just that, numbers; you can’t be the best at something without proving it with actual tangible results, so that’s exactly what Audi did – by setting a new record with the RS3 at the
Nurburgring Nordschleife
.

As of June 14, 2021 (but only announced today), the all-new Audi RS3 sedan is now the official record holder for the fastest compact car around the Nurburgring Nordschleife, with a verified time of
7:40.748
, beating the
Renault Megane R.S
‘s previous record by 4.64 seconds.
For the record to be official, the car had to essentially be bone stock, which the RS3 was, aside from the Pirelli P Zero “Trofeo R” semi-slick tires that are available as an optional extra from the factory – sometimes we wonder if these ultra-niche items are offered just for the sake of setting “official” lap records, but we digress.
The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is now the fastest road-legal car around the ‘Ring. Watch the lap here!
Piloting the Audi RS3 to the new Nurburgring Nordschleife lap record was Audi Sport racing and development driver, Frank Stippler, who attributed the newfound performance to the Torque Splitter technology in the car’s Quattro all-wheel drive system.
“For me, the torque splitter is a quantum leap in terms of agile driving,” Stippler said after setting the record lap. “In general, the new RS3 is much more agile when driving from the middle of the curve to its end and when accelerating out of the curve.”
These two Dutch brothers gave a new meaning to “Ring Taxi”… with a Proton Wira taxi car! Check it out here.
The Torque Splitter works in combination with the newly-developed RS Performance driving mode, which essentially sets the engine and transmission into an all-out attack setting for the racetrack.
In this mode, the torque splitter works to provide the “most neutral handling” possible, with a dab of oversteer or understeer depending on the actual driving situation. According to Audi, this enables the driver to accelerate earlier upon exiting a corner, thus resulting in faster lap times.
Porsche’s new 640 hp Cayenne Turbo GT meanwhile holds the record for the SUV category. Read more about it here!
The only other modification made to the record-seetting RS3 came in the form of a tuned tyre pressure, specifically catered to the Nurburgring’s track conditions and weather of the day during the record attempt.
“We don’t have unlimited opportunities to try for a record like this,” said Stippler. “That’s why a little is always necessary on the day when it matters – particularly with respect to tire pressure, because that also affects how the torque splitter functions.”
Audi RS3 Technical Project Leader Marvin Schwätter said, “When we started development, we didn’t know just how quickly our compact sportscar would really be on the Nordschleife. But over the course of endurance testing, we determined that we could reach very good times and set a new record.”
Mission accomplished it is, then, for the Audi RS3 and the entire project team – as it is now the indisputable performance king of the segment. Although we’re not sure if they can rest easy, as there’ll certainly be more parties interested in gunning for the same record now, just for bragging rights at the very least.
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Subaru’s E-RA concept EV racer has 1,088 hp, plans to challenge multiple track records

Subaru and its performance and motorsports division, Subaru Tecnica International (STI), has unveiled their fully electric concept vehicle called Electric Record Attempt or STI E-RA. The company intends to learn new electric propulsion technologies to prepare itself for an emission-free world of motorsports in the near-future.
The STI team will attempt to perform multiple electric vehicle record lap times in Japan this year, and then head to the famed Nurburgring in 2023 with a target lap time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. The current record lap time (EV) is held by the
Volkswagen ID.R
 electric concept machine, completing the 20.8 km ‘Nordschleife’ loop in 6 minutes and 5.336 seconds. Perhaps Subaru is trying to set a new record on the full 24-hour layout that is over 25 km, hence the additional 35 seconds longer lap time.
The STI E-RA has plans to have up to
1,088 hp
 (or 800 kW) and a new iteration of its famed all-wheel drive technology via a proprietary four-motor setup. For the motors, a high-torque high-revolution type with an integrated inverter and a gear for hyper EVs, which were developed and supplied by Yamaha Motor have been adopted. This motor is driven by a lithium-ion battery with a storage capacity of 60 kWh.
The four-motor four-wheel torque vectoring technology by Subaru and STI is said to independently apply the optimum drive torque to the four wheels as the load shifts, balancing the grip limit at each corner to deliver maximum grip and vehicle stability.
How much power do you need to hit zero to 60 mph in under 2 seconds? A lot! Find out the record run by Rimac here.
The company also plans to hone and fine tune the four-motor four-wheel torque vectoring technology as a key focus area as this has been included in the regulations for future motorsports such as FIA E-GT.
Alongside the STI E-RA at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon are the
Solterra
 STI Concept as well as the
WRX
 STI performance Concept vehicles. Cherry-red highlights on the bodykit is the key differentiator in this new generation of Subaru vehicles with STI parts.
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Video: Isuzu D-Max 3.0 X-Terrain full review

Pick-up trucks just get better and better with every generation. While styling for a functional truck with a load deck behind can only differ so much from one brand to another, the all-new third-generation
Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain
 sets itself apart thanks to clean lines and an upmarket interior that’s unseen in the segment!
For the range-topping Isuzu D-Max 3.0L X-Terrain, the Valencia Orange paintwork is well paired with the dark grey highlights on the radiator grille, side mirrors, the door and tailgate handles plus the overfenders that blend cleanly onto the front bumper. Those 18-inch rims look racy too as if taken off from a Dakar rally machine!

Priced at
RM141,938.40
 the Isuzu D-Max 3.0L X-Terrain also gets plenty of tech under the aerodynamic and stylish exterior, such as walk-away auto door lock, infra-red (IR) reducing windscreen and glass and a clever wiper system with hidden washer jets.
A feature only in the D-Max X-Terrain, which is also a first-in-the-segment, is the remote engine start, useful to cool down the wonderful cabin on a hot sunny day.
Many of us find the interior of the all-new third-generation Isuzu D-Max quite the
game-changer
, with not just great looks but also materials and colour coordination resembling a higher-range SUV. Brown, soft combination leather is well paired with the two-tone dashboard, which features soft-touch plastics and even double stitching!
While the meter cluster has a rather small 4.2-inch colour display, all vital information can be found here, much like the small but high-resolution ‘Cover Screen’ of the
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3
.
The air-conditioning switch panel has a nice metallic finish and well-weighted toggle switches also deserves mention, looking even better than many global sedans and SUVs. Flipping up the rear seats is easy, much like using the
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3
.
The Flip3’s compact dimensions also slot nicely into the rear storage sleeve with a USB charging port and rear air vents.
For occupants with a larger physique, the seats in the Isuzu D-Max are probably the most comfortable in the segment. They hold the body well as well thanks to innovative padding technology as provide much better support for the upper back and shoulders with its large and wide seat back dimensions.
The all-new Isuzu D-Max also comes with the most extensive Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), equipping the trendy pick-up truck with Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go as well as autonomous emergency braking with Turn Assist.
Powering the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain is a 3.0-litre turbodiesel unit churning out
190 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque, paired with a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic and delivering power to all four wheels via an electronically controlled transfer case with the shift-on-the-fly feature.
Enjoy the video review for more information and experiences that are easier to be featured than in writing.
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The first ever Chevrolet Corvette Stingray looks simply incredible!

Traditionally, Corvettes have always been front-engined sportscars but Chevrolet claims that the front-engine layout has reached its limits of performance and the mid-engined Corvette Stingray, due in 2020, will drive better than any vehicle in Corvette history.
How much better? In terms of performance, the new Corvette is said to be capable of 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds, when equipped with the Z51 Performance Package – that’s Ferrari F8 Tributo territory!
The Z51 Performance Package consists of a performance exhaust, larger brakes, performance suspension and a specific rear differential ratio.
At the heart of the Chevy’s new mid-engined sportscar is the new 6.2-litre V8 LT2 engine – the only naturally-aspirated example that makes
495 hp
 and
637 Nm
 of torque. The engine is paired to Chevy’s first 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with double-paddle de-clutch feature.
Just like the Corvettes of old, the new mid-engined comes with a lightweight, 3.2mm-thick glass panel on the rear hatch to allows owners to show off the engine.
The car promises better weight distribution and sense of control with the driver’s seating position that’s almost on the top of the front wheels.
Engineering and style is not the only emphasis of the new mid-engined Corvette. At the front, the storage compartment is capable of swallowing a cabin-sized luggage and a laptop bag. At the back, Chevy claims there’s more room for either two golf bags or the Stingray’s removable roof panel.
The practicality aspect is also improved with the front suspension that raises ground clearance at the front by approximately 40mm in just 2.8 seconds, at speeds of up to 39 km/h.
Not only the first mid-engined sportscar, the Corvette will be available in both left and right-hand drive configuration for the first time ever with prices starting from USD60,000 (approximately RM246k).
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Honda CR-V Hybrid now in Europe, 2.0L hybrid with 184 hp & 315 Nm

Europe buyer can now finally buy the fifth-generation Honda CR-V in their home market, the first time the family SUV is offered with an electrified powertrain. However, Europe market gets a detuned version of the
CR-V hybrid
 compared to the one offered in the Chinese market.
The CR-V hybrid is powered by Honda’s i-MMD (intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) technology compromising a 2.0-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine, two electric motors and an innovative direct transmission. Total output from the i-MMD system is
184 hp
 and
315 Nm
 of torque,
28 hp
 lower than what you get in
China
 but it generates more torque the
190 hp
/
243 Nm

1.5-litre i-VTEC turbo mill
.
Rather than using a conventional cogged transmission or a Continuously Variable Transmission, the CR-V Hybrid adopts a
single speed fixed ratio transmission
. The benefit is a smooth and direct transfer of torque, resulting in high levels of efficiency and refinement.
The i-MMD technology features three drive modes –
EV Drive
,
Hybrid Drive
 and
Engine Drive
. As the name suggests, EV Drive allows the car to drive on electric power only while the combustion engine will kick in occasionally for additional propulsion power in Hybrid Drive mode. Engine Drive drives the car on the combustion engine alone and Honda says this mode is the most efficient set-up for high-speed cruising.
The new CR-V hybrid can be distinguished through the unique Vehicle Driver Information Interface (DII) screen that displays the current drive status, lithium-ion battery charge, current power flow, and recharging status of the system.
Production of the Honda CR-V hybrid for the European market is scheduled to start in October 2018 while customer delivers is expected to happen in early 2019.
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Honda CR-V Hybrid for Europe


The all-new Ford F-150 Raptor is making us consider moving to America

We Malaysians are quite lucky to be blessed with the
Ford Ranger Raptor
, but when it comes to desert trucks, nothing can compare to the OG. Following the launch of the 2021 Ford F-150 late last year, the American carmaker has now unveiled the all-new
Ford F-150 Raptor
, and we are seriously considering moving to the US just for a taste.
While on the surface the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor looks somewhat evolutionary with a carry-forward 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, the changes underneath it could be monumental for the trophy truck-inspired nameplate moving forward.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOEuw_UW59A
The biggest change of all is at the rear, more specifically the rear suspension, which now ditches the leaf-spring suspension for a
five-link coil spring set-up
. As a result, total suspension travel now checks in at 14 inches up front and 15 in the rear — up from 13 and 13.9 respectively of the outgoing truck.
Aside from more suspension articulation, the coil suspension set-up also gives the all-new F-150 Raptor better stability at high speeds, be it on the road or out on the dirt track.
The new coil springs are also paired with an electronically-controlled
Fox Live Valve internal bypass shocks
, which automatically adjusts the damping rates independently at each corner at up to 500 times per second, which according to Ford, is the “same speed the human brain processes visual information”.
The impressive suspension numbers above are measured with the standard 35-inch wheels, but Ford is also offering the all-new F-150 Raptor with a set of brawny 37-inch tyres straight from the factory, which drops the suspension travel to 13 inches up front and 14.1 inches in the rear. Not too big of a sacrifice for some extra style points.
As we’ve mentioned at the start, the all-new Ford F-150 Raptor is powered by the same 3.5-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost engine that’s been carried over from the outgoing truck. Ford did not publish the new performance figures just yet, but a spokesperson said that it won’t stray too far from the outgoing truck – which means it will be somewhere in the region of 470 hp and 700 Nm of torque.
For extra sportiness, Ford has also equipped the all-new F-150 Raptor with an active dual exhaust system with a unique “trombone loop”, promising better sound (and from what we can hear in the video, it does sound really good), but also able to remain quiet when you’re just trying to be a good neighbour.
A more powerful Raptor R variant is slated for 2022, but no other information was provided, aside from confirming that it will be powered by a V8 mill.
All of the above are wrapped underneath a “high-strength, military-grade” aluminium alloy and composite body, which Ford once again looked to its long-running inspirations – the F-22 Raptor fighter jet – for design ideas.
The wide gaping grille and functional side vents on the fender are all inspired by the intakes of the fighter jet, while the front fenders supposedly “emulate the windswept look of dust billowing off the top of the tires at high speed”. There’s even an optional truck bed graphics package with a pattern designed to mimic the F-22’s afterburners.
Inside, Raptor-exclusive goodies include a unique steering wheel with suede inserts and aluminium shift paddles, big-bolstered seats which can be upgraded to Recaro bucket seats, and a whole load of carbon fibre and aluminium trim – if optioned.
There’s also a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, paired to a 12-inch infotainment display with Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system, which can be updated over-the-air in the future for newer digital trail maps.
GALLERY


Honda Malaysia leads non-national segment, selling 43,597 units in 1H 2015

Confident with its current lineup, Honda Malaysia has set an ambitious target of selling 85,000 cars for 2015. As of June 2015, the company has achieved 51 percent of its annual sales target, selling a total of 43,597 units – up by 17 percent during the same period in 2014 (37,189 units).
The figures mean that Honda Malaysia has contributed
13.5 percent
 to this year’s Total Industry Volume (TIV; 670,000 units forecasted), while averaging more than 7,200 units of sales monthly. Earlier in March, they recorded their milestone achievement by selling 9,582 units, the best in the company’s history.
The
Honda City
 remains its
best seller
 and contributed 41 percent to the overall sales, effectively topping the non-national B-Segment category ahead of rivals such as the Toyota Vios and Nissan Almera. This is followed by the
Jazz
 and
HR-V
 at 19 percent and 17 percent respectively. The
CR-V
,
HR-V
 and Accord, despite not as voluminous, also
lead their respective segments
 as of June 2015.
Growth is also evident in East Malaysia with sales being 32 percent higher than the same period in 2014, up from 1,814 units to
2,390 units as of June 2015
. Honda Malaysia plans to add three more dealership in East Malaysia this year on top of the existing 10. They now have a total of 82 dealerships nationwide and are planning to increase the number to 90 by 2016, a move which will help elevate annual sales target to 100,000.
With the
implementation of GST
, weakening of Ringgit and fluctuation in fuel prices, the Malaysian Automotive Institute have revised its TIV forecast for 2015 to 670,000 units. However, Honda Malaysia remains optimistic about achieving their annual sales target of 85,000 units, or the
12 percent market share
 equivalent.
IMAGE GALLERY
Honda Malaysia’s current lineup