From 2019, Hyundai cars will feature a voice command personal assistant

Hyundai will be rolling out an Intelligent Personal Agent, a voice-enabled virtual assistant system, in new models from as early as 2019. The system has been co-developed with SoundHound.
Together with the leading innovator in voice-enabled Artificial Intelligence and conversational intelligence technologies, the
Intelligent Personal Agent
 feature will allow drivers to use voice commands for many different operations and real-time data.
The system acts as a
proactive assistant system
that will predict the driver’s needs and provide useful information such as traffic conditions on the route ahead, reminders of upcoming meetings and even suggested departure times to avoid traffic.
Aside from the usual voice command features, such as making calls and sending texts, search for music and destinations, the Intelligent Personal Agent allows drivers to control air-conditioning functions, sunroof and even door locks. It also sets itself apart by
recognising two separate commands in one sentence
.
The system, which has been developed over the past 10 years by SoundHound, is activated by the simple greeting of “Hi Hyundai” and will initially
 only understand English
. The Intelligent Personal Agent will be unveiled in January next year, demonstrated through a connected car cockpit.


Honda City Hatchback all set for launch tomorrow in Malaysia

Honda Malaysia has posted the latest update on the Honda City Hatchback and the company will be officially launching its latest offering tomorrow,
December 7th
!
The short clip of the Honda City Hatchback and the accompanying text ‘1 day to go’ was posted across all their social media channels at 12 P.M. earlier today.
First
teased
 in late October, information shared on the Honda City Hatchback was the choice of powertrains and variants that is similar to the sedan- e:HEV hybrid in RS flavour and regular design with the new 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC.
Honda Malaysia then opened the order books and further dropped more key features of the new Honda City Hatchback. To recap, both mentioned variants, which are positioned at the higher end of the pricing range, gets LED headlamps and taillamps with LED DRLs, LED fog lamps and 16-inch wheels.
A first-in-the-segment feature that Honda is proud to reveal is the fitment of the Remote Engine Start, which allow owners to start the engine and air-conditioning to cool the cabin before entering. Unlike the
Honda City sedan
 that is available from the E variant, this feature is only available in the Hatchback RS e:HEV and V variants.
Inside, the rear seat of the City Hatchback continues to feature Honda’s much-coveted and popular 4-Modes ULTRA seats. It is still the only hatchback in the segment to have the rear seats cleverly-hinged to be fully folded flat (Long mode) or flipped up (Tall mode), as well as Refresh mode that allows couples to stretch their legs onto the flat-folded front seats.
Honda City Hatchback Indonesia
Honda Malaysia also demonstrate the
effectiveness of the Honda Sensing
 and the Honda LaneWatch at the media drive event late last month. Eujin liked how composed both the City hatchback models (RS and 1.5 V) felt and how communicative the steering was.
Honda said the City hatch comes with stiffer engine mounts, improved suspension, and a more rigid body and interestingly, it’s also lighter. More on the review of the Honda City Hatchback at Sepang International Circuit,
h
ere
.
As mentioned earlier, Honda Sensing full suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) plus electric parking brake will meanwhile be available in just the range-topping RS e:HEV variant, a move that was originally mirrored in the City sedan RS e:HEV, but then extended to the sedan 1.5V variant just
last month
.
As always, we will update this space once Honda Malaysia officially announces the pricing and full specifications of the new Honda City Hatchback tomorrow. Stay tuned!
GALLERY
Honda City RS e:HEV Hatchback
Honda City V hatchback


Feature: What is the best type of hybrid car for you?

To use electricity for vehicular propulsion is nothing new. In fact, it is almost as old as the internal combustion engine (ICE). Fundamentally, an electric motor is more efficient and refined in operation. With the rapid development in battery technology, full electric and hybrid cars are becoming more common these days.
Via
regenerative braking
, hybrids are able to harvest kinetic energy that would normally be “expended” in a regular ICE vehicle. The energy harvested will help recharge the battery pack and would subsequently power the electric motor, effectively reducing fuel consumption.
With the recent round of fuel price hike, the proposition of getting a hybrid/electric car is even more enticing than before. On top of electric vehicles, there are
 three types of hybrid cars currently on sale
 in Malaysia. How are they different from each other? Let’s have a look.
Hybrids with the most basic form of electrical assistance are called
mild hybrids
. Their electric motor plays a supporting role in most cases. It is strong enough to fire up or shut the engine when needed, and the process saves a tiny bit of fuel. Not significant, but noticeable. Also, when required, the electric motor will provide additional extra grunt, but it is not strong enough to propel the car on its own (no full EV mode).
You will be missed!
Honda is the most notable brand in Malaysia for offering mild hybrids with its
Integrated Motor Assist
(IMA) technology. The IMA equipped
Honda Insight
 and
Honda CR-Z
 have made significant waves when they were launched in Malaysia for their hybrid credentials.
Full hybrids
, on the other hand, can be
driven solely on electric power
. And when it does, the absence of engine noise makes for a near silent cabin, greatly improving NVH levels. A full hybrid vehicle
starts without cranking
, and it is as simple as flicking a switch and go. However, all these refinements come
at the expense of complexity
,
 practicality

and cost
.
Toyota’s excellent
Hybrid Synergy Drive
 is arguably the industry benchmark for full hybrids. In Malaysia, the
 Toyota Prius
 and

Prius-C
 were once
the
 hybrids to buy before their tax incentives were regrettably rescinded. UMW’s perennial hot seller, the
Toyota Camry Hybrid
 remains an excellent choice. Of course, the attractively equipped and priced
Hyundai IONIQ
 is a full hybrid worth considering too.
But the pure electric range of a full hybrid is rather limited. Want more of that silent, refined experience in your daily drive? Get a
plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
. Its battery pack is not only juiced up via regenerative braking, it can also be
charged via household power sockets
. Most PHEVs have a
real world range
 of
at least 20km to 30km
. The bigger battery pack translates directly to higher electric range, so if you live near where you work, you won’t even need to use a single drop of fuel. Also, the
charging infrastructure is growing steadily
 in the country.
PHEVs currently on sale in Malaysia include the
BMW 330e
,
BMW X5 xDrive40e
,
Mercedes-Benz C350e
 and
Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine
. The Hyundai IONIQ can also be had in PHEV form, but as of now, there are no plans of it being introduced in CKD form yet.

Because of their
EEV (Energy Efficient Vehicle)
 tax incentives (limited to CKD hybrid cars), PHEVs have been gaining traction in the market for their relatively attractive pricing – the keyword being relative. The examples mentioned above are priced
well beyond the RM200,000 mark
.
Call it an interim solution, if you will, before we fully embrace all-electric cars. Hybrid cars are here to stay, at least for now. So there you have it, the
three different types of hybrid systems
that are currently on the market today. Which one tickles your fancy? Share with us your thoughts!


This showroom in Belgium is Lynk & Co’s idea of a car dealership

Lynk & Co had planned to begin their European introduction by around 2020 but the global pandemic pushed the opening of their
first showroom
 or Club in Amsterdam to October 2020. The Lynk & Co Antwerp Club is the third showroom by the Chinese brand in Europe, seven months after the opening of the Gothenburg Club in Sweden.
Similar to the first two Clubs, the Antwerp Club offers space and rooms for events, social gatherings, and a café. While the main objective is to have more Lynk & Co cars on European roads, the brand is taking things a little slower by trying to better engage with the local community.
“Every Club is an opportunity to connect with our members on their terms and share the Lynk & Co experience. As our first location in Belgium, the Antwerp Club is an exciting milestone for the company,” said Lynk & Co, CEO, Alain Visser.
South Korea could be Lynk & Co’s next biggest market, as Renault has just partnered with Geely to produce hybrid vehicles there. More about the new JV here.
Located in the heart of the Fashion Quarter, the Antwerp Club, previously a historic Firehall, is designed to uphold the history of space, filled with creative details and sustainable design choices. Like the other two Clubs, furnishings in the Antwerp Club must be eco-friendly and ethically sourced.
Much of the building was preserved with renovations done using mainly natural building materials and small amounts of recycled plastic.
Lynk & Co will offer the updated 01 compact SUV for subscription or outright purchase at these Clubs. To stand out from the crowded European landscape, everything in the catalogue comes standard in the Lynk & Co 01.
This includes a panoramic sunroof, Infinity premium audio system, powered seats, an advanced infotainment system with full over-the-air software update capabilities, cloud-based personal settings and the full suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Two powertrain choices are on offer in the Lynk & Co 01- the
197-hp
 self-charging or
261-hp
 plug-in hybrid that also serves Volvo and Geely models.
Meet the Lynk & Co 05, a product that illustrates what Geely is capable of. More about the hot SUV here!
The Club will also feature a selection of local brands that share Lynk & Co’s value of sustainability, creativity and community called Gear Collection.
Listed on their website is the fourth location, in the heartland of premium vehicles- Germany. The Hamburg Club is however not a permanent site, in which the company is operating an experimental pop-up showroom in a series of cities to slowly build awareness as well as navigate through post-pandemic limitations.
Lynk & Co earlier this year also mentioned working with Volvo Cars to used the latter’s distribution network for a faster reach and global access for the upcoming lifestyle brand.
GALLERY
Lynk & Co Antwerp Club
Lynk & Co 01


Perodua sold 207,100 cars in 2016, becomes 11-time national best seller

Our nation’s largest car manufacturer, Perodua has just revealed their yearly performance review for 2016. The company saw an increased in market share, exports, after sales intake and service revenue. However, Perodua also saw a slight slump in total volume of vehicles sold and produced amidst a challenging year.
According to President & CEO of Perodua, Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh, the company managed to capture a market share of 35.7 percent, up 3.7 percent from 2015. These results were possible thanks to the launch of the
Bezza
late July last year where Perodua shifted 36,000 units in the same year. Exports went up by six percent to 4,700 units, of which 60 percent made their way to Indonesia.
Perodua also serviced over 2.03 million cars in the same year, up 3.3 percent from 2015. This naturally ties in to a growth in service revenue to RM682 million from RM600 million. JD Power also ranked Perodua eight on the Customer Service Index (CSI) list. It is no wonder that Perodua is Malaysia’s “most preferred automotive brand for 11 consecutive years”.
When the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) made a downward revision to the Total Industry Volume (TIV), true enough Perodua was also affected by the challenging economic situation. The brand sold over 207,100 vehicles in 2016, down 4 percent from the
projected 216,000 units
. Production also slowed down from 228,000 units in 2015 to 213,000 units in 2016.

When asked about the company’s outlook for 2017, Datuk (Dr) Aminar said they will continue to monitor the global economic situation and has set a target of
capturing a 34.2% market share
,
selling 202,000 cars
 and
producing 197,000 cars
in 2017.
This downward projection is inline with economic uncertainties, as well as shifting the company’s focus towards becoming a “leading affordable automotive brand regionally with global standards”. Despite lowering their expectations on sales and production, Perodua is looking to up their capital expenditure (CAPEX) by 13 percent to RM557 million in 2017 to modernise their production plant as well as the establishment of an official pre-owned vehicle arm.


2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 now in Malaysia, E200 priced at RM396k

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has officially launched the all-new W213 E-Class in Malaysia starting with the fully-imported E200. The E250 and E300 will be coming later this year.
The rear-wheel drive 1991cc,
184hp
,
300Nm
 E200 is paired with Mercedes’s latest nine-speed automatic gearbox. It is only available in Avantgarde Line trim. The E200 is priced at
RM395,888
 on the road without insurance. Prices for the
E250
 and
E300
 will be announced as they are launched.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz E200 Avantgarde Line
Mercedes-Benz E250 Avantgarde Line
Mercedes-Benz E250 Exclusive Line
Mercedes-Benz E300 AMG Line
Engine
4-cyl, 1991cc
4-cyl, 1991cc
4-cyl, 1991cc
4-cyl, 1991cc
Transmission
9-speed auto
9-speed auto
9-speed auto
9-speed auto
Max Power
184hp/5500rpm
211hp/5500rpm
211hp/5500rpm
245/5500rpm
Max Torque
300Nm/1200-4000rpm
350Nm/1200-4000rpm
350Nm/1200-4000rpm
370Nm/1200-4000rpm
0-100km/h; Top Speed
7.7seconds/240km/h
To be determined
To be determined
To be determined
Price
RM395,888
To be determined
To be determined
To be determined
The E-Class is Mercedes’s best selling model range worldwide. While there is currently only one four-cylinder engined variant offered in Malaysia, it will be joined by two additional variants, the E250 and E300, later this year in
September
 and
November
 respectively.
There will be two trim levels offered for the E250, Avantgarde and Exclusive Line while the E300 will be be specced up with AMG Line kit, making it a total of four petrol-engined variants altogether.
EXTERIOR
The all-new E-Class is curvier with more flowing lines than its predecessor and now looks like a small S-Class or a large C-Class. The differentiating points can be seen on the door panels which look more tautly muscular from having a higher, narrower shoulder line, wider spaced swage lines, and a more coupé-like roofline.
Comparison of measurements
New E-Class
Predecessor
Difference
Exterior
Vehicle length mm
4923
4880
+43
Vehicle width mm
1852
1854
-2
Vehicle height mm
1468
1471
-3
Wheelbase mm
2939
2874
+65
Track width, front mm
1620
1600
+20
Track width, rear mm
1626
1619
+7
Interior
Kneeroom, rear mm
75
69
+6
Front/rear shoulder room mm
1467/1450
1467/1446
0/+4
Boot capacity l
540
540
–
The overall width of the car is unchanged but the new E-Class is 43mm longer than the W212 E-Class at 4923mm. By reducing front and rear overhangs and pushing the wheels further out to the corners, the wheelbase has been extended by 65mm with both front and rear passenger gaining more knee room.
To accommodate the increased length without compromising agility, the track has been widened by 20mm at the front and 7mm at the rear and ride height lowered by 3mm. Boot capacity is unchanged at a class leading 540litres.
LED headlights are standard in the E-Class. The E200 has LED High Performance lights while the other three variants will have adaptive Multibeam LED. The tail lamps feature a unique light effect from the LED lamps being arranged on a specially designed structure. Combined with a new reflector technology, it has a star dust appearance when illuminated which differentiates the E-Class from the S- and C-Class from the rear.
The E200 comes with
18-inch
 five-spoke light alloy wheels fitted with run-flat tyres as standard. The E250 Avantgarde, E250 Exclusive and E300 AMG will run on
19-inch
 rims. The E250 Avantgarde will have Tirefit while the E250 Exclusive and E300 AMG, run-flat tyres

INTERIOR
 The gently curved centre stack seen in the S- and C-Class make their appearance in the E-Class with neat rows of control switches and airplane vent-style blowers. The spacious cabin can be specced with a variety of finishes including open-grain wood, carbon fibre, wood inlays and a new metal fabric.

In the previous generation E-Class, there were in two distinct sections for the dashboard, the instrument cluster directly in front of the driver and an infotainment unit in a tablet-style screen above the centre console.
This has been streamlined into a single section cockpit-style panel which houses two
 12-inch high-resolution screens
 behind a flat glass cover. The instrument cluster is now fully digital and the driver can customise the information and views according to their personal preferences in any one of three screen styles: “classic”, “sport” and “progressive”.  However, do note that the images of the E200 interior, the car has an analog instrument cluster. This is not the standard spec for the car. All W213 E-Class customer units will have the digital interface.
The Comand system is smartphone integrated for both
Apple CarPlay
 and
Android
 and can be controlled through the multifunction steering wheel which has
Touch Control Buttons
 on both the left and right side. Touch Control buttons respond to the touch and swipe gestures used on mobile phones and tablets.
This allows the driver to control the entire infotainment system without having to take their hands off the steering wheel. The infotainment system can also be accessed through voice controlled via the
Linguatronic
 system or the
Touchpad
 with Controller which can recognise handwriting.
The E200 comes with push-button start but not keyless entry. The E250s and E300 will have Keyless-Go – keyless entry and push-button start – as well as Hands-Free Access. The sound system is by
Burmester
 with varying levels of sophistication according to trim level. In the
E300 AMG
, this will be the Surround Sound System.
The heated leather front seats have adjustable lumbar support. A Sun Protection Package consisting of double sun blinds, electric blinds for the rear window and roller sun blinds on the rear doors is provided. There is no sunroof for the E200 but for the E250 and E300 trim levels a
 panoramic sliding roof
 is standard.
The E200 makes do with a reverse camera while options provided as standard in the E250 and E300 are
360º camera
 and
 wireless Qi mobile charging
 will be available for the E250 and E300. The E300 will also be fitted with
 Head-Up Display
.
PERFORMANCE
 The
1991cc turbocharged
, petrol engine is a carry over from the
W212
. Output from the E200 is
184hp
 with
300Nm
 of torque. Performance times are 0-100km/h in
 7.7 seconds
 while top speed is
 240km/h
. The E250 rated at
211hp
 with
350Nm
 while the E300 at
245hp
 produces
370Nm
 of torque.
The rear-wheel drive E-Class is paired with the latest generation Mercedes transmission, a
nine-speed dual clutch gearbox
, the
9-G-tronic
. All four trim levels have steering-mounted
gear shift paddles
.
Agility Control
 suspension is standard with Dynamic Select, selective damping system. There are four modes to choose from:
Comfort
,
Eco
,
Sport
 and
Sport+
. In addition, there is “
individual
” for drivers to customise their preference.
SAFETY
 Mercedes-Benz have always prided themselves as being the builders of the world’s safest cars. Making its debut is an extension of the
 Pre-Safe
 system, the Pre-Safe Impulse side function which inflates air chambers along the side bolsters of the back rest to move occupants towards the centre of the vehicle before an imminent collision.
Other standard driver assistance systems in the W213 include Active Brake Assist to warn drivers of impending collisions and even autonomously apply the brakes, Parking Pilot, Adaptive Brake Lights, Attention Assist and Crosswind Assist.
WHAT ELSE?
No details were given of exact interior spec or exterior paintwork options but the this is the fully-imported all-new E200 which means the
RM395,888
 mentioned is really “starting from” and you can probably individualise your car as you please, at a cost, of course.
IMAGE GALLERY


Get exclusive offers at Carlist.my MAA Drive, Test & Buy Event 2017

Carlist.my
, in partnership with
Malaysian Automotive Association
 (MAA) has just launched the Carlist.my MAA Drive, Test & Buy Event 2017 exhibition, set for 13 to 14 May 2017. This exhibition unlike any other automotive exhibition, gives prospective car buyers the opportunity to test drive their desired vehicle on dedicated on and off-road tracks and get exclusive deals not found anywhere else in the country.
Happening at
Setia City Convention Centre
, from 10 am to 10 pm, the two-day event will see a total of
12 car brands
 showcasing their latest model line-up. Among the car brands that will be holding a booth are Toyota, Mazda, Isuzu, Volkswagen, Subaru, Ford and many more.
Aside from the exhibition and test drive events, a range of family-fun activities including VR and F1 simulators, remote-controlled racing cars, inflatables and a ladies lounge with manicure and pedicure services will be present during the exhibition.
Besides attractive offers from car brands themselves,
Public Bank
 will also be present at the exhibition to help customers with their loans and financing options, making it the ideal place to get the
best financing offers
 to meet their budget. At the same time,
Caltex
, the official fuel partner will be giving away
RM30,000 worth of petrol
 at the exhibition.


All-new Kia Picanto to make world debut in 1H 2017

Kia Motors has released a trio of pictures showcasing the design concept of the next-generation Picanto. The popular A-Segment hatchback will be in its third life cycle.
Not much is known at this point, but Kia said the Picanto will get an even more energetic and youthful design, both externally and internally. Dimensions are said to remain the same, but a wider range of vibrant colour palette will better showcase the bolder new design.
On the inside, the Picanto’s USPs are the sportier three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and large touchscreen multimedia display. It will be equipped with high-tech conveniences, safety features and better packaging on the whole.
IMAGE GALLERY


Chery cars will be electrified by 2020, new-gen of cars will be highly desirable

Here is a piece of juicy news that we missed out during the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, all Chery vehicles will be electrified by 2020 and introduce their first fully-electric vehicle by 2025. The introduction of a purely electrified model range will help Chery Automobile to offer highly-competitive products for their globalisation plan.
Like the recently unveiled Exeed TX, the Honda CR-V rival SUV features an electrified powertrain –
147 hp
 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to an 85 kW (114 hp) electric motor. This powertrain combo is mated to a seven-speed hybrid drive transmission and will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
6 seconds flat
 onward to a top speed of 200 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at
1.8 litres per 100 km
.
Chery has hinted that pure electric as well as plug-in hybrid platforms will spearhead its next-generation Chery 3.0 powertrain. The new powertrains will be supported by advanced software systems jointly developed by Chery and Baidu as well as new “platform matrix”. If the Exeed TX is of any indication, we can expect not only efficient but also highly capable vehicles coming our way.
Knowing full well that the consumers are more tech driven than ever, Chery has also taken the lead in developing new technologies such as gesture control, face identification, eye tracking, AR-HUD (Augmented Reality Head-Up Display) and others.
General Manager of Chery Automobile, Mr. Chen Anning said during an interview that the company is committed to build Chery into a high-end Chinese brand that commands a strong influence not only in the European market, but everywhere else in the world.


Audi flaunts piloted driving technology: A7 to do 900km with minimal human input [+Video]

Remember Bobby? The affectionately named
Audi RS7 Sportback
 that lapped the Hockenheim ring in October last year? Or better known as the very car to perform a complete lap on full racing speed without a driver. If you don’t, watch the highlights of this incredible technological milestone in the video below.
On the more recent side of events, the
Audi A7 Sportback
 or
Jack
, as named by Audi, will ferry a small group of journalists from California to Las Vegas where the
2015 Consumer Electronics Show
 (CES) will be held. During the
900km journey
, Jack will be subjected to numerous real world driving conditions.

Jack is equipped with Audi’s latest driver’s aide technologies which are close to making production. It uses the
Adaptive Cruise Control’s
 (ACC) long-range radar sensors and
Audi Side Assist
 (ASA) to produce a digitally constructed 360-degree view, and will perform accelerating, braking, lane changing and overtaking manoeuvres based on computational data.

Jack is also capable of driving from
0 to 110 km/h
 independently, that means it drives without any form of driver input. As a safety measure however, Jack’s autonomous driving mode will be overridden in city driving conditions. If the driver fails to disable the autopilot mode, so to speak, Jack will automatically bring the car to a full stop on the right emergency lane until the driver assumes his or her driving duties.
The journalists who will be part of this 900 km piloted test drive will each
cover about 160 km
, supervised by a professionally trained Audi test driver, just as an added safety measure.
This piloted test drive is a joint collaborative effort between Volkswagen Electronics Research Laboratory and Volkswagen Group Research and Development. At the 2015 CES, Audi will also showcase their new user interface, laser-matrix lighting technology and two world premiers – a new car and the interior of the
all-new Audi Q7
.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Foreign vehicles refueling with RON95 should be reported

The law states that foreign vehicles, even driven by Malaysians, are not allowed to purchase the subsidised RON95 fuel; only RON97.
As such, Johor’s Unity, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee has urged motorists to snap a photograph of these offenders and send it to the complaints hotline of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs department, according to a report by
The Star
.
This follows after a foreign-registered was seen refueling with RON95 in Johor, in a viral video.
Have you tried the
 new Euro 4M RON 95 by Petronas Primax
?
It’s said that these offenders could be avoiding detection by swiping their credit cards for fuel, instead of paying at the cashier. Petrol station owners can also be made liable for allowing this happen.
Such incidences were reported to be rare, as the department only received one complaint last year. Although we think it’s also possible that most motorists in Johor just did not bother reporting these offenders.
So report them! Isn’t it a norm for us to just whip out our phones to snap or film anything that’s unusual? Except with this, you’d be doing the country a favour as well.
Instead of posting it on Facebook or as an Insta story, such pictures can be sent
[email protected]
 or to 019-279 4317 via WhatsApp. That, or call 03-8000 8000!


The all new G20 BMW 330i M Sport is now in Malaysia for RM328,800

BMW Group Malaysia has just launched the all-new G20 BMW 3-series, with only a single variant available for now – the fully-imported 330i M Sport at the price of RM328,800 (on-the-road without insurance).
Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder engine, paired to an 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic gearbox, making
258 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque. 0 to 100 km/h takes
5.8 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
250 km/h
.

On the outside, the 330i is dressed in the M Aerodynamics package, along with 18-inch M light alloy style 790 wheels wrapped in run flat tyres, adaptive LED head and fog lights. The 330i sits on M Sport suspension with M Sport brakes in blue.
Inside, the 330i M Sport is lined with Vernasca leather upholstery, an M leather steering wheel, sport seats in the front with electric adjustment for the driver, aluminium and pearl chrome trims, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 3-zone air conditioning system, 10.25-inch infotainment display, topped off with a 10-speaker sound system.
In terms of driver assistance systems, the 330i M Sport’s list of features are as comprehensive as it gets.
Among them includes Cruise Control with braking function, Parking Assistance with Reverse Assist, Dynamic Brake Control, Cornering Brake Control, Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Traction Control.
Every purchase of the 330i M Sport comes with a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme, 2-Years/24 months Tyre Warranty Programme, BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App and BMW White Card membership.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW 330i M Sport Launched in Malaysia


DRB-Hicom to sell up to 51% stake in Proton – Skoda, Suzuki and PSA keen acquirers

Not too long ago, there was a huge uproar over news that Proton Holdings is
up for sale
. The market reacted and DRB-Hicom’s shares soared amidst prospects of Proton being owned by a foreign carmaker. However, DRB-Hicom quickly denied this after acquiring Proton for the better part of RM3 billion back in 2012.
However, things took a surprising turn as
The Star
reported that DRB-Hicom is prepared to sell up to 51 percent of its stake in Proton. What this means is that DRB-Hicom will be losing its majority stake in Proton and, depending on the terms of agreement, may also lose their authority over Proton Holdings Sdn Bhd.
Proton just recently launched the
third-generation Saga
If we rewind back to June, Proton secured a RM1.25 billion soft loan from the Government. Among its conditions is that the local carmaker must forge a strategic partnership with a well-established and esteemed foreign partner. According to
The Star
, Proton has approached 20 carmakers this year and so far the ones that are keen on the idea are Groupe PSA, Volkswagen Group’s Skoda Unit and Suzuki Motor Corp.
By selling 51 percent of its stake to larger car manufacturer, Proton would then fulfil the terms for the soft loan from the Federal Government. With the acquisition of Proton, the foreign partner would have access to Proton’s manufacturing facility in Tanjong Malim and Shah Alam that is capable of producing 400,000 cars annually. This is especially beneficial for carmakers that are looking into regional expansion, as Proton also has the capability and expertise in exporting cars overseas.
Proton’s current flagship,
the Perdana
, is built based on the 8th generation Honda Accord
On the other hand, investors would have to keep in mind that the soft loan by the Government are in the form of issuing new redeemable convertible cumulative preference shares (RCCPS) to the Minister of Finance Inc. In other words, should the Government decide to convert the shares, DRB-Hicom’s stake would be instantly reduced from 100 percent to 17.65 percent, thus becoming the largest stakeholder of Proton with 82.35 percent of stake.
With the acquisition of Proton, we may even see the sharing of research and development technologies between different brands as practiced by Volkswagen Group whom has multiple brands under its umbrella. Let’s not forget that by owning British sports-car maker Lotus, Proton has churned out cars with exceptional handling thanks to Lotus’s expertise. Therefore, selling a majority of its stake to a foreign partner may just be what Proton needs to save itself from the red figures.


Second-gen Hyundai Veloster flaunts side-profile, much sleeker than before?

Late last year, Hyundai Motor Group released a short clip teasing the
soundtrack of the next-generation Hyundai Veloster
 and right before Christmas, the company released another YouTube video showing off the
Sports Coupe’s
silhouette.
Fully draped in LED’s, the Veloster puts on an interesting light show and at the same time flaunts its body lines. It appears that the new Veloster will follow the design set by
its predecessor
 – long bonnet, hatchback styling and a coupe-like roofline. Another interesting detail is that the Veloster will continue to be a three-door coupe as seen from the missing door handle (the
previous video
 had a high-mounted door handle).
Other noticeable design cues include the longer front doors and windows,
i30
 like front end, longer rear overhangs and shark fin antenna. All these in addition to the black painted alloys matched with the red painted callipers, central-mounted dual-exhaust outlet and rear diffuser as shown in the
previous video
.
For those who have been eagerly waiting for the Hyundai Veloster replacement, the company will be presenting the second-gen Veloster at the 2018 North American International Show happening in the coming weeks.
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The new Proton Persona looks much more mature and “well dressed”

The new facelifted Proton Persona is available in four variants –
 Standard MT
 at RM42,600,
 Standard CVT
 at RM44,600,
Executive CVT
 at RM49,600 and
Premium CVT
 at RM54,600.
All models are equipped with the same 1.6-litre engine paired to either a 5-speed manual or a CVT gearbox, making
 109 hp
 and
150 Nm
.

Like the
 new facelifted Iriz
, the Persona gets new front and rear bumper design, along with a new 15-inch wheel design wrapped in 185/55 tyres. Similar to the Iriz, the Persona only gets halogen headlamps with LED daytime running lights exclusive to the Executive and Premium variants.
Also exclusive to the Premium and Executive variants are the follow me home headlamp function, power folding side mirrors and remote trunk release.
On the inside, only the Premium and Executive variants get the multifunction steering wheel, although infamous GKUI voice command system is only available for the Premium variant.
Features such as TFT multi info display, push start button with smart entry, anti-trap driver window and 60:40 split folding rear seats are only available in the top two variants.

Only the Premium variant gets six airbags while other safety systems offered are similar to the Iriz including Electronic Stability Assist, Traction Control, Hill Hold Assist and Reverse Camera with Dynamic Lines.
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Ministry of Transport looking to make personalised number plates a reality

Shortly after introducing the “Malaysia” series number plates, in conjunction with Merdeka Day celebrations, Transport Minister Anthony Loke claims that the Ministry of Transport is also looking into more “personalised” number plates.
Actual names could soon be placed on number plates, as cited by Loke, so I’m really looking forward to a personalised “AutoBuzz” number plate for each of us in the AutoBuzz.my team.
The move follows after the introduction of the Malaysia series number plates, which will run from
1 – 9999
 and will be open for public bidding from
2nd to 16th July
 and tender results will be out
by 23rd August
.
There will be no element of biasness and favouritism for VIPs as all these plates will go to the highest bidder. That said, do let go of all hopes to acquire the
Malaysia 2020
 number plate as it would be reserved for national hero, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Future plans are also to roll out
 new number plate series’ for individual states
 and but it’ll only commence once the Malaysia series plates are completed.
From now on, all special plates will be strictly handled, without exceptions, by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) instead of the so called NGOs previously with all revenue going to the government in hopes of improving public transportation.


New F48 BMW X1 coming to Malaysia sooner than you’d expect [+Gallery]

The successor to the first ever E84 BMW X1 was just introduced mid this year, but it may just arrive on our shores much earlier than any of us would expect. Munich’s littlest Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) is a direct competitor to the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, though the new F48 X1 is all-new, ditching the previous RWD architecture for a simpler, lighter front-drive layout.
Many E84 owners found that the crossover lacked interior room, but this has been mitigated by adopting the company’s new UKL1 platform – one that also underpins the
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
. This means the engine will be mounted transversely, driving either the front wheels or all four wheels via xDrive.

Besides the refreshingly new look, the F48 X1 is shorter than the previous model. Thanks to its new platform, the SAV is 53mm taller and its wheelbase is stretched by a considerable length (90mm), hence the improved rear legroom and headroom.
Presently, there are four engines on offer; two diesel and two petrol mills. It’s unclear which of the six variants will be Malaysian bound, and the new brigade is comprised of the xDrive25d, xDrive 25i, xDrive20i, sDrive20i, xDrive20d and sDrive20d.
QUICK FACTS
Name
X1 sDrive20i
X1 xDrive20i
X1 xDrive25i
X1 sDrive18d
X1 xDrive20d
X1 xDrive25d
Engine
1,998cc; inline-4 with BMW TwinPower Turbo
1,995cc; inline-4 with Variable Geometry Turbo
Transmission
8-speed Steptronic auto
6-spd manual or 8-spd auto
8-speed Steptronic auto
Max Power
192 hp
192 hp
231 hp
150 hp
190 hp
231 hp
Max Torque
280 Nm
280 Nm
350 Nm
330 Nm
400 Nm
450 Nm
Top Speed
225 km/h
225 km/h
235 km/h
205 km/h
219 km/h
235 km/h
Inside, the X1 will either come with a 6.5-inch or 8.8-inch head unit, both operated via the all-familiar iDrive rotary dial. A six-speaker configuration comes as standard, however  a Harman Kardon HiFi 12-speaker system with a 360-Watt output digital amplifier can be specified as an option.
As the title reads, the X1 will be making its way here really soon. Be sure to watch this space!
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Nissan Navara VL Plus introduced, 7 airbags & 360-degree camera, RM120k

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has just introduced a new variant to the Navara model line up, the Nissan Navara VL Plus. Equipped with enhanced safety features and Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM), the Navara VL Plus sits at the top of the model line up.
The Navara VL Plus now comes equipped with
seven airbags
,
Advance Driver-Assist Display
 with Digital Speedometer as well as a 360-degree Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) – a NIM technology that provides the driver with a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle for easier navigation through tight spots.
Sales and Marketing Director of ETCM, Christopher Tan said, “Imagine a whole new driving experience, moving through life with more excitement, confidence and connection to the world around you. NIM offers that through Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM), which is available on our three best-selling models: X-Trail, Serena S-Hybrid and now the Navara.”
Mechanically, the new Navara variant retains the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission to deliver
190 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque.

There is also an optional
Black Series
 package that adds Matte Black Headlamp Eyelid, Matte Black Front Grille, Blackout Front Bumper, Matte Black Fog Lamp Cover, Matte Black Overfender, Matte Black Side Mirror Cover and Black Sport Bar for a more expressive exterior look.
The Nissan Navara 2.5L VL Plus is priced at RM119,869.08 on-the-road without insurance and 0% GST. Opt for the Black Series and you will have to add RM3,773.59 to the selling price. All new purchases of the Navara VL Plus come with 5-Years or 150,000km warranty.
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You people just love white cars, don’t you?

When you’re out and about the next time, take a quick look out of your window. Chances are, more than three of the first 10 cars you see are white. No, we’re not just making this up – for the 10th consecutive year running, white cars has once again outsold any other colours, making up 38% of all cars sold globally in 2020.
This data comes from
Axalta
, who draws on data from every country where consumer automobiles are produced and provides detailed production data. Second place wasn’t even close, too, with black standing at 19%, followed by grey at 15% and silver at 9%.
More than 80% of all cars sold in 2020 were essentially monochrome between black and white. It’s not until number five on the list that you get some colour on the list, with blue taking 7% of the pie, followed by red at 5%. Every other colour makes up the remaining 7% of all cars sold last year.
Axalta mentions that there was an increase in green-based hues in cars this year, “in sync with the latest home, fashion and product trends”. Despite the undeniable fact that
green is definitely the best colour
, the hue of nature stands only at a puny 1%.
The recently-unveiled
Toyota Vios GR-S
 is only available in white or red.
Compared to the data collected last year, grey seems to be the biggest gainer, improving by 2% from 13% to 15% this year, and is at a 10-year-high. Meanwhile, black is still the most popular choice in luxury vehicles, despite carmakers like Rolls-Royce constantly putting out
flashy colours
 for customers to pick from.
We still can’t get our heads around why white cars are so popular. Could it be due to the fact that car buyers think about resale value too much – thus creating a vicious cycle, or are people just too afraid of living a little? If you have any idea, do let us know in the comments below.


Catch the new Mazda CX-5 2.5L Turbo AWD this weekend!

Are you itching for a new SUV to ferry your prized possessions, or just trying to join in the SUV craze? Fret not as Bermaz Motor, the sole distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia, will be previewing the 2019 Mazda CX-5 at Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall starting from the 4th to the 9th of September 2019, alongside other Mazda models including the
recently launched Mazda 3
, CX-9 and MX-5.
Visitors to the roadshow will also be able to have an exclusive first look at the 2019 Mazda CX-5 powered by a
2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
. The newest addition to CX-5 range is expected to come with new technological features to complement the new engine.
The new Mazda CX-5 variant will be opened for booking during the roadshow. Prices have yet to be revealed but expect that to happen very soon.

Check out what GC Mah had to say about the latest Mazda 3!
As a recap, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 will be powered by a
2.5-litre SkyActiv-G petrol turbocharged
 engine producing
230hp
 and
420Nm
, paired to a
6-speed automatic transmission
 sending drive to
all four wheels
. This latest generation Mazda CX-5 is expected to be offered with the
GVC Plus
 torque vectoring system to improve vehicle control.


BMW M760Li xDRIVE super limo gets 6.6L bi-turbo V12, 610 hp & 800 Nm!

Sitting at the very top end of the Bavarian limo food chain is this, the BMW M760Li xDrive. It’s actually been a full year since its introduction, but all details pertaining to this beast of a car are finally out of the bag.
First, let’s address the elephant in the room. At the heart of the M760Li is a
6.6-litre V12
 motor with BMW TwinPower turbo technology. It belts
610 hp
 at 5,500 rpm and a flipping
800 Nm
 of torque from 1,550 rpm, accelerating it from 0 to 100 km/h in just
3.7 seconds
. All that power is managed by an
eight-speed Steptronic transmission
 that’s specifically tuned to handle the brutish output. Four-wheel drive is standard, as the xDrive moniker denotes.

This limousine makes so much power that it necessitates a speed limiter. This effectively cuts power at
305 km/h
(250 km/h if M Driver’s Package isn’t optioned), the kind of velocity most of us daren’t explore. If by any chance you’re presented with the challenge to grow a pair, just take comfort at the fact that the M760Li is fully decked with the brand’s fullest suite of active and passive safety technologies. There is now a new generation Surround View system which includes 3D View and Panorama View in the centre display.
In the looks department, the limo gets the usual, aggro M-specific bodykit, whereas the 20-inch lightweight M alloy wheels, kidney grille and exhaust tips are all finished in matte Cerium Grey metallic. Other visual upgrades include a new 19-inch M Sport brakes with metallic blue callipers, as well as V12 badges on the C-pillars.
Also included as standard are the new Active Steering system and Executive Drive Pro suspension for best-in-class ride comfort and dynamic alacrity.
The cabin remains largely the same, save for some V12 identifiers littered around the cabin. The speedometer now extends to 330 km/h, while plush Nappa leather is the upholstery of choice. Should any of these be too flashy for one’s liking, BMW is offering the Excellence package for no extra charge. This substitutes all of the sporty M bits for a more toned down, corporate-esque look to better suit low-key industry captains.
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2017 Honda Civic Si Prototype unveiled, 1.5L turbo, 6-speed manual!

Honda USA has unveiled the new Honda Civic Si prototype at the Los Angeles Motor Show. Positioned between the hot
Civic Type R
 and the Civic Sport, the production version of the Civic Si can be had in both four-door and coupe forms.
Dubbed to be the fastest, best-handling Civic Si ever, it needs an equally striking exterior design. To begin, it receives
Rallye Red Pearl
(yes that’s not a typo) paint and is equipped with a full Honda Factory Performance (HFP) bodykit. That gives you front and rear splitters, as well as a huge rear wing.

Longer boot aside, another distinctive difference with the Civic Si is the tail pipe. This red example uses a unique hexagonal shaped centre-exit exhaust, which clearly matches the angular and boxy look of the 10th generation Civic. At the front, it looks identical to its hot hatch equivalent, sans the Si emblem on the grille.
Mechanically, Honda retains the
1.5-litre four cylinder turbocharged
 engine that’s mated to a short-shifting
six-speed manual transmission
. No numbers are provided, but it’s reckoned to be at least 200 hp. Exclusive only to the Civic Si are performance enhancements such as active damper system, active steering system, limited-slip differential and 19-inch high-performance tyres.
The sporty theme continues on the inside as it receives Si-themed sports seats with plenty of red stitching on the interior. The driver will be welcomed by aluminium sport pedals, carbon instrument panel trim and a sport button right next to shifter. Honda claims the prototype’s interior is almost production-level.
The new Honda Civic Si will go into production by 2018 across the United States. Close to a decade ago, Malaysian Honda fans are envied by the Americans for becoming the second country outside of Japan to receive the Japanese version of the
Type R
. Today however, the Americans don’t just get the Type R, they even get the Civic Si. And we’re absolutely jealous about it.
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Audi A3 Carbon Edition arrives in Malaysia, a 30-unit special run for RM195k!

Audi Malaysia, in keeping up with the momentum of building their local presence, have just introduced the limited-run Audi A3 Carbon Edition; a 30-unit special that signals the start of not one, but many more special edition variants to come.
The single, fully-imported batch of A3 Carbon Edition is offered only in the
1.4-litre TFSI
 guise, and
costs a mere RM14k more
 than its base price set during the model’s launch earlier in 2014. Forking out an addition RM14k may sound like a deal breaker to some, but rest assured, you get much more than you’re paying for. Here’s why.
Only available in
Glacier White
, the A3 Carbon Edition is generously
fitted with Audi’s Genuine Accessories
, beginning with the gloss black front lip, side sills and rear apron. Both its side mirrors are finished in glossy carbon fibre, whereas the original 17-inch wheels have been swapped for a larger and sportier set of
 18-inch, matte black 5-arm rotor design
 alloys. Finishing off the sporty exterior styling is a carbon fibre tailgate. RM14k justified, right? Hang on, there’s more.
On the inside, all 30 units of the special-run Audi will get a combination of Alcantara and leather upholstered seats. And to further add value to your purchase, an
individually numbered stainless steel plaque
 (from 01/30 to 30/30) will be fitted to the centre console. Also made standard here is the front and rear parking sensors, followed by a comfort key for convenience.

If you ask us, the accessories themselves cost more than RM14,000, making the A3 Carbon Edition an absolute bargain to begin with. However, those wishing for a performance upgrade may not find what they’re looking for as it retains its original figures. The 1.4-litre TFSI unit makes
125 hp
 and
200 Nm
 of torque from 1,400 to 4,000 revolutions, and it’s mated to a
seven-speed S tronic
 (dry clutch) transmission that sends drive to the
front wheels
. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h takes a respectable
9.3 seconds
 before reaching a top speed of
 212 km/h
. Fuel efficiency on the other hand, is rated at
4.9 litres per 100km
.
Following the A3 Carbon Edition’s launch, Immo Buschmann, the Managing Director of Audi Malaysia said, “The Audi A3 Carbon Edition is a showcase of how discerning customers can select customised packages featuring our range of Audi Genuine Accessories to achieve a look that is both individualistic but still distinctively Audi for their vehicles. As we ramp up our presence in Malaysia, I am looking forward to introducing more products that broaden the range of our offerings for customers that want something a little more exclusive.”
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The Aston Martin Vantage AMR Malaysia is probably the coolest “Merdeka Edition” you’ll ever see!

It’s not uncommon to see car brands coming up with special editions to celebrate our pride and love for our country around the independence day celebrations, especially since we Malaysians are such a patriotic crowd.
In recent years, we’ve seen the
MINI Cooper Countryman
,
Volkswagen Beetle
, and of course our new national icon
Proton X70
 donned in Merdeka colours, but none of those will ever be as cool as this, not by a long shot – the Aston Martin Vantage AMR Malaysia limited edition.
In conjunction with the upcoming Merdeka celebrations, Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has introduced a limited edition model for the Vantage sports car, dubbed AMR Malaysia, with the only unit now in Malaysia, on display at the Aston Martin showroom in the city centre.
To be clear, this isn’t actually the
 200-unit-only Vantage AMR
, but a
Vantage V8
 fitted with a boat load of additional options for a look that is “inspired” by the track-focused sportscar. So no, there’s no seven-speed manual transmission here.
On the exterior, the AMR Malaysia limited edition features Lime Green Essence accent colours on the front grille surrounds as well as the rear diffusers, mimicking the look of the actual AMR, paired to the Arden Green exterior paintjob.
Other configured options on the limited edition include the twill carbon fibre pack, matte black window surrounds and perforated side gills, while the mirror caps and roof are painted gloss black. The Aston Martin Vantage AMR Malaysia rides on 20-inch forged wheels, with a “Textured Dark” finish.
Inside, the limited edition model once again gets adorned with Lime Green Essence highlights on the centre console, door trim inlays, as well as the contrast stitching and Aston Martin Wing embroidery on the black Sports Plus seats. Otherwise, interior ornaments are finished in Satin Silver.
The Vantage AMR Malaysia limited edition is also fitted with the Sports+ leather flat-bottomed steering wheel, a technology pack that includes Blind Spot Monitoring and Auto Park Assist, glass switches, 360-degree camera, as well as the Aston Martin Premium Audio.
Underneath the additional visual flair and options, the AMR Malaysia limited edition is still a Vantage V8, which means it’s powered by the Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, generating
510 hp
 and
685 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF gearbox and an E-Diff.
Performance wise, the AMR Malaysia limited-edition Vantage V8 will reach 100km/h from standstill in
3.6 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
314 km/h.
No pricing has been announced for the Aston Martin Vantage AMR Malaysia limited edition, but that means you’ll be able to specify it exactly to your liking. As for the Vantage V8 that was launched locally in 2018, the base price without options starts at RM1.6 million after tax (RM678K before tax).
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Honda Malaysia says airbag modules now back in stock for replacement

Honda Malaysia has provided an update on the stock availability and service capability in relation to the ongoing
Takata airbag inflator
 recall. As we know, Honda Malaysia is among the few manufacturers exercising this caution, and have lately been facing supply shortage
We’ve summarised the press release into 11 key points:
Honda Malaysia sincerely
regrets the inconvenience
 faced by customers and would like to take this opportunity to apologise to their customers for failing to meet the increasing number of replacement parts.
This includes working to secure an increasing supply of replacement parts from Takata, and even sourcing for airbag inflators beyond Takata, such as Daicel,
Autoliv
 and
 TRW
.
Based on its estimates, Honda Malaysia is confident to achieve
 100 percent stock availability
 for
 front driver airbag inflators
 by
mid-August 2016
. (
Note: For the record, the fatal accidents involving driver’s airbag inflators in Malaysia involve the City made between 2002 to 2008. Replacements for affected units will be ready within the stipulated time frame
.)
Image Source: CarList.my
However, Honda Malaysia is unable to provide indications on securing full stock availability for the
front passenger airbags
. This is due to a global stock shortage faced since May 2016. The company will inform customers when the parts are ready.
Due to the multiple recalls involving both driver and passenger airbag inflators, there’s a possibility that
 units recalled for both driver and front passenger airbags
 will not be able to have both changed at the same time due to the lack of replacement parts. Honda Malaysia regrets this and apologises for the inconvenience caused.
To meet the increasing number of replacement work Honda Malaysia is
reducing the Preventive Maintenance Service Schedule
 by 50 percent, allowing more technicians to focus on the airbag inflator replacement. This starts
20 July 2016
.
There’s a likelihood that the normal preventive maintenance service might not be met. In such cases, Honda Malaysia will
extend the maintenance period
 and reflect accordingly in the warranty period of the involved cars.
Three temporary Central Hubs
 will be opened to cater to the increasing capacity for airbag inflator replacement. The hubs will operate seven days a week. Their locations will be announced in due course.
 Mobile Hubs
 will be opened nationwide, focusing on  airbag inflator replacement. Locations will also be announced soon.
Honda Malaysia also offers the airbag inflator replacement for
parallel imported Honda vehicles
. These owners, who bought their Hondas not sold by authorised Honda dealers are advised to contact authorised Honda dealers. The cost of parts and labour will be fully borne by Honda Malaysia.
As for now, Honda Malaysia has undertaken the following measures to reach its customers. This includes:
Mailing more than 240,000 letters to owners.
Advertising campaign and issued press releases to notify the public.
Notice display on Honda website, and making available VIN (chassis number) search of affected vehicles at
Honda Malaysia’s website
.
Outreach campaigns at all on-ground activities and roadshows.
Sending email to more than 35,000 owners.
SMS blast  to more than 126,000 customers.
Share information about the recall in Honda’s ‘With Dreams’ magazine.
Phone calls to customers – calls made to more than 2,000 customers.
We urge all affected owners to not ignore this pressing matter.


New BMW 2 Series Coupe undergoes final testing, now with 374 hp

BMW has begun the final phase of testing on the new 2 Series Coupe with dynamic testing and tuning of its drive and suspension systems under racetrack conditions.
During the development of the new BMW 2 Series Coupe, the test and tuning drives on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife serve as the ultimate test for wheel suspension, chassis, damping, steering and braking system. The interaction of the xDrive all-wheel drive system together with M sport differential will also be refined at this legendary 20.8 km loop.
Headlining the new compact coupe line-up is the
BMW M240i xDrive
. While regular 2 Series coupe will have power fed to the rear wheels, the M240i xDrive will have traction sent to the front wheels too. This is certainly not an issue, as the larger
M340i xDrive we reviewed
 found the added twist at the front axle provides more confidence to enjoy the vehicle.
With
374 hp
 from the turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, the new M240i xDrive is more powerful than the outgoing
BMW M2
 by 4 hp and 34 hp more than the F22 predecessor. An 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission continues to perform the shifting duties.
With so much more power in this new generation BMW M240i xDrive, expect the 0 to 100 km/h sprint time to be faster than the record of 4.4 seconds.
BMW says the bodyshell has a 12% increase in torsional rigidity. New stroke-dependent dampers are fitted as standard, where the units respond sensitively to slight road unevenness and compensate vibrations to optimise comfort.
The new BMW M240i xDrive also sees a 50% lower lift at the front axle than the outgoing F22 model, as the company has placed specially designed front splitter, spoiler lip, air curtains and underbody covers to smoothen the airflow. The provides a more stable front end, assisting in better high-speed stability and turn-in into corners.
Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz seem to have fallen in love with all-wheel drive traction. The next-generation
Mercedes-Benz SL roadster
 will also have its front axle powered variably through the brand’s 4Matic system.
Audi meanwhile has been campaigning their Quattro system on their S and
RS line
 of performance vehicles close to twenty years ago.
BMW will commence production of the new 2 Series Coupe from late summer 2021, but details of the exterior lights have been leaked which can be found
here
.
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Honda City Hatchback launched in Indonesia, RS variant with 6-MT

Hatchbacks are much more popular than sedans in Indonesia due to the unique taxation system that favours the two-box design. With just two hatchback models (Jazz and Civic), PT Honda Prospect Motor Indonesia managed to dominate the hatchback segment for the entire 2020, reaching a share as high as 48%.
The arrival of the new Honda City Hatchback also means the end of life for the market-leading
Honda Jazz
. For the Indonesian market, the new Honda City Hatchback will be offered in just the
RS
 variant.
The sporty RS or “Road Sailing” variant is incredibly important to the model and company, as the RS variant represented over 90% of the total Honda Jazz sales last year. The company also said sales of the larger
Civic Hatchback
 is only offered in the RS variant was well received by consumers.
As such, at launch, only the Honda City Hatchback RS variant is available.
PT Honda Prospect Motor Indonesia says the City Hatchback RS has been planned as a sporty model from the very beginning. The
RS variant
 includes LED headlamps, DRLs, front foglamp and LED tail light bars.
Gloss black is applied to the upper grille, side mirror covers, shark fin antenna and 16-inch rims. The exclusive RS aerokit consists of the rear bumper with diffuser, front foglamp covers and the hexagonal mesh pattern in both the upper and lower grilles.
In terms of dimensions, the Honda City Hatchback measures 212 mm shorter than the sedan at 4,349 mm long, while its height increased by 21 mm to 1,488 mm. Wheelbase and width are unchanged.
However, it is quite sizeable compared to the outgoing Honda Jazz GK5. It is wider by 54 mm with a 36 mm lower roofline. The wheelbase is over two inches longer at 2,589 mm.
What about comparing the City Hatchback to the similar sedan-based Toyota Yaris? The Toyota Yaris is similarly as narrow as the Vios sedan at 1,700 mm, a shorter wheelbase (-39 mm) and a lower overall height of 1,475 mm. In summary, its much more spacious than the Toyota Yaris.
Under the bonnet lies the latest DOHC i-VTEC 1.5-litre engine from Honda. The outputs are similar to the
Malaysian Honda City
–
121 hp
 and
145 Nm
 of torque. Owners in Indonesia however have access to a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission or the CVT-type automatic with shift paddles.
Inside, the interior mirrors the RS variant found in
Thailand
 with subtle red accents using red stitching on a black base. The meter dials illuminate with red rings too.
Example of a 2020 Honda City manual transmission shift lever from Honda India
The RS-exclusive front seats are covered with suede-fabric-leather combination with red accents, matching very well with the dashboard and steering wheel. The black-only rear seats meanwhile have the
ULTRA seat
mechanism, which allows three configurations for taking along tall or long objects, as well as a Refresh mode that folds the front seats completely flat to allow two occupants to lie down like on a sofa.
The keyfob also comes with the Remote Engine Start feature, great to turn the air conditioning on to cool down the cabin while parked during the lunch-hour sunlight.
Safety features end at the usual six airbags and electronic stability program. Advanced Driving Assists Systems (ADAS) under the Sensing banner is not available to the Indonesian market yet. The eight-inch touchscreen infotainment only displays visuals from the multi-angle reverse camera; Honda LaneWatch is not available, similar to the variant available in Thailand.
Pricing for the new Honda City Hatchback in Indonesia is kept secret until
deliveries begin next month
.
For reference, the range-topping Honda Jazz RS CVT was priced at 298.5 million Rupiah (just under RM85,000), with the 5-speed manual priced at 10.5 million Rupiah cheaper.


The all-new Bentley Flying Spur is an object of desire

Bentley Motors has announced the arrival of the world’s most advanced luxury Grand Touring sports sedan – the all-new Flying Spur.
At the heart of the new Flying Spur is an enhanced version of Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12, mated to a dual-clutch 8-speed ZF transmission like the one in the Continental GT.
The new TSI engine delivers
635 hp
and
 900 Nm
, where 0 to 100 km/h is done in just 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 333 km/h.
Built from the ground up, the new Flying Spur sits on a new aluminium chassis with best-in-class body stiffness to optimise handling and rigidity.
With a 130mm longer wheelbase, the presence of the already imposing Flying Spur is heightened with cut-crystal effect LED matric headlamps, new 21-inch wheels that masks the
largest iron brakes in the world
 and a newly designed “Flying B” mascot that sits on the front hood which can be electronically-deployed and illuminated.
With 17 exterior, 15 headlining and upholstery colours to choose from, the Bentley Flying Spur offers boundless customisation to the heart’s content.
New to the cabin are items such as the Touchscreen Remote at the rear, the Bentley Rotating Display like the one in the Continental GT, the ‘sculptural’ centre vents and an automotive world-first – 3D diamond-quilted leather door inserts – inspired by the Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 design concept.
As for driving dynamics, the more forward front axle position improves weight distribution while the new active all-wheel drive that replaces the previous permanent all-wheel drive system sends power to the front wheels as and when is needed.
As such the turn-in response is said to be dramtically improved, with quicker changes in direction, while the “understeer effect” from the previous all-wheel drive system is virtually eliminated.
The new Flying Spur is also equipped with All-wheel Steering system for better maneuverability. It also sits on three-chamber air springs with 60% more air volume than the previous model, with Continuous Damping Control, to offer the best of sporty driving and grand touring.
A 48-volt system controls an electronic actuator unit which manages the stiffness of the anti-roll bar, changing the stiffness to compensate the cornering forces and keep the Flying Spur level.
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Next-gen Mercedes-Benz G Wagon flaunts interior, gets widescreen cockpit

Mercedes-Benz has just released a set of interior images of their next-generation G Class, or more popularly known as G Wagon ahead of its global premiere at the 2018 North American International Auto Show. Since its debut in 1979, Mercedes-Benz has shifted more than 300,000 examples of the off-road legend and Malaysians are fortunate enough to be able to purchase one of these in the
G 63 AMG
 guise no less.
Mercedes-Benz has touted that the G Wagon has “changed very little” on the outside but gets a redesigned and contemporary interior while staying true to its ‘Godfather of SUV” roots. Like its smaller siblings, the new G Wagon will get a
 Widescreen Cockpit
 courtesy of two 12.3-inch display, multifunctional steering wheel with touchpads as well as the turbine-styled air vents.
Not forgetting its utilitarian roots, the G Wagon retains its grab handles for front passenger and plenty of storage space. The rear door bins, for example, is able to accommodate a 1-litre bottle each. Interior space has also been expanded significantly for better comfort:
Description
Difference
Legroom – front
+ 38 mm
Legroom – rear
+ 150 mm
Shoulder width – front
+ 38 mm
Shoulder width – rear
+ 27 mm
Elbow room – front
+ 68 mm
Elbow room – rear
+ 56 mm
Like the rest of the Mercedes-Benz range, the new G Wagon is available with a plethora of options such as wireless charging, massaging seats, Burmester surround sound system and many more. As standard, the G Wagon interior is furnished in Lugano leather (Black, Nut Brown or Macchiato Beige) which can be further specified with either the Exclusive Interior or Exclusive Interior Plus.
A sporty AMG-line is available on all interior trims that add contrasting red stitching for the upholstery, red seat belts and flat bottom AMG steering wheel. The next-gen Mercedes-Benz G Wagon will make its official debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show happening from 13 to 28 January.
IMAGE GALLERY


Porsche and Audi will be pairing up to produce electric cars

In such trying times, even luxury car brands like Porsche and Audi are no exception to joint initiatives in order to reduce operational costs in anticipation of a sustainable future.
In a report by
Autonews
, two of the Volkswagen Group’s luxury divisions will be
sharing a platform for their production of electric cars
 in order
 to reduce cost of development
.
Cost apparently would be 30% higher if both brands were to embark on their own developments and could be a significant obstacle for the two brands aiming to introduce several models by 2021.
This follows after our recent post on
Audi Sport venturing into the production of high performance electric vehicles
 beginning 2020 while Porsche has already unveiled the
Cayman e-volution
 that sprints from 0 to 100 km/h faster than a 911 GT3.
Porsche also recently announced that the all-electric
Porsche Mission E
 – a
 600 hp
 four-seater that can do 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds – could hit the roads by as early as 2020.
Credit:
Autonews


Nissan Teana awarded 5 stars in ASEAN NCAP crash test

The third-generation Nissan Teana etched its name in the ASEAN New Car Assessment Programme’s (NCAP) history by being the first car to achieve a perfect score of
16.00 points
 in the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), as well as achieving 5-Star rating in Child Occupant Protection (COP), with
88 percent compliance
 as per ASEAN NCAP standards.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Nissan Teana 2.0 XE / XL
Nissan Teana 2.5 XV
Segment
D-Segment Sedan
D-Segment Sedan
Engine
1,997cc; inline 4-cylinder, DOHC
2,488cc; inline 4-cylinder, DOHC
Transmission
Xtronic CVT
Xtronic CVT
Max Power
134 hp @ 5,600 rpm
171 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
190 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
234 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM139,800 (XE trim); RM149,800 (XL trim)
RM169,900

Part of the crash test’s success is attributed to the Teana’s impressive safety kit which includes six airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control (also known as ESC), Active Understeer Control and Traction Control System. The test crash unit is assembled in Thailand, but is exactly the same Teana we’re getting in terms of specifications.
To date,
over 600,000 units
 of the third-gen Teana has found new homes worldwide since its launch in February 2013. Look out for our review of the 2.0L Nissan Teana that will be out soon!


2016 BMW 1-Series sedan unveiled, sadly not for Malaysia

While BMW is making headways with its diverse lineup of premium saloons, SUVs, crossovers, and sports cars, their roots go way back to making compact saloons. Now, the Germans are set to add a new compact saloon to the lineup, known as the BMW 1 Series sedan that will be sold exclusively to the Chinese market.
Developed together with Chinese partner Brilliance Auto, this small premium saloon is specially made for the sedan-crazy Chinese market. It’s based on the existing
1 Series
 hatchback and will compete against the likes of the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA. Funny enough, this introduction might just be a direct link to the BMW
Concept Compact Sedan
 (pictured below) unveiled in 2015’s Guangzhou Motor Show.
Details about this car are sketchy as well, but BMW said it will come with the latest, most powerful and technology-leading engines with hi-tech electronics from BMW. Understandably, the Chinese market tends to favour cars with space, so it’s rather intriguing to see just how the engineers can improve on the interior packaging of a small car. Perhaps the people from Honda and Perodua could drop some hints…
The new 1 Series saloon joins the ranks of the
Mazda CX-4
 as highly desirable cars that are aimed specifically to the world’s most populous nation, leaving countries like us in envy. That’s a shame as the 1 Series saloon should work well in Malaysia. But fret not, there are the
hatchback
 and
coupe
 variants for us to choose from.


Land Rover Defender to spawn new model family, topped by luxury flagship

Following the success of the
Defender
 reborn, Land Rover is now looking to turn the off-roader into its own model family, reports
Autocar UK
.
The Land Rover Defender line-up will be headed by a luxury flagship at the top of the range, which will be based on the next Range Rover’s underpinnings, along with a pick-up truck based on the standard Defender model.
Autocar
‘s sources say Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) bosses believe the Defender has the potential to become another high-profit business, following in the footsteps of the Range Rover.
With the new Defender plan, JLR’s offerings will now expand to three distinct line-ups – Defender, Range Rover, and Discovery. A
utocar
 also says that JLR will operate akin to a “supercharged” Porsche model – selling high-margin vehicles (10%) and generating enough cash to invest in new models, while paying down its existing debts.
The all-new Land Rover Defender has been “spied” on Malaysian soil! Check it out here.
Although there’s no official confirmation for the plan as of yet, it’s understood that the range-topping luxury model will be built on the brand’s new Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA) platform, set to be introduced with the upcoming
Range Rover
.
The MLA is designed as a “flex” platform with an electric bias, which means it can be produced in either a mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or pure battery-electric forms – opening up the possibility of an off-road capable EV Defender to rival the recently-unveiled
Mercedes-Benz EQG
.
However, the Range Rover and Velar are likely to be initially prioritised as EVs on the MLA platform.
Want to live life like 007? JLR has introduced a special-edition Defender inspired by James Bond’s latest movie. Learn more here!
Since the plan to expand the Defender family is still fairly recent, the new luxury flagship version isn’t expected to be launched before late 2024. But even before that, JLR will already be expanding the current Defender line-up with an eight-seater 130 model.
The 130 will be a significant stretch over the current 110 model, with most of the extra length found in the rear overhang. Rumours suggest that the 130 will be offered only in the range-topping trim options, though engine options will be the same as the current Defender models – from the P300e PHEV option up to the 525 hp supercharged V8.


2017 Audi A5 & S5 Cabriolet unveiled – lighter, stronger and more powerful!

After the unveiling of the
second-generation Audi A5
 Coupé, it is only a matter of time before the topless variant comes around. Now, introducing the all-new second-generation Audi A5 cabriolet, an A5 with a retractable roof. What’s more, even the high performance S5 gets the topless treatment too!
Based on the A5 Coupé, engineers and designers worked together to ensure that the driving dynamics of the Coupé is not compromised for aesthetic appeal. Thanks to overall chassis tuning, the A5 cabriolet boasts best in class torsional rigidity.
Aesthetically, the cabriolet is essentially a carbon copy of the A5 coupé except for few design touches. The classic soft top has been redesigned to provide superior aeroacoustics and insulation to the cabin. With a one-touch folding mechanism (up to 50km/h), the soft top folds away flushed into the rear compartment in 18 seconds and only takes a mere 15 seconds to put the roof back on when needed. At the rear, the third brake light is integrated into the roof cover elegantly, similar to the dimensions of the fixed roof version.
Moving to the inside, the A5 cabriolet receives a better interior packaging compared to the previous generation model. Wheelbase is extended by 14mm, shoulder room by 26mm and rear legroom by 18mm. Despite having a retractable roof, boot space is rated at a generous 380 litres and can be accessed via the powered tailgate, while the optional gesture control only requires a sweeping motion below the rear bumper.
With the roof down, wind buffeting may cause difficulties in registering voice commands. As such, Audi has installed seat belt microphones for the driver and passenger. This helps improve voice recognition. As standard, the A5 cabriolet comes with analogue instrument dials. However, the 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit like the one on the
Audi Q7
 can be had as an option.
Other optional extras for the A5 cabriolet include heads-up display, ambient lighting with 30 adjustable colours, comfort key (keyless operation), Technology Pack (in-car mobile hotspot), 755 watts 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and Matrix LED headlights.
Engine choices for the A5 cabriolet include a
249 hp
 2.0-litre TFSI petrol,
187 hp
 2.0-litre TDI diesel and a
215 hp
 3.0-litre TDI diesel. A
187 hp
 2.0-litre TFSI petrol and a
282 hp
 3.0-litre TDI diesel will join the engine lineup soon after. According to Audi, all engines offer up to
17 percent more power
 and up to
22 percent more fuel efficient
 compared to the previous model.
A choice of six-speed manual, seven-speed S Tronic dual-clutch or eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmissions can be had. Drive is sent to the front-wheels by default, but quattro all-wheel drive with Ultra-Technology is available as an option, except for the high-powered
282 hp
 3.0-litre diesel which comes with quattro as standard.
Jumping into the Audi S5 cabriolet, the performance variant packs a 3.0-litre V6 TFSI under its hood developing 349 hp. Power is sent to all four-wheels courtesy of the quattro system and eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission. Century sprint time is smashed in
5.1 seconds
 and top speed is limited to
250 km/h
.
A number of engineering innovations have been incorporated in developing the A5 cabriolet to make up for the loss in torsional rigidity. For starters, the car is now lighter by up to
40kg
 and
40 percent stiffer
 compared to the previous generation, thanks to a new mix of materials and geometrically lightweight design.
In addition to that, the five-link suspension on the front axle has been updated to provide better balance. At the rear, a new five-link suspension replaces the previous model’s trapezoidal-link suspension and further enhances driving dynamics. For more flexibility and control, the A5 comes with optional adaptive dampers and dynamic steering system that varies the steering ratio depending on speed and steering angle.
In regards to safety, the A5 cabriolet is packed with
up to 30
of Audi’s latest driver’s assistance systems to keep occupants as safe as possible. Among the assistance systems is the adaptive cruise control (ACC) Stop&Go system with traffic jam assist. There’s also collision avoidance assist, turn assist, park assist, rear cross traffic assist, exit warning, camera-based recognition of traffic signs, Audi active lane assist and Audi side assist.
As for passive safety features, the A5 cabriolet is reinforced with additional strut bars, stronger sills, head-thorax side airbags and an automatic extending aluminium profiles when a crash is detected.
In the UK, the A5 cabriolet comes in three different variants plus the hotter S5 – SE, Sport and S line trims. For the base SE, the A5 cabriolet comes with Audi Smartphone Interface, leather upholstery, front seat heating, acoustic parking, three-zone climate control, 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels and xenon or LED headlamps.
Sport trim adds on front sport seats with electric adjustment, optional sports suspension (standard on the S-line), SD card-based MMI Navigation and full Audi Connect features on a three-month trial basis.
Lastly, the S5 cabriolet comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, S specific styling, front Super Sports seats finished in Fine Nappa leather, unique chassis settings and hard disc-based MMI Navigation Plus along with a three-year subscription to Audi Connect.
Audi Malaysia has expressed
plans
 to introduce the A5 Sportback to our market, although we’re pretty sure the cabrio won’t make it here. However, the idea of having the A5 cabriolet to rival the RM359k
C-Class cabriolet
 does sounds exciting.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW AirTouch: Next-gen touchscreen will adopt air gestures tech

In the not-too-distant future, BMW cars will be fitted with the company’s next generation head unit that will support air gestures through a technology known as AirTouch.
Now, it won’t be as simple as swiping left or right like some smartphones of today, but the touchless technology will perform a myriad of gestures including
volume controls
,
navigation
 and
communication functions
. With AirTouch, according to the Bavarian giant, the touchscreen can be
three-dimensionally operated
 on-the-fly without the need to make contact with the screen’s surface.
This air gesture technology first debuted in the
new G11 BMW 7-Series
 but instead of AirTouch, it’s called BMW Gesture Control. Accessing the feature is simple. All the driver needs to do is press a button located on the rim of the steering wheel which activates the sensors built into the dashboard. Upon registry, the driver will be given another option to confirm action. AirTouch is also available for the front passenger, and the button is positioned on the side sill of the door area.
More details on BMW’s AirTouch technology will surface next week at the
2016 Consumer Electronics Show
. It will be held in Las Vegas from 6 to 9 January.


New Renault Megane R.S. prices confirmed for both MT and DCT variants

The official distributor of Renault cars in Malaysia has just confirmed the prices for the Megane R.S. hot hatch, and they remained unchanged from the estimated prices revealed during its
preview in back April
.

Just to recap, the
six-speed manual R.S. 280 Cup is now officially retailed at RM279,888
 while the
six-speed dual-clutch EDC variant is going for RM299,888
. If you’re purchasing one in the tax-free haven of
Langkawi
island, the prices are
RM149,888 (MT)
and
RM159,888 (DCT)
 respectively. Sigh!
Otherwise, the specs remained unchanged; Cup configuration means the
280 hp, 390 Nm 1.8-litre turbocharged Megane R.S.
 already comes with a
Torsen limited slip differential
. Coupled with
4Control four-wheel steering
 – the only car in the hot hatch class to offer this – you can expect road handling prowess of the highest order.
Launch control
 is standard in the EDC variant, as is the
Multi-Change Down
 feature which allows the transmission to drop multiple gears when holding the left steering shift paddle, the car then selects the optimal gear to be in for the exit out of the corner. That’s clever.
What’s your poison? Dual-clutch auto (left) or manual (right)?
For Malaysia, the Megane R.S. comes in four different colours, only the Diamond Black is a no-cost option, the Pearl White adds RM 1,000 to the retail price while the Liquid Yellow and Orang Tonic costs RM 8,000 more.


New 4S Toyota service centre opens in Muar, Johor

E.S. Yang Motor Sdn Bhd has consolidated its three
 Toyota
service centres in Muar, Johor into one 4S centre – offering sales, aftersales and Body & Paint services.
The new 4S Toyota service centre comes with 12 service bays and can accommodate up to 33 vehicles daily. While waiting for their cars to be serviced, customers can lounge with refreshments and WiFi available.

E.S. Yang Motor first became an authorised Toyota dealer in 1993. The company subsequently upgraded its outlet into a 3S service centre – offering sales, service and spare parts – to cater to the growing number of Toyota owners in the area. In 2012, the company went on to add Body & Paint services – adhering to the standards set by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan.
E.S. Yang Motor Sdn Bhd is located at 333, Jalan Dato Haji Kosai, 84000, Muar. For sales related services, call 06-9528333 and 06-9556333 for maintenance services. Operation hours are between 8:30 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Saturday.
The new Harrier…
…with Gazoo Racing parts.
On the side note, UMW Toyota Motor recently launched the
all-new 5th generation RAV4 that’s available in two variants
. The 2.0-litre variant is priced at
RM196k
 while the 2.5-litre model is priced at
RM215k
.
Shortly after the launch, we were invited for a short test of the 2.5-litre variant around the Shah Alam area. Here’s out
first impressions of the fully-imported SUV
.
Recently, UMW Toyota also updated its
price list of CBU and CKD vehicles
. This follows after the government’s Sales Tax Exemption announcement to boost the automotive sector. For the updated prices on Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, click
here
.


This BMW M2 with M Performance Parts Concept kit looks so sick!

The new BMW M Performance Parts Concept is based on the BMW M2, with a Frozen Black finish and a total weight reduction of more than 60 kilograms.
On the outside, the kit consists of a carbon front radiator grille, carbon fibre bonnet (saves 8kg), carbon fibre front side panels (saves 3kg),  carbon fibre front winglets and the carbon fibre side sill winglets.
Lowering the car’s centre of gravity and saving another 6 kilograms is the M Performance carbon fibre roof while the 19-inch M Performance forged wheel 763M Y-spoke wheels in Frozen Gold (6 kg lighter than stock wheels), in our opinion, goes perfectly with the other gold accents around the car.
At the back, the kit includes a carbon fibre tailgate (5 kg lighter than standard) with two “kinks” on both sides and a M Performance carbon fibre rear diffuser. The combo just adds so much more aggression to the rear end of the M2; the part of the M2 most would only see.
Inside is a mix of carbon fibre and alcantara with the M Performance carbon fibre sport seats taking centre stage. They’re covered in Alcantara and weighs 9 kg less than the standard seats. If you thought that was impressive, the lightweight madness is also extended to the rear seats, which are 13 kg lighter than the original ones.
Also a prominent feature of the interior is a M Performance steering wheel Pro wrapped with a mix of Alcantara and leather. The same treatment is also extended to the carbon fibre handbrake.
The M Performance Kit is not all show and no go; the M Performance suspension is already available as a retrofit set for serial production vehicles. This coilover suspension enables a lowering of up to 20mm while the damping technology is independently adjustable to 12 different compression stages and 16 different rebound stages.
An additional weight reduction of 14 kilograms is achieved by the use of a lighter BMW battery.
IMAGE GALLERY

 BMW M Performance Parts Concept Car


Honda Malaysia releases 2014 Honda Civic facelift official video

As you would’ve known, the Civic FB has received its
midlife facelift
 about a month ago and retails from
RM113,800
 to
RM132,800
. Honda Malaysia has just released its product video in all its glory on YouTube, and we figured it’s best if we save you the hassle and have it shown to you here.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Honda Civic FB Facelift 1.8 S
Honda Civic FB Facelift 2.0 S
Honda Civic FB Facelift 2.0 Navi
Segment
C-Segment Sedan
Engine
1,798cc; SOHC with VVT technology
1,997cc; SOHC with VVT technology
1,997cc; SOHC with VVT technology
Transmission
5-speed automatic
5-speed automatic
5-speed automatic
Max Power; Max Torque
139 hp @ 6,500 rpm; 174 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
153 hp @ 6,500 rpm; 190 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
153 hp @ 6,500 rpm; 190 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
Price
RM113,800
 (OTR without insurance)
RM125,800
 (OTR without insurance)
RM132,800
 (OTR without insurance)

As a reminder, the Civic facelift gets keyless entry and push-start ignition across the range, as well as cruise control. It also comes with the new
Twilight Blue
 colour, all packaged with a
five-year warranty with unlimited mileage
 and six labour-free services for every alternate visits until 100,000km.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series – Over-the-top everything

It’s been a long wait, but Mercedes-AMG has finally brought the Black Series back for its sixth instalment with the debut of the new AMG GT Black Series – and boy oh boy, it is everything we’ve dreamt of.
The Black Series has become synonymous with outrageous amounts of power, and the new GT Black Series does not disappoint in that regard. Underneath the carbon fibre bonnet is the new M178 LS2 4.0-litre ‘hot-V’ turbocharged V8 engine, now pushing out
720 hp
 at 6,700-6,900 RPM, and
800 Nm
 from 2,000 RPM to 6,000 RPM. Goodness me.
A plethora of changes have been made to the engine to warrant a new engine code, but the biggest news here is that the engine is now configured as a flat-plane V8, resulting in a boost in power output, larger rev range (up to 7,200 rpm) and an enhanced throttle response.
The turbochargers have been given a larger compressor wheel, while the engine also receives new camshafts and exhaust manifolds, adapted to the new firing order of the flat-plane V8. For the nerds, it’s now 1-8-2-7-4-5-3-6.
Unsurprisingly, the GT Black Series is now the most powerful model coming out of the Affalterbach factory, far surpassing the
639 hp GT 63 S four door coupe
 and
585 hp GT R Pro
 (that’s 81 hp and 135 hp more respectively, for those counting).
With the power sent to the rear wheels via the rear-mounted seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (that’s also been beefed up to deal with the extra torque), the new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series reaches 100 km/h from standstill in just
3.2 seconds
, 200 km/h in
under 9.0 seconds
, onward to a VMax of
325 km/h
.
Of course, the new engine is just the start. Everything else that’s been put on (or removed) from the new GT Black Series is also done in pursuit of ultimate performance, the most obvious being the improved aerodynamics of the car – What, you mean you didn’t see the borderline-comical rear wings?
Both of the “rear aerofoil” blades are mechanically adjustable – the upper blade can be adjusted by up to 20-degrees, either automatically (depending on drive programme) or manually via a button to improve downforce and brake balance.
That’s not all – The front splitters can be manually adjusted into Race setting when going on track, underbody almost completely sealed up to increase the efficiency of the rear diffusers, and even the two large vents on the carbon fibre bonnet are designed to channel exhaust air over the car to enhance the functionality of the spoilers – the latter apparently inherited from their race cars, just like the new front grille to increase cooling capacity.
All in, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series can generate
“well over” 400 kg of downforce at 250 km/h
.
The body shell of the new Black Series is almost entirely built from carbon fibre, along with the usage of thinner glass, aluminium integral carrier at the front axle, light alloy wheels, as well as carbon fibre “torque tube” and drive shaft, ensure that the ultimate AMG GT is rigid yet lightweight, improving agility especially on track.
The suspension set-up on the Black Series is built on the foundations of the GT R Pro, featuring the AMG coil-over suspensions with Ride Control adaptive dampers. Utilising a lot more technologies developed in motorsports, Mercedes says that the new Black Series can “react in an even more agile manner to fast suspension movements”.
The AMG Dynamic Select’s three driving modes – Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus have been recalibrated to better fit their target use cases, differentiating between road and track. The Sport Plus mode can now even recognise the surface condition of the race track – whether it’s flat like Hockenheim, or bumpy like the Nordschleife, their words – and automatically adjust the electronic dampers to best suit the track.
Additionally, customers can also manually adjust the camber at both axles, anti-roll bars, and the rear torsion bar. Ceramic brakes are also standard, designed to minimise brake fade and maintain temperature stability, and the new GT Black Series even get two specially-formulated tyres from Michelin – the Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO1A and a “hard compound” MO2 variant “for racetrack use at higher temperatures”.
The interior of the new GT Black Series is pretty much standard from the GT R Pro, upholstered in nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre, finished with black and orange contrast stitching and matte black carbon-fibre trims. The door panels though have been simplified, with the door handles replaced by fabric pull straps for additional weight savings.
AMG Carbon Fibre bucket seats are standard in most regions, and if you want your new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series to be even more racecar-like, you can also opt for the AMG Track Pack, which includes a titanium roll cage, four-point harness, and a fire extinguisher.
And of course, is it even a Black Series if it doesn’t let you annihilate its tyres? The new Black Series comes as standard with the AMG Traction Control system with nine levels of adjustments for the amount of slip before the electronics step in – with nine being the maximum (read: preferred).
IMAGE GALLERY


The Bentley Continental GT Convertible can expose you to the elements in 19 seconds

When it comes to the ultimate luxury automotive experience, the
Bentley Continental GT
 is one of the few cars right up there to offer it. How else then, can you elevate that opulent driving experience? By chopping the roof of course.
Recently unveiled is the Bentley Continental GT Convertible, offering an open-top experience with all the elegance and refinement of their GT models. To increase the Bentley’s rigidity and
160 kg
 weight penalty, Bentley has made the Continental GT Convertible five per cent stiffer compared to the coupe model.
The convertible was launched with the 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine that produces
635 hp
 and
900 Nm
 of torque. Drive is channelled to all four corners via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Despite the added weight, the convertible can still make the century sprint in
3.8 seconds
 – just 0.1 seconds slower than the coupe model. It shares the same
333 km/h
 top speed.
Great strides have been taken to improve the fabric roof to make the new Continental GT Convertible’s cabin to be as quiet as the previous generation Coupe model. Thanks to the improved sealing system, roof insulating materials and acoustic treatment, the cabin of the new model is 3 dB quieter than its predecessor at typical cruising speed.

The convertible roof can be deployed or stowed in just
19 seconds
 at speeds of up to 50 km/h at the touch of a button. There are seven different colours available for the fabric roof, including an authentic tweed finish for those who like a retro look.
Styling and equipment of the Continental GT Convertible are identical to the Coupe – cut-crystal matrix LED headlamps, three wheel finishes ranging from the standard 21-inch items to 22-inch Five Open-Spoke wheels, 12.3-inch Bentley Rotating Display, 20-way powered adjustable comfort seats, 2,200W Naim 18-speaker surround sound system, digital instrument cluster among others.

Like all Bentley models, customers have the option to customise every detail of their car from a bespoke exterior paint finish to the material used for the cabin’s topstitching. If that sounds like too much hassle, Bentley offers an optional Mulliner Driving Specification that adds a sportier appearance and some personalisation touches to the cabin.
IMAGE GALLERY
Bentley Continental GT Convertible


Performance everything: Volkswagen unveils full-fledged Tiguan R alongside eHybrid PHEV

Volkswagen’s new direction seems to be “performance everything”, and we’re definitely here for it. Following the introduction of the
Touareg R
earlier this year, Volkswagen has now unveiled a full-fledged R model for the
Tiguan
, alongside the launch of the facelift for the SUV’s second-generation model.
Honestly though, A performance variant of the compact SUV isn’t all too surprising given that the Tiguan is actually
VW’s best selling model
, with more than 910,000 units moved last year. VW’s chief of marketing for the Tiguan, Hendrick Muth also
pretty much confirmed the new “hot SUV”
 before its launch, but we digress.
Underneath the skin, the all-new Tiguan R isn’t much unlike the
Arteon R
 that was unveiled last week. The performance-oriented SUV is powered by the marque’s Evo4 version of the EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which makes
320 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque.
The engine is paired to a seven-speed DSG gearbox, with power sent to all four wheels through the new
R-Performance Torque Vectoring system
, which can direct
up to 100% of torque to any one wheel
. The Tiguan R also sits 10 mm lower than its siblings, thanks to the Dynamic Chassis Control system.
On the styling, the updated Tiguan receives a reworked front fascia, featuring new slimmer LED headlights and a reshaped grille to bring it more in line with the brand’s other offerings.
Of course, being a facelift, new bumpers front and back are a given. The rear gains a new set of LED taillights with new light signature similar to that of the
new Passat
, while the “Tiguan” script has now been moved directly below the new VW logo – a new trend started by the
eight-generation Golf
.
The Tiguan R, being the top-of-the-range model, gets the most elaborate and aggressive front bumpers with massive air intakes. A set of 21-inch wheels are standard on all four corners, and you can even opt for the Akrapovic quad-exhaust system!
Inside, the general architecture of the Tiguan is pretty much unchanged, but Volkswagen has given it a few nip and tuck to make it feel a little more modern – such as the inclusion of a 15-colour ambient lighting system.
The 2020 VW Tiguan gets a new touchpad-based multifunctional steering wheel, and a new Modular Infotainment System (MIB3) which includes updated digital instrument cluster, and a new infotainment touchscreen display with support for natural voice commands, wireless AppConnect, and the like.
Other modernising touches include two illuminated USB-C ports on the centre console, and an optional touch-controlled air-conditioning control panel which uses touch sliders to control temperature and fan speed settings, and of course updated safety technology including the Travel Assist semi-autonomous driving assistant at speeds of up to 210 km/h.
Aside from the hot Tiguan R, Volkswagen is also introducing a
 plug-in hybrid variant
 for the first time on the compact SUV model. It’s a familiar powertrain – as seen on the
Arteon
,
Golf
, and Passat eHybrid variants – which pairs a 1.4-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a total system output of
218 hp
. The Tiguan PHEV promises a
electric-only range of 50 km,
 at speeds of up to
130 km/h
.
The full range of global powertrain options has not been announced yet, but our friends over at the United States will be getting an EA888 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine under the hood – similar to the Tiguan R – but detuned to
187 hp
 and
300 Nm
 of torque.
The updated 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan is expected to go on sale in Europe “shortly”.
IMAGE GALLERY
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan R
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line and eHybrid