2016 Proton Perdana officially launched in Malaysia, costs from RM114k to RM139k

At long last, the veils covering the fourth-generation Proton Perdana have finally been removed. It’s also immediately available at selected showrooms across the nation for test drive, and pricing starts from RM113,888.00 for the base 2.0-litre variant, whereas the 2.4-litre goes for RM138,888.00.
As many of you would have known, the new Perdana is the result of a platform-sharing initiative with Honda Japan Ltd, and its donor car (or rather, the car that it’s based on) is none other than the eight-generation Honda Accord.
 (Live video from launch event. We apologize for the video quality due to bad phone reception)
QUICK FACTS
Name
Proton Perdana 2.0L
Proton Perdana 2.4L
Engine
1,997cc; SOHC 4-cylinder
2,354cc; DOHC 4-cylinder
Transmission
5-speed automatic
Max Power
154 hp @ 3,600 rpm
178 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
189 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
222 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
Price
RM113,888.00
RM138,888.00
 (GC Mah takes you around the new Perdana live from the launch event. However, we apologize for the video quality due to bad phone reception)
EXTERIOR
Much work has gone into redeveloping the Perdana’s aesthetics. There’s a more distinct separation now from the Accord, and new with it are the front bumper, HID headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights (the 2.0L gets halogen projector headlights), halogen fog lamps, single horizontal chrome grille, sleek LED combination tail lamps and shark fin antenna.

The entire rear section of the car (from the C-pillar onwards) is completely new and redesigned wholly by Proton engineers and designers. It’s got a new silhouette thanks to the sloping rear, and completing the whole package are the rear bumper (body painted) and newly designed 17-inch wheels, shod with 225/50 series tyres. The 2.4L is the only variant to come with full bodykit, though.
INTERIOR
Here, the cabin remains largely the same as the Accord. It’s got the same dashboard with two screens, now featuring a locally-sourced GPS navigation system (only for the 2.4L variant). The base 2.0L trim is finished in a mix of black fabric and leather upholstery, whereas the more expensive variant can be had in beige, full-leather seats.

Standard equipment for both variants almost mirror each other, which is a good thing. Shared between the two are leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel,
dual zone climate controls
, 8-way powered driver seats, 6.2-inch touchscreen head unit with Bluetooth, CD, USB and auxiliary connectivity, six-speakers (the 2.4L gets an extra subwoofer) and cruise control.
For a bit more dough, the Perdana 2.4L will come with 4-way powered front passenger seat and paddle shifters. Other carryover features include rear air-conditioning vents, sliding centre armrest (front), foldable rear centre armrest with dual integrated cup holders, Isofix tethers and ‘Perdana’ embossed side steps.
PERFORMANCE
Here, it’s same old, same old. The 2.0-litre unit is identical to the Accord’s, pumping
154 hp
 and
189

Nm
 of torque. The larger 2.4-litre motor belts healthier numbers –
178 hp
 and
222 Nm
 of torque. Both engines drive the
 front wheels
 through a
five-speed automatic
 gearbox. The chassis, suspension and hydraulic power steering are all carryover components, with the front axle getting independent double wishbones and a multilink setup for the rear.
SAFETY
Things also don’t vary much here between the Perdana and its donor car. Both variants get four airbags as standard, ABS with EBD, auto headlamps, front and rear parking sensors as well as reverse camera. Electronic Stability Control is absent in the 2.0L, but comes with the 2.4L.
WHAT ELSE?
As of today, about 900 units of the Perdana have been booked, and Proton aims to shift 3,000 units by the end of this year. There is a total of six colours offered with the Perdana. They are Sterling Silver, Graphite Grey, Cotton White, Midnight Black, Citrine Gold and the Perdana’s champion colour – Ruby Red.
IMAGE GALLERY
Proton Perdana Launch

Proton Perdana Official Product Photos


All-new BMW 5 Series & i5 to debut at 8pm today

BMW
 Group will be premiering its all-new 2023 BMW
5 Series
, including the new BMW
i5
 on
May 24
,
2023
, at 14:00 CEST or
8:00 p.m.
 Malaysian time (GMT+8). The digital world premiere will be taking place live on BMW’s official site bmwgroup.com. The live stream of the world premiere can be viewed by clicking
here
.
BMW Group will also be broadcasting the global premiere of the 2023 BMW i5 simultaneously on the BMW Group and the BMW brand’s social media channels. This includes the company’s Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook social media pages.
Image: Wilcoblok via
headlightmag.com
Just a couple of days ago, images of the 2023 BMW i5 were leaked online, showing us part of the new sedan’s front fascia, as well as the side and rear design. The images also showed the new i5 featuring a raked windshield, giving it a fastback-like appearance.
As of now, BMW hasn’t revealed too much about the new car, but we already know that the all-new BMW 5 Series will be offered in an internal combustion engine (ICE), mild hybrid (MHEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and fully electric (EV) powertrains.
RELATED:
Here we go again: Next-gen 2023 BMW i5, 5 Series leaked ahead of debut next week
Image: Wilcoblok via
headlightmag.com
The EV BMW i5 will also be offered in at least two variants, which include the
M60 xDrive and eDrive40
. Depending on the variant, the BMW i5 will also be coming with the brand’s Adaptive Suspension Professional Plus, which is powered by the ninth-generation Vertical Dynamic Management system.
Even better, the all-new 2023 BMW 5 Series and i5 are already
open for registration of interest (ROI) here in Malaysia
. Feeling excited about the new German luxury sedan? Comment your thoughts down below!
RELATED:
BMW i5 teased again – M60 xDrive, eDrive40 variants, eye-activated lane changing
GALLERY


Mitsubishi EVO is now an all-electric SUV, Mitsubishi e-Evolution Concept

Here it is ladies and gentlemen, the latest Evolution from Mitsubishi in its full glory. Yes, the
legendary Evo
 nameplate now rests on an SUV that runs on pure electric power. Officially called the
e-Evolution Concept
, the concept car incorporates two of Mitsubishis strength – SUV and EV.
Adopting a design philosophy of “Robust & Ingenious”, the e-Evolution wears the latest illustration of Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield family face. The SUV boasts high-ground clearance, short overhangs, strong shoulders with narrow hips at the rear, giving it a sense of nimbleness and agility. The protruding tyres on the other hand shows off its powerful 4WD traction. At the rear, the roofline tapers down significantly from the C-pillar onwards for superior aerodynamics.

Inside, the cockpit of the e-Evolution gives us a glimpse of interior designs of the future when the traditional firewall is done away. The floating display on the dashboard displays all the essential information for the occupants while the steering wheel and centre console were designed for a feeling akin to a jet fighter.
Motivation is courtesy of three electric motors – one on the front axle, two at the rear. The dual motor features Dual-Motor Active Yaw Control (AYC) system that acts as an electronic controlled
torque-vectoring system
 for greater traction on all conditions. All these are integrated into Mitsubishis famous
Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC)
 4WD system to greatly improve the SUVs handling and traction.
Brakes are no longer hydraulically operated on the e-Evolution Concept, in its place is a set of electric callipers that faithfully mirrors the driver’s inputs and electronically clamps the rotors for stopping power.
The
AI System in the e-Evolution Concept
 consists of an array of sensor to instantly read changes in road, traffic conditions as well as driver’s intent; coordinating the vehicles dynamics accordingly for superior driving experience. The “Coaching Function”, as Mitsubishi coins it, builds a profile of the driver’s skill level and subsequently formulates a training program that provides advice through voice prompts and the large dashboard display, ultimately helping the drivers to enjoy the vehicle to an even greater degree.
IMAGE GALLERY


You won’t believe how much work goes into an Aston Martin badge!

From now on, every time you see an Aston Martin badge you’ll probably spend a couple of seconds gazing at it and we won’t blame you for harbouring criminal thoughts!
When we first stumbled across this video by
Mr. JWW
, we didn’t think we’d be able to sit through 24 minutes of it but one thing led to another and before we knew it, it came to an end.

It was simply fascinating! Of course, being Aston Martin we’d expect everything to be of a certain quality and craftsmanship, even when it concerns their badge, but this level of craftsmanship was beyond our imagination.
We’re pretty sure each luxury car maker has their own intricate methods in manufacturing their emblems and badges, but it’s nice to actually see one take shape and in the case of Aston Martin’s, it’s just eye-opening.
Remember the
Aston Martin DBX we reviewed recently
? In case you missed it, the DBX wears the biggest badge Aston Martin has placed on a car. They require around 500 tonnes of pressure to stamp while
an average Aston Martin badge takes two full days to make
.
The host even got to stamp the badge for his very own DBX SUV. Jealous? At least we are!
The company responsible for these exquisite pieces is
Vaughton’s
, based in Birmingham, England. They were established in 1819 (that’s right, it’s a 200-year old company) and they’ve been tasked with making Aston Martin’s badges since the 1960s.
That’s not the only thing they do though. They’ve also made English Premier League and Olympic medals; even plaques for the First Class section of the Titanic!
But don’t expect the manufacturing facility to be all robotic and sterile. Some of the equipment they use are around 50 years old! That said, efficiency is not something they lack or take lightly. Last year alone,
they supplied 35,000 badges to Aston Martin, without a single piece being rejected.
As for the rest of it, as usual, we’ll leave it to you to find out. This is not a video you’d want to miss!
GALLERY


Volkswagen T-Cross baby SUV to debut soon, smaller than a Honda HR-V

SUV is the name of the game and Volkswagen is adding yet another Sport Utility Vehicle to its line up, the Volkswagen T-Cross. This brings the company’s total SUV offering in Europe to five models.
The T-Cross sits below the recently launched
T-Roc
 and will compete against the likes of
Citroen C3 Aircross
 in the small SUV class. The T-Roc, on the other hand, competes in the segment of Honda
HR-V and Mazda CX-3
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S8nY3sQxuk
The T-Cross will ride on the group’s MQB platform and will be front-wheel drive only. Measuring at 4,107 mm in length, Volkswagen promises that there will be ample space for all occupants and luggage thanks to the sliding rear seats. Volkswagen intends to launch the baby SUV as one of the safest vehicles in its class that will be equipped with advanced driver assist systems such as
Front Assist
 and Lane Departure Warning System amongst others.
It is not the first time we are hearing of the T-Cross name, as the company has
confirmed the model back in 2016
. SUV will play an important role in Volkswagen’s growth and sales as they target 40 per cent of all vehicles sold by the company will be SUVs by 2020. Volkswagen is also looking to expand its SUV range to 20 model offerings before 2020 including their first ever convertible SUV, the
T-Roc Convertible
.


Toyota invests US$1 billion into Grab, accelerates development in mobility services

After acquiring Uber’s Southeast Asia operations early this year, Grab has announced that it has reached an agreement with Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) to strengthen their existing partnership in the development of new mobility technologies.
As part of the agreement, Toyota will invest US$1 billion (RM3.99 billion) in Grab’s new round of financing, making the Japanese carmaker not only the lead investor but also the largest investment made by an automotive manufacturer in the global ride-hailing sector.
The new expansion will see the two companies expand their collaboration in incorporating Grab’s operations onto Toyota’s proprietary mobility services platform (MSPF) – an information database for connected vehicles – and rolling out various connected services throughout the region using the data stored on the Toyota MSPF.
This will help Grab to achieve greater connectivity for its rental car fleet across Southeast Asia while Toyota will be on track to develop innovative mobility solutions such as driving-data-based automotive insurance, financial services and maintenance services for its customers in Southeast Asia. The two companies will also look for future collaborations aimed to achieve more-efficient ride-hailing businesses and for developing future mobility service solutions and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) vehicles.
Co-founder and CEO of Grab, Anthony Tan also commented: “We are thrilled to have Toyota onboard as a long-term, strategic partner of Grab’s. Toyota is an incredible company that has done so much for the world. This strong partnership will enable us to become the one-stop mobility platform in Southeast Asia. We look forward to executing the same vision of the future. A future that will provide for safer and more affordable rides, more liveable cities, and millions of new micro businesses in the digital revolution. We will continue to work with global leaders like Toyota in bringing this vision to pass.”
Co-Founder & CEO of Grab, Anthony Tan
Grab is currently the leading online-to-offline (O2O) mobile platforms in transportation, food and package delivery, mobile payments and financial services in 217 cities across eight Southeast Asian countries.
Moving forward, key personnel change includes a Toyota executive to be appointed into Grab’s board of director and a dedicated Toyota team member as Grab’s executive officer. Toyota is considering more personnel exchanges in the future.


Nissan recall campaign: If you haven’t checked, please do so

Edaran Tan Chong Motor
 (ETCM), the official distributor of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia, would like to remind owners to send their vehicles that may be affected by
product recalls
 to authorised services centres to have them checked over.
The various recall campaigns cover models ranging from the first generation
T30 X-Trail SUV
 and
N16 Sentra
 sedan manufactured way back in 2000, to the C26 Serena S-Hybrid produced as recently as in 2016.
While most of the models require a change of
airbag inflators made by Takata
, there’s also the issue of
back door stays
 which may malfunctions in more recent models such as the
Serena
,
X-Trail
 and
NV200
.
Parts and labour charges
 incurred due to product recalls are entirely
complimentary
, the recall campaigns also cover
vehicles that are no longer under warranty
.
To check if your Nissan is part of a product recall, have your
VIN or chassis number
 ready and log on to
http://servicecampaign.nissan.com.my/
, you can also book a service appointment on your mobile via Tan Chong’s
DriveOn app
.


Review: Mercedes-AMG C63S 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 – Simply breathtaking

The rivalry between the
AMG C 63 S
and the BMW M4 has always presented a dichotomy of two worlds; The M is always the track weapon, while the AMG is always a brute force monster. Well, according to some people, anyway.
For the most part, that statement is true. The one-man one-engine M177 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine under the hood of the AMG C 63 S is just glorious, and perhaps one of the best engines that’s ever come out from Affalterbach.
However, summarising the car to just the engine would be an injustice to the C 63 S, because that means all of the wonderful engineering and design work is ignored. I mean, just look at this beautiful machine for starters.
The AMG visual treatment on the C 63 S Coupe is done to perfection – shouty, but not overbearing. There’s no mistaking this for a “regular” AMG-line
C-Class
, with its flared wheel arches and 19-inch AMG alloys, Panamericana Grille (which is new on the facelift), and carbon fibre bits.
At the same time, it also doesn’t try to stand out too much from the crowd (i.e. large crazy wings) – which is a good thing in my books. When it’s parked at the side of the road, the C 63 S is a car that begs for a second look before walking away – especially on this Coupe body style.
The visual flair continues inside too… if carbon fibre is your thing. Otherwise, the dashboard is pretty much lifted from the regular C-class, save for a AMG-specific steering wheel and fully-digital instrument cluster. There’s also an IWC-branded clock located at a position where it realistically serves no purpose, but it sure does look cool.
The Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel in the new C 63 S also comes with a set of digital buttons lifted directly from the
GT R
, which lets you control the various settings of your car, hinting at the software wizardry AMG built into this car – more on that later.
The seats, covered in red and black twin-tone Nappa leather, adds a dash of character to the otherwise monotonous interior. Though if we’re nit-picking, they are just a tad too firm on our buttocks. While we’re at it, the infotainment system also feels archaic when we know that there’s the brilliant MBUX out there,
on a car about one-third its price
 no less.
But all that complaints just magically disappear once you step on the accelerator – The sound of pure euphoria from the AMG Performance exhaust immediately engulfs the entirety of your sensory receptors, while the 700 Nm of torque pins you to the back of your seats.
We usually hate traffic lights, but in this case they are actually a pretty nice break from the unforgiving acceleration force – giving you some time for a breather and play with the individualisation settings you can tweak the car with.
There are a lot of settings here – dampers, throttle and gearbox response, electrically-controlled limited slip differential, the whole lot. It can get overwhelming pretty fast, fortunately the presets are pretty sufficient for us mere mortals. Flick it into Sport mode on the steering-mounted rotary dial (or Sport+ if you’re feeling a little spicy), and when the lights turn green, mash the pedal and go again.
The Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe doesn’t shy on the backroads too, despite what people might lead you to believe. Turn-in is sharp and direct, albeit a little muted on the steering-feel front. The ultra-firm dampers also handle its weight well around the bends, though we just wished that Mercedes-AMG would’ve given the Comfort mode a little more, well, comfort.
The fun/fear factor is amplified by the fact that its rear end tends to slip out a little with just a touch heavier throttle input, no matter what traction control settings you’re in. Call me a wuss, but I left the dial all the way at maximum pretty much the whole time.
At the end of the day, is the C 63 S a brute force monster? Yes, but at the same time, it is also a lot more than that – be it a track time slayer, drag strip champion, or even a daily driver with its surprisingly roomy rear seats – it even comes with rear air-con vents. That’s if you can live with the bone-breaking suspension set-up, of course.
Over the weekend with the C 63 S, I’ve fallen head over heels in love with it. Yes, it does scare me to death at times, but that’s just part of it’s charm, isn’t it?
2019 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Specifications:
Engine
3,982 cc; twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission
AMG Speedshift MCT 9G automatic
Max Power
510 hp @ 5,500 – 6,250 rpm
Max Torque
700 Nm @ 2,500 – 5,000 rpm
0-100 km/h; Top Speed
3.9 seconds; 290 km/h
Price (OTR w/o Insurance)
Starting from RM820,888
IMAGE GALLERY


Lotus CEO likes to test drive new cars himself, gets caught speeding

Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales was recently caught clocking 102 mph (164kmh) in a 70 mph (112 km/h) zone while he was test driving one of his company’s
 new luxury models
 along the A11 highway nearby its Norwich headquarters.
While most would’ve been destined for a driving ban for repeating the offence, Gales, who already had eight points deducted, managed to convince the magistrate that he could not have more points deducted
so as to continue test driving new cars himself
.
The Lotus Evora 410 as featured in the
Autobuzz.my “Best Cars of 2017” video
.
His defense lawyer, urged the court that a short ban would be a better option as opposed to the potential 6-12 month duration on the A11 highway as “it was in everyone’s interest”.
As a result, a 30-day ban was imposed on Gales rather than having more points deducted and was told by the court to test his cars at the test track instead.
Source:
 Telegraph UK


2017 Ford Fiesta ST facelift unveiled, 1.5L 3-cyl turbo, 197 hp & 290 Nm!

A few months after the unveiling of the seventh-generation
Ford Fiesta
, here comes the hottest version of the popular B-Segment hatch, the 2017 Ford Fiesta ST.
This is actually just the third time Ford is offering the Fiesta ST. The new aesthetic bits here are subtle to say the least, beginning with the new 18-inch wheels, new headlights with LED DRLs, new front grille, redesigned fog lamps housing and new tail lamps. The new “
Liquid Blue
” is absolutely gorgeous. Inside, there’s Ford’s SYNC 3 as well as Bang & Olufsen PLAY Sound System.

The biggest news here is the new engine – a
1.5-litre three cylinder turbocharged
(EcoBoost) engine that is actually considerably more powerful than the old 1.6-litre four-cylinder. It now deploys
197 hp
 and
290 Nm
 of torque, up 17 hp and 50 Nm over the old lump. It’s also 0.2 seconds quicker to the 100, completing the sprint in
6.7 seconds
.
The engine also gets cylinder deactivation technology, drastically improving fuel consumption during the city run. Interestingly, there wasn’t any mention of the
 Overboost
 feature of the engine, one which previously gave the Fiesta ST a brief
17 hp
 and
50 Nm
 boost.
To the delight of many, the sole transmission here is a
 six-speed manual
, delivering all that power to the front wheels. Making its debut is the Drive Mode, allowing a selection of three settings: Normal, Sport and Track. Each drive mode alters throttle, steering and ESC threshold.
The 2017 Ford Fiesta ST will be available for public viewing at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. All we’re asking is for it to come to Malaysia. That’s all we’re asking for!
IMAGE GALLERY


Review: Proton Saga 1.3L Premium CVT, stalwart of the entry level [+Video]

The Saga is an emotional product for Proton. The originator, the birth of the brand, and numerous other platitudes abound for what is, for better or worse, the very reason we can lay claim to a Malaysian automotive industry at all. Perhaps that’s why we’re only seeing
a third generation after over three decades
, because if it ain’t broke…
But it was. Not in the sense that the outgoing Saga was a bad car, but that the game had moved on, even in the A-segment, and the Saga’s updates had largely slowed to trivial aesthetic gimmicks. Now however, to complement its new outlook, are crucial updates to the mechanics and tech to bring the Saga properly into affordable 21st-century motoring.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Proton Saga Standard (MT)
Proton Saga Standard (CVT)
Proton Saga Executive (CVT)
Proton Saga Premium (CVT)
Engine
1,332cc; inline-4, DOHC with VVT
Transmission
5-speed manual
CVT
Max Power
 94 hp @ 5,750 rpm
Max Torque
 120 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel Consumption
 5.4 litres per 100km (MT); 5.6 litres per 100km (CVT)
Price
RM36,800
RM39,800
RM42,800
RM45,800
EXTERIOR
A word about styling and packaging: of all the national cars that have to straddle the age demographic with care, the Saga sits on the thinnest line. The design brief probably spells out just one word repeatedly: inoffensive. This is no head turner, but neither is it a divisive sketch that will put potential customers off from even going for a spin. The pressure, we imagine, must be incredible; having to appeal to the youth without alienating more mature audiences.

Between the two ends of the Saga exists a mild dichotomy, the rear end is actually, dare we say it, somewhat attractive with subtle use of concave surfaces and curves to lend it some sophistication, especially with a chrome bar connecting the rear light clusters. The front is unfortunately a little bland in comparison, but perhaps for Proton’s entry level automobile, this is not such a bad thing. Stealing the thunder from
the Persona
 would not be very desirable.
Fortunately for the Saga however, is that it isn’t a sedan based on a hatchback, the way the Persona is. As such, the window line rises gradually before culminating in a kink, lending the profile a slight wedge and appearing nimbler than before.
Dimensionally there are increases almost everywhere — especially in the length — but the Saga sits slightly lower and maintains the same wheelbase.
INTERIOR
In a word, simple. Everything is where you expect it to be, adjusted and/or toggled the way things have been done almost since the Saga was born. On the wheel of the Premium however, are infotainment and call controls. Finally.
Greys and blacks abound, from the seats to the dash, a bit dull to the eyes but a boon to keep clean. The rear-view mirror integrated reverse camera is a fantastic addition, a feature usually found in cars costing twice as much, if not more.

It’s when you plonk yourself in the back that you notice what is a legitimate stroke of genius on Proton’s part: a pair of USB charging ports — 1.5A and 2.1A — at the aft section of the tunnel console. This will, once and for all, put an end to your friends, or children, fighting for USB ports up front. Or cupholders for that matter, of which there are six.
THE DRIVE
Under the hood is the smaller of the two Iriz hearts, the VVT-equipped 1.3-litre good for
 94 hp
 and
120 Nm
. Not great numbers by any stretch, but gone is the draggy nature of the old IAFM+ mill to be replaced with a new, welcome eagerness.
On the move, proceedings are very familiar. The CVT rubber band is omnipresent, just remind yourself that this ‘box was chosen to aid in fuel economy; a little green leaf on the instrument panel — ECO Drive Assist — lights up, indicating that you’re being gentle with the throttle. Pushing off from standstill requires some advance planning, as the first touch on the throttle spikes the revs, then a short delay, followed by forward motion.
Strangely, at very low speeds and under mild acceleration, the tranny jerks in a manner similar to a manual when you try to pick up speed in a gear too high. This is perhaps due to the engagement of the clutch, because the transmission employs a mechanical clutch, and not a torque converter.
Where dynamics is concerned however, the story takes a turn for the better. Chuck the Saga into a corner and find surprising grip, thanks to new suspension and a front strut bar, albeit with a lack of feedback. The upside to this is that the wheel feels noticeably lighter than before, especially pronounced during parking manoeuvres.
Where we heartily commend Proton would be with regards to exemplary NVH levels; all the way up to highway speeds the Saga feels and sounds impressively damped. Even sporting the 15-inch rims of our test car, blemished roads and speed humps were dismissed with new levels of grace the previous Saga could only dream of.
The Saga is comfortable, quiet and refined. Adjectives that have never been used to describe any Sagas, ever.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
Do you require four wheels and an engine delivered in the simplest and most cost-effective package? Then, yes.
The updates in safety alone warrant a long, hard look at the Saga: ABS, EBD, brake assist, stability and traction control, hill-hold assist, dual front airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts and a driver’s seatbelt reminder. You find all this in the Premium variant only however, so if you are able to spring for it, our suggestion is to go all the way. These are necessities, not luxuries.
Malaysia’s first national car is back. Yes, the powertrain may not be groundbreaking and the exterior aesthetic may not be cohesive, but this is a milestone in Proton’s road to recovery.
WILL I BUY IT?
This Saga is essentially a bit of a stopgap in the powertrain sense, bridging the period between the previous Saga and an update to come sometime around late-2017 or early-2018 which should sport the
new 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre naturally aspirated mills co-developed with Lotus and Ricardo
.
Which is not to say that this VVT engine is bad, but there is progress to be made especially in the efficiency sense. The future for the Saga, for the sake of the nameplate, has to be fewer cylinders and smaller displacement, harnessed with a better gearbox.
So in the end, unfortunately, the Saga doesn’t quite end happily ever after, at least not for me. The A-Segment sedan with a difference, pardon the pun, would be my choice. The
Perodua Bezza
 offers otherworldly fuel efficiency figures in a decidedly more premium package, and if you were to spring for top spec you would be rewarded with what is possibly the best affordable sedan in the country.
[Words by V.B]
Matthew’s take: Judging by sheer looks alone, the third-generation Proton Saga may not seem all that different. While stylistically similar, the cabin is a vast step up in comfort, insulation and rear legroom. Never has an entry-level Proton impressed in terms of NVH, but this Saga delivered exactly that, and sometimes more. The Perodua Bezza still has the upper hand in build quality and power/drivetrain management, though all that may swing in Proton’s favour once the new engines come along. This Saga is the one many have longed for, and perhaps it’s just a year or two too late to the game. As the saying goes, better late than never!
IMAGE GALLERY


Second-gen Audi A7 debuts, new looks, 4-wheel steering and mild hybrid system!

Following the global debut of the
all-new Audi A8
, the four-rings pulled off the wraps to the second-generation A7 Sportback. Unveiled at the new Audi Design Centre in Ingolstadt, you know that Audi is trying to highlight the A7s new design.
Measuring at 4,969 mm in length, 1,908 mm in width, 1,422 mm in height and 2,926 mm in wheelbase, Audi has shortened its overall length (-5 mm) and width (-2 mm) compared to the model it replaces. Wheelbase has swelled by 12 mm and it sits taller by 2 mm. Boot space remains at
 535 litres
 (1,390 litres with the rear seats folded), but Audi claims that they have freed up
21 mm
 more interior space, giving rear passengers more kneeroom and headroom.
EXTERIOR
Like the A8, the new A7 was inspired by the
Prologue Concept
. While the A8 gets a more matured and sophisticated look for the big bosses, the A7 stands for “pure progressive”. Every element of its design has been taken to the most extreme wherever possible. Long bonnet, short overhangs and dynamic roofline all give the A7 a lean but elegant look.
The Singleframe grille, while familiar, sits wider and lower to give off a decidedly sportier vibe. Headlamps come in three options – standard LED, Matrix LED and
Matrix LED with Audi laser light
 while wheel option extends to 21-inch in size.

On the outgoing model, its third-brake light was a high mounted unit that extends across the rear windscreen much like a
Bentley Continental GT
. This round, the designers have integrated the stop light right in the rear boot lid, connecting the two LED taillamps.
As standard, the A7 is available in 15 exterior shades, eight of which are new additions to the A7 colour palette. Of course, if you’re feeling a little fancy, you can always fly to Audi Neckarsulm plant in Germany where the A7 is made, and have a fully customised paint finish of your choice.
INTERIOR
The designers have carried over several values from the Prologue show car but there is one design theme in particular that was given utmost priority – reduction as a design tool. The result is a minimalistic but highly intuitive cabin.
Like the A8, three screens dominate the dashboard of the A7: a 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit instrument cluster, 10.1-inch upper MMI display and an 8.6-inch lower display for main vehicle controls. While most key functions of the car going digital, Audi have invested in developing
haptic and acoustic feedback
 that simulate the “click” feeling the four-rings are famous for.
New to the range topping A7 are the multi-adjustable, customised contour front seats with ventilation and massage. Other options on the A7 include air quality package with air perfume and ioniser, panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, heated windscreen and others.
PERFORMANCE
At launch, the A7 is available in a sole 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 TFSI packing
335 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque mated to a seven-speed S Tronic dual-clutch box. Drive is handled by the Quattro drivetrain allowing the A7 to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
5.3 seconds
 with a limited top speed of
250 km/h
. Other four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines will roll out in the near future.
Depending on options the A7 will ride on one of four different suspension setups: standard, sport (-10 mm ride height), electronically controlled dampers and air suspension. All-wheel steering can be had as an option too, allowing the rear wheels to turn a maximum of five degrees to improve low speed manoeuvrability and high-speed stability. In low speeds, the all-wheel steering reduces the turning circle at full lock by 1.1 metres. Audi also recommends having the Sport differential to go with the all-wheel steering.
Audi has also fitted a 48-volt primary electrical system (the
same system as the A8
) to the A7 to reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.7 litres per 100 km.
SAFETY
Audi is officially bringing the
Audi AI system
 to the A7 in 2018 which allows the A7 to
park itself
 into a designated carpark without a driver via the myAudi app. Depending on the equipment level, there can be as many as five radar sensors, five cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors and a laser scanner to ensure the A7 does not run into anything or anyone while navigating in and out of a parking space.
In addition to the Audi AI systems, the new A7 features a total of 39 driver assistance system such as Adaptive Driving Assistant (ADA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Traffic Jam Assist.
Prices start from £56,000 (RM310k) and considering that Audi Malaysia has the previous gen A7 on sale, it is only a matter of time before the A7 makes its way here.
IMAGE GALLERY
Audi A7 3.0L TFSI Quattro


Aston Martin unveils its most vicious ‘DB’ to date, the DB9 GT

While it’s no secret that the DB9 is an ageing monstrosity, the folks at Gaydon have decided to spice things up a bit by introducing the DB9 GT – a more powerful and luxurious version of the DB9 moniker.
This handbuilt English 2+2 sports car comes with an all-alloy
6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12
 engine, but here it is tuned to make
540 hp
 at 6,750 rpm and
620 Nm
 of torque at 5,500 rpm. Gearbox choice is the same
Touchtronic II six-speed gearbox
 with electronic shift-by-wire control, sending drive to the rear wheels. Aston says the DB9 GT will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.5 seconds
 – about 0.1 seconds quicker than the outgoing DB9, before maxing out at
295 km/h
.

Carried forward are the double wishbone suspensions at the front and rear axles, featuring still the
three-stage Adaptive Damping System
 that offers three driving modes – Normal, Sport and Track. Styling is a little different too, as it comes with black front splitter and rear diffuser, revised head and tail lamps, new 20-inch 10-spoke design alloy wheel, black anodised brake calipers and a GT engraving on the aluminium fuel cap. If you want some of the aerodynamic bits finished in carbon fibre, that comes at a cost. Optional, of course.
Besides power gains, the interior also receives a touch of upgrade. For one, the GT comes with an
AMi II touchscreen infotainment system
 – a much improved AMi unit debuted in the Vanquish. It’s now more user friendly and offers text message integration, vehicle status information and wallpaper or theme customisations. It also supports AM/FM, Bluetooth connectivity and comes with USB ports.
Besides the new head unit, the steering wheel is wrapped in Alcantara and the head restraints get the ‘GT’ lettering embroidery. The centre console is also new, taken straight off the Vanquish as part of their interior upgrade.
IMAGE GALLERY


Video: RM1mil Land Rover Defender 110 P400 MHEV full review

This is the one; the one you’ve been waiting for that’s just a little special. Not only are we reviewing a ‘Bond car’, but we’re also reviewing a revived icon; the first all-new Defender since the early 80s, the
 Land Rover Defender P400 MHEV
. It’s now in Malaysia for a cool RM1 million.
The model you’re looking at is the Defender 110 with four doors while the shorter, two-door version is known as the Defender 90. Recently, Land Rover introduced an even longer version, the
 Defender 130
. It headlined the news with its ability to fit three adults in the third row.
In Malaysia, there are two variants of the Defender 110 in Malaysia; a 300 hp P300 variant, with 2.0-litre turbocharged engine while the one you see here is the more powerful P400 variant, with (as you’d expect 400 hp) from a 3.0-litre straight-six engine coupled with a mild hybrid system.

It’s everything you’d expect of a Defender; from the boxy looks, rugged edges and sheer size – it takes a week to complete a walk around the car. It may still appear to be inspired by its iconic predecessor, especially with glass panels on the headlining, there’s plenty of new kit to usher the future with.
For starters, you get a completely new aluminium body structure that allows the Defender to be more like an SUV than pick-up, but with all the capabilities of an off-roader. Being the modern defender, it may have adopted a friendlier look but it still has all the tricks for when the tarmac runs out, like the air suspension system for example that can raise the car up 2.2 metres tall – with a ground clearance of nearly 300 mm! That’s 100 mm more than what most pick-ups offer today.
There’s even more cool stuff inside but instead of rambling on with words on the Defender 110, why don’t we let the visuals do the talking?
GALLERY


1 of 50 Rolls-Royce Wraith Eagle VIII lands in Malaysia

Authorised dealer of Rolls-Royce in Malaysia,
Rolls-Royce Motors Cars Kuala Lumpur
 has announced the arrival of a very unique, extremely rare Rolls-Royce –
the Wraith Eagle VIII
 – sold for a whopping RM3.3 million.
As you’re reading this, its new owner is probably already wafting around in it but to run into it would be like finding a RM50 note on the street. That’s because there’s only one in Malaysia, 50 on this entire planet.

The extremely rare Wraith Eagle VIII pays tribute to the first non-stop Transatlantic flight between St. John’s, Newfoundland to Clifden, Ireland. The extraordinary feat was taken on by Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Brown, both friends of Sir Henry Royce, in June 1919 in a modified World War 1 Vickers Vimy bomber aircraft. Unsurprisingly, the aircraft was powered by two Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines.
For this very reason, the Wraith Eagle VIII is littered with memorabilia that commemorates the most pivotal moments of the flight. It’s not just a rare piece of collectible, it’s also an immersive experience from over 100 years ago, just being around the car.
Take the exterior for example, the black grille vanes were inspired by the Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engine of the bomber aircraft while the brass speaker covers in the cabin depict the flight distance of 1,880 miles (approx. 3,025km).
The frozen instrument panels on the plane during the flight are replicated by a clock with a frozen effect on its background. Its faint green glow refers to the illumination of the control panel lighting and the burst of flames from the engine as the pilot’s only source of knowing the health of the plane’s engines.
Perhaps the most interesting of all is the starlight headliner featuring 1,183 starlight fibres were used to re-enact the night sky at the time of the flight. You will also not miss the details on the Eucalyptus wood panels of the dashboard, which replicates the view of the earth from the plane in the night. It’s simply incredible.
There’s even a plaque by the door with a quote by Winston Churchill, arguably the most well-known former Prime Minister in the UK which says, “
I do not know what we should most admire – their audacity, determination, skill, science, their aeroplane, their Rolls-Royce engines – or their good fortune”
.
GALLERY
Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII


Here’s how much it costs to replace the battery pack on a Nissan X-Trail Hybrid

Not too long ago, Malaysians were sent into shock at the alleged cost to
replace a lithium-ion battery pack for a Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTec Hybrid
 and naturally, consumers have become more cautious when making a purchase on a high-voltage car.
To reassure customers with the longevity and sustainability (for their pockets at least) of their hybrid models, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has just revealed the cost to replace the lithium-ion battery pack on their
facelifted Nissan X-Trail 2.0L Hybrid
 at a press conference.
According to Director of Sales and Marketing of ETCM, Christopher Tan, should you need a battery replacement on the X-Trail Hybrid beyond the 5-Years (Unlimited Mileage) warranty coverage, it would cost
RM25,000
inclusive of installation.
This price is uniform
across the SEA region and Tan attributed the high cost of the battery pack to the
30% import duty applied as the component(s) is fully imported from Japan. The cost
of disposing the damaged batteries by exporting to Norway for recycling is also
factored into the price.
Looking at the lump
sum of RM25,000 in isolation is indeed a shocker for many, however, ETCM as
assured that customers can opt for the TC Warranty Plus extended warranty package
for all its hybrid-powered models for additional peace of mind.
The TC Warranty Plus provides
customers with 2 to 4-Years of additional warranty coverage which also covers
the hybrid components at a fraction of the cost of a new lithium-ion battery pack.


2016 Kia Optima Sportswagon unveiled, dreams do come true

Around the same time last year, Kia released several pictures of the Kia Sportspace Concept, which is essentially the wagon-bodied Optima. A little while after that, the Korean carmaker was said to have shelved plans of actually producing it. Well, all that has changed now.
Revealed here in full glory is Kia’s first ever D-Segment tourer, a variant of great importance to the European market. Chances of it coming our way is a little bleak to say the least (much less the
hotter 242 hp Optima GT
), so let’s not get too excited just yet. Its sheer size is equal to that of the sedan, measuring 4,855mm in length and 1,860mm wide, but it’s
5mm taller
 to accommodate the larger
553-litre cargo capacity
.

Design wise, both the Optima sedan and Sportswagon look identical from the front, but things change when viewed from the rear. The LED tail lamps are different to that of the sedan, though we must admit they suit the overall look just fine. Squaring off the rump are the oval exhaust and an integrated air diffuser. On the GT variant, the diffusers are more aggressive-looking.
The interior remains largely the same, featuring either a
7.0-inch or 8.0-inch touchscreen
 infotainment system. Like the sedan, the former unit doesn’t come with satellite navigation system which is reserved for the fancier 8.0-inch head unit. Both systems however,
support Apple CarPlay
 and
AndriodAuto
. To make full use of a screen that big, the Optima incorporates a
360-degree Around View Monitor
, courtesy of four externally positioned cameras.
Six speakers come as standard, but depending on which continent you live on, an
eight-speaker 590-Watt Harman Kardon sound system
 can be specified, boosted with an amplifier and subwoofer with Clari-Fi MP3 restoration technology. The Optima also comes with a
5W wireless charging tray
 for compatible smartphones.
But of course, the core of this subject is its practicality, and Kia is branding it as the most practical Optima ever. Its 553-litre cargo space is approximately
48 litres larger
 than the sedan’s, but Kia has yet to confirm on the exact volume the Sportswagon will give when its the rear bench gets folded flat (40:20:40 configuration). To ease the loading process, this Optima comes with a Smart Power Tailgate system that automatically opens the boot when the key fob is detected within range.
Now, Kia has yet to disclose the Optima Sportswagon’s full technical details, but from what we know, Europe-bound Optimas will be powered by a
1.7-litre CRDi diesel
,
2.0-litre CVVL petrol
 and the hotter
2.0-litre T-GDI
 (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection) engine. The oil burning lump produces
140 horsepower
 at 4,000 rpm and
 340 Nm
 of torque from 1,750 to 2,000 rpm. Two transmissions will be available for the diesel – a
six-speed manual
 or a new
seven-speed dual-clutch
 gearbox.
Opt for the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre CVVL petrol and you’ll get
161 horsepower
 and
 196 Nm
 of torque channeled to the front wheels via a
six-speed manual
 or
 six-speed conventional automatic
. The range topping GT variant gets a turbocharged four-cylinder GDI engine making
243 hp
 at 6,000 rpm and
 353 Nm
 of torque from a low 1,350 to 4,000 rpm. A sole six-speed torque converter gearbox is offered here. All engines have four cylinders, 16 valves and are Euro6 emissions compliant.
The 2016 Kia Optima Sportswagon will go on sale across Europe in the fourth quarter this year and will come with the company’s
7-Year or 160,000km warranty programme
. All European Optimas will be built at Kia’s Hwasung manufacturing facility in Korea.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen celebrates this Chinese New Year with ‘Wong-derful’ deals

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) wants to give you good luck and prosperity this Chinese New Year with their ‘Wong-derful’ CNY open house this
Saturday, the 8th of February.
The celebration open house will take place from
 11 am to 5 pm
, at
authorized Volkswagen dealerships nationwide
. This year’s celebration will include a variety of exclusive deals and aftersales offerings, alongside a CNY feast complete with Yee Sang.
Starting with the recently released
 Passat 2.0TSI Elegance
(RM187,990), every purchase will be offered with
one-year free vehicle insurance
. All
Volkswagen Tiguan
 variants (Highline, Join, Sound & Style) are also eligible to enjoy the one-year free insurance offer, in addition to a
one-year free petrol rebate
.
Other Volkswagen models can enjoy
cash savings of up to RM7,000
 (Vento Comfortline), with monthly loan repayment as low as RM735. A full list of savings on offer can be found in the table below:
Source: VPCM
All Volkswagen owners attending the ‘Wong-derful’ open house are also welcome to book a
free 20-point inspection at the event
. Additionally, battery and tires replacement are also entitled to a
20% discount
.
Volkswagen owners with free maintenance vouchers will receive
 free fluid top-up
 consisting of coolant, windscreen cleaner, and engine oil with a
minimum spend of RM388.
Those without the vouchers can take advantage of the offer with a minimum spend of RM488. Volkswagen Care Plus maintenance programme members are entitled to the same offer with a minimum spend of RM288.


This 1,050 hp Corvette drifting on a mountain road will leave you breathless

Most of us wouldn’t even think of driving that fast on a mountain road that narrow and winding, especially with a drop so steep that by the time you hit the bottom, there’ll be nothing left but recyclable metal.
The Chevrolet Corvette C6 you see in this video is built and driven by
Matt Field
, with 7.0-litres of American V8 madness strapped to a supercharger and fed with nitrous oxide to produce 1,050 hp.
The video not only demonstrates acute drifting prowess that will put even Mr Block on the edge of his bucket seat but is also a showcase of aerial photography being pushed to the absolute limits. I mean, have you seen a drone car chase scene this dramatic?
Credit:
HeatWave Visual


All-new 2023 BMW i5 – fully-electric 5 Series to launch this year, ROI now open in Malaysia

The next-generation
 BMW 5 Series
will be joined by a fully-electric variant, as confirmed by the German carmaker in a business update yesterday. Dubbed BMW i5, the fully-electric executive sedan will be unveiled in October this year alongside its 48V mild-hybrid and PHEV counterparts.
Interestingly, a registration of interest (ROI) is already now available on the local BMW Malaysia website, indicating at perhaps an imminent launch here in Malaysia not too long after its global debut. Head on to the website, linked
 here
, if you’re interested.
The latest-generation BMW 530i and 530e in Malaysia. Check out the full gallery here
As usual, there aren’t many details for us to pore through here, but BMW did announce that it’ll sport a “fresh interpretation of its signature elegantly sporting design”, and will be “more dynamic and more comfortable than ever”, alongside all the usual bold marketing claims.
Inside, the G60 and G60E (for i5) generation 5 Series will also feature the now-standard BMW Curved Display on the dashboard, and will run on the upcoming BMW Operating System 8.5 – an updated, ‘stop-gap’ version of the current iDrive 8 system before the Android-based
iDrive 9
rolls around.
The i4 M50, BMW M’s best-selling model of 2022.
More interestingly, however, is that the all-new fully-electric BMW i5 will also be offered in a “BMW M Performance model”. This won’t be a full-blown M model like the M5, but more in line with the
 i4 M50
 that offers increased performance from a similar twin-motor powertrain set-up.
“The all-electric BMW i4 M50 shows how BMW blends dynamic performance and electric mobility to perfection,” said BMW Chairman, Oliver Zipse, at the recent BMW Group Annual Conference. “It was the best-selling BMW M model worldwide in 2022. A fully electric Performance model from BMW M will also be included in the new BMW 5 Series sedan line-up.”
The sedan will also be joined by the 5 Series touring in Spring 2024, which will also be available as a fully-electric model.
A return back to the angel eyes? One can hope…
There’s not much to see from the sole teaser image BMW provided, aside from perhaps a tall and flat nose, and what looks like a return-to-form for the daytime-running lights signature, with a discrete twin angel eyes look.
We also know that the all-new 2023 BMW 5 Series will not be built on the marque’s upcoming EV-exclusive
Neue Klasse platform
 just yet, instead relying on the CLAR platform for this G60-generation model, making it one of the marque’s last model to be based on the older architecture.
The fully-electric Neue Klasse platform will only be due sometime in 2025, headlined by the all-new 3 Series model. Although, earlier reports stated that the model might be
 built on two separate platforms
 for EV and petrol models, as certain markets might not be mature enough to embrace a fully-electric 3-er just yet.
Either way, the German carmaker is planning to debut “at least six models” built on the Neue Klasse platform within 24 months of the start of production. Prior to that, though, there will also still be the BMW X2 and fully-electric iX2 due sometime in 2024. The company is still keeping mum on its exact details, although we can be pretty sure it’ll still be the same compact coupe-crossover model, but based on the all-new X1 and iX1.
As for its sister brands, a new fully-electric Mini Countryman is also set to debut in the coming years.


Locally-assembled Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSI launched in Malaysia, at RM131k [+Video]

We announced earlier that the VW Jetta CKD will launch last month, and that didn’t happen. Volkswagen Group Malaysia finally unveiled the
Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSI CKD
, priced at
RM21,000
 lower than the CBU model. The good news is, the engine and gearbox remain the same as the import model.

QUICK FACTS
Name
Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSI – CKD
Segment
C-segment Sedan
Engine
1,390cc In-line 4, TSI (twincharger) engine
Max Power
158hp @ 5,800 rpm
Max Torque
240Nm @ 1,500 – 4,500 rpm
Price
RM 130,888

The long overdue locally-assembled C-segment car, which was initially said to be rolling out from the Pekan plant right after the Passat in 2012 is finally here. The VW Jetta is Volkswagen’s
fourth CKD model
 in Malaysia. Joining in the already-crowded C-segment market, competition is stiff with mostly Japanese contenders leading the pack.
With its powerplant maintained, no
significant
 changes are made to this Completely Knocked Down model. If you pay enough attention, you will realize the paddle shifters are no longer there and you do get a new RCD 320 radio with 6-speakers.
EXTERIOR
On the front, a pair of headlights with automatic activation, ‘Leaving Home’ and manual ‘Coming Home’ function. Chrome double-line grille, heated exterior mirror with integrated turn signals,
16-inch
 “Navarra” allow wheels, front & rear park distance control PDC and twin exhaust pipes.

INTERIOR
Inside the car is the conventional VW cabin design, that shouts simplicity with practicality. As mentioned earlier, the audio system is now “
RCD 320
” with USB port, iPod interface, SD card slot, Aux-in, Bluetooth and 6-speakers. The trunk space has
510 litres
 of space, there’s auto-dimming interior rear mirror, ‘Black Pyramid’ decorative inserts for dashboard and door trim panel, ‘Climatronic’ air conditioning system, cruise control, glove compartment with cooling function, leather shift knob and handbrake lever, and multi-function display ‘plus’.

The upholstery and seats are wrapped with ‘Sienna’ fabric and the steering wheel is multi-functional and wrapped in leather. Rear passengers get rear air conditioning vents as well.
SAFETY
The VW Jetta does come fitted with plenty of safety feature. First of, the VW Jetta is fitted with 6-airbags which is pretty impressive. It also has ABS with Brake Assist (BA), Electronic stability control (ESC), hill-hold control, rain sensor and speed sensitive electromechanical power steering.
PERFORMANCE
Under the hood is the 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder TSI engine, which is both turbocharged and supercharged. Together with its 7-speed DSG engine, it produces
158 horsepower
 and
240 Nm
 of torque. This may give a slightly different driving feel as compared to Japanese and Koreans C-segment cars.
WHAT ELSE?
Volkswagen Group Malaysia invited
Simon Loasby
, Director of Design, VW Group China to give us an insight of how Volkswagen group come out with its unique identity in all their cars. He also sketched out the front facade of the Jetta, and at the same time explaining the importance of proportion and straight lines in VW’s car design.
The Malaysian-assembled
Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSI
 is priced at
RM130,888
 which is
RM21,000
 lower than the CBU unit of RM151,888. With the introduction of the fourth CKD model in Malaysia, VGM reckons it will help elevate sales figures in Malaysia. The VW Jetta 1.4 TSI will be available in showrooms nationwide starting 2 May, 2014.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Sales Tax Exemption: UMW Toyota Motor updated price list in Malaysia

Following the announcement of the Sales Tax Exemption, UMW Toyota Motor has released an updated price list for Toyota models in Malaysia, along with the
price of the all-new 4th generation Toyota RAV4
.
Toyota Malaysia

Price List after Sales Tax Exemption, effective June 15th till December 31st are as follow:
As for the Hilux, Innova 2.0E M/T (Taxi), and the Hiace, prices remain unchanged as they are categorised under commercial vehicles and will not benefit from the tax exemption.
For the updated price list of other car brands in Malaysia after Sales Tax Exemption, click
here
.


This company is building the world’s fastest SUV, based on the Jaguar F-Pace

British sportscar maker, Lister Motor Company, is set to build the fastest SUV in the world called the LFP, after launching the LFT-666; one of the fastest-selling models in Lister’s 65-year history.
Details are scarce at the moment but the LFP, based on the Jaguar F-Pace, will pack around
670 hp
andget to 100 km/h from standstill in just 3.5 seconds, with a top speed likely exceeding 300 km/h. Order books are already open, with pricing expected to be around the £140,000 (RM750k) ballpark.
The LFT-666 on the other hand, with only 99 units built based on the sleek Jaguar F-Type, will lead Lister’s line-up as their most powerful sportscar.
Under its hood is a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 making
 666 hp
 and nearly
 1,000 Nm
 of torque, from a modified intercooler, improved air intake system and a different Engine Control Unit. As a result, 0 – 100 km/h is done in just 3.2 seconds, almost a second quicker than the F-Type, with top speed extended to 335 km/h.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota reproduces new spare parts for ‘Initial D’ icon AE86

Toyota Gazoo Racing has announced that it will be reproducing spare parts for the iconic AE86 Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno.
The company will be reproducing spare parts which were previously discontinued and selling them as genuine parts. They include the rear driveshaft, the rear brake caliper, and the steering knuckle arm.
Toyota launches GR Heritage Parts project to reproduce Supra spare parts. Read about it here!
Rear driveshaft
Rear brake caliper
Steering knuckle arm
These parts will be sold domestically and to foreign markets from the 1st of November onwards, under the
GR Heritage Parts project
. Production of the AE86 ceased over 30 years ago and is affectionately known in Japan as the “hachi-roku” which means “eight-six”.
In case you aren’t aware, the Levin and Trueno are the “sports models” in the Corolla and Sprinter series. Only vehicles equipped with the legendary 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve engine (codenamed 4A-GEU) were given the “AE86” designation.
Trueno
Levin
That being said, Toyota highlighted that the AE86 spare parts will only be reproduced for a
 limited time period
with the cooperation of its suppliers so stocks will be limited nonetheless.
More details such as part number and production period will be released on the Toyota Gazoo Racing website from the 1st of November onwards.
Long live the A80 Toyota Supra, with spares now reproduced by GR Heritage Parts. Read about it here!


Ultra-rare Aston Martin DB10 previewed, Spectre to hit Malaysian screens in November

With the highly anticipated 24th installment of the adventures, trials and tribulations of the world’s most prolific spy, James Bond, Aston Martin has taken the opportunity to put the very limited-edition DB10 on display at the brand’s spiritual home in Milton Keynes, UK.
Only ten units of the DB10 will ever be made, and

just one was put on display for fans and enthusiasts to see in the metal. The relaxed, family-friendly event saw more than
500
 people visit Aston Martin Works to get a close-up view of the brand’s ultra-exclusive new creation.
Stunt driver
Mark Higgins
 – the man behind the wheel for the extreme driving scenes in the
three
 previous
Bond films
 – was also at the weekend event to share his insights into both the making of
Spectre

and the experience of driving the exclusive DB10. Aside from the rare chance to see the stunning Aston Martin DB10 ‘in the metal’, visitors of the historic Newport Pagnell site were treated to a display of one of the Aston Martin DB5s used in the previous blockbuster Bond film,
Skyfall
.
Guests also had the chance to put their own driving skills to the test behind the wheel of an Aston Martin in virtual reality by means of a Sony PS4 console simulator challenge, with prizes awarded for the fastest laps. Aston Martin Works Managing Director, Paul Spires said, “The whole day was a superb occasion. I was thrilled to see so many of our customers come along to see for themselves the incredible DB10. It was also a real delight to see so many youngsters –
potential
 Aston Martin customers of the future – join us on the day.”
A quick check on local movies (TGV Cinemas) listings show that the movie will premier locally on the
 6th of November
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton relaunches in South Africa after 10 years – to have 25 dealers in 6 months

Local car maker
Proton
 has just relaunched in South Africa after ten years of exiting the market. To be officially distributed by Combined Motor Holdings (CMH), Proton will first re-enter the South African market with its two SUVs, the
X70
 and
X50
. Both cars will be fully imported (CBU) by the Rainbow Nation. Set to join both SUVs in 2023 is the
Proton Saga
.
CMH Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jebb McIntosh said, “When the Proton brand became available, CMH jumped at the opportunity for several reasons, but mostly because we saw a gap in the market for a quality SUV within an affordable price bracket. There are many luxury brands selling SUVs in South Africa, but most are simply unaffordable to the average car buyer here.”
“Our plan is to have 25 dealers within six months, the first 17 of which have already undergone sales and technical training. A full range of replacement parts are also already in stock in our distribution centre so our customers can buy the vehicles with confidence,” he added.
So far in 2022, Proton has exported 4,040 cars worldwide, which is a 33.9% increase from January to August 2021. As Proton reclaims its market share in Malaysia, it plans to exploit its international market potential. With the relaunch in South Africa, more growth is to be expected in terms of Proton’s exports.
RELATED:
Proton adds new ‘kosong-spec’ Standard Lite variant to Saga line-up, RM38k
Regarding exports, Proton Deputy CEO, Roslan Abdullah said, “Proton is aggressively pursuing export sales as we believe it is one of the pillars to growing our overall volumes. There is a lot of potential for growth in our international markets, not just for the Proton brand but for the local automotive industry too so we want to establish a firm foothold while these markets are still accessible.”
“Our aim is to achieve 6,000 export sales this year and while we remain confident of achieving our goal, there is a lot of work ahead of us to identify suitable partners to gain entry to more countries to achieve bigger goals in the future.”
RELATED:
PRO-NET is Proton’s new EV subsidiary that will also build a public charging network
From January to August 2022, Proton registered 87,841 cars, of which 4,040 were exported. In August alone, Proton sold 15,880 cars with 938 exported units.
RELATED:
Proton sold 15,880 cars in August, relaunching in South Africa


Video: Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica now in Malaysia, 5 Things

Just a month after launching the new,
 track-focused Huracan STO
, Lamborghini Malaysia has introduced the
Huracan Tecnica in Malaysia
 to the tune of RM1.05 million before options and duties.
Within wide range of Huracan supercars on sale, the Tecnica sits between the Huracan STO and the
Huracan Evo RWD
. In fact, the Tecnica is based heavily on the STO without compromising on creature comforts and practicality.

For example, the Tecnica gets a vertical rear windscreen for better rear visibility, unlike the STO which is completely covered. The Tecnica comes with less aerodynamic aids, hence the more subtle rear spoiler but you’d be wrong to think that the Tecnica is a tame Lamborghini; it’s anything but.
Underneath its carbon fibre rear bonnet, is a 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 and 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox combo taken from the Huracan STO. The Tecnica produces
640 hp
 and
565 Nm
, propelling it from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, a tad slower than the Huracan STO at 3.0 seconds flat.
As for top speed, the Tecnica actually achieves higher figures, 325 km/h against the Huracan STO’s 310 km/h top speed. This is because the Tecnica does not have as many aerodynamic components as the Huracan STO – allowing it to be just a little more slippery through the wind.
The Tecnica is the second lightest Huracan behind the Huracan STO, weighing just 1,379 kg. With the new Tecnica, Lamborghini has developed a sharper sound from the V10 engine, with more immediate throttle response similar to the STO.
As for the exterior, check out the video and find out how different the Tecnica looks from the other Huracan supercars!
For more detailed info and additional images of the Tecnica, click
here
!


Check out this video of a Mercedes-Benz “talking” to pedestrians

Remember that time when we shared that Mercedes-Benz launched its new
Digital Light System
 for the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class? Well they’ve gone on to show us how it can “talk” to pedestrians walking pass and around the car.
The Digital Light System can also project texts and symbols onto the road as a precaution to the driver; working with the car’s sensors and cameras, the symbols include Low Grip Surface and even construction sites, to name a few.
The two front headlamps utilises a lighting chip each that can project with over one million pixels per side, for clarity and precision like never before – a step up even from the Multibeam LED system in other Mercedes-Benz’.
As much as it is a visual amusement, there are safety elements to this system also. For instance, the upcoming hazards indicated onto the road will also be projected into the driver’s line of sight, instead of appearing on the instrument cluster, giving the driver and its occupants better odds in an emergency situation.
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Buy and win attractive gadgets and devices at Naza Automall

Naza Motor Trading
, a subsidiary of the Naza Group launched the
‘Merdeka Beli & Menang’
 campaign today where customers stand to win electronic devices upon purchasing a car, in addition to SST savings on all vehicles at the

Naza Automall
, Petaling Jaya.
From
 now until the 16th of September 2020
, each successful vehicle purchase from the Naza Automall qualifies as an entry to be in the running to win attractive prizes totaling RM45,000. These prices include Huawei smartphones, 55-inch Smart TVs and Apple iPads.
To sweeten the deal even more, customers who purchase vehicles throughout the ‘
Merdeka Beli & Menang’
campaign can enjoy fast loan approvals and free warranty on vehicles ranging from luxury MPVs to sedans. These include vehicles by Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Toyota, MINI and many more.
For further inquiries, visit the Naza Automall, Petaling Jaya that’s open from Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. On weekends and public holidays, operation hours are from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.


2017 Hyundai Accent unveiled, the baby we used to have is now all grown up

The 2017 Hyundai Accent made its debut at the Canadian Motor Show recently before going on sale in selected markets around the world. It’s in their fifth generation now, and can be had in both sedan and hatchback forms.
Available in both hatchback and sedan variants, the new Accent’s body is 32 percent stiffer thanks to high tensile steel. Its wheelbase of
 2,570mm
 is just 30mm shorter than the fourth-generation
Honda City
 (2,600mm). Boot space for the sedan is 387 litres, whereas the hatchback can carry up to 616 litres of cargo with the rear seats folded down.

In terms of aesthetics, the Accent gets Hyundai’s signature cascading grille and new projector headlights with LED DRLs. It boasts a sweeping roof profile, giving it a sportier silhouette that’s tastefully squared off at the back. In short, the Accept is perhaps a shrunken version of the new
Elantra
.
Only one engine is offered here – the
1.6-litre Gamma four-cylinder
 GDI engine. This mill generates
132 hp
 and
166 Nm
 of torque, paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.
One of the key features of the Accent is the
Autonomous Emergency Braking
, which complements other safety kits such as six airbags and a reverse camera with dynamic guidelines. It’s also equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen panel which supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The first three generations of the Hyundai Accent were in fact sold in Malaysia, but Hyundai Malaysia stopped at the fourth. Perhaps now’s the right time to reintroduce this age-old model to Malaysia once again…
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BMW partners with Shell Malaysia to launch new engine oil and maintenance parts packages

BMW Malaysia is collaborating with Shell Malaysia to introduce its latest engine oil service and maintenance parts programmes. The new car care programmes are available from now
until the 31st of December 2020
, and can be purchased via a service appointment at any authorised BMW dealerships nationwide.
The engine oil package, priced at RM500, features the Shell Helix Ultra Professional ABB 5W-40 Engine Oil. Formulated with Shell’s PurePlus technology that delivers a virtually impurity-free synthetic base oil, the lubricant is designed to protect and extend the lifespan of high-performance engines.
Additionally, the lubricant also features Shell’s Active Cleansing Technology to prevent the build-up of power and performance-robbing deposits, while the low-evaporation formulation means less frequent engine oil top-ups, on top of higher resistance to oil degradation.
To sweeten the deal, BMW is also giving away a limited-edition BMW M4 Motorsport collectible remote car worth RM250 (while stocks last) with a purchase of two oil service packages.
Meanwhile, the BMW Service Value package offers long-term BMW vehicle owners discounts of up to 30% off retail price for original BMW maintenance parts, including brakes, wipers, spark plugs, as well as micro filters and air filters.
BMW Group Malaysia Managing Director Harald Hoelzl said, “At BMW Malaysia, we strongly believe that establishing meaningful partnerships with key players in the industry further provides the ultimate premium ownership experience for our customers.
“Shell continues to be a strategic partner to the BMW brand globally, and this partnership has allowed us to both deliver the best in value and service to customers nationwide.”
Shell Lubricants Malaysia and Singapore General Manager Nyon Kam Yew added: “Our new Shell Helix Professional range is formulated specifically for car manufacturers that demand a top-quality engine oil which meets their unique specification requirements.
“BMW Malaysia’s decision to select the fully synthetic Shell Helix Ultra Professional ABB 5W-40 as the programme’s recommended engine oil will ensure that BMW owners continue to enjoy the Sheer Driving Pleasure synonymous with the marque.”
For the latest updated price list for BMW models in Malaysia, click
here
.


You’ll need to pay a fee to use Apple CarPlay in a BMW

If you are one of the many Malaysian drivers who loves to tinker with their mobile phones while driving, this story may not be of interest to you. But if you are law-abiding and rely on
Apple CarPlay on a BMW
 (and presumably a MINI too) for proper handsfree operation, this will concern you as BMW will be charging a subscription fee for its use.
Such a move could have industry-wide implications in that Apple CarPlay connectivity (along with Android Auto typically) has always come bundled with the car; the cost of which usually
added to the price of the car
, or available as an
extra one-time cost option
, like a rim upgrade or solar tint. BMW is silent on the rationale for making customers pay for something that’s already part of the car, but we suspect the reason for doing so goes beyond just making a quick buck.
Here’s how much it’ll cost you to use Apple CarPlay if you have a BMW.
The subscription model began rolling out in various markets this week, and the terms and costs vary for different markets. For Malaysia, if you purchase a current model with Apple CarPlay connectivity,
the first 6 months of use is free
, thereafter you have the
option of paying RM 5 for a month’s trial
, after which you need to decide whether you want to stump up
RM 513 for 12 months, RM 799 for 36 months, or RM 1,899 for an unlimited period
.
The line-up currently offered by BMW Malaysia; note that there are four models which don’t come with Apple CarPlay.
As for Android smartphone users, current
BMW models do not offer Android Auto
, though BMW is expected to equip their new models with the feature within the year. So, are we seeing a new ‘trend’ here? Will other manufacturers follow suit? Watch this space.


Jaguar unveils the all-new XF: Frugal diesels and powerful petrol engines announced

Jaguar has finally pulled the covers of its rainmaker model – the new
XF
. Jaguar first released it to the world in 2007 where it gave global audiences a completely new outlook to what Jags typically are. It was less English drawing room and more funky vodka bar.
Jaguar has since been under the helm of indian magnate,
Tata Motors
 who has guided the brand onto a path that Jag has never thread on before. They’ve had enormous success with this model and it has given rise to several other reiterations of the brands models such as the
 XJ
and the
F-Type
.

Speaking of the
F-Type
, it is immediately apparent as soon as you lock onto the
rear end
 of the all-new XF that the F-Type has had a tremendous influence on the styling detail and direction of the new model. Jag has gone to extensive detail to rework the styling and look of the XF, giving it a tinge youthful vigour.
The front end has been sculpted to be much more angular, and together with the headlights it spears an aggressive fascia. The rectangular
honey-comb grille
 compliments that thought. The headlights, as you may have noticed, are decked out with
LEDs
 and
DRLs
 as you would rightfully expect.
The rear end brandishes the F-Type’s own design cue with the attention grabbing
tail lamps
 that reaches around and creeps up the side, transforms the look of this business saloon to a desirable looker that’s worthy of the bestowed styling cue.
The all-new XF is
 51mm longer
 than the previous. To this affect, it sports
more kneeroom, legroom and headroom
 than before. Despite that, the XF lost some weight to the tune of
190kg
 plus an increase in torsional stiffness of up to
28 percent
.

The interior on the other hand has had some work done to it, befitting the XF name as the
XE model
 is poised to be Jag’s entry-level sports saloon. The
rotary gear selector and air-cond vents
 are retained, giving an adequate sense of occasion. Wood and veneers give the cabin a warm yet
 familiar Jag feel
.
The options list on the all-new XF are as long as your arm and rightly so. They include
quad-zone A/C
, a
12.3-inch full-TFT
 instrument cluster,
10.2-inch touchscreen
,
10-colour ambient lighting
 and even
soft-close doors
 should that tickle your fancy. Fret not audiophiles, for Jag has thrown in a
17-speaker, 825W Meridian
 digital surround sound system for your delectation.
Jag has also elected to go with
EPAS
 or electric power assisted steering in a bid to save weight and improve fuel consumption by up to
3 percent
. This system also paves the way for tech such as
 lane-keep assist
 and
bay- and parallel park-assist
 to be included.
Jags have always upheld a sterling reputation for silky smooth ride quality and true to its name, the XF comes with
 Advanced Passive Damper
 technology via an extra valve which reduces damping forces at low speeds. The system monitors body movement
100 times
 a second and wheel movement
500 times a second
 to determine the optimum damper settings for the appropriate driving conditions.
The all-new Jaguar XF comes with a choice of
three diesel engines
 and a magnificent
petrol
 powered lump. The oil-burners in question come in the form of a
 2.0-litre four-cylinder
 lump that is tuned to put out
163 and 180 horses
 each. The “super-diesel” variant is a
 3.0-litre V6
 block that makes out
300 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque thanks to
Parallel-sequential turbocharging
 and a high-pressure injection system.
Then there’s the big daddy, with petrol spritzing through its chambers – the
3.0-litre V6
 producing
380 hp and 450 Nm
 of twist. The additional bang is courtesy of a
 twin-vortex supercharger
 kit strapped to it. Power is sent to the rear-wheels via an
eight-speed ZF
 gearbox. This goes for the
 rest of the range
 as well.
The all-new XF is now on sale in the UK, and it’s only a matter of time before it gets introduced here. Its base price in the UK starts from
£32,300
 (RM206,134) all the way up to
£50,000
 (RM319,093). In Malaysia however, we can expect the new XF to arrive as early as next year, most likely after Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia introduces the new XE. More on this to come! Meanwhile, enjoy the picture gallery we’ve put together for you.
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Here’s what you need to know about the new Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile

Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad recently launched the Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile, a first-of-its-kind service in Malaysia to offer hassle-free maintenance services right at the doorstep of their customers.
“The Cycle & Carriage brand is almost 120 years and we have, in the many decades, nurtured a personal relationship with Mercedes-Benz fans and owners. The ownership experience is a journey. And Cycle & Carriage is passionate about making it an exceptional journey for every
 Mercedes-Benz fan,” said Cycle & Carriage Bintang, Chief Executive Officer, Wilfrid Foo.
(From left) Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad, CEO, Wilfrid Foo; Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, General Manager, Parts Sales & Marketing, Customer Services MBC, Emily Lek; and Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad, General Manager, After Sales, Andrew Lim.
Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know!
The first service of its kind for Klang Valley customers
Cycle & Carriage is the pilot for the roll-out of the first Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile and its service is currently available to Cycle & Carriage customers in the Klang Valley. In celebration of the launch, Cycle & Carriage is
waiving the service fee for the first three months
.
Never leave the comforts of your home
Armed with a Mercedes-Benz Vito filled with special tools, diagnostic systems and two qualified technicians, services include scheduled maintenance services, off-site repairs, wiper blade replacements, key battery or infrared replacements and battery replacements right at your doorstep.
Transparent & Hassle-free
Customers can schedule an appointment with any Cycle & Carriage dealership within the Klang Valley to experience the full extent of Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile’s services.
To book an appointment, customers can call their respective Cycle & Carriage service centres or directly call The Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile hotline at +603 – 6192 9200.
Customers are assured greater transparency with cost estimates provided ahead of services including itemised costs for required parts and labour costs.
Operation hours
The Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile
 operates daily
 (except public holidays). Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 8.00am to 1.00pm.


Bride has made a “rocking bucket seat” for the new normal!

With restricted travelling and commuting implemented around the world, people are spending less time in their cars and more time at home. Auto accessory manufacturers have also had to adapt to this and we’ve seen companies like
K&N making face masks
 on top of their usual air filters.
Bride
, a renowned manufacturer of bucket/sport seats and other related accessories in Japan, seems to have adapted their business to suit this new normal.
While they may still produce bucket seats, they’ve also come up with this – for those who’ve missed driving in their bucket seats dearly and have been forced to stay home due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
They’re called the Bride Emperor but it’s not exactly what you think it is. They’re not exactly selling a rocking bucket seat, as both the seat and the base are sold seperately. The base is made of high-end oak wood, and finished with a urethane coat.
“The seats are an industry’s first as it can rock and recline at the same time. IT has been designed to offer a harmonious, healing, serene, and relaxing sensations,” according to Bride.
Only 10 units of the base will be created every month, as they’re all handmade. The base is compatible with the Streams Series, Euroster Series and Digo Series within Bride’s range of bucket seats.
They will be officially released on the 1st of February 2021, priced at 69,000 Yen (approx. RM2,686).


2020 Nissan Almera Turbo now available for booking in Malaysia, AEB on all variants!

The all-new Nissan Almera caused quite a stir when it
made its regional debut back
in November last year. With the extensive list of standard kit being fitted to our Malaysian-spec model (which you’ll soon see), we think that the Almera (now called Almera Turbo) will also definitely be making waves in the local B-segment market, facing its challengers head-on in the
all-new Honda City
 and
Toyota Vios
.
Available in three variants – VL, VLP and VLT, the all-new Almera Turbo is now available for booking at all Nissan authorised dealerships across Malaysia, priced between “RM8X,XXX” to “RM9X,XXX”, and is expected to be officially launched in October.
Click to enlarge
Perhaps the biggest change to the 2020 Nissan Almera Turbo is in the styling department, which we once likened it to “an ugly ducking turning into a swan”, and yes, we still stand by it. Gone is the awkward stance and bulbous design of old, replaced by a sleek, sharp, and dare we say – sporty styling direction that’s in line with the other new Nissan models.
Up front, the small sedan is characterised by the new V-motion grille, flanked by full LED headlights if you opt for the top-of-the-range VLT variant – otherwise, they are halogen-illuminated items. A prominent character line starts from behind the front wheel arch, moving through the door handles and ends with the new boomerang-styled taillights at the rear of the car, which are now fully-LED units.
The wing mirror has been repositioned to below the belt line on the door panels, while overall height of the B-segment sedan has been lowered by 40 mm to give it a wider and sportier appearance. The C-pillars also have a blacked out segment to give the roof a floating effect.
Other than that, the all-new Nissan Almera Turbo has grown in every dimension: +45 mm in width, +70 mm in overall length, and +55 mm in wheelbase, so that means the Almera will retain its best-in-class interior space crown – 620 mm of rear leg room to be exact. Cargo space is rated at 482 litres, and Nissan even claims that it can fit four golf bags in the all-new Almera Turbo.
Equally as exciting as the new styling is what’s underneath the hood. The 2020 Nissan Almera Turbo is powered by a new 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, capable of delivering
100 hp
 and
152 Nm
 of torque. The new engine is paired to an improved Xtronic CVT gearbox with D-Step logic.
While the horsepower figure is lower compared to the old 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated mill, the engine torque has actually improved, which means a more responsive driving experience especially in urban conditions. Engine response has also been tuned specifically to reduce turbo lag, thanks to the electronic waste gate and improved turbo compression.
No performance figures have been quoted, but a package like this is really about the efficiency anyway. Nissan quotes a
5.43 l/100km
 fuel consumption figure, which is equivalent to
 650 km of driving range
 on a full tank of fuel (35 litres).
The 2020 Nissan Almera Turbo also received a complete makeover on the inside, elevating the premium image of the compact sedan. Notably, the dashboard now has a dual-tone design, surrounded by soft touch material (on VLP and VLT variants), carbon fibre pattern textures, as well as chrome and piano black trims.
On the two upper variants, the new Almera Turbo is also fitted with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay, and is paired to a seven-inch screen in the semi-digital instrument cluster behind the flat-bottom sporty steering wheel.
Other interior highlights in the new Nissan Almera Turbo include a “Zero Gravity Inspired” semi bucket seats in fabric (VL) and leather (VLP and VLT), three USB ports (front storage area, centre console, and rear console), automatic climate control on the top-of-the-range variant, as well as 60:40 rear split-folding seats that is a unique feature for the Malaysia market.
Nissan has put significant emphasis on the safety aspect of the all-new 2020 Almera Turbo, with the
Intelligent Forward COllision Warning and Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking AEB system being fitted as standard on all variants
.
The mid-spec VLP variant adds four additional SRS airbags and a rear-view camera, while the top-of-the-range VLT variant gets the intelligent around view monitor with moving object detection, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic alert – making it the most well-equipped B-segment model here in Malaysia – for now, at least.
The 2020 Nissan Almera will be available in six exterior colour choices – Radiant Red, Monarch Orange, Dark Metal Grey, Brilliant White, Diamond Black, Tungsten Silver, where the first three in the list are completely new options. Included in the price is a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, with five-times free maintenance service – including parts and labour.
Interested? The all-new 2020 Nissan Almera Turbo will be on an exclusive public preview at selected showrooms across Malaysia, over two weekends on the
5-6 September
 and
11-13 September
. You can also stand a chance to win one of 15 iPhone SE (128GB) worth RM2,199 by test driving the Almera Turbo during the Test Drive Carnival roadshows. The full Test Drive Carnival schedule can be found in the table below:
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The Suzuki Misano combines two- and four-wheel motoring in one gorgeous design

Although this is (mostly) a car-focused website, I still maintain that motorcycles are one of the coolest vehicles ever invented. The mean looks of a sports bike, the thrill of being so exposed; there’s not a day in life where I don’t envy those who can ride – not that I can’t fix this “problem”, but that’s besides the point. Anyway, imagine my disappointment when I found out that the new Suzuki Misano, a car that’s inspired by motorcycles, is a not-for-sale concept.

The Suzuki Misano is a thesis project by 24 master’s students at the Istituto Europeo di Design

(IED) in Turin, made in collaboration with the Japanese carmaker. It’s inspired by Suzuki’s celebrated history of making fun things on two and four wheels, and it even shows it in the name – ‘Misano’ comes from the Misano circuit in Italy, famous for its MotoGP races – a sport which
 Suzuki
 still actively competes in.
The design brief of the project simply reads “
La Dolce Vita
X Way of Life”, and it’s a miracle what designers can think of from just a single, somewhat meaningless sentence like that. I mean, just take a look at the result – a stunning open-top roadster, or as the press release calls it, a modern reinterpretation of the classic barchetta.
Refreshingly, the styling of the Misano is surprisingly simple and timeless for a
concept vehicle
, clearly not trying to overcomplicate things – there’s nothing groundbreaking here, but maybe that’s why it works so well.
From the side, it’s essentially just a basic wedge silhouette, with a tiny windscreen and a roll hoop sticking out the top. Pair that to the unique purple hue and bronze accents, and you’ve got yourself a car that’ll look good for many years to come.
But what makes the Misano truly special are its motorcycle-inspired touches. The passenger sits in tandem with the driver on the left side of the car, and there’s also a window on the door – just like the
McLaren Senna
 – to give you the sensation of the open roads zooming by underneath you, as one would feel when riding a bike.
Adding to the effect, the Suzuki Misano also ditches the regular steering wheel for a “motorcycle-inspired control stick” – we’re not too sure what that means exactly, but we’d imagine an actual bike handle-bar would probably be too awkward in the compact cockpit.
Because this is just a design project, powertrain details aren’t exactly the focus here. But, the press release did suggest that it’ll be an EV, as one would these days; it’s just a shame that they didn’t take the opportunity to stick a superbike engine in there, as they did with the
 GSX-R/4 Concept
 from way back – that would’ve felt right, wouldn’t it?
Alas, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway, because just like most concepts, something as out-of-the-world as this would realistically never make it into production. At least, it shows that Suzuki still knows how to have a bit of fun; we’re just jealous we’ll never get to drive it.
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Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia delivered a record-high 1,521 Tritons in September

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM)
 has announced its sales figures for the month of September 2021, in which the company delivered a total of
6,907 units
 to new owners.
Among that figure, 1,521 units alone were contributed by the
Mitsubishi Triton
 pick-up truck – the highest that MMM has ever delivered in a single month. With that, the Triton’s market share in the pick-up truck segment has also increased to 34%, the highest it has enjoyed thus far.
On the other hand, the
Mitsubishi Xpander
 has now taken the crown as Malaysia’s best-selling non-national MPV, with close to 13,000 bookings since its launch in November 2020. Thus far, the company has delivered 5,756 units to new owners.
MMM attributed the growth in sales to the recent reopening of the automotive industry; specifically, the high number of deliveries was in part due to the company currently fulfilling the backlogged orders that accumulated during the months in lockdown.
Taking into account the latest sales figures, the Mitsubishi Triton has recorded a 5.1% increase in sales performance in the first half of MMM’s FY2021 (April – September), compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the company’s overall market share has also increased to 3.9% of the Total Industry Volume (TIV), compared to 1.7% in the same time period last year.
Get a free North Face jacket when you book a Mitsubishi Triton online! Learn more here.
“After a few months of challenging market situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, the team at Mitsubishi Motors is working with our best efforts to improve production, delivery timing, and to recover from backlog orders fulfilment for the Xpander and Triton,” said MMM Chief Executive Officer, Tomoyuki Shinnishi.
“We would like to thank our customers who have shown us support and have been patient with us. As the nation moves towards the endemic era and with the resumption of the automotive supply chain and showrooms opening, we are confident for optimistic sales numbers over the second half of our Financial Year,” Shinnishi added.
Check out the new Mitsubishi Triton Athlete in more detail in our in-depth gallery here!
In addition to showrooms, which have recently resumed operations, MMM has also recently introduced several new digital services, including its online shopping platform, which you can learn more about
here
. The company says that it will be introducing a new Home Delivery Service soon, where the cars can be delivered directly to their customer’s door steps.


Could Proton’s first SUV be based on the Geely Boyue?

During the historical announcement of Proton’s
foreign strategic partner
, the Chinese automaker has agreed to develop a new SUV model for Proton that’s based on the Boyue SUV. It’s currently Geely’s best-selling SUV to date.
For starters, the Geely Boyue was penned by
Peter Horbury
, Geely’s current head of design who was also a former design honcho for Volvo and Ford. It measures 4,519 mm long, 1,831 mm wide, and 1,694 mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2,670 mm.

The Boyue sold in China can be had with two engines, both of which are
four-cylinder petrol engines
. It begins with a
2.0-litre naturally aspirated
 engine that makes
141 hp
 and
 178 Nm
 of torque. A
1.8-litre turbocharged direct injection
engine can also be had in two states of tunes:
163 hp
 and
250 Nm
 or
184hp
 and
285 Nm
. Transmission options include a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. The all-wheel drive is reserved only for the most powerful Boyue variant, while the rest are front-wheel drive.
The Boyue scores high on the equipment list, where it gets
 adaptive cruise control
, 360-degree camera system and lane departure warning as part of its safety repertoire. It’s also the first Chinese carmaker to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via the
 G-Netlink
 system.
The Geely Boyue retails in China from
98,800 yuan to 157,800 yuan,
 which is roughly below
RM100,000
. So as it stands, it’s unclear if Proton’s first SUV model will be another rebadge exercise (Proton recently collaborated with
Honda
 and
Suzuki
) or if it’s going to be an entirely new model with Geely’s platform. Time will tell.
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What’s the Buzz: Avoiding a different kind of shock when buying a hybrid

While we can’t confirm the document’s veracity, the automotive end of Facebook was abuzz over the weekend with what appears to be an estimated repair bill for a Mercedes-Benz E300 Bluetec Hybrid requiring a high voltage lithium-ion battery pack replacement.
The purported repair estimation shared on a Mercedes E300 and E350e enthusiast Facebook group.
Goes without saying, many online commentators went to town over
the purported cost of said battery pack replacement – RM120,960. When the W212-generation
Mercedes-Benz E300 BlueTec diesel hybrid went on sale in 2015, it retailed for
just under RM350,000. Many expressed astonishment at the cost of repair, probably
rightly so but these shocks can be avoided.
A new car purchase is an exciting undertaking and the eagerness to get behind the wheel can make us overlook certain details. But if you are an
early adopter
 or purchasing a vehicle with
cutting-edge technology
 (e.g. a plug-in hybrid), it helps to find out
how the technology actually works
, what are the costs involved beyond regular maintenance (e.g. replacement of hybrid components), the
extent of the warranty coverage
 (e.g. what parts are covered, and for how long), and
whether the brand offers extended warranty
 for the vehicle and/or the technology in question.
If the information sought can’t be made available to you by
the dealership, reconsider your purchase or even move on entirely. All of this
might sound like stating the obvious, but it’ll avoid all the unnecessary shocks
later on.


Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC Coupé & Cabriolet get 367hp 3.0L twin-turbo V6

Remember the W205
C 450 AMG 4MATIC
 that was announced in early 2015? For the Coupe and Convertible body styles they become full-fledged AMG models bearing a moniker revived from the W202 C-Class, the C 43. Similar to the C 450 AMG, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 Coupe and Cabriolet twin is catered to those who find the C 63 a bit too spicy for their taste buds.
Let’s get the numbers out first,
367 hp
 and
520 Nm
 come courtesy of a
3.0-litre twin-turbo V6
, and all that gets deployed to the
rear-biased 4MATIC all-wheel drive system
 (31:69 split front to back) via a
9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic
gearbox.
Zero to 100 km/h
 is clocked in at
4.7 seconds
, and goes all the way up to the electronically-limited
top speed
 of
250 km/h
.
Like on the
SLC 43
, the nine speed box shifts quicker with
double-declutching
 and allows for a multiple downshift at one go, and in Manual mode is said to be true to its name, where it won’t shift up a gear even when you reach the rev limit.
Standard-fit
18-inch wheels
 wear
225/45 R18
 tyres at the front and
245/40 R18
 tyres at the back, and they are suspended by the
AMG Ride Control sports suspension
 with three different damping settings. Five driving modes are available to choose from the
 AMG Dynamic Select
: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual, where throttle response, transmission mapping, suspension setup, and steering will be adjusted accordingly.
Cosmetic updates are very minimal over the standard C-Class Coupe. It misses out on the trademark AMG twin louvre grille slats like on the C 63, and even the bumpers are the same as the ones on the AMG line coupe. Although there are some subtle badges on the side fenders and on the boot lid to indicate that it’s the AMG variant.
Black ARTICO man-made leather and DINAMICA microfibre upholstery with red stitching and red seat belts set the sporty mood on the inside, and the driver gets a special instrument cluster with chequered background pattern and a Racetimer.
So, is the C 43 enough to satisfy your AMG appetite? Or do you still require a V8 to sit in the engine bay?
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupe

Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC Cabriolet