Test drive from the comfort of your own home with Ford’s new test drive delivery service

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole franchise holder for Ford vehicles in Malaysia is introducing an additional test drive option for customers through its new Home or Office Delivery Test Drive, bringing the test drive right to their doorstep without having to visit a physical dealership.
The service is available for customers within a 10 km radius to their preferred dealership. To request for a test drive, customers can either contact the Ford dealership directly, submit an online test drive request via the SDAC-Ford website
here
, or by sending a message to the
Ford Digital Salesperson WhatsApp
 chat line.
SDAC-Ford recently unveiled the
Ranger FX4
, featuring additional styling upgrades and kits as standard.
As is usual these days, strict precautionary health and safety measures will be practiced by the sales consultant during the test drive session. These include mandatory use of face masks, recording of body temperature, and sanitising of the vehicle. The Ford sales consultant will be seated in the back seat during the test drive to adhere to current social distancing practices.
SDAC Managing Director, Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz said, “During this period, we understand that customers are in search of additional services for added convenience. That is why we are providing an additional test drive option of delivering our test drive vehicles to our customers home or office to show our commitment of continuously enhancing our customer support and service.”
For those who prefer to carry out their test drives at a traditional brick-and-mortar dealership, Ford reassures that all necessary safety precautions are being enforced at all of their dealership outlets.
Temperature will be recorded upon entering the premise, and hand sanitisers will be placed throughout the showrooms for customers’ usage. High frequency touchpoints will be frequently sanitised, while all customers and staff are also required to practice social distancing.
The company is also currently running the
 ‘Service Relief Promotion’ campaign
 until the 30th of July 2020. Deals on offer include discounts of up to
20% on selected OEM parts
,
timing belt and lubricant packages
, and
10% discount on the labour fee
 on said packages. Other customers can make use of the complimentary 27-point vehicle inspection.


AMG turns 55 with Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 55 – RM2.8M, 5 units only

While the Munich brand which-shall-not-be-named celebrates 50 years of its “Motorsport” division,
AMG
 turns 55-years old this year, having been established since 1967. Now known as Mercedes-AMG GmbH, the Affalterbach team is celebrating its 55th anniversary with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 55, a very limited series race car that fetches a price of
625,000 Euros
 (approx. RM 2,808,195).
Limited to only five units, there is both good news and bad news for Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 55 customers. Let’s start with the bad news – The AMG GT3 Edition 55 is not street legal as it is a ‘Customer Racing’ car. Well, we think this is fine. You shouldn’t be taking this beast of an AMG for a Sunday brunch. Instead, you should be driving it to its absolute limit on the racing track.
The good news is that the AMG GT3 Edition 55 is not restricted by FIA homologation regulations. This allows it to come up with more power from the AMG 6.3-litre V8 Engine. Compared to the FIA-homologated version, the Edition 55 produces
650 hp
, which is 100 hp more than usual. Complementing the AMG V8 engine is a performance exhaust system made of Inconel that comes without a silencer.
To ensure exclusiveness of the limited-series Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 55, a specific range of numbers (“GT3.190-55”) was created for the chassis numbers of the five units. On the outside, the Edition 55 is coated in a special Manufaktur Alpine Grey finish with red accents. The Affalterbach crest has been painted on the doors and the 55-year anniversary logo adorns the rear wing.
RELATED:
Mercedes-AMG celebrates 50 years of greatness with the AMG GT3 Edition 50
In the racing cockpit, the seat embroidery includes the anniversary symbol, while the centre console and carbon seat are adorned with plaques with “Edition 55 – 1 of 5” inscription. A matte Anthracite metallic finish and visible carbon elements complete the interior. A Bosch DDU 11 display sits behind the steering wheel.
Lucky customers of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 55 also get a specially designed car cover and a Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG” with the chassis number of the corresponding Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 55 engraved on the back of the watch case. In addition to the GT3 Edition 55, Mercedes-AMG will be expanding its portfolio of special series vehicles, based on various Mercedes-AMG production models.
RELATED:
The F1-based Mercedes-AMG One hypercar is finally here, but you can’t buy one anyway
GALLERY


Video: BMW 430i Coupe M Sport launched in Malaysia

The BMW 4 Series has landed in Malaysia following its
global unveiling in June last year
, and is
available as the 430i M Sport at RM454,800
.
So what do you get for the money?
For starters, you get BMW Laserlight headlamps in the front, 4-pot caliper brakes in the front, tucked behind 19-inch style 797 light alloy wheels. These wheels are actually
optional items made standard
for the 430i, as the variant was launched globally with only 17-inch wheels.

At the back is where the 430i would garner more unanimous opinions with the sloping roof drawing the eyes to a pair of striking taillights. As a result, the 430i M Sport’s rear quarter section is simply mesmerising to look at.
Interesting fact
: The 4 Series comes with the longest doors in the entire BMW line-up.
Under the hood of the 430i M Sport is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine making 258 hp and 400 Nm, paired to an 8-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox. 0 to 100 km/h is done in just 5.8 seconds.
As for the interior, we’ll let you be the judge of it through the video above!
GALLERY


Toyota fully owns Daihatsu, to be positioned as the MINI of Toyota

Following speculations of a
possible takeover
 of either Daihatsu and Suzuki, Toyota Motor Corp has just announced that it will be owning a full stake of Daihatsu at about $3 billion. Daihatsu, Japan’s longest-surviving carmaker, has been under Toyota’s wing since 1998 and right now Daihatsu’s fortunes are far from satisfactory.
Toyota assured that the Daihatsu brand will be retained and be given an “equal position with the Toyota and Lexus brands”. Apart from that, the two companies will share bases of operations and co-operate on the development of new technology for small cars. This could create more collaborations like the Toyota Sirion/Daihatsu Boon (aka, our Perodua Myvi) in the past be formed between two companies.
At the same time, Daihatsu gains access to Toyota’s wide range of technologies, ranging from hybrid powertrains, autonomous driving technology and so on. Toyota will also learn from Daihatsu’s expertise in the areas of packaging, efficiency and miniaturisation.
Interestingly,  Toyota President Akio Toyoda, cited that the company’s goal for Daihatsu is to become what Mini is to BMW. What Daihatsu will be is a global brand, producing higher quality compact cars for markets like Europe and America. This too means that their footing in Indonesia will be firmer in the times to come.
Image Source: Perodua
While this may spell bad news for Suzuki, Perodua will surely be delighted as this could see the company leverage on Toyota’s larger pool of technologies thanks to their latest acquisition. If Toyota were to market the Daihatsu brand as a premium compact carmaker, then Perodua may just be Toyota’s answer to Datsun or Dacia. In simpler terms, Perodua could be positioned as Toyota’s budget brand in emerging markets.
Daihatsu’s history can be traced back to 1907 in Osaka, Japan, and has been an important player of minicars in Japan. In Malaysia, Daihatsu used to sell small passenger cars like the Charade hatchback and Feroza jeep, but sales of passenger cars halted when Perodua emerged before the mid-nineties. At this point of time, Daihatsu sells only commercial vehicles in Malaysia.


Facts & Figures: BMW M8 Gran Coupe arrives in Malaysia

BMW Malaysia has launched the new M8 Gran Coupe, priced at
RM 1,455,145.25
. Alongside the M8 Gran Coupe, BMW also launched the
M8 Coupe
, priced at
RM1,452,960.88
.
Like the M8 Coupe, the M8 Gran Coupe is also powered by a turbocharged V8 with a 7,200 rpm redline. The M8 Gran Coupe is also available with the M Driver’s package which brings the Gran Coupe’s top speed to 305 km/h.
It’s equipped with the M xDrive system that offers all-wheel drive benefits without compromising rear-wheel drive fun. The system’s rear-wheel bias is noticeable even in the default 4WD setting but in 4WD Sport mode, more power is sent to the rear wheels for improved agility.
PERFORMANCE
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed Steptronic automatic
Drivetrain: xDrive all-wheel drive
Horsepower: 600 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 750 Nm @ 1,500 to 5,600 rpm
0 to 100 km/h: 3.3 seconds
Top Speed: 250 km/h (electronically-limited)
Despite being 95 kilograms heavier than the M8 Coupe, the M8 Gran Coupe’s 0 to 100 km/h time is identical with its two-door sibling.
EXTERIOR
The exterior of the M8 Gran Coupe may just look like a stretched M8 Coupe but the differences are subtle but effective. The windscreen is positioned at a more upright angle, resulting in increased headroom for the occupants in the front of the four-door sports cars.
The M8 Gran Coupe is over 231 mm longer in length, with 200 mm longer wheelbase compared to thr M8 Coupe. However, just like the M8 Coupe, the roof of the M8 Gran Coupe is also made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).
BMW Laser light
M front apron
M kidney grille
M rear diffuser
M rear spoiler
20-inch style 810 M light-alloy wheels
Soft close doors
The BMW M8 Gran Coupe comes with M Adaptive suspension and M Compound six-pot caliper brakes as standard. As an alternative, the new BMW M8 is also available with optional M carbon-ceramic brakes.
Like the M8 Coupe, the M8 Gran Coupe also comes with an M-specific exhaust with a Sound Control button next to the gear selector lever to allow drivers to adjust the sound of the vehicle according to their personal preference. Exterior colours include Alpine White, Brands Hatch Grey, Marina Bay Blue, Motegi Red, Black Sapphire, Donington Grey and Barcelona Blue.
INTERIOR
Inside the M8 Gran Coupe is adorned with M sport seats, M-specific gear knob and M seat belts. The M Sport seats come with electric adjustments with memory function. The seats are upholstered with Marino leather while carbon fibre trims are standard.
10.25-inch Control Display
M Head-up display
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
16-speaker Harman Kardon
Gesture Control
Apple CarPlay only
Wireless charging
In the centre console, the M8 Gran Coupe also features an M Mode button which allows drivers to activate “ROAD” and SPORT” settings to alter the driver assistance systems and the information shown in the instrument cluster and Head-up display.
SAFETY & DRIVER ASSISTANCE
Active Cruise Control
Lane Keeping Assistant
Lane Change Assistant
Reversing Assistant
Evasion Assistant
Wrong-way driving warning
Front crossing traffic warning
Panoramic View, Top View, 3D Top View
For a limited time only, BMW Group Malaysia is offering special programmes and campaigns for a range of BMW M models from 15th August to 30th September 2020. The limited-time M Town Special Support offers new owners of the BMW M2 Competition, BMW M4 Coupé, BMW M5 Sedan, BMW M850i xDrive Coupé an attractive price reduction of RM25,000, RM45,000, RM70,000 and RM75,000 respectively.
For latest price list of BMW vehicles in Malaysia, click
here
.
GALLERY


Bentley recreates its iconic Blower race car by laser-scanning all 630 parts

Now, the Blower Bentley is a car that many of you readers wouldn’t know about – unless you’re a motorsports nerd or huge Bentley fan, so here’s a short history lesson to get you up to speed.
The Blower Bentley is a race car built in 1929, based on the road-going Bentley 4 ½ Litre sports car. The ‘Blower’ name refers to the supercharger fitted to the base 4.4-litre (yes, we know) engine, pushing outputs from 110 bhp up to 240 bhp.
The Supercharged Bentley was actually commissioned by prominent Bentley racer Sir Henry “Tim” Birkin, much to the dismay of founder W.O. Bentley. W.O. was quoted saying “
To supercharge a Bentley engine was to pervert its design and corrupt its performance.
” Though, as he lost financial control over the Bentley company, he could not do anything to stop it.
A total of four race cars (and 50 road-going homologation units) were built, and they were “sensationally fast” on track. However, reliability was basically non-existent – especially with Birkin behind the wheel driving the only way he knew how to – flat out.
In the 1930 Le Mans, a certain Blower Bentley with registration number UU 5872 made a heroic pass on the Mercedes-Benz car with two wheels on the grass on the Mulsanne Straight. Both the Blower and Mercedes-Benz end up not finishing the race, which led the Bentley’s own factory team Speed Six car to take the victory.
Post-race myths claim that the Blower Bentley purposefully overextended the Mercedes in a ‘tortoise and hare’ strategy to let the Speed Six take victory. Though, it’s likely that the Blower would have won the race if only Birkin managed his race better.
Now 90 years later, Bentley is recreating the Blower in a 12-unit Continuation Series as a one-to-one mechanical copy, using none other than the UU 5872 as the master example.
The legendary Blower was taken apart, and painstakingly recreated digitally through a combination of laser-scanning and intricate hand measurements. The resulting CAD (computer-aided design) consists of 630 files spanning across 70 assemblies, with a file size of more than 2 GB.
Bentley says that the digital recreation took over 1,200 man-hours for two CAD engineers to complete. Interestingly, Bentley says that the engineers were able to complete the CAD model while working from home during the
COVID-19 crisis
. Imagine how cool it was to head home with a piece of the 90-year-old British racing heritage in your passenger seat!
All 12 units of the Continuation Series Blower Bentleys have been sold and are currently in the customisation phase – the collectors are able to choose their exterior and interior colour palette, as well as interior materials.
The cars will be built by
Bentley’s Mulliner
 Classic coachbuilder division after the movement restriction order is lifted, beginning with a Car Zero engineering prototype. Of course, the 1929 car will be put back together and restored to its original condition, as it continues to make regular appearances at various international car shows and events – including the Millie Miglia and Goodwood Festival of Speed.


All-new Ford Ranger spotted in Thailand with new C-shaped headlamps!

The all-new Ford Ranger has just been spotted plying the roads of Thailand, with an anonymous photographer sharing clear details of the front of the new pick-up truck. It certainly looks stylish and more macho thanks to the large headlamps and the accompanying C-shaped DRLs.
Overall, the front design does have plenty of similarities with the Ford Maverick ‘compact’ pick-up in the US. The Maverick is based on a Ford Escape mid-sized SUV and has no relation to the traditional Ranger pick-up truck.
2021 Ford Maverick, USA
Last week, Ford Asia Pacific released a single image of the
all-new Ranger
, focusing on the design of the rear quarter. The company also said the development team is completing the final leg of its programme with real-world driving, hence the bright ‘urban camouflage’ scheme.
This certainly attracted the anonymous photographer to take a few images and share them on social media via the #NextGenRanger tagline.
2021 Ford Maverick, USA
Early last month, Ford Asia Pacific official released a
video
 of the all-new Ranger going through test driving on sand, mud, rock and even snow terrain, highlighting its strong performance over off-road conditions.
Ford Thailand brings pick-up racing to the masses with the Ranger XL Street. Racing stripes done right too!
Ford will officially fully reveal the all-new Ford Ranger in the coming weeks, but sales will only begin a few months into the new year.
Source: Twitter/
CarsinPixels


TC Subaru launches online booking service for XV and Forester

TC Subaru, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in Malaysia, today introduced their online booking service in response to the Movement Control Order (MCO).
As car dealerships are classified under non-essential services, they must remain closed during the MCO as the country is working hard to combat the ongoing
coronavirus pandemic
.

The online booking service is currently available for the
Subaru XV
 and
Forester
at
https://onlinebooking.subaru.asia/xv
 and
https://onlinebooking.subaru.asia/forester
 respectively. In order to secure their booking, customers will need to fill up the booking form, and submit a
booking fee of RM188
.
Upon successful submission, a unique booking code will be sent to the customer via email. A Subaru representative will be in contact within five working days to finalise the booking and carry out the necessary arrangements, including loan application, after the MCO is lifted.
The online booking campaign will run throughout the entire MCO period, which is scheduled to end on the 14th of April.

The Subaru XV is available in three variants –
XV 2.0i, XV 2.0i-P
 and
XV GT Edition 2.0i-P
 – priced from
RM117,788
. Meanwhile, The
Subaru Forester
 is also offered in three different variants – Forester 2.0i-L, Forester 2.0i-S, and Forester 2.0i-S Eyesight – priced from
RM149,788
.
Both the Subaru XV And Forester are powered by the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine, producing
156
 hp and
193 Nm
 of torque, mated to Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT gearbox.
We have reviewed both cars in detail, so be sure to check out what we think about the
XV
 and the
Forester
 before you plonk down the booking fee!


The Myvi is still the hottest commodity in Perodua’s inventory

It seems 2019’s performance have surprised even Perodua themselves; with the company chalking the highest annual sales figure ever.
Fresh from the 2019 Performance Review, it was announced that the brand had
sold 240,341 units in 2019
 with the
Myvi being the most in-demand Perodua
. This is followed by the Axia, Bezza, Aruz and Alza – in that order.
Every Perodua model led its segment in 2019, including the
Perodua Aruz
, which became
Malaysia’s best-selling SUV
 with 30,115 units sold.
As for the
newly-launched 2020 Bezza
, more than 2,000 units have been shipped as Perodua pointed out a two month wait for the safest affordable sedan in Malaysia – now with Autonomous Emergency Braking.
Despite overwhelming success in 2019, Perodua remains realistic with its 2020 sales targets with a
 sales projection of 240,000 units
. However, the brand is looking to
pump up its production volume
 from 244k units in 2019 to 254k units in 2020.
“We foresee a challenging first half in 2020 as we focus on fulfilling existing bookings. We will evaluate the market situation in the second half while building up our inventory so that we are ready to take advantage of the market if it improves,” said Perodua President and CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
Customer’s aside, the local industry is also set to benefit from Perodua’s plans this year. The company is expected to spend around RM6 billion, up from RM5.4 billion to buy locally-sourced components.


Nissan Serena S-Hybrid launched in Malaysia, 7-seater MPV from RM135k

Shortly after
accepting orders for the fifth-generation Nissan Serena S-Hybrid
, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has officially launched the seven-seater MPV at the concourse of 1 Utama Shopping Centre. As per the preview, there will be two variants on offer: Highway Star and Premium Highway Star.
A piece of good news for those considering the Serena S-Hybrid, ETCM has officially announced that the new MPV will carry a price tag of
RM135,500
 for the Highway Star and
RM147,500
 for the Premium Highway Star; lower than the initially indicated price tag of RM140k to RM155k.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid Highway Star
Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid Premium Highway Star
Engine
2.0L; MR20DD 4-cylinder Twin CVTC Hybrid
Transmission
XTRONIC CVT with Adaptive Shift Control
Max Power
150 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
200 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM135,500
RM147,500
EXTERIOR
The Serena adopts Nissan’s new generation global design which resulted in a sporty and modern styling. Our local spec Serena S-Hybrid comes generously equipped with LED projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, fog lamps, S-Shaped LED taillamp design, hands-free dual powered sliding door (operable with a kicking motion below the door), dual-back door and 15-inch alloy wheels.

The
Premium Highway Star
 builds upon that list with larger alloy wheels (16-inch), Door Visor, 4 mill V-Kool Security Film Tinting, ThreeBond Ultra Glass Body Coating and three dual-tone exterior colour scheme: Cashmere Gold with Imperial Umber roof, Tungsten Silver with Diamond Black roof and Brilliant White with Diamond Black roof.
Highway Star buyers will get to choose between Brilliant White, Tungsten Silver, Diamond Black and Cashmere Gold for the exterior paint job.
INTERIOR
There are many first in class features for the new Serena such as
seven USB charging ports
, Zero Gravity Seats, 360-degree Intelligent Around View Monitor and Power Sliding Door Switch to help third-row passengers exit the car more comfortably and conveniently.
Standard equipment reads Soft Padded Instrument Panel, 7-inch Advanced Drive Assist Display (ADAD) LCD instrument cluster, flat bottom multi-functional steering wheel, 6.75-inch Clarion Advanced Touchscreen Display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry and start, dual-zone automatic climate control and rear digital climate control panel.

Stepping up into the Premium Highway Star and you’ll find Leather Seats (two-tone Truffle Brown and Chestnut or single-tone black), 10.1-inch roof-mounted LCD panel for rear passengers, Tech-on Tray Mat tables and Driving Video Recorder.
PERFORMANCE
Under the hood is an improved MR20DD 2.0-litre Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable-Valve Timing Control) four-cylinder petrol hybrid system paired to an XTRONIC CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) to send
150 hp
 and
 200 Nm
 of torque to the front wheels.
The upgraded engine benefits from a new Dual Arm Tensioner and improved ECO motor to give the car better performance and fuel economy. The improved hybrid system is said to give the MPV best-in-class fuel economy of
14.2 km/L
, based on the New European Driving Cycle.
SAFETY
Safety-wise, all variants of the Serena S-Hybrid comes equipped with six airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), two ISOFIX mounting points, Driver Attention Alert as well as Intelligent Moving Object Detection (I-MOD) that detects moving objects surrounding the vehicle.
Nissan’s ProPilot semi-autonomous driving
 technology will not make an appearance here.
WHAT ELSE?
All purchase of the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid comes with a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty. ETCM is also throwing in a 3-Years or 60,000 km maintenance service package and as part of the launch campaign. First 500 customers who registered their Serena S-Hybrid will also receive a complimentary Terzo Portable Cooler Box by PIAA worth RM500.
IMAGE GALLERY
Nissan Serena S-Hybrid Premium Highway Star

Nissan Serena S-Hybrid Highway Star


The original 1985 Proton Saga will be coming back as a Hot Wheels model!

It doesn’t matter if you’re a die-cast model fan, car nut, patriot, or all of the above; the upcoming Hot Wheels release will still probably be the hottest thing with four wheels here in Malaysia. That’s because in conjunction with Mattel Inc’s 40-year anniversary here in Malaysia, the company has teamed up with Proton to bring the
original Saga
 back as a 1:64 Hot Wheels die-cast model.
Yes, it’s
the

Proton Saga
 that our then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad famously unveiled at the car’s launch back in 1985, where he bought the first-ever production model as a gift for his wife.
Speaking at the celebration of Mattel’s 40th anniversary today, Mattel Inc president and chief commercial officer Steve Totzke said, “This is an exciting licence partnership as we join to develop a Hot Wheels car, modelled after the original Proton Saga, the first model manufactured by Proton, which will now become a part of Hot Wheels’ singles collection.”
“This licence partnership aims to uphold the proud legacies of both Mattel and Proton to continue to provide high-quality vehicles to fans of all ages worldwide,” he said, adding that the Hot Wheels model will start shipping and be sold worldwide by the end of next year.
RELATED:
 Seven things you may not know about the Proton Saga
The company also announced a new expansion to its operations due in January, which will see its production capacity increase to “over half a billion” Hot Wheels cars per year by 2025, representing a 20% increase in output.
Mattel Malaysia already operates the world’s largest Hot Wheels manufacturing plant, and is the world’s only manufacturer of Hot Wheels singles, the top-selling toy globally in 2021 – we probably played a large part in that.
[Source:
Bernama
]
[Header photo:
David Tan/Facebook
, Mattel, Proton]


2023 Audi RS3 Sedan launched in Malaysia from RM646k – 400 hp, 500 Nm, faster than M3 and A45S

Audi Malaysia has launched the 2023 RS3 Sedan starting from
RM646,990
. With the Audi Assurance Package which includes a five-year warranty and roadside assistance, the RS3 Sedan will be priced at
RM655,990
.
The second-generation RS3 Sedan is powered by a 2.5-litreTFSI turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine with 400 hp and 500 Nm. Power is fed to all four corners with a seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox and a quattro all-wheel drive system.
The 0-100 km/h time of the RS3 Sedan is 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h. For a little comparison, the M3 does 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds with 480 hp and 550 Nm from a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine. The Mercedes-AMG A45S 4MATIC+ does the same in 3.9 seconds with 421 hp and 500 Nm from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The RS3 Sedan features an RS Torque Splitter for torque vectoring between the two rear wheels. This allows for controlled drifts as all of the car’s power can be funnelled to just one of the rear wheels. The RS Torque Rear drive mode is essentially a ‘drift mode’. Other drive modes include RS Individual and RS Performance.
RS-specific items include the RS sport suspension with adaptive dampers, RS front and rear bumpers, ceramic disc brakes, 19-inch diamond-turned RS 10-spoke Y-style alloy wheels in Platinum Gray and an RS exhaust with a fully variable flap control system.
The headlamps are Matrix LED units while sequential indicators are available in the front and back. Colour options for the RS3 Sedan include Kyalami Green, Kemora Grey, Glacier White, Mythos Black, Daytona Gray and Phython Yellow.
Inside, you get items like RS door sills, RS carpets, RS seats with honeycomb stitching, Audi virtual cockpit plus with RS displays, RS flat-bottomed steering wheel, RS carbon Atlas trims on the door and dashboard and a shift indicator. The RS sport seats are wrapped in fine Nappa leather with honeycomb stitching.
The cabin is also furnished with a Bang & Olufsen sound system, 10.1 inch infotainment display and for the first time in an RS3 Sedan, a head-up display. The rear seats can be fully collapsed or split-folded, as an extension of the 321-litre boot. In terms of safety and driver aids, the RS3 Sedan is fitted with six airbags, with only lane departure warning, according to Audi Malaysia’s website.
GALLERY


Drift champ ‘Mad Mike’ to conquer Pikes Peak with 1,200 hp Mazda 3!

While the rotary engine has long ended its service life in Mazda road cars, the compact, high-revving combustion engine has been selected as an engine of choice for top-level professional drifting in Japan and the USA.
Mike Whiddett, better known as
Mad Mike
, has just released an illustration of his latest Mazda competition machine. The “mad” Mazda 3 hatchback will be not be burning
Toyo tires
 and drifting, but instead, entering the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Simple information on the ‘Wild Rotang’ Mazda 3 includes a heavily turbocharged four-rotor rotary engine churning out some
1,200 hp
, honed by rotary specialist Taisuke Kawato from TCPMagic. Mad Mike, the 2018 Formula Drift Japan champion, and the gang also plan to include four seats on this four-door hatchback.
Grip is premium at hill climb events so a massive rear will be fitted on the Mazda 3, and revised suspension system on the converted rear-wheel drive machine means adding a Pandem bodykit to add more visual impact to the car.
RELATED: Mazda will be campaigning with a Mazda 2 SkyActiv-Diesel to study and develop sustainable, carbon-neutral fuels in Japan. More here.
Mad Mike’s #Humbul Mazda RX-7 with a four-rotor setup and an “easy 1,000 hp” output
The 100th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will take place on the weekend of 26 June 2022.
Last year’s event
 was shortened due to poor weather at the 14,115-ft summit, with a heavily modified Bentley Continental GT3 Time Attack car the fastest machine using sustainable fuel.
A 2010 Mazda 3 Time Attack car driven by Chris Becker meanwhile finished tenth in the category.

As for the road car, the beautiful Mazda 3 hatchback is available in two variants in Malaysia, priced from
RM137.7k
 for the 1.5L and RM154.7k for the 2.0L High Plus variant.
The 1.5-litre engine has
118 hp
 and
153 Nm
 while the “High Plus” model gets the more powerful 2.0-litre engine with
162 hp
 and
213 Nm
 of torque. Both engines are paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission.


Facelift Hyundai Kona electric spotted at the most unlikely place

A petrol station is probably the most unexpected place for the fully electric facelift Hyundai Kona to be seen but it’s not what you think. Apparently, they were only there to fill their tyres up instead.
The fully electric Hyundai Kona is set to be launched in Malaysia before the end of 2021, following the introduction of the facelift Kona last year. When the fully electric Kona is launched, it will be Hyundai’s first fully-electric offering.
The
1.6 Turbo N Line
was launched last year in July while the
 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated variants
 were introduced in April. The turbocharged model starts from
RM146,888
while the 2.0-models are priced from
RM119,888
.
The electric Kona comes with two battery sizes – 39.2 kWh and 64 kWh. The former offers 305 km of electric driving range while the larger 64 kWh battery returns 484 km.
Charging takes about six hours and nine hours for the 39.2 kWh and 64 kWh battery with a 7.2 kW charger. With a quicker 10.5 kW charger, charging time is reduced to about four and six hours respectively.
As for output, the model with the 39.2 kWh battery comes with 136 hp and 395 Nm while the 64 kWh model gets 204 hp and also 395 Nm. 0 to 100 km/h is done in 9.9 seconds for the former while the latter does it in 7.9 seconds. Top speed is up to 167 km/h.
GALLERY


Ferrari Purosangue: Maranello’s first-ever SUV is finally here

Fear it, run from it, but the SUV dominance arrives all the same. As much as
Ferrari
 tried to avoid and resist it, they know that an SUV with the Prancing Horse badge is inevitable eventually – but at least, they’re doing it on their own terms. Say hello to the long-awaited
Ferrari Purosangue
.

Ferrari is absolutely refusing to call the Purosangue an SUV, instead labelling it as its “first ever four-door four-seater”, but we all know exactly what it is. Credit where it’s due, though, as the Ferrari designers have somehow managed to make the Purosangue look half the size it actually is.
It measures 4,973 mm long, 2,028 mm wide, and 1, 589 mm tall (compared with 5,112 mm, 2,016 mm, and 1,638 mm of the
 Lamborghini Urus
), but the Purosangue looks barely any larger than the now-defunct
GTC4 Lusso
 – until you realise the seemingly small wheels actually are 22- and 23-inches in diameter.
That’s largely in part due to flowing bodywork and other clever design touches, which Ferrari’s top brass say has been designed with aerodynamics in mind – not to create downforce, but to reduce drag. Even the “floating” wheel arches are also there to help reduce turbulence around the wheels, in addition to help reduce visual bulk with its black or carbon-fibre finish.
ALSO READ:
Ferrari 296 GTS makes SEA debut in Malaysia, from RM1.5m before tax
The Purosangue looks like nothing before it, but at the same time still undeniably Ferrari, even at first glance – perhaps thanks to the headlights that bear a slight resemblance to the
SF90 Stradale
, or the taillights that seems to be inspired by the
Roma
. Regardless, it’s properly handsome, and comes across a lot more subtle than the
 spy shots
 would lead you to believe.
Interior space on the Ferrari Purosangue is maximised through a purpose-built chassis, which not only reduces the overhang on both ends, but also promises higher overall rigidity over the company’s previous GT models, all while also being lighter than before.
Ferrari says the cabin is designed to reflect a “sporty lounge”, with symmetry being the main theme of the interior. The instrument cluster binnacle is mirrored onto the passenger side, where you’ll also find a large secondary display for the passenger to get in on the action.
You might notice that there’s no central display here; Ferrari has abandoned built-in satellite navigation altogether, instead relying on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for that purpose, which will be displayed on the driver’s widescreen digital instrument cluster display.
Access to the first full-sized rear seats in Ferrari’s history is via the rear-hinged suicide doors that can open up to an aperture of 79 degrees via an electronic mechanism. And with this being Ferrari’s first four-door, four-seater family car, the boot is naturally the biggest it’s ever offered to date at 487 litres.
Ferrari is adamant that the Purosangue is a “true Ferrari” (the name itself means “thoroughbred” in Italian), so much so that they’ve also stuffed a new, but considerably old-school 6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine underneath the bonnet – not that we’re complaining.
Mounted in a front-mid position, the engine provides
725 hp
 and
716 Nm
 – with 80% of the latter already available from 2,100 rpm. Paired to an eight-speed oil-bath F1 DCT dual-clutch transmission with a four-wheel drive system sending power to all four wheels, the 2,033 kg Ferrari Purosangue launches off the line to 100 km/h in just
3.3 seconds
, onward to a top speed in excess of
310 km/h
.
The engine placement helps the Purosangue achieve an impressive 49:51 weight distribution, while the revised powertrain with a dry sump system allows it to sit lower to the ground, working hand-in-hand with the single-shell carbon-fibre roof to lower the SUV’s overall centre of gravity.
The Purosangue also gets a whole swath of advanced driving technologies, all to make it feel like a “true sports car”. These include the Italian supercar maker’s latest iteration of the vehicle dynamic control system seen on its most extreme sports cars, which even comes with a drift-friendly Side Slip Control, as well as a new active suspension system – the latter utilises Multimatic’s True Active Spool Valve (TASV) system, paired to a 48V electric active-roll damping system.
RELATED:
Ferrari to unveil 15 new models by 2026, including first EV and LaFerrari successor
While not mentioned anywhere in the press release nor at the official unveiling, the Ferrari Purosangue is also expected to receive an electrified powertrain at a later date, with either the V6 plug-in hybrid powertrain of the
296 GTB
or the SF90 Stradale’s V8 fitted in future versions.
I hate to admit it, but the Ferrari Purosangue does work as a Ferrari. Despite being a tall-riding SUV, the Purosangue stills adheres strictly to the core Ferrari design philosophy and brand principles, and the results just speak for itself.
Surely there will be haters, in the same way Porsche or Lamborghini fanatics despised the brands’ respective SUVs when they first came out. But looking at the sales numbers, with both the
Cayenne
 and Urus now at
the top of the charts
, they’ve certainly made the right move despite the vocal resistance – business wise, at least.
The Ferrari Purosangue will undoubtedly enjoy the same success as the other ultra-luxury performance SUVs, but that’s only if Ferrari is willing to sell them. The company is adamant that the Purosangue will retain its exclusivity and never take more than 20% of the brand’s total sales, but when there’s money to be made, it probably won’t take much for Ferrari to change their mind.
GALLERY


Video: Renault Megane R.S., Things You Need To Know

Ever since news of the new
Renault Megane R.S
. would make its way to Malaysia, I’ve had this dream for us for us to do a shootout featuring three of the hottest hatchbacks – the
FK8 Honda Civic Type R
 driven by GC Mah, the
Mk7.5 Volkswagen Golf R
 driven by Adrian and with myself being in the Megane R.S.
Wouldn’t that be something? And that’s the exact driver/car arrangement I’d want. Try to wrestle the Megane R.S. off me and those two would be driving with only one hand.

There are more than a couple of things that draw me to this car. Firstly, it’s got a slick, relatively short-throw 6-speed manual gearbox, it looks fabulous and that 4Control four-wheel steering system just makes it seem like no matter how hard you throw the car around a corner, the Megane R.S. would hold its own.
Sure the Civic Type R comes with a manual gearbox too, but I’m not a 19 year old teenager with spikey hair.
The Renault Megane R.S is priced at
RM279,888
 for the manual transmission model and an
 estimated RM299,888
 for the EDC Automatic model.
For those of you who’d like a closer look at the Renault Megane R.S. should head on over to Mid Valley Shopping Centre where the car will be displayed from 24-28th of April 2019.
IMAGE GALLERY


Interstate travelling to open soon – tourism sector to reopen from 1st Oct

Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced the reopening of many economic sectors beginning of October 2021. As earlier
reported
, eateries, petrol stations, convenience stores and mini markets are allowed to operate from 6:00 a.m. to 12 midnight, with effect from today, September 23rd.
Other exclusions, regardless of the states’ Phase under the
National Recovery Plan
 (NRP) include the green light for interstate travelling, the opening of tourist attractions and vacation islands nationwide. This is however subjected to Malaysia’s adult population achieving a fully vaccinated rate of
90%
.
Currently, the percentage of fully vaccinated adult population in Malaysia is 81%, with over 93% having at least one dose.
The decision to tremendously ease up the movement restrictions was decided by the Special Committee on Pandemic Management after considering hospital ICU utilisation rate, number of symptomatic cases as well as the percentage of
vaccinated population
.
Meanwhile, sectors that have closed for the longest time due to close physical contact such as spa, wellness centres and health massage centres are allowed to operate at full capacity from October 1st with the condition that both patrons and staff are fully vaccinated.
Planning to purchase a new vehicle? Here are the newly launched models that you can now view and test drive at dealerships!
The same condition to operate also applies to other points of interest such as zoos, aquariums, scuba diving centres and forest parks.
For us working adults, be prepared to have the ‘work from home’ directive ended as the government has allowed employers to have a full capacity in the workplace provided that all employees are also fully vaccinated.
You do not need to rush to renew your JPJ road tax and driving license, as the deadline has been extended to Dec 31st. Read more about it here.

The statement also mentioned that a Covid-19 RT-PCR test must be done upon arrival at main international entry points, with foreign nationals required to bear the costs. The test is free for Malaysian citizens.
Source: Twitter/
MajlisKeselamatanNegara
For those who are planning to travel, ensure that your vehicle is in good operating condition, such as inflated tyres with sufficient tread depth, a healthy battery and has valid insurance coverage.


Maserati Levante S launched in Malaysia – 430 hp, 580 Nm, from RM 788k

Previously only unveiling a left hand drive variant, Naza Italia, the official importer and distributor for Maserati in Malaysia, has officially launched the Maserati Levante S at Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur.
The marque’s first SUV, which comes in two trims – Gran Lusso and Gran Sport – has been engineered with Maserati twin-turbo V6 engine featuring the latest Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology at its core.
Its engine makes
430 hp
 with over
580 Nm
 of torque – 0 to 100 km/h takes just
5.2 seconds
 with a top speed of over
264 km/h
. Stopping power is provided by Brembo’s 6-piston aluminium monobloc calipers clamping on drilled discs.
The Levante S adopts an 8-speed ZF gearbox providing quick shifts while presenting a choice of four drive modes, “Normal”, I.C.E., “Sport” and “Off-road”.

The Levante S boasts unparalleled agility thanks to its (lowest in class) centre of gravity, with extensive use of lightweight materials and 50:50 weight distribution. Its Air Suspension, electronically-controlled Skyhook shock absorbers and Q4 AWD system helps keep the Levante’s footing firm on the ground. The air suspension also contributes to reduced fuel consumption by lowering the car to reduce aerodynamic drag at medium to high speeds.
Inside, the Levante houses an 8.4-inch Maserati Touch Control Plus (MTC+) display, the driving modes button cluster, an aluminium rotary knob and the air suspension height setup switch.
Safety wise, the Levante S comes with the Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) which includes Highway Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition.
In the
Gran Lusso trim
, which emphasises on luxury, it’s equipped with metallic-finish front skid plates and roof rails, GranLusso badges on the front wings, body-coloured side skirts and black-painted brake calipers tucked beneath those 19” Zefiro alloy wheels.
Inside, the GranLusso cabin combines a choice of Ermenegildo Zegna silk or premium Italian upholstery with a Radica open-pore wood trim and leather steering wheel. 12-way power comfort seats are standard, along with Bower & Wilkins sound system and soft-close doors.
The extravagant trim also includes standard 12-way power comfort seats, a Harman Kardon Sound System, power-adjustable steering wheel, illuminated door sills, parking sensors, navigation system and new Soft Close Doors.

The
Gran Sport trim
 on the other hand can be differentiated by its Piano Black front grille, skid plates and roof rails, GranSport badges on the front wings, body-coloured side skirts, blue inserts on all Trident and Saetta logos and red brake calipers under its 20” Nereo wheels. 12-way powered leather seats are standard along with carbon trims, power-adjustable Inox sport pedals and a Sport steering wheel.
Priced at
RM 788,800 without Insurance,
the Levante S comes with 3 years Standard Warranty coverage with no mileage restriction plus a Maserati Premium Service Plus of 3 years/ 60,000 km whichever comes first.
IMAGE GALLERY
GRAN LUSSO

GRAN SPORT


Range Rover SV Coupe teased, four-seater coupe SUV to debut at Geneva

Land Rover has just announced that they will be launching the
world’s first full-size luxury SUV coupe
 at the upcoming 2018 Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS). The new Range Rover SV coupe will be a limited run product of 999 examples worldwide.
The SV coupe will be hand-assembled by Land Rover’s
 Special Vehicles Operations (SVO) division
 which specialises in highly bespoke builds for the brand. Land Rover says that the new SUV celebrates the iconic two-door silhouette that has been part of Range Rover’s heritage since 1970. The limited run model will feature a seductive body design and a supremely refined interior.
SVO’s latest work, the
Range Rover SVAutobiography
Based on the teaser image, the SV Coupe will feature the most exquisite materials like
quilted leather
, woodgrain trimmings, dual tone interior and the latest technologies offered by the company. It also appears to be a strict four-seater but does not seem to be based on the recently introduced
SVAutobiography
 that came with Executive Cass rear seats and 1.2 metres worth of legroom.
Land Rover Chief Design Officer, Gerry McGovern said: “The Range Rover SV Coupé is a highly compelling design with peerless refinement and uncompromised sophistication from its breath-taking exterior proportions to its sumptuous, beautifully appointed, interior. This is a vehicle that will resonate on an emotional level.”
All 999 examples of the Range Rover SV Coupe will be hand-assembled at the SV Technical Centre in Warwickshire, UK and will be available to customers worldwide. The new SV Coupe will make its global premiere at the 88
th
 GIMS.


The all-new Volkswagen Golf R could be the ultimate everyday “sleeper”

Here it is, finally – The all-new Volkswagen Golf R. Based on the the
eight-generation Volkswagen Golf
 (Mk 8), the Golf R will be the most powerful of them all (in the regular line-up), sitting above the Golf GTI which was
unveiled back in February
.
The Golf R Mk 8 is powered by an uprated EA888 evo4 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder, generating
320 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque – an increase of about 20 hp and 20 Nm of torque from the outgoing model (
in performance pack form
). However, the detail that got us the most excited is the inclusion of a six-speed manual transmission as standard!
All-wheel drive – a hallmark feature of the R – is featured here once again, but the 4Motion system now gets a new torque vectoring differential on the rear axle to further divide the power at each wheels depending on traction. Volkswagen notes that the Golf R is now able to send 100% of its power to the outer rear wheels during cornering to alleviate understeer, helping the car slingshot out of the bend.
In terms of performance, the Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 does 0-100 km/h in
4.7 seconds
 – 0.2 seconds quicker than the outgoing model. Buyers opting for the seven-speed DSG model will probably do it a hair quicker, but if it’s us, we’ll be too happy rowing our own gears to care. Top speed remains capped at
 250 km/h
.
Managing the 4Motion AWD system and adaptive dampers is the improved Vehicle Dynamics Manager, which now comes with six driving modes – Comfort, Sport, Race, Individual, Special and Drift. The first four in the list is fairly straightforward and are nothing that we haven’t come about before; Special mode sets up the car specifically for the iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit – like the new
GTI Clubsport
 – where the car underwent final tuning, while the drift mode, well, lets you drift.
Other performance upgrades on the all-new VW Golf R include a reworked suspension and anti-roll bars set-up with firmer spring rates, bigger brakes (18 mm larger than before), and a 20 mm lowered ride height compared to the normal Golf 8 models.
Just like its predecessors, the all-new Golf R features a pretty understated exterior design that doesn’t exactly shout “fast”, making it the perfect everyday commute “sleeper”. There are of course some giveaways, such as the signature quad tailpipes, prominent rear diffusers, and an additional roof spoiler, but most people probably won’t notice until they look closer, given how common it is for modified Golfs.
Other exterior stylistic changes include a R-specific front fascia with reworked grilles and a “motorsports-inspired” splitter, side skirts, matte chrome side wing mirrors, and 19-inch aluminium-alloy wheels. The front also gets a new blue trim across the front end through the upper grille, which lights up when powered – joining the two headlights together, seemingly connected by the daytime-running lights.
Inside, R-specific changes are even more limited, with the only identifying features being the Nappa leather seats with R logos on the backrest, as well as a sports steering wheel with a dedicated R button to cycle through the various drive modes. Otherwise, the all-new Volkswagen Golf R looks just like any other golf – which, thanks to its gratituous use of screens and touch panels, can be a good or bad thing depending on who you ask.
GALLERY


Apple apparently in talks with Hyundai to build Apple Car

Hyundai Motor said on Friday that it was in early talks with Apple, after a South Korean domestic broadcaster said the firms were discussing an electric car and battery tie-up. Shares of Hyundai Motor surged 25% following the news.
“We understand that Apple is in discussion with a variety of global automakers, including Hyundai Motor,” a Hyundai representative
told
CNBC
. “As the discussion is at its early stage, nothing has been decided.” The statement followed a local report from the Korea Economic Daily that said Apple suggested the tie-up and Hyundai Motor was reviewing the terms.
The Hyundai Elantra – which won the
Good Design Awards
 – was
launched just recently in Malaysia
.
In a regulatory filing issued later, the carmaker said it was “getting requests for cooperation on joint development of autonomous electric vehicles from various companies”, stopping short of naming Apple in the news release.
The announcement comes amid intense speculations about the widely-rumoured Apple Car. Citing sources familiar with the matter,
Reuters
reported two weeks ago
 that the American tech giant is targetting a 2024 release for its own passenger vehicle that could include its own breakthrough self-driving and battery technology.
Apple tying up with a “traditional” carmaker like Hyundai could be the final hurdle for the Apple Car to become a reality. On one hand, Apple will not be required to pour in substantial investments to achieve an acceptable level of production capabilities (which, as seen with
Tesla
, is definitely not an easy task).
Meanwhile, Hyundai gets to benefit from a new business model in the form of production outsourcing that is rarely seen outside the technology industry.
The
Hyundai Prophecy
 concept.
Hyundai recently unveiled its grand strategy to charge forward with alternative fuel vehicles. The South Korean carmaker unveiled its
 Ioniq electric vehicle sub-brand
 in August, followed by
 HTwo
 in December 2020 which focuses solely on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
By 2025, the company aims to become the world’s third-largest automaker of eco-friendly vehicles, increasing its annual Battery-EV sales to 560,000 units. The Hyundai Motor Group (which includes also includes Kia and Genesis) as a whole aims to sell 1 million units of BEVs annually by 2025, which should represent a 10% market share to become a leader in the global EV field.


Aston Martin DBS Superleggera OHMSS Edition has the perfect wheel option

50 years ago, George Lazenby graced the silver screen as Agent 007 in the 1969 Bond film,
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
. To celebrate the 50
th
 anniversary of the sixth James Bond film, Aston Martin together with EON Productions have introduced the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
 (OHMSS) special edition.
The DBS Superleggera OHMSS edition pays tribute to the original 1969 DBS driven by Bond in the movie and only 50 units of these will be made. All cars will be painted in Olive Green and a bespoke six horizontal vanes metal grille (
standard cars
 wear a honeycomb grille) to match the original car.
Other bits fitted onto the special edition model include carbon fibre splitter and aero blade, pure black leather interior with grey blend Alcantara as well as red accents for the trim and stitching. Let’s take a moment to appreciate how delicious those forged wheels look.
The only option customers can go for is the
bespoke Drinks Case which fits perfectly into the boot. The black case has
space for two bottles of champagne and four champagne flutes, an accessory to
complement the Super GT nature of the DBS.

Mechanically it retains the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 developing
725 hp
 and
900 Nm
 driving the rear wheels via an 8-speed ZF automatic. Century sprint is clocked in 3.4 seconds while top speed is capped at
340 km/h
.
The DBS Superleggera OHMSS edition is the latest in a series of 007 inspired Aston Martins, which includes the
Goldfinger DB5 continuation
 and the 2015 DB9 GT Bond Edition. Each of the 50 DBS Superleggera OHMSS edition will retail at £300,007.00, with first deliveries to customers commencing in Q4 2019.
IMAGE GALLERY
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera OHMSS Edition


Review: 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis, bolder and better? [+Video]

The Toyota Corolla is unmistakeably one of the best selling vehicle in the world. In its latest iteration, the 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis is hell-bent on taking a slice of the pie from the local C-segment market. The local C-segment scene is long dominated by the ever popular Honda Civic (8th and 9th). So with the newly introduced 11th generation Corolla Altis making its way to our local shores, we managed to grab the handsome car for a quick spin.
Watch our video review on the Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0V
QUICK FACTS
Name
 Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0V
Segment
 C-Segment Sedan
Engine
 2.0L INLINE-4 DOHC with Dual VVT-i
Price
 RM136,015.30 (+RM3,900 for Safety Package)
Watch our video review on the Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0V
The product planners at UMW Toyota reckons that 3 trims levels should suffice to cater to our local needs. There is the 1.8E priced at
RM114,015.30.
  As we move higher, there is the 2.0G, priced at
RM123,015.30
. The top of the specs Corolla Altis, the 2.0V is priced at
RM136,015.30
.
If safety and airbag count is high on your requirement, you can opt to go for the additional
Safety Package
 provided by UMW which increases the number of airbag count to 7. Behold, that comes with an additional cost of
RM3,900
 and only applicable to 2.0V model. Seriously UMW? Make the the safety package available across all trim levels please!
EXTERIOR
All the hoo-haas seem to be concentrated at how the 2014 Corolla Altis looks. Many is surprised that Toyota is able to penned some fine lines out of the Corolla Altis. Let’s begin with the front fascia for instance. The long, low-angled front lamps gives an outward aggressive look, where the line continue to flow to the front grill. The top of the range Corolla Altis comes with automatic levelling
LED projector headlights
 and Daytime Running Lights (
DRL
), whereas the lower range 2.0G and 1.8E gets halogen headlamps with manual levelling.

Moving sideways, you will find 4 striking 17-inch rims, adorn with a low profile 215/45 Michelin PS3. Though the
4.6 metre
 long car is longer and wider than it’s predecessor, I don’t find it big and cumbersome. The designers did a great job of masquerading the bulkiness of the car by playing with the curves really well. One could see how the C-pillar flows gently through the trunk.
More LEDs fill up the rear brake lamps, providing a clear and bright message saying
red-means-stop
 to any pesky tailgaters. And if you opt for the
Aerokit Package
 like our test car, the spoiler that you are getting comes with yet another LED brake lamp! Other than that, there aren’t any prominent beltline that runs across the Corolla Altis’s side profile.
With the top dog 2.0V Corolla Altis, you will also get a keyless entry. Yes, you won’t find a keyless entry button on the handle, but a dodgy, cool looking touch sensitive sensor to lock the car. To unlock, just put your hand on the handle and pull like you normally would. I couldn’t have realized it myself, if GC Mah did not show it to me personally!!
INTERIOR
Step into the cabin, and you will be greeted with an uncanny feeling telling you that you are not in a Corolla Altis. Yes, the interior cockpit is given a total rework, just like the exterior. There is a lot of soft touch materials all around the cabin such as elbow rests, side doors, steering and the dashboard. Black leather seats that fills the entire cabin with, well, smell of leather.

Move to the driver seat and that is where all the gadgets starts to entice you. The blueish speedometer shines brightly in your face giving a clear readout of your RPM & speed. Then there is the
MID
 (Multi Information Display) that sits in between the speedometer and tachometer. Cycle through the MID and you will get real-time fuel consumption, distance to empty readout, cruise control settings just to name a few. Lest not forget, there is also
electro chromatic
 rear view mirror that darkens the rear view mirror to minimize glare.
There is faux carbon fibre trim that surrounds the 2-DIN 7-inch touch screen head unit. The faux carbon fibre adds a certain touch of luxuriousness and sportiness. The head unit doubles as a
reverse camera
,
GPS
 unit and
voice recognition
 system. Yup, give the lady some commands and she will do the rest. Toggle the radio, make a call to your wife? No problem at all.

The seats for both the front and back passengers are good, no faults there being a Toyota. The only complain for the seats so far is that there is no electric seat adjustment for the front passenger! Yes, there is only electric seat adjustments for the driver. Food for thought Toyota? Rear passenger seats is
60:40
foldable and reclinable. The trunk space is a mighty
470 litres
. Cup holders and cubby holes are abundant, so you will never have to worry about stowing your smartphones, smart tag and keys.
 There are a few complains though from me. I can’t fathom why can’t Toyota put a better digital clock since they did a good job inside and out to just to impress buyers. The clock reminds me of the Proton Saga from the 80’s. Also gone is the 2 tier glovebox and dual zone automatic climate control. There is only single zone automatic climate control in the 2014 Corolla Altis. The glovebox is however is not a big problem, as it is big enough.
Watch our video review on the Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0V
PERFORMANCE
At the heart of the Corolla Altis 2.0V, is the same
143hp

3ZR-FE

Dual-VVT-i
, carried over from previous generation Corolla. It is not the most powerful mill amongst seas of C-segment contender but thanks to the brilliant
CVT
 transmission, it pulls gently and confidently and brings you up to speed in no time.
And if you want to unleash the boy racer in you, feel free to pull the lever into manual mode and shift the car yourself via the
7-speed Sports Sequential Shift
. Overall the performance is adequate for any road conditions, be it in the city or outstation drive. Many would complain why the same engine and transmission, but I wouldn’t. It is pleasant and I wouldn’t trade the CVT for any torque converter unit.
THE DRIVE
I would say the overall feel and drive is pretty good. It is comfortable, and carries 5 adults without a problem thanks to its generous wheelbase of
2,700mm
. This is by the way a Toyota, and NVH is absolutely top notch. It is quiet and it absorbs bumps pretty well.

The steering may be an electric (
EPS
) unit, but it gives a good feedback of the road. In terms of driving dynamics and handling, it is still not comparable to the Honda Civic nor the Mazda3, but it is getting better with each iteration of the Corolla Altis. It goes around corner confidently. If you are too overconfident and manage to fling the car out of control, the traction control (
TRC
) and electronic stability control (
ESP
) will kick in and pulls your car back in the right direction.
IS IT FOR YOU?
If you are looking for a long term car that gives you no trouble, the Corolla Altis is yours to take. All generation of Corollas is well known for its robustness and long lasting lifespan, so you will be safe hands and your investment is guaranteed. However, if you are expecting something special from this C-segment car, then maybe not.
COMPARISONS

As our fellow writer Najdi mentioned in his
previous review on the Mazda3
, the C-segment is very tightly contested. With so many offerings in this segment, the Koreans seems to have the edge with the Kia Cerato due it’s long list of impressive specifications. Still when it comes to built quality, refinement and driving dynamics amongst other Japanese offerings, this would be the best comparo I would pick.

 Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0V
 Honda Civic 2.0S
 Mazda3 2.0 SkyActiv
ENGINE
Type
4-cylinder, DOHC 16V Dual-VVT-i
4-cylinder, SOHC 16V i-VTEC
 4-cylinder, DOHC 16V Direct Injected
Displacement
cc
 1,987
1,997
1,998
Compression Ratio
 10.0 : 1
10.6 : 1
14.0 : 1
Max Power
hp/rpm
 143 / 6,200
 153 / 6,500
 162 / 6,000
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
187 / 3,600
190 / 4,300
 210 / 4,000
Carburetion System
Fuel Injection
Fuel Injection
 Direct Injection
Fuel Tank Capacity
L
55
 50
 51
STEERING
Type
 Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
 Electric Power Steering (EPS)
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
 CVT with 7-speed manual mode
5-speed A/T
6-speed A/T SkyActiv Drive
SUSPENSION
Type
MacPherson Strut (F) / Torsion Beam (R)
MacPherson Struts (F) / Multilink (R)
MacPherson Struts (F) / Multilink (R)
BRAKES
Front
 Ventilated Disc
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear
 Solid Disc
Solid Disc
Solid Disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
 215 / 45 R17
215 / 45 R17
 215 / 45 R18
Wheels
 Alloy
Alloy
 Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
4,620
4,525
 4,585
Overall Width
mm
1,776
1,755
 1,795
Overall Height
mm
1,460
1,435
 1,450
Wheelbase
mm
2,700
2,670
 2,700
Max Kerb weight
kg
1,300
1,270
 1,220
SAFETY
Airbags
 2 SRS airbags (7 with Safety Package)
 4
6
Others
brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, vehicle stability control, GOA, front & rear parking sensors, ISOFIX
 brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, vehicle stability control, front & rear parking sensors, ISOFIX
brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, vehicle stability control, emergency stop signal, front & rear parking sensors, ISOFIX
FUEL
Grade
 RON 95
 RON 95
 RON 95
PRICE
RM
136,015.30

131,995.30
139,950.80

WILL I BUY IT?
Hard to say. The C-segment is getting really competitive. The Corolla Altis will have to fend off the hard-kicking Korean duos of Kia Cerato & Hyundai Elantra with their hard to resist specifications. Coming from the Western front, we will have the formidable VW Jetta and Ford Focus with their powerful driving dynamics & pure European refinement. Their Japanese brethren on the other hand, mainly the Honda Civic, Mazda3, and the upcoming Nissan Sylphy will give the Corolla a tough fight with their competitive pricing.
Watch our video review on the Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0V
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VIDEO GALLERY
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IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen no longer supports ICE motorsports, makes progress in sustainable production

This isn’t going to be music to the ears of petrolheads, but Volkswagen is saying goodbye to all factory-backed motorsport commitments involving internal combustion engines so that it can concentrate fully on electric mobility.
In the short term, we expect to see more exploits from the
all-electric ID.R race car
, as well as motorsport initiatives based on the
MEB platform
 in the near future. Instead of a Polo WRC car getting airborne on a rally stage, we could be seeing an
ID.3 hatch
 battling a Nissan Leaf NISMO in an all-electric touring car championship…which has yet to be mooted, sadly.
The next all-electric TCR racer could be based on the ID.3.
Volkswagen Motorsport’s customer sport programme will also be electrified and is currently in the planning stage; this also marks the
end of production of the Golf GTI TCR
 by 2019, with no successor from the new generation Mk 8 Golf.
The production of the Golf GTI TCR for racing customers will cease this year.
However, the
Polo GTI R5
rally car will remain as part of Volkswagen Motorsport’s customer sport programme, to be supported out of its Hanover base but factory-backed entries will no longer proceed.
The new face of Volkswagen motorsport.
Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Group has been making steady progress towards achieving the target of
halving its environment impact
 caused by the production of vehicles by 2025.
From 2010 to the end of 2019, the production environmental impact is expected to drop by
more than 37%
, based on CO2 emissions, energy use, water use and solvent use, and generated waste per produced vehicle.


Porsche urges suppliers to go green, use renewable energy

Porsche is calling out for its 1,300 suppliers to use exclusively renewable energy when manufacturing Porsche components
beginning July
 in efforts to further reduce carbon emissions in its supply chain.
The “policy” applies to any contracts awarded for
providing production material for new vehicle projects
. In case you think they’re horsing around, Porsche also said those unwilling to switch to certified green technology will no longer be considered for long-term contracts with the company.

“Our battery cell suppliers have been using green energy since 2020. Now, we stipulate that our series suppliers also use only renewable energy to produce our components, to help reduce CO2 emissions even further,” said a Member of the Executive Board at Porsche.
At RM584k, the new Taycan RWD is the cheapest 4-door Porsche you can buy! Read about it here!
Porsche has set a goal to be
carbon neutral across its entire value chain by 2030
. At the moment, Porsche’s supply chain is responsible for around 20% of Porsche’s total greenhouse gas emissions. It could rise to around 40% by 2030 due to the increased electrification of vehicles.
The Taycan Cross Turismo.
Back home in Germany, Porsche’s plants in Stuttgart and Leipzig, and development centre in Weissach, have been carbon nuetral since 2019.
The Taycan Cross Turismo is the world’s first vehicle to be carbon neutral throughout its entire service life. By 2030, Porsche is targeting for 80% of its new vehicles to be purely electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Find out more about the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo here!


2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift teased for Malaysia, official launch soon!

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has begun teasing the
new 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift
 on its website and social media channels, signalling at the imminent arrival of the new luxury D-segment sedan here in Malaysia.
While the company did not provide a launch date just yet, customers looking to buy one can now register their interest on MBM’s website, linked
here
.
First unveiled to the world last year, the new
W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
 facelift sports a radically redesigned exterior, in tune with the marque’s new design language that was first shown off on the
third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS
.
Up front, there’s a redesigned grille flanked by slimmer headlights, and redesigned bumpers that differ in look according to trim levels. The meat of the exterior changes on the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, however, are around the back, highlighted by the new horizontal two-piece LED tail lights.
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift was recently launched in Thailand. Check it out here!
Inside, though, updates on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift are a little more reserved. There’s a new steering wheel three twin-spoke sport steering wheels with touch-activated buttons for the AMG Line models, and new MBUX software on the twin 12.3-inch display panels up top. But aside from these, the rest of the interior is pretty much identical to the outgoing model.
There should also be an updated advanced driver assistance suite on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift here in Malaysia, with features including the Pre-Safe autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, Blind Spot Assist, Lane Change Assist, and Active Parking Assist. Although, more granular details for equipment list on each trim levels will have to wait until closer to launch date.
In related news, Mercedes-Benz has announced that all of its models will offer an EV option starting from 2025. Read more about it here.
We’ll also have to wait and see if we will be receiving the updated and electrified M254 turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, as seen on the E 300e variant that was launched in Thailand just recently.
In the Land of Smiles, the new Mercedes-Benz E 300e makes a combined
320 hp
 and
700 Nm
 together with the EQ Boost mild hybrid system, which translates to a 0-100 km/h time of
5.7 seconds
.
At least, it seems like there isn’t too much time left to wait, so keep your eyes peeled as we bring you the latest updates on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift in Malaysia!


2015 Infiniti Q70 facelift launched in Malaysia, price from RM295k

The facelifted Infiniti Q70 was officially unveiled in Malaysia by official importer and distributor, Inspired Motor Sdn Bhd at their flagship showroom located along Jalan Tun Razak.
The performance luxury sedan is offered here in three variants, namely the
2.5-litre
,
3.7-litre
and range topping
3.5-litre Hybrid
 – all of which are
V6
 in configuration. The sole Q70 on display here is the entry level
2.5-litre
 variant.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Infiniti Q70 2.5L
Infiniti Q70 3.7L
Infiniti Q70 3.5L Hybrid
Engine
2,496cc; DOHC V6
3,696cc; DOHC V6 with VVEL
3,498cc; DOHC V6 with Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid
Transmission
7-speed automatic with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM)
Max Power
218 hp @ 6,400 rpm
320 hp @ 7,000 rpm
360 hp (with 50kW electric motor)
Max Torque
253 Nm @ 4,800 rpm
360 Nm @ 5,200 rpm
350 Nm @ 5,000 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
8.5 seconds; 231 km/h
6.2 seconds; 250 km/h
5.5 seconds; 250 km/h
Price without insurance (GST inclusive)
RM295,000
RM375,000
RM420,000
EXTERIOR
At a quick glance, you could even mistake this for its younger sibling, the Q50. However, a second look yields differences that are immediately discernible. The front fascia is more pronounced with Infiniti’s signature double-arch mesh design grille and
DRL eyebrow
; not forgetting to mention the
LED fog lights
 that’s mounted on the lower extremity of the bumper.

The Q70 sits on
18-inch
 wheels (or the
20-inch
 optional sports package). Around the back, it sports a new boot lid with the Infiniti logo and name cast in shiny chrome. The twin split exhaust tips and LED rear tail lamps finish off the styling at the rear.
INTERIOR
The
leather
 wrapped seats and trim will be the first to greet you upon getting in. As compared to its younger sibling, the Q70 pulls through with a more grown up fascia. The interior is a pleasant place to be in, one that’s equipped with
dual-zone climate control
 air-conditioning and
10-way electric memory seats,
 just to name a few.

The Q70 is featured with yet another innovation called
Active Noise Control
 (ANC) which effectively muffles external wind and engine noise. This is dealt with several microphones strategically located in the headlining.
To accompany the ANC system is a
10-speaker Bose stereo
 (standard on the 3.5 V6 Hybrid and 3.7 V6 models) for the audiophiles in you. Infotainment is projected via an
8-inch LCD display
.
PERFORMANCE
This is an avenue that the Q70 range would excel in. Infiniti does share its powertrains with certain Nissan models such as the
 Nissan 370Z
. The 2.5 litre model showcased today has a rated output of
 218 hp at 6,400 rpm
 with
253 Nm
 of torque. It features
Continuously Variable Timing Control System
 (CVTCS) which regulates the opening of the intake and exhaust valves for optimised performance.
The
3.5 litre V6
 with Infiniti’s Direct Response Hybrid system utilises a
1.4 kWh
 lithium-ion battery pack to store energy and a
50kW
 electric motor to disperse the torque out the rear and onto the tarmac. It makes a combined total of
360 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of twist.
The 3.7 litre V6 variant on the other hand, puts out
320 hp
 and
360 Nm
 of torque with a century sprint time of
6.2 seconds
and tops out at
250 km/h
. This unit features VVEL or
Variable Valve Event and Lift
 which works in tandem with the
CVTCS
 system to further maximise performance whilst improving fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.
All three variants of the new Q70 are paired to a
seven-speed automatic
 gearbox with
Adaptive Shift Control
 (ASC). Switching it to manual mode unleashes its party piece, which is the
Downshift Rev Matching
  (DRM) feature that automatically blips the throttle; a feature first seen on the
Nissan 370Z
. All variants come with a
Drive Selector Mode
 with three modes –
Snow, Eco and Sport
, which adjusts throttle and transmission sensitivity.
SAFETY
With
six airbags
 mounted on the front, side and curtain, the Q70 is up to job of protecting its occupants from harm. It comes equipped with the usual safety acronyms such as ABS with EBD, TCS,
Brake Assist
 (BA), child
ISOFIX
 mounts and
Vehicle Dynamic Control
; just to name a few.
WHAT ELSE?
The Q70 is available with a choice of
five
 different colours; Hermosa Blue, Malbec Black, Liquid Platinum, Graphite Shadow and Moonlight White. There’s an optional
Sports Premium Package
 for the base 2.5-litre model, costing a good
RM35,000
 and includes
20-inch wheels
,
sports front bumper
 and a
10-speaker Bose Sound System
. Elsewhere, a
RM25,000 Sports Package
 is available to tick for the 3.7L and Hybrid models which include the
20″ sports wheels and sports front bumper
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz EQA Concept – AWD electric hatchback, 0 – 100 km/h in 5s!

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled their latest addition to the EQ family at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show (IA) – an all-electric hatchback concept called the EQA. The EQA marks the three-pointed star’s entry in the compact electric vehicle (EV) segment. The concept car also showcases Mercedes-Benz’s innovation in the light technology, compact electric powertrain and EV aesthetics.
The engineers at Stuttgart are exploring a twin-motor electric powertrain – one on each axle – giving the EQA permanent all-wheel drive capabilities. The twin-motor set up is expected to generate an output of over
 200 kW
(268 hp) and over
500 Nm
 of torque from zero rpm. Two drive programs “Sport” and “Sport+” alters the torque distribution between the two axles, giving the driver a more dynamic driving characteristic.
The electric hatch is said to be capable of sprinting from zero to 100 km/h in around
five seconds
 and boasts a theoretical driving range of
 400 km
. As for charging options, the EQA can be charged wirelessly or via a conventional wallbox.
It gets a distinct look as well thanks to its two-box design and short overhangs. The EQA’s footprint measures at 4,285 mm in length, 1,810 mm in width and 1,428 mm with a 2,729 mm wheelbase; roughly the size of the
A-Class
. Instead of a conventional radiator grille, Mercedes-Benz has fitted an LED panel that will project a different grille design based on the current driving mode. In Sport mode, the grille displays a horizontal flaming grille while Sport+ displays a Panamericana radiator grille, just like its track-focused sibling, the
AMG GT R
.

The headlamps features Mercedes-Benz’s innovative light technology where a pair of spiral-shaped laser fibres lights up the road ahead while projecting animated electric impulses. If the statement that the EQA embodies the company’s vision for futuristic electric mobility with the fusion of emotively appealing design, we can’t wait for what’s more to come from the brand.
IMAGE GALLERY


New Pirelli Cinturato Rosso tyres in Malaysia – sized 15-inch and above, from RM250

Pirelli, through its official distributor in Malaysia, Kit Loong Tayaria, has launched the new Pirelli Cinturato Rosso tyres to expand the Cinturato tyre range that includes the Cinturato P6 and P7. The Cinturato Rosso will replace the Cinturato P1.
Available in 67 different sizes, ranging from 15- to 21-inches, the new Cinturato Rosso tyres are available for sedans, crossovers, MPVs and even SUVs. Tyre profile ranges from 35 to 65 aspect ratios, while tyre width ranges from 195 mm to 295 mm.
The new Cinturato Rosso tyres, with new groove designs featuring different depths and width, offers improved braking distances both in wet and dry conditions, reduced aqua planning, more refinement with reduced rolling noise and better mileage.
Compared to the Cinturato P1, the Cinturato Rosso was 5% quicker to react under hard braking in dry conditions, with 10% shorter braking distance. This was tested in a Toyota Camry with 215/55 R17 tyres, braking from 80 km/h to 0 km/h.
Under wet braking, the Cinturato Rosso also showed 10% shorter braking distance and 8% quicker response time compared to the Cinturato P1. This was also tested in the Toyota Camry with similar tyre size and speed – from 80 km/h to 0 km/h.
The new Cinturato Rosso tyres are made in China for the Southeast Asian market, with prices starting from RM250 to RM1,500.
“As Pirelli celebrates its 150
th
 anniversary this year, the introduction of the Cinturato Rosso propels the Pirelli brand further in the local market. Pirelli has established its presence in Malaysia more than 20 years ago and since then we have seen tremendous growth. We are confident that the Cinturato Rosso will continue to contribute to the growth and market share of Pirelli in Malaysia,” said Pirelli Asia, Managing Director, Fabio Marcola.


Mercedes-Benz plots new-model onslaught with 32 launches planned by 2022

Riding on its success as the
best-selling luxury carmaker globally
, Mercedes-Benz has finalised its development plans for more than 30 new models, all set to arrive by the end of 2022, according to a report by
Autocar UK
.
The new-model push will include replacements for the existing
C-Class
, S-Class, and SL, among other launches throughout the German carmaker’s entire range.
Mercedes-Benz is also eager to
continue its fight with BMW M
 for the top spot in the luxury performance segment, with a raft of new AMG models to be launched within the next two years.
The upcoming Mercedes-AMG newcomers will include the
rumoured hybrid GT 73 4-Door
, a track-focused GT Black Series, as well as the
Mercedes-AMG One
 hypercar, which was delayed due to setback during ongoing emissions testing.
As part of its ‘Ambition 2039’ plan – a
CO2-neutral line-up within the next 20 years
, the upcoming Mercedes-Benz models will play an integral part in reducing the company’s CO2 fleet emissions.
A key component in the the brand’s short term goal to adhere to strict new EU regulations is the M254 four-cylinder engine, which will be introduced in the facelifted E-Class – replacing the previous M274 engine.
The new engine, which is also set to feature in the upcoming fifth-generation C-Class, features modular properties that allow for electrification, and is built to meet the Euro 7 emission regulations.
It was
 previously reported
 that Mercedes-AMG will provide plug-in hybrid options for all future models, with the first to be introduced as soon as this year.
However, word on the street is that Mercedes-AMG will be replacing the existing 4.0-litre V8 engine in the C63 with the new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder PHEV powertrain.
Mercedes-Benz is banking hard on electrification in their efforts in reduction of CO2 emissions, as the brand expects to offer
20 plug-in hybrid models
 by the end of 2020.
The EQ Power family will expand this year starting with the PHEV versions of the second-generation CLA and GLA, as well as the facelifted E-Class – all three of which are scheduled to be unveiled in March at the Geneva motor show.
The 20-model strong hybrid line-up will range from the A 250e, all the way up to the
S 560e
, that will form part of the new seventh-generation S-Class line-up.
According to engineers involved in the development of the hybrid S-Class, the S 560e will offer more than double the electric range of its predecessor.
As for battery electric vehicles, the EQ
electric vehicle
s
 sub-brand
 is expected to introduce five new EV models in the near future. These will include production versions of the
EQA
 and EQS, along with new EQB, EQE and EQG models.
With Geely now holding a 9.7% stake in Daimler, the two brands have carried out preliminary talks on how the two might co-operate on projects including future four-cylinder engines and dual-clutch gearbox development, according to senior officials in Mercedes-Benz.
The two brands have also completed a joint venture earlier this year, which saw the Chinese car giant Geely taking on 50% shareholding in Smart. The joint venture will see the development of new urban-focused Smart models, including a compact electric-powered SUV due 2022, to be built in China.


New all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre to be launched in 2023!

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has just announced that it will introduce its first electric car in Q4 of 2023. It’s called the
Spectre
, with on-road testing set to take place soon.
“Spectre is a name given to otherworldly beings synonymous with great power and apparition; creatures of an alternative realm that make their presence felt through fleeting manifestation. A spectre forces the world to pause. It dominates the space it occupies,” said Rolls-Royce.
“Then, as quickly as it appears, it dissipates, leaving a wake of exhilaration, energy, and intrigue. As a quintessentially British brand, we have selected the British spelling, however the meaning is universal,” they added.
According to Rolls-Royce, it is the most significant day for the company since 4th May 1904. On that day, the company’s founding fathers, Charles Rolls and Sir Henry Royce, met for the first time and decided to create the best motor car in the world.
117 years later, Rolls-Royce is set to carve a new legacy for itself with the first, super-luxury electric car.
“It’s the real thing, it will be tested in plain sight and our clients will take first deliveries of the car in the fourth quarter of 2023,” said Rolls-Royce.
The electric revolution for the world’s most well-known luxury motor car isn’t an overnight one. In fact, it’s been years in the making. When the Phantom debuted in 2017, it was built on a platform that was not only meant for internal combustion engines but can also accommodate different powertrains.
Rolls-Royce has been experimenting electric powertrain from as early as 2011 when they revealed the 102EX, a fully functional electric Phantom. This was followed by the 103EX in 2016.
With on-road testing set to begin, the new Spectre will endure over 2.5 million kilometres of testing. It will also be subjected to simulation that’s equivalent to more than 400 years of use.
“You will see these test cars on roads, around the world. Look out for them – they will be in plain sight. They will be tested in all conditions and over all terrains on their multi-million-mile journey – that will literally accelerate Rolls-Royce into the future.”
With the announcement, the company has set a goal for its entire line up to be fully electric by 2030. By then, Rolls-Royce will no longer produce or sell vehicles with internal combustion engine.
New Rolls-Royce “Landspeed Collection” relives one man’s hunger for speed. Check it out here!
GALLERY


All-new Kia Niro brings a whole new meaning to “two-tone paint job”!

Kia’s compact SUV, slotting between the
Seltos
 and the
new Sportage
, has officially been unveiled and its styling does not disappoint. Said to feature plenty of bold elements from the Kia Habaniro Concept, the new Niro continues to offer a wide range of powertrain choices.
Up in front, Kia’s signature ‘Tiger Face’ has been transformed for the all-new Niro and now extends from the bonnet right through to the rugged fenders. Kia calls their new DRL signature the ‘striking heartbeat’ motif, creating confidence and a remarkable look on the road.
At the sides, the dark grey-coloured overfenders extend deep into the rear doors to form a characteristic side panel. A wide rear pillar gets the most attention on the new Niro, as it has been deliberately painted in a different shade to create a unique two-tone look.
While the examples were in dark colours, Kia had sketches of a white Niro featuring Lava red pillars, similar to the concept car. Very bold indeed! The pillar is also said to offer aerodynamic performances as well as house the boomerang-shaped taillights.
The interior however is quite a big departure from the bold and distinctive, with a very safe eclipse like sweep on the dashboard. Like all new Kia models, a two-spoke steering wheel is used, with the Drive mode selector switch placed at the left spoke.
Kia says plenty of recycled and eco-friendly materials are used to line the interior, such as recycled wallpaper on the headlining, seats made from eucalyptus leaves and water-based paint which is free of volatile organic compounds (BTX VOC).
The all-new Kia Carnival is set to be a more premium offering in the segment compared to Hyundai Staria. More about the Grand Utility Vehicle, now available in Thailand.
The off-centre dashboard curves around the occupants, integrating with diagonal lines on the door panels. At night, ambient lighting is emitted from the dashboard, creating a sophisticated feel. The electronic dial-type shift level takes up minimum space, allowing the placement of shortcut switches and a huge storage bin.
A range of electric and petrol powertrains will be offered in the all-new Kia Niro. Details are yet to be announced but Kia’s
new distributor in Malaysia
, Bermaz Auto, is keen to restart the brand presence with the Kia Niro EV now that the government has announced
zero taxes
 for fully electric vehicles.
GALLERY


Facts & Figures: Land Rover Defender 110 now available in Malaysia, from RM798k

The highly-awaited
Land Rover Defender
 has now been officially launched in Malaysia. At launch, the iconic off-roader will be offered solely in the 110 five-door form, with two engine options available. Pricing starts at
RM798,800
 for the entry-level P300 2.0-litre model.

EXTERIOR
The Malaysian-specification Jaguar Land Rover is based on the global model’s HSE trim level, which means it’s equipped with the following items as standard:
Automatic LED Matrix headlights with signature daytime-running lights
LED tail-lights
20-inch Style 5098 five-spoke wheels, Gloss Sparkle Silver, with full-sized spare
Off-road tyres
Body-coloured roof
Sliding panoramic sunroof
Alpine roof lights
PERFORMANCE
The Land Rover Defender is offered in two powertrain options here in Malaysia: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four, and a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with mild-hybrid technology.
Land Rover Defender P300
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four, Petrol
Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission with twin-speed transfer box
Max horsepower: 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max torque: 400 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,500 rpm
0-100 km/h: 8.1 seconds
Top speed: 191 km/h
Land Rover Defender P400 MHEV
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six, Petrol, 48V electric supercharger
Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission with twin-speed transfer box
Max horsepower: 400 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max torque: 550 Nm @ 2,000 – 5,000 rpm
0-100 km/h: 6.1 seconds
Top speed: 191 km/h
The all-new Defender’s aluminium D7x body architecture is designed specifically to handle rough off-road driving, with a wheelbase of 3,022 mm and short overhangs to offer a breakover angle of 28 degrees. It’s also equipped with an electronic air suspension that can be raised to a maximum ground clearance of 291 mm, while the adaptive damping system also lets the drivers optimise the car for on-road driving comfort.
The built-in Terrain Response system can alter the powertrain to the various challenging terrains one might face on the path less taken, and a new Wade programme offers a maximum waving depth of 900 mm.
Watch the Land Rover Defender get dirty in the latest James Bond film, No Time To Die!
INTERIOR
The Land Rover Defender is designed with heritage and ruggedness in mind, and it’s most apparent on the interior, thanks to the unique cabin design touches such as the exposed bolts and the powder-coated magnesium cross beam on the dashboard – the latter actually functions as a structural part of the Defender!
The Land Rover Defender 110 here in Malaysia will be offered in both the five- or seven-seater (5+2) configuration.
Other interior highlights include:
10-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen infotainment display
Digital instrument cluster with head-up display
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Meridian sound system
14-way power-adjustable memory front seats with 4-way manual headrests
Front seat ventilation and heating
Dual-zone automatic climate control (three-zone for 5+2 seat)
ClearSight interior rearview mirror camera
Click and Go accessories system integrated base unit
Rubber cabin flooring with carpet mats
The Land Rover Defender is the Women’s World Car of the Year! Learn more here.
SAFETY
The Land Rover Defender is equipped with JLR’s suite of advanced driver assistance systems, with features including:
Autonomous emergency braking
Rear cross-traffic and collision monitor
Lane keep assist
Adaptive cruise control
Traffic sign recognition and adaptive speed limiter
360-degree Parking Aid
Blind spot assist
Driver condition monitor
Clear exit monitor
Wade Sensing
Trailer Stability Assist
Meanwhile, passive safety kit include six airbags as standard, alongside ABS with EBD, electronic traction control, roll stability control, hill descent control, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
There are also a whole host of off-road focused safety features, such as the ClearSight Ground View, which displays a video feed from the front underside of the car for the driver to easily navigate trickier terrains.
PRICING
The Land Rover Defender 110 starts at
RM798,800
 for the P300 2.0-litre model, and
RM998,800
 for the P400 MHEV 3.0-litre model, both on-the-road prices, without insurance, and inclusive of the SST exemption that is valid until the end of the year. Options are not included, too, as there are over 170 individual accessories for you to pick from.
Included in the price as standard is also a five-year warranty, alongside five years of free scheduled maintenance, and three years of roadside assistance. Customers who register a new Defender in 2021 will also receive a Land Rover Heritage Watch worth RM2,288, in celebration of Sime Darby Motors and Land Rover’s 40th anniversary of partnership.
GALLERY


The sleek 2019 Maserati Levante S is now in Malaysia with fresh updates

Remember the
Maserati Levante Eu Jin drove on snow in Northern Italy
 earlier this year? Well the new model is now available in Malaysia as an updated 2019 model.
The petrol-powered Levante will be offered in either GranSport or GranLusso trims. Updates in the new car includes a redesigned gearshift lever with shorter travel and improved operation.
With the GranSport comes a new front and rear bumper inspired by the Levante GTS and Trofeo. The GranSport can also be distinguished with front and rear Black Piano inserts, GranSport badges on the front fenders, red brake calipers and the 21-inch Helios wheels.
On the GranLusso, you’d find chrome inserts on the front bumper, chrome front and rear skid plates, silver brake calipers, GranLusso badges on the front fender and 21-inch Helios alloy wheels as well.

The GranSport is furnished with high gloss Metal Weave interior trims while the GranLusso offers the choice of full premium Italian leather, Pieno Fiore natural leather or Ermenegildo Zegna silk upholstery.
Standard equipment includes Soft Close doors, 12-way adjustable front seats, an electric panoramic sunroof with tilt and slide functionality along with a banging Bowers and Wilkins Surround Sound System.
Power output remains the same – with
430 hp
 and
580 Nm
 from a 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 built in Ferrari’s factory in Maranello. Paired with the slick 8-speed ZF automatic transmission with three drive modes (Off-road, I.C.E for Increased Control & Efficiency and Sport), 0 to 100 km/h is done in just 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 264 km/h.
The redesigned gearshift lever offers a more intuitive operation with a
dual lane shift pattern
. It allows the driver to choose between automatic or manual mode, simply by moving the lever from right to left. The “Park” button is now placed at the top of the gear lever.
With the “M button” (for manual mode) replaced by an “Off-road mode”, the drive mode cluster on the centre console is now less cluttered, with space for two additional switches – to activate the Sport mode and switch between the Skyhook suspension settings.
The 2019 Levante is also available with an updated Nerissimo package – with a selection of eight body colours, black trims on the front grille, skid plates and side mirrors.
The Maserati Levante S GranLusso.
Rear trunk accents, side air vents, the Trident on the grille and all the Maserati badges and logos are finished in Black Chrome. The package also dictates that the door handles and lower mouldings now follow after the body colour, with new 21-inch wheels.
The 2019 model Levante S is priced at RM 788,800.00 (inclusive of local taxes and duties) and a 3-year Standard Warranty coverage with no mileage restrictions in addition to the Maserati Premium Service Plus of 3 years/60,000 km whichever comes first.
IMAGE GALLERY
Maserati Levante S GranSport

Maserati Levante S GranLusso


10-km limit removed for the fully vaccinated in Phase 1 NRP states, full vehicle capacity

The
National Security Council
 has announced new updates to the movement and travel restrictions as of the 20th of August.
The 10-km limit in states that are in Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) has been removed. However, interdistrict and interstate travel is still not allowed. There are no changes in
operating hours
 for transport-related services as well.
Here’s everything you need to know about passenger limits, travel, and movement restrictions as of August 2020.
The following are the
states in Phase 1 of the NRP
 where the 10-km limit on travel and movement is now removed:
Selangor
Kuala Lumpur
Putrajaya
Negeri Sembilan
Malacca
Johor
Kedah
The passenger-per-car limit has also been removed for those who are fully vaccinated. The number of passengers allowed for those who are fully vaccinated is now
according to the seating capacity of the vehicle
.
Car wash and accessory shops, dealerships allowed to resume business…more about it here!
The passenger-per-car limit still applies to those who are not fully vaccinated. The restriction remains unchanged; two passengers per car for daily essentials and food supplies and three per car for vaccination appointments or medical attention.
The limit for taxis and e-hailing services remains unchanged as well. Only two are allowed per car, including the driver while the passenger is required to be in the back seat.


New 4th gen Kia Carnival brings the cool back into MPVs

Kia
has revealed the new 4th generation Carnival
shortly after releasing a teaser
, and boy is it stunning!
It’s dubbed the “
Grand Utility Vehicle
” and is designed with shorter front overhangs, with the A-pillars pushed backwards to create a longer front hood. Its increased wheelbase also means more space throughout the cabin, along with a sleeker side profile.
A character line that runs along the side emphasises the new Carnival’s sleekness, linking the slimmer front headlamps to the rear tail light bar.
The new Kia Carnival also features an “island roof”, designed with blacked-out A and B pillars. It also adopts a C-pillar design,
inspired by the new Sorento
.
Busy as it may appear, the “tiger face” of the new Kia Carnival is perhaps the most striking section of the MPV. That grille, which Kia describes as “symphonic architecture”, just begs for a second look and even closer inspections. Integrated into the striking grille are the high beam lamps projectors.
Check out what’s new in the 11-seater Kia Carnival
here
!
That’s all Kia has revealed about the new Carnival, which will go on sale late in the third quarter of 2020.
Locally, Kia Malaysia recently introduced the
11 seater Kia Carnival
, priced at RM179,888. The sole variant can be adapted to be a
six, seven or eight seater
. It’s powered by a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine paired to an 8-speed automatic, making 200 hp and 440 Nm.
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2017 Mitsubishi ASX gets a mild update, only for United States

The Mitsubishi ASX, known as the
 Outlander Sport
 in the land of stars and stripes, has been given a minor makeover in which it will make its debut at the upcoming 2017 New York International Auto Show.
The updated ASX took some cues from Mitsubishi’s
Dynamic Shield
 design with the redesigned front and rear bumpers, and they have added a new exterior colour called Alloy Silver.
Inside, changes are minimal, with a new centre console that houses a 7-inch Smartphone Link display audio system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The
Touring Package
 is a new optional addition for this ASX. The package includes a panoramic roof together with a suite of active safety kit such as Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), and Lane Departure Warning, Automatic High Beam (AHB). The noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) have been improved as well.
Two engine options are available for the stateside, including a
 2.0-liter engine
 that outputs
148 hp
 and
197 Nm
 of torque, while a 2.4-liter mill deploys
168 hp
 and
226 Nm
 of torque.
The current ASX has been around since 2010, and its replacement remains to be seen.
IMAGE GALLERY