Review: 2016 Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription PHEV, beast with a kind heart [+Video]

The replacement for Volvo’s ageing XC90 couldn’t come any sooner, but it’s not an easy task when Volvo was going through a rocky phase after being put up for sale by its then-parent company Ford six years after the debut of the XC90 in 2002. Thankfully, its new owner Geely invested some $11 billion for the development of new Volvo models, and this all-new XC90 is the first vehicle to emerge out of it.
Built upon Volvo’s new
Scalable Product Architecture
 (SPA) platform, the XC90 is brimming with tech that not only makes it safer than before but also kinder to the environment. For our Malaysian market, the XC90 offered here is the
T8 Inscription
 trim, which is the top-of-the-line plug-in hybrid all-wheel-drive variant and armed to the teeth. Qualified with the
EEV status
, the
fully-imported XC90 T8
 was initially priced at RM454k, but now that it’s being
assembled locally
, RM50k has been lopped off that price tag.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription PHEV

Engine
1,969cc; supercharged & turbocharged inline-four, with electric motor
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Max Power
407 hp (combined output)
Max Torque
640 Nm (combined output)
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM403,888
EXTERIOR
It’s not too far a departure from the previous XC90, the new one has evolved into a classier chariot with clean and crisp lines fringing the soft curvy edges. The styling is rather conservative than futuristic, and personally I find the XC90 is more understated than the brash Range Rover, in a good way.

It’s far from bland though, the flashy bits are there but they don’t pop out too much from the rest of the vehicle. Look closely and you’ll notice the chrome slashes on the front side intakes and on the lower edge of the doors, as well as matte silver bumper valance and roof rails. A roof spoiler and
dual rectangular tailpipes
 are integrated discreetly and tastefully, although I do find the wheels a tad underwhelming given its actual
20-inch
 diameter.
However, the items that do stand out are the oversized grille, and obviously the
full-LED headlamps
 with
Thor’s hammer DRLs
. Love it or loathe it you’re going to see more of them on future Volvo models as the DRL is now part of their new design language, so it will be easier for anyone to spot a Volvo from miles away. But I doubt that anyone will miss the sight of the new XC90. It eclipses its predecessor by quite a bit, and at its tallest suspension setting the new XC90 cuts an imposing figure on the road.
INTERIOR
The interior is a quantum leap over the button-fest predecessor and yet, for a vehicle so high-tech the interior is a zen paradise. The choice of materials and build quality can’t be faulted, from the supple
nappa leather
 that covers the seats to the
open-pored walnut inlays
, the cabin is beautifully constructed as anyone would hope for. Above it all, Volvo has commissioned the Swedish glass maker
Orrefors
 to produce a
crystal gearknob
 to take centerpiece in the cabin. It even lights up at night. Beat that, S-Class!

Button count has dropped dramatically on the dashboard, leaving a few controls for the audio underneath the huge tablet-like display. No prize for guessing where the remaining buttons went; they’re all grouped inside the
 Sensus Connect
 system accessed via the vertical screen. Unfortunately this includes the controls for the air-conditioning, which I find a screen tap too many when all I want to do is just to adjust the fan speed.
You can do almost everything from the central screen, be it reading the manual (yes the driver’s manual is digitised), surfing the net, as well as adjusting the front passenger seat. Another
digital display
 is used for the instrument panel. While you’re given the preset options to change the theme and layout of the screen, it’s not the best-looking in terms of appearance although the clarity is top notch.
Like its predecessor, the new XC90 is a
seven seater
, and the rearmost pair of seats will accommodate adults at a pinch, with limited headroom. They disappear into the floor when not in use, revealing
451 litres
 worth of boot space, and if the second row of seats are folded down there’s enough space for two to camp in.

The second row seats slide and recline individually and, just like any modern Volvos, there’s a
built-in booster seat
 in the middle seat. As a kid I would imagine it’s the best seat in the house, as you’re in the centre of everything and you also get a nice view out from the
panoramic glass roof
.
We don’t recommend you bringing many items into the XC90 if you have a memory of a goldfish, because you’ll lose them in no time. There are loads of storage spaces on every row, and even the boot has sub-storage compartments. Access to the boot is very practical too, while the new XC90 may have lost the split tailgate, the single-piece tailgate does open wider than before and it
swings up automatically
 by waving your foot under the rear bumper.
PERFORMANCE
A typical Volvo owner doesn’t brag about his ride but with power figures that reads
407 hp
 and
640 Nm
, it’s like reading from a spec sheet of a performance car. Remember that
911 Carrera
 with its new 3.0-litre bi-turbo flat-six? That car delivers
just
 370 hp and 450 Nm. But then again Volvo’s
2.0-litre inline-four DriveE
 is no ordinary four-banger.
The DriveE unit that powers the front wheels is
turbocharged and supercharged
 to deliver 320 hp and 400 Nm of torque as seen in the
XC60 T6
, but it’s further boosted by an
87 hp
 and
240 Nm electric motor
 that propels the rear wheels, making it an all-wheel drive vehicle. With an
eight-speed automatic
 transmission, the XC90 T8 gets from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
 5.6 seconds
 and to a
top speed
 of
230km/h
. It’s claimed to sip just
2.1 litres of petrol over 100km
.
The electric motor plays a huge role in that, and power comes from
9.2kWh battery
 that charges while you coast or brake, but you won’t be able to fully charge the battery by doing just that. To get the battery up to 100 percent, you need to plug it into the wall socket. A full charge takes around
3.5 hours
 but a charging station will do it in 2.5 hours.
THE DRIVE
It’s awfully quiet in the XC90, after you twist the ignition knob to the right only to be greeted with an eerie silence. Unless you’re ferrying noisy passengers or have the stereos blasted out loud, the XC90 is as quiet as a library, as if the occupants are vacuum-sealed for freshness inside the cabin. And they do stay fresh thanks to Volvo’s
Cleanzone
 that maintains interior air quality.
By default, the XC90 T8 switches on in
Hybrid mode
, emphasising the use of the electric motor upon starting and only fires up the engine when needed. Under normal circumstances the XC90 T8 will waft along quietly using the electric motor alone. It’s like driving a giant luxurious golf cart with a cosseting ride from its air suspension, masking most of the road imperfections to ensure your sleeping child doesn’t get awakened on the way to the kindergarten.
A quick trip to the neighbourhood grocer
without burning a single drop of petrol
 is possible, as the motor has a
maximum quoted range of 43km
. But realistically you’re looking at two thirds of that before it runs out of juice. But if you still have some juice left you should give it the beans, that’s when the petrol engine comes into life to unleash the full 407 hp and 640 Nm of torque.
In straight line the acceleration is pretty surreal for a behemoth with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine under its bonnet, but to fully utilise both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor you need to keep it in
 Power Mode
. The throttle and gearbox mapping switches to sports setting, the steering gets heavier, and the air suspension lowers the car closer to the ground.
Even so, don’t expect the XC90 T8 to out-handle a
Cayenne
. The handling is pretty much safe and predictable with a rather vague steering feel, more suited for a relaxed drive with steady throttle input. Forget about manually swapping the cogs, no shift paddles can be found behind the steering wheel, but the eight-speed auto does work smoothly on its own in the background. The brakes however, need a little time to get use to. It’s tied to the regenerative braking system which will harvest braking (kinetic) energy to charge the battery. It feels like stepping on a dead pedal and when you stand on it, it bites hard. Really hard. But eventually you will adjust yourself to it.
Long distance highway jaunts can be done with little effort, and this includes the driver too. Set the
adaptive cruise control
 to follow the vehicle in front, and the XC90 will brake and accelerate itself according to the vehicle in front. Meanwhile,
Pilot Assist
 takes it to another level. Apart from accelerating and braking it will also
steer itself
, as long as the road markers are visible. Not only that, parking this beast can also be done automatically using the
Park Assist Pilot
.
Of course you can still drive the car yourself normally, but just in case, the XC90 is fitted with all-round sensors and
360 degrees camera
 so you’re aware of what’s happening around. Yours truly find the bird’s eye view camera a blessing when treading along narrow streets, and it helped me a lot when it comes to guessing whether a gap is wide enough for the XC90 to pass through.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
Existing XC90 owners who have been loyal to their steeds, it’s high time to reward yourself with the new XC90 after being so long refraining from getting a German alternative to replace your old but gold XC90. It does live up to its name, offering plenty of space and practicality in one easy-to-drive yet safe vehicle. But if you are seeking a more involving drive in an SUV, you might want to skip this. And those who think plug-in hybrids are just plain gimmicky might want to check out this XC90 T8, the effortless pull from the hybrid powertrain could well change your perception.
COMPARISONS
Shortly after Volvo announced the CKD version of the XC90 T8, BMW responded with their version of a plug-in hybrid SUV, the
X5 xDrive40e
. Like the XC90, the X5 is
locally assembled
 and benefits from the EEV tax breaks, granting it an attractive sticker price that’s even cheaper than the XC90 by RM15k. However it’s two seats less than the XC90, but with all the seats up the X5 has a bigger boot space than the Volvo.
Initial impressions after a brief drive from KLCC to Bukit Jalil and back via MEX highway during the launch proved that the Bavarian contender is the driver’s choice. Even though it’s down on power and torque compared to the XC90 T8, the X5 xDrive40e has a better low-end pull, and it doesn’t roll as much in high-speed sweeping corners. The cabin might not be as posh as the XC90 but it’s as quiet and refined as the Swedish contender.
Volvo XC90 T8

BMW X5 xDrive40e

ENGINE
Type
inline-4, DOHC, supercharged & turbocharged with electric motor
inline-4, DOHC, turbocharged with electric motor
Displacement
cc
1,969cc
1,997cc
Max Power
hp
407
308
Max Torque
Nm
640
450
STEERING
Type
Electronic Power Steering
Electronic Power Steering
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
SUSPENSION
Front
Double Wishbone
Double Wishbone
Rear
Multi-link
Multi-link
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated Disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyre
275/45 R20
255/50 R19 (front), 285/45 R19 (rear)
Wheels
20-inch Alloy
19-inch Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Overall Length
mm
4,950mm
4,886mm
Overall Width
mm
1,958mm
1,938mm
Overall Height
mm
1,776mm
1,762mm
Wheelbase
mm
2,984mm
2,933mm
Max Kerb Weight
kg
2,343 kg
2,305 kg
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
Litres
451 litres
500 litres
FUEL
Tank Capacity
Litres
50 litres
85 litres
Consumption
litres per 100km
2.1 litres
3.3 litres
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
230
210
0 to 100 km/h
sec
5.6
6.8
Price
RM
RM403,888.00
RM388,800.00
WOULD I BUY IT?
If I’m a family man, I wouldn’t mind having the XC90 T8 as the only car in my garage. It looks good in any setting, has loads of cabin space, safe as a vault, and more importantly it has plenty of poke yet remain frugal thanks to the hybrid powertrain. Volvo’s DriveE approach proves that you don’t need a bigger engine than a 2.0-litre four-cylinder under the bonnet of a 2,000kg car, and so far the only downside that I can think of is the absence of a stirring engine note. The XC90 T8 may not offer an engaging drive, but I still rate it as one of the most sensible SUVs on sale right now. You’re never gonna look better saving the polar bears.
IMAGE GALLERY

 2016 Volvo XC90 T8 Review in Malaysia – AutoBuzz.my


Good news – Lotus Karz has brought Lotus “back to Malaysia”!

There’s been a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Lotus brand in Malaysia, ever since
DRB-Hicom sold-off its ownership
 of the UK-based sportscar manufacturer to Geely back in 2017.
Not much has been told of the brand’s fate in Malaysia, with the demise of the Lotus flagship showroom along Damansara-Puchong highway (LDP) further fuelling speculation. You’d be surprised to find out, however, that
Lotus
 has always been under the watchful care of Toycarz Garage all these while!
While many of us have been unaware of its existence, Toycarz Garage is no stranger to the local Lotus community. With a burning passion for Colin Chapman’s light and pure sports cars, the company started out more than a decade ago as a service centre for Lotus, and in 2018 obtained the sole distributorship for Lotus cars in Malaysia.
Operating out of their base in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam since 2013, Toycarz’s operation in Malaysia has grown from strength to strength stronger with multiple events already planned for 2021.
These include a four-tiered Lotus Driving Academy with syllabus and coaches accredited by Lotus UK, as well as the introduction of the officially-sanctioned Lotus Cup race in Malaysia!
In fact, the team at Toycarz has also been hard at work to completely revamp their space into a showroom that befits the brand’s stature and workshop to better cater for the local Lotus enthusiasts. The service centre now consists of eight fully-equipped bays, with various services – from pre-purchase inspection to full restorations with genuine Lotus parts – being offered to their customers.
As for the cars, step into what is now the official Lotus Malaysia showroom and you’ll see everything ranging from certified pre-owned models to the latest and greatest from Hethel, UK, such as the
Lotus Exige 430 Cup
 and
Elise 250 Cup
.
The pair of cup cars retail for RM700,000 and RM350,000 respectively, both excluding duties and other associated costs. Fortunately, Toycarz also offers a three-year storage plan to keep them at a secure facility in Langkawi, where you’ll have free access to your cars in any part of Malaysia for 90 days a year during this time.
A Lotus Malaysia representative also told us that the
fully-electric Evija
 is available for booking here in Malaysia, along with a “big surprise” coming in February this year. So for the avid driving enthusiasts here, you know where to look the next time you get your bonus!
GALLERY


Special edition McLaren Speedtail revealed with an “uncle name”

McLaren Special Operations (MSO) today unveiled the
McLaren ‘Albert’ Speedtail
, a custom commission by McLaren Beverly Hills in the US.
‘Albert’ is one of the final vehicles in the 106-unit production of the
McLaren Speedtail
 and is a tribute to the Speedtail development car that first came to life in 2018.
It also pays tribute to the McLaren F1 prototypes from 1992, which were also named Albert. The name came from the facility in Woking, England, situated along Albert Drive, where the McLaren F1 was designed and built.
Find out more about the McLaren Speedtail here…only 106 units produced!
The ‘Albert’ prototype vehicle was developed to fine-tune the Speedtail’s central seat driving position, ergonomics, visibility, and rear-view camera positions.
Originally
built with the front panels of the 720S
, the ‘Albert’ prototype was the first Speedtail to be driven on public roads. On a side note, the
720S is available in Malaysia
 from RM1.2 million before duties.
The lines on the
Magnesium Silver and Ueno Grey
 body was achieved with two-metre vinyl body wrap with design lines printed to represent the optimised airflow over the car. The body itself is made of 1K gloss visual carbon fibre.
Magnesium Silver
 was also the colour of the first McLaren F1 road car

shown to the public at the 1992 Monaco Grand Prix.
Ueno Grey
 on the other hand was the colour of the F1 GTR that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995.
In total, Albert required a 12-week post-build modification at MSO’s facility. This included two week’s of masking, six week’s of painting. The remaining time was used to dry and reassemble the vehicle after spraying.
In total, the masking of the livery
required almost two kilometres of fine tape
 to complete the initial design layout.
GALLERY


These HRE 3D printed wheels doesn’t look like it belongs on a road car

HRE Wheels together with GE Additive has just unveiled the world’s first ever 3D-printed titanium wheels. Codenamed HRE3D+, the prototype gives us a glimpse of what the future of wheel designs can be with 3D printing technology.
Using Electron Beam Melting (EBM) technology (a type of 3D printing), it allows complex wheel designs to come to reality while achieving high levels of efficiency. In the case of a traditional monoblock wheel, 80 per cent of the material is shaved and removed from a forged block of aluminium to create the final project. With EBM, only 5 per cent of the material is removed and recycled, making the process far more efficient.

In the case of the HRE3D+ wheels, measuring 21-inch x 9J and 21-inch x 12.5J, its complex design is made up of five different sections (all 3D printed) which are then combined and bolted onto a carbon fibre rim using titanium fasteners. The result is an ultra-lightweight wheel but has the sturdiness that equals or exceeds an aluminium wheel.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-AMG’s latest Safety and Medical Cars to debut at this weekend’s Bahrain F1 GP!

For every single year since 1996, Mercedes-AMG has been supplying the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with Official F1 Safety Cars, and for the new 2022 season, kicking off with the Bahrain GP, the legacy continues.
Mechanically, both Safety and Medical cars are almost entirely standard. However, they have extensive equipment for their roles on the track. The most noticeable feature of the Official F1 Safety Car is the absence of the usual light bar on the roof, which would have interfered with the aerodynamic balance of the
AMG GT Black Series
.
Instead, development engineers in Affalterbach came up with something completely new. At the front, the LED light bar has been incorporated into the upper area of the windscreen, while the rearward-facing lights have been integrated into the rear spoiler.
In case you’re wondering, when the car flashes and orange lights, it means no overtaking. Green is usually flashed when the safety car is entering the track, and drivers are still allowed to overtake the safety car.
Two tiny video cameras are installed into the spoiler strut with the images displayed inside the car. One camera serves as an electronic rear-view mirror for the co-driver, while the other transmits a live TV stream.
The interior of the Official F1 Safety Car is similar to the standard AMG GT Black Series (equipped with Track Package) and comes fitted with a titanium roll cage and lightweight bucket seats. The system increases the AMG GT Black’s vehicle stiffness even further improving passive safety.
Also new are the six-point safety harnesses that are approved by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and two tablets in the centre console and instrument panel in front of the passenger seat. These enable the co-driver to monitor the Formula 1 field. The right monitor can display the current position of the race cars on the track or the current lap times.
For the Official F1 Safety Car, the suspension specialists at AMG have engineered a set-up with the Pirelli P Zero tyres that can adapt to any race track and weather condition. The AMG ceramic high-performance composite brakes are exactly the same as those in the regular AMG GT Black Series.
As for the Official F1 Medical Car, the
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+
 makes its Formula 1 debut, taking over from its predecessor, the C 63 S AMG Estate. The fastest and most powerful medical car to date is crewed by up to three medics, from a specialist clinic close to the respective racetrack.
The medical car differs from the standard production car largely due to the carbon fibre roof scoop designed to offer the lowest possible wind resistance. At the same time, it optimises the airflow towards the fixed rear wing. The layout and design of the carbon fibre scoop and the light bar were the results of extensive wind-tunnel testing.
Inside the spacious boot is the full set of emergency equipment, including a defibrillator, breathing apparatus, rescue cutter, and two handheld fire extinguishers.
Instead of the standard seats, the cabin of the AMG GT is occupied by four individual racing bucket seats, including six-point harnesses on the front seats and four-point harnesses in the rear. For maximum safety, the seat consoles are welded to the floor of the car.
All Formula 1 racing drivers wear special gloves equipped with sensors in the pinkie finger to monitor their vital signs. In an emergency, the paramedics in the medical car can receive real-time information in the car, informing them the current pulse rate or blood-oxygen level of the driver.
GALLERY


The new 4+1 seater Taycan Cross Turismo is for Porsche off-road enthusiasts

After sharing some
technical highlights
 last week, Porsche has officially unveiled the Taycan Cross Turismo that is bound for official sales later this summer.
The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo combines more capabilities into the fully-electric high-performance Taycan range. First is the redesign of the rear quarter, which Porsche designers call the
“flyline”
. The wheelbase is maintained at 2.9 metres, while the overall vehicle height has increased by
 31 mm
, and is just 11 mm longer compared to the sports sedan.
The sporty sloping “flyline” adds headroom, luggage space and utility to the Porsche Taycan. Rear occupants now enjoy 36 mm
more headroom
, while luggage space has increased tremendously by the new design as well as the folding seatbacks.
The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo now has a boot capacity of
446 litres
, almost 40 litres more than the sports sedan. With the rear seats folding down, more than 1,200 litres of load capacity is available for large suitcases, sports equipment and more.
Taycan Cross Turismo compared to Taycan sports sedan
At launch, the Taycan Cross Turismo will be offered in four variants, all standard with adaptive air suspension and all-wheel drive. The ground clearance has been increased by a gentle
20 mm
.
All four variants will be fitted with the 93.4 kWh Performance Battery Plus and outputs are similar to the
Taycan sports sedan
. The range-topping Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo has outputs
625 hp
 with the overboost temporary exerting
761 hp
, allowing to sprint from standstill to 100 km/h and 200 km/h in
2.9

seconds
 and 9.7 seconds respectively.
The Turbo variant has a lower overboost output of 680 hp, stopping the stopwatch at 3.3 seconds once it reaches 100 km/h from standstill. The driving range however improves to 452 km.
The base-model Taycan 4 Cross Turismo meanwhile has outputs of
380 hp
 and
476 hp
 in overboost. This variant will also have the furthest driving range at
456 km
, compared to the Turbo S with only 419 km. The 4S variant meanwhile has 490 hp and 571 hp in overboost, with the driving range similar to the Turbo at 452 km.
Porsche has also improved the energy recovery while decelerating in the Taycan Cross Turismo, increasing 25 kW to a total of 290 kW.

The next big thing in the Taycan Cross Turismo is the off-tarmac driving capabilities. Porsche has spent some time developing and testing the Taycan Cross Turismo to properly drive like a Porsche on mild off-road surfaces such as grass and gravel.
“We have also increased the ground clearance and optimised our suspension system so the Cross Turismo comes with a cross utility vehicle specific driving mode. This makes sure it does well on gravel roads in terms of stability, performance and dynamics,” said Head of the Taycan model line, Stefan Weckbach.
The optional Off-Road package increases ground clearance by up to 30 mm, while a standard “Gravel mode” improves the performance of the vehicle for driving on rough roads. Special flaps at the corners of the wheel arches provide protection from stone impacts.
Apart from the higher stance of the Taycan Cross Turismo, specific off-road styling elements have been added, which are the front and rear lower aprons, side sills and wheel arch trims.
To further emphasise on the utility of the Taycan Cross Turismo, Porsche has also created a dedicated bicycle carrier for two. One of its innovative features is that the tailgate can be opened even when the rear carrier is loaded.
GALLERY


2017 Aston Martin Vanquish S unveiled, topless Volante available too

Seeing an Aston Martin is always an event, whether or not it’s a conventional hardtop or a convertible. Now, the company is offering the refreshed Vanquish S, which is available in both the said body styles.
Among the new stuff are the revised, carbon fibre front splitter and rear diffuser. The rear end now receives a quad exhaust setup, while sitting on standard 20-inch wheels. Exclusive to the convertible is an
electronic folding soft-top.
Both Vanquish S variants retain the signature
6.0-litre V12
 engine, producing
592 hp
 and
 630 Nm
 of torque that’s paired with the
“Touchtronic III” eight-speed automatic
. The engine breathes better now through a modified air intake and the transmission shifts quicker; both of which contribute to performance gains. This however, is not backed by any official key performance figures, until perhaps later.
UK pricing for the 2017 Aston Martin Vanquish S begins at
£199,950
 (RM1.1 million) while the Volante costs about
£12,000
 (RM67k) more than its hardtop equivalent. Let’s not forget that
the brand is officially represented in Malaysia by Wearnes
, so expect the Vanquish S to arrive soon.
IMAGE GALLERY


You can now “rent” an Audi by the hour in Singapore

Audi is launching its well-received premium mobility concept, the “Audi on demand” in Singapore. The first of its kind in South East Asia, it will allow keen followers of the brand with Four Rings to “rent” a wide selection of the latest Audi models and make payments for it, all through their smartphones.
As we’ve shared before, Beijing was the
first city in China to have received this service
 that is
charged by the hour
 which includes unlimited driving mileage and insurance coverage. Usage can range
from a few hours to as long as 28 days
.
Once confirmed, a concierge service will bring the car to the customer by request at any location in Singapore within two hours’ notice. The concierge will also help customers in getting to know the Audi vehicle.
The range of vehicles available for booking through the Audi on demand service ranges from the most current sedans to Q-models with the latest features to allow customers to experience the full suite of Audi’s latest technologies. The all-inclusive rate also comprises of a full service package as well as complementary accessories like a child seat.
The cars can be used even for business trips or weekend getaways to Malaysia. The same service is also offered in Hong Kong, San Francisco and at Munich Airport.


Lucky shopper wins Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain after spending just RM300

Ever dreamt about winning a car just from your regular shopping habits? Well, that was exactly what happened to Zhang Ying Xuan, who took home the grand prize of a brand-new
Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain
 as part of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s Tokyo Street 11th Anniversary Shop & Win contest.
According to Zhang, the mall is just within walking distance from her workplace, and thus she became a regular shopper there. Zhang submitted only just five contest entries together with receipts worth over RM300 during the month-long contest, but was lucky enough to be drawn as the winner of a brand-new Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain pick-up truck worth over RM150,000.
“I was so thrilled when they told me I had won the grand prize. I have only previously won small prizes, and never anything this big and valuable. It is a very rugged and handsome-looking truck and I thank Pavilion and Isuzu for this,” said Zhang when receiving her Silky Pearl White truck.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Isuzu Malaysia Chief Operating Officer, Kenkichi Sogo said, “I take this opportunity to congratulate Ms Zhang on winning the grand prize of a brand-new Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain. The Isuzu D-Max in itself is a winning combination of style, luxury, safety and versatility and I am certain that it will bring you on many memorable journeys.”
ALSO WATCH:
Video: Nissan Navara 2.5 PRO-4X vs Isuzu D-Max 3.0 X-Terrain, which is better?
The Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain was only recently updated here in Malaysia, which saw the addition of several valuable creature comfort features including a 360-degree surround-view monitor, LED puddle lamps, as well as LED illuminated door sills bearing the words ‘X-Terrain’.
Winning five ‘Pick-up Truck of the Year’ awards in the past year, the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain is powered by the trusty 3.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, serving up
190 hp
 and
450 Nm
 to drive all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
For the full detailed breakdown of the new pick-up truck’s specifications, check out our launch coverage here.


Volkswagen Malaysia extends its “Tax Holiday” till 15th November

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced an extension of the tax holiday for its range of models with the Price Protection Scheme – covering all Volkswagen models registered from now till 15th November 2018, while stocks last.
As such, VPCM will absorb any difference in vehicle price based on the 0% GST period, after the implementation of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) on the 1 st of September 2018. The Scheme is applicable to all Volkswagen models sold in Malaysia, both locally-assembled and imported.
Having
 spent time in the Golf TSI R Line
, there’s little wonder why VPCM has been selling them by the truckloads.
“The response in the past three months since the announcement of 0% GST has been overwhelming and we have been trying to keep up with the demand for stock. The introduction of this Price Protection Scheme is a way for VPCM to assure our customers that we have their best interests at heart so we urge customers to place their bookings now and enjoy the extended tax holidays”, said Managing Director of VPCM, Erik Winter.
All Volkswagen models come with 3 years free maintenance, 5 years manufacturer’s warranty and 5 years roadside assistance.


NAIAS 2016: Volvo S90 T8 now on sale in the US

Volvo Cars North America chose the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit to launch its new signature premium saloon, the S90 in a bid (some say) to recapture and reaffirm its commitment to the market. Apart from the impressive line-up that they already have, Volvo will be adding the very stately S80 successor to their arsenal.
In business, you have to be there at the
right time
 and in the
right place
 and Volvo does well to resonate that thought considering how the brand faired in the previous fiscal year. The Swedes were
up
 by
24.3
 percent and, mind you, that’s only in the
US
. Armed with new hardwares and a
 billion-dollar cash injection
 from parent company
 Geely Holdings
, they’re all ready to give the Germans a bloody nose.

In the looks department, sadly this very uniquely individual from the frosty north doesn’t score too well with some people. The styling up front is definitely on point especially with the
DRL
 in the shape of Thor’s
Mjölnir
, the trouble is when you step towards the back that you’ll discover the rather
distinctive rump
, for the lack of a better word, which will either be a hit or miss, depending on who you talk to. We think it possesses a
cool
 factor all on its own. If there ever was such a thing as a burgeoning
hipster
 businessmen, this is his ride, without shadow of a doubt.
The interior of this four-door coupe is an exquisite thing of
beauty
. Supple tanned
leather
 hide for the upholstery, choicest sustainable
bark
 for the dash and a beautifully craved
crystal
 by Orrefors (first seen on the
XC90
) takes its place as a gearshift selector. The Scandinavians are gunning for
premium
 and are out to deliver just that. The
Mercedes W213 E-Class
 maybe the only one that could give Volvo a run for its money in this respect. Praise doesn’t get any higher than that.

Volvo is slated to release three engine flavours in North America, namely the
T5
,
T6
 and the range topping
TwinEngine T8
 with up to
410hp
. Not bad for
 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid
, however the big news here is that the S90 will introduce a number of segment-first safety and driver assistance technologies, just as you would expect from the brand. Some of these include semi-autonomous drive feature called
Pilot Assist
 which is an
adaptive cruise control-type
 system that can sense and ‘see’ the road infront of you. The marque says that it’s a step forward in the right direction toward
autonomous
 driving capabilities in cars. A goal that Tesla and
Google chases with a burning passion
.
The S90 also introduces a world-first function to
City Safety
 –
large animal detection
;

a feature capable of detecting large animals such as deer, horses or moose/elk, night or day. The technology offers an intuitive
warning
 and brake support to help avoid or
mitigate
 collisions with large animals (and people). In an urban environment, the system should do well to detect
pedestrians
, brilliant for city driving.

Volvo North America has yet to release specifics on the S90’s
pricing
 and options. As far as we Malaysians are concerned, the S90 (most likely in T8 flavour) will be making its way here sometime in 2017. The ensuing
V90
 too, might complete the S90 lineup here in Malaysia by the end of next year. Rumours abound that Polestar is working on a hot version as well. Exciting times ahead for fans of the Iron Mark.
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Petronas launches [email protected] eatery at Kedai Mesra stores

Following the launch of the
Setel contactless payment app
, Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB) has launched the new
[email protected]
, a new eatery within the Kedai Mesra with most items priced below RM12.
Through the introduction of
[email protected]
, the Kedai Mesra will now see an expanded range of food and beverages including freshly-baked pastries, daily-prepared meals-to-go, desserts, and drinks. In addition, the newly renovated Kedai Mesra now boasts an open chiller, self-serve coffee machine, and microwave for the convenience of its customers.
“We first piloted this concept at the Petronas Station Jalan Kolam Ayer in Ampang last year and saw an increasing demand for food-on-the-go. With this proof of concept, we were confident to expand this further so that more customers get to enjoy the new retail experience at our stations,” said PDB, CEO and Managing Director, Azrul Osman Rani.
New items on the
[email protected]
 menu include club and beef sandwiches, salad with snow-white fish or smoked salmon, grilled chicken chop, “Kung Pao” chicken with rice, English trifle, bread-butter pudding, overnight oats, and mixed fruits, to name a few. All these items are sourced from local suppliers with an emphasis on quality and fresh ingredients.
In addition to the above, it also features local favourites from local small-to-medium suppliers such as sparkling fresh juice from Tapping Tapir, Nasi Lemak Saleha and local kuih by Sri Talamaz.
“To date, we have seven stations with a
[email protected]
 corner and we are targeting to expand to 15 more by the end of the year, and to over 200 stations by end of 2021,” he added.
The new Kedai Mesra with
[email protected]
 is available at:
Petronas Jalan Kolam Ayer
Petronas MRR2 Ampang
Petronas Cyberjaya 1
Petronas Mutiara Damansara
Petronas Kota Kemuning
Petra Kota Damansara
PETRONAS Taman Setiawangsa
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The colour Red has always been part of Mazda’s history

From the very first car it made, the colour red has been a crucial part of the brand’s history. It has evolved in tandem with Mazda’s vehicle design – made to enhance the beauty of their Kodo-Soul in Motion design language.
With the aim to stimulate emotions of Mazda customers even before they start their engines, they’ve had to reinvent the way they paint their cars. Before, to produce such reflective finish and depth in colour, Mazda had to paint their cars by hand – a standard practise on their concept cars.
Now, to achieve this, they have in the process also turned robots into master craftsman – in an exercise called “takumi nuri”. The finished result, the Soul Red Crystal, is a deep, lustrous colour that makes the car come alive as light is shone across its curves and arches.
Soul Red Crystal is an advanced evolution of the Soul Red – one that balances vibrance with clear depth and gloss. It’s 20% more saturated and produces 50% more depth than Soul Red for a rich, full-bodied shade of red.


Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup clocks quicker lap at Sepang

Following the launch of the new
Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup
, the highly-anticipated Renault Sport Track Day made a comeback at the Sepang International Circuit, this time in a night session.

For this edition of the Renault Sport Track day, 30 Renault Sport owners took their prized possessions onto the track to push their skills to the limit and experience the performance of their R.S. machines, which included the Megane R.S., Clio R.S. and limited-edition
Megane R.S. 275 Trophy R
.
TC Euro Cars also brought along a Megane R.S. 280 Cup with EDC dual-clutch transmission for a few timed laps around Sepang, and managed to clock a best lap of 2 minutes and 38 seconds – a whole 3 seconds quicker than the previous official lap time set in a Megane R.S. 265 Cup.
The Megane R.S. that did the timed lap was completely stock from the factory, but wearing road-going 19-inch Yokohama AD08R 245/35 tyres – provided by the official tyre sponsor for the event.
As always, TC Euro Cars and Renault took safety as their number one priority, and thus only allowing experienced drivers to lap the circuit alone; first time drivers were accompanied by a professional instructor.
Meanwhile, taxi rides were available for the participants to experience the new Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup in the hands of a professional driver.
The new Renault Megane R.S. was launched in Malaysia back in April, priced at
RM279,888
 for the manual transmission variant, while the EDC dual-clutch transmission variant comes in at
RM299,888
.
Powered by a
1.8-litre turbocharged engine
, the Renault Megane R.S. makes
280 hp
 and
390 Nm
 of torque – and that is where the 280 in the name came from. Zero to 100 km/h is done in
5.8 seconds
, onward to a
250 km/h
top speed.
Offered in Malaysia with the Cup chassis as standard, the Renault Megane R.S. comes with a
Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential
 at the front, along with 10% stiffer dampers for even better cornering performance.
The Renault Megane R.S. is also the only hot hatch to offer four-wheel steering. Unfortunately if you want to experience the car in the brilliant Orange Tonic colour, you’d have to fork out another RM8,000.
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Chery has already sold over 1 million vehicles worldwide this year

Chinese carmaker
Chery
 has announced its October global sales report, in which it recorded a total of 132,828 vehicles sold globally. The figure marks the fifth month in a row where the company saw a monthly sales of over 100,000 units, and also translates to a 50.4% year-on-year increase.
But more importantly, the October sales figure also pushed Chery’s year-to-date sales numbers past the 1 million mark, more specifically, 1,026,758 units worldwide, easily beating its total in 2021 of 961,926 units, with two more months to spare.
Leading the impressive sales performance for Chery was the Tiggo family of SUVs, many of which are also
earmarked for launch in Malaysia
. From January to October 2022, the Chinese carmaker sold 159,500 units of the Tiggo 8 and 134,900 units of the Tiggo 7 worldwide, with South America and Middle East recording particularly strong performances.
In Brazil specifically, Chery has delivered 29,854 units year-to-date, giving it a market share of 2.38%, and also placing it within the top 10 in terms of sales. As for the Middle East, Chery says that it has “achieved a double increase in terms of market sales and brand reputation”.
In conjunction with the upcoming 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, Chery has announced that it will also be providing vehicles for the security department as well as media vehicles for more than 10 competing countries, alongside free shuttle service at the Doha International Airport.
Video: Chery is back! Here are the 5 SUVs set for launch in Malaysia
Closer to home, Chery recently previewed five SUV models that it has earmarked for launch here in Malaysia, including the
Tiggo 8 Pro
, Tiggo 7 Pro
, Tiggo 4 Pro, and
Omoda 5
. The companies reentry into Malaysia will kick off with “first phase” of car launches, which will include the Tiggo 8 Pro and Omoda 5.
Aside from just new cars, Chery has also promised a wide “user-centric”
aftersales and dealership network
 in Malaysia, alongside a
CKD plant
 to localise production for its models.


Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabrio – an electrifying grand tourer

The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet has just been debuted at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and there is just no words to describe what an absolute stunner it is – as a modern interpretation to a classic design.
It has been designed to be an electric car, with an output of 550 kW (
750 hp
) thanks to its compact permanent magnet synchronous electric motors with a range of over
500 km
. 0 to 100 km/h takes
less than four seconds
 through its
all-wheel drive system
 with a top speed of
250 km/h
. A quick-charge function allows it to charge enough power for a range of around 100 km in just five minutes.
Measuring over six meters in length, the exterior is highlighted by its Nautical Blue Metallic paint job, a chrome grille that was inspired by a pinstriped suit and the newly designed
24-inch wheels
 with a centre lock that’s painted in gold.

The round “boat tail” appearance of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet lends it inspiration from a luxury yacht with narrow tail lights emphasising the width of the vehicle. Further distinctive features at the rear include a diffuser with aluminium frame and the air outlets behind the wheel arches.
“The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet takes modern luxury into the realms of the ultimate in luxury, and is the perfect embodiment of our design strategy. Breathtaking proportions combined with a luxurious “haute couture” interior help to create the ultimate experience,” explains Daimler AG Chief Design Officer, Gorden Wagener.
The interior, conceptualised to be offer a 360° open-air luxury lounge experience, dons rose gold trims and threads alongside crystal white Nappa leather with diamond patterns held together with buttons – with each depicting a Mercedes star with blue back light. Pushing further with the luxury yacht concept, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet also comes with open-pore wood flooring with inlaid aluminium.
The display strip (essentially the blue strip encompassing the interior) that links the dashboard, doors and rear area – where the visual displays are integrated into the continuous glass trim. Three air vents are positioned beneath the dash for a floating appearance in an aviation-inspired move.
Possibly the most futuristic feature has to be the
floating, transparent centre tunnel
, which visualises the drive system’s electrical energy flow for the passengers by means of blue fibre optics. Apart from the Concierge Function which doesn’t require predefined voice commands, it also features the latest generation biometric sensors to record the state of mind and health status of the passengers.
IMAGE GALLERY


The fully-imported Subaru Outback with Subaru EyeSight is here to stir the market

TC Subaru has introduced the new Subaru Outback today at the 2018 Drive Auto Fair in Setia City Convention Centre, where it would feature Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology.
The fully-imported Outback will be available in one variant only – the 2.5i-S EyeSight featuring a naturally-aspirated, 2.5-litre 4-cylinder boxer engine, paired to a 7-speed Lineartronic CVT gearbox that’s good for
175 hp
 and
235 Nm
 of torque.

Power is channel to all four wheels through the Active Torque Split AWD System. Supporting the AWD system are the SI-Drive and X-Mode that automatically engages the Outback’s Hill Descent Control when activated. The Outback also deploys the STABLEX-Ride System for even better steering control and ride quality with less body roll.

On the outside, the new Outback gets facelifted front bumper, a wider hexagonal grille and lightweight turbine-shaped 18-inch rims for better aerodynamics.
Making the drive a more exciting one are paddle shifters, a must-have feature for Malaysians paying this amount of money for a car, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a power-sliding sunroof.
Occupying the front row are 8-way power-adjustable seats with memory function while lumbar support is only provided for the driver. The rear seats can be folded with a one-touch lever in the boot, opening up to 1,800 litres of trunk space.
On the safety front, the Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist system is the highlight of the updated Outback which consists of adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking system and throttle management, lane sway and departure warning, along with seven air bags.
IMAGE GALLERY


Petrol prices to be announced every Wednesday night, starting 29 March

The government has announced that fuel pricing will now be reviewed weekly instead of the current monthly system. Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin said that the price revision, if any, will be announced every Wednesday night starting 29 March 2017.
Currently, our fuel prices are based on the floating system, with the final figure being an average of the fluctuations in the crude oil trade. With the new system in place, Datuk Hamzah said that the fluctuations in fuel prices will be less drastic and more stable. From January to February we saw an increase of 20 sen in petrol prices for two consecutive months. March fuel prices are as follows:
February 2017
March 2017
Difference
Petrol – RON 95
RM2.30 per litre
RM2.30 per litre
–
Petrol – RON 97
RM2.60 per litre
RM2.60 per litre
–
Diesel
RM2.15 per litre
RM2.20 per litre
5 sen
Diesel Euro 5
RM2.25 per litre
RM2.30 per litre
5 sen
To avoid confusion, the pricing announcement will be announced on Wednesday night, but the actual adjustment will take place on Thursday.


Facts & Figures: Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e Coupe PHEV launched in Malaysia – RM374,074

Although the
all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC
 has just been unveiled globally, it’s not quite end-of-life for the current SUV just yet here on our shores, as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is giving the model a last hurrah with the plug-in hybrid GLC 300e Coupe, starting at a price of RM374k, inclusive of the SST exemptions that are expiring by the end of the month.
EXTERIOR
The new Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e is only available in the coupe form, with most of its styling mirroring that of the existing
GLC 300 Coupe 4Matic
, both sharing the same AMG Line exterior package consisting of the sportier bumpers and an AMG diamond pin grille. The only way to tell the two apart, aside from the obvious badging, is the charging port on the rear bumper.
Exterior equipment for the new Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e Coupe include:
Adaptive Multibeam LED headlights
AMG Line body kit
AMG Night package
Diamond pin grille
20-inch light-alloy five twin-spoke wheels
PERFORMANCE
The main differentiating factor here is the GLC 300e Coupe’s powertrain underneath the bonnet, which now receives electric assistance thanks to the additional electric motor sandwiched between the engine and gearbox.
Powertrain: M274 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four, petrol; single electric motor
Transmission: Nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic
Driveline: Front-engine, 4Matic all-wheel drive
Horsepower (engine): 211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (engine): 350 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
Horsepower (motor): 90 kW/122 hp
Torque (motor): 440 Nm
Total system output: 320 hp, 700 Nm
0-100 km/h: 5.7 seconds
Top speed: 230 km/h, 140 km/h in EV mode
Battery: 13.5 kWh
EV range: 43 km (WLTP)
Charging: 7.4 kW on-board AC, 1.5 hours
INTERIOR
Just like the exterior, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e Coupe’s cabin is also virtually unchanged from its petrol-only counterpart, with equipment highlights including:
12.3-inch digital instrument display
10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display, MBUX OS with EQ-specific displays
AMG Line interior
Multifunction sports steering wheel in premium nappa leather
Leather upholstery
Four-zone climate control
Electric adjustable front seats with four-way lumbar support
Panoramic sunroof
SAFETY
The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e Coupe will come equipped with Driving Assistance advanced driver assist package, which includes the following:
Autonomous emergency braking
Active lane keeping assist
Blind spot monitor
Parktronic active parking assist
Pre-safe pre-collision protection
360-degree surround view monitor
PRICING
The new Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e Coupe is locally-assembled here in Malaysia, and is priced at
RM374,074
 on-the-road, without insurance, and inclusive of the
SST exemption that is due to expire by the end of the month
. After which, the SST-inclusive price goes up to
RM398,888
. Also included in the price is a 2+2 year unlimited-mileage warranty.
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Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP confirmed for Malaysian debut, Q2 2017

Half a year ago,
Peugeot took the wraps off the all-new Peugeot 3008
. What was previously a curvy, mundane looking compact crossover has blossomed into a full blown C-Segment SUV. The 3008 can finally start giving the
fifth-generation Honda CR-V
 and
Mazda CX-5
 a good fight.
There are a number of engines powering the 3008, but as expected, the Malaysian market will receive the good old
1.6-litre Prince
 unit. This time it is
 turbocharged
 to produce
165 horsepower
 at 6,000 rpm and
240 Nm
 of torque from 1,400 rpm. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel will most likely not join the lineup, which is a shame because that
left quite a lasting impression
. The four-banger 1.6 THP is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
In terms of dimensions, the 3008 is every bit bigger than before. Its wheelbase is stretched by a whopping 62mm, resulting in better legroom for rear passengers. Key specifications include full LED headlamps, tri-bar (lion claw) LED tail lamps and a futuristically designed cabin.
The guys at Peugeot Malaysia are still working on the exact specifications here, but some highlights include the
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
, 8-inch centrally mounted touchscreen head unit and wireless phone charging tray. The seats in our test car back in Bologna, Italy, were draped in exquisite cow hide with fancy patterns – something very French but tastefully executed to suit the local palette.
The year 2017 will see quite a number of new SUVs introduced to our market, with the 3008 set to be the earliest to arrive. It won’t be till later in the year when the Japanese duo (CR-V and CX-5) arrive here. That should give the Peugeot 3008 a relatively promising head start. If you’re in the market for a brand new SUV, this could be worth the wait.
IMAGE GALLERY


Gallery: All-new 2022 Perodua Alza from RM62,500

Launched in July, the all-new 2022
Perodua Alza
 is available in three variants, namely the ‘X’, ‘H’, and ‘AV’. Prices range from
RM 62,500
 to
RM 75,500
, making the Alza one of the most affordable 7-seater MPVs you could get in Malaysia. Garnering more than 40,000 bookings since its launch, about 65% of them are for the range-topping ‘AV’ variant.
All variants are fully equipped with Perodua’s Active Safety Assist (A.S.A.) package which comprises Pre-Collision Warning, Pre-Collision Braking, Pedal Misoperation Control, and Front Departure Alert. A
Perodua
-first feature is the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), but only the 2022 Perodua Alza AV is equipped with it.
ALSO WATCH:
2022 Perodua Alza review – The people’s 7-seater MPV
To haul seven people around, a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine powers the 2022 Perodua Alza. It provides
106 hp
 @6,000 rpm and
138 Nm
 @4,200 rpm. The 2NR-VE engine is paired with Perodua’s D-CVT and all power is sent to the front wheels.
For an additional
RM2,500
, customers can opt for Perodua’s Gear Up accessories. The kit makes the family MPV a tad bit more elegant on the outside and slightly more interesting on the inside. But even without the kit, the all-new Alza is decent looking for the segment it belongs in. All Alza variants get LED headlights with follow-me-home and “Leaving Home Functions”.
Inside, a Perodua-first feature is the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity on the seven-inch touchscreen infotainment unit. Like the EPB, this only offered in the 2022 Perodua Alza AV. Perodua has recently obtained the necessary licensing for Apple connectivity and Alza AV
customers can get their head units updated during their next service at Perodua Service Centres
.
Another Perodua-first feature on the Alza is the 360° view camera for ease of maneuverability in tight spaces. Unfortunately, this is also only available on the AV variant.
RELATED:
Apple CarPlay now available on 2022 Perodua Alza – Updates provided at Perodua SC
Safety-wise, the all-new Alza provides ‘Driving Assist’ features such as Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) on all variants. Exclusive to the Alza AV are Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keep Control (LKC), and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM).
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A new sheriff is in town: the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe

Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe at the Geneva Motor Show and you can almost hear the Porsche Panamera Turbo clenching its fists.
First and foremost, performance; and it’s simply blinding. The AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ delivers
639 hp
 and
900 Nm
 of torque from a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine to all four wheels – 0 to 100 km/h takes just
3.2 seconds
, onwards to
315 km/h
 and yet it sits four with miles of leg room.
The “S-less” AMG GT 63 4MATIC+ on the other hand is also a tower of power – with
585 hp
 and
800 Nm
 of torque from the same V8 engine. 0 to 100 km/h takes just
 3.4 seconds
 with a top speed of
310 km/h
. The Porsche Panamera Turbo only does 3.8 seconds without the Sport Chrono Package, with a top speed of 306 km/h.
Both the V8 engines come with AMG Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation system which shuts of specific cylinders while coasting or during partial load, to reduce fuel consumption – not like it would bother the elite businessmen/women.

Alongside the two V8 engines, there’s also the AMG GT53 4MATIC+ that houses an AMG inline six-cylinder engine.
435 hp
 is readily available with a combined
695 Nm
 of torque, supported by the EQ Boost system that also generates power for the vehicle’s electrical system. 0 to 100 km/h is done in
4.5 seconds
, onwards to
285 km/h
.
Transmission wise, the V8s get the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G 9-speed transmission with a wet clutch. In the six-cylinder AMG GT53 4MATIC+, the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission is applied.
The AMG GT63 S gets 20-inch lightweight alloys while the AMG GT53 and the “S-less” GT63 sits on a 10-spoke, 19-inch set. Behind those wheels are six-pot callipers in the front and single-piston floating brake callipers at the back.
The six-cylinder models are equipped with adjustable dampers and steel springs while the GT63 models gets the AMG Ride Control+ air suspension.

The AMG GT 4-door Coupe comes with rear-wheel steering where up to speeds of 100 km/h, the rear wheels point in the opposite direction to the front wheels via two electric actuator motors. As a result, the car is more agile in the corners and benefits from better turning radius.
Design cues have been largely inspired by the AMG GT as with the slim headlamps, the shark nose and the front apron with enhanced Jet Wing. At the back, you get slim LED tail lights along with a rear aerofoil extendable in several stages – an important element of the active aerodynamics.
Inside, the illuminated turbine-look air vents take centre stage, together with two 12.3-inch high resolution displays where drivers can select from three different instrument displays. In the “Supersport” view, driver’s will be prompted to change gears in manual transmission mode.
There are up to six drive modes to choose from – “Slippery”, “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport+”, “RACE” and “Individual” – all of which affects the way the AMG Speed Sensitive steering wheel behaves.
For the first time an AMG car has its own room fragrance. It is an appealing, sporty scent to match the spirit of the performance brand. The new AMG GT 4-Door Coupe can also be fitted with the ENERGIZING comfort control, found in Mercedes-Benz’s mass-produced models for improved driver-fitness safety.
The AMG GT 4-Door Coupe also comes with semi-automated driving features with the DRIVE PILOT which can support the driver with tasks such as driving in a traffic jam. With the standard AMG Track Pace, drivers can keep track with over 80 vehicle-specific data as well as lap and 0 to 100 km/h times.
What’s also really cool inside the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe are the capacitive switches on the centre console. If the finger moves within a minimal distance from the panel, the appropriate symbol lights up directly in the head unit and preselects the menu item. The reverse camera, navigation, radio, media, telephone and vehicle settings can be operated via this proximity switch.
A Drift Mode is standard in the S-version of the AMG GT which can be activated by selecting the “RACE” drive mode. When in drift mode, the car is strictly rear-wheel driven.
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Future Caterham cars will incorporate bicycle technology!

Caterham, a true blue lightweight sports car manufacturer whose products were based on Colin Chapman’s Lotus Seven over half a century ago, is looking to produce a lighter Caterham Seven model by incorporating bicycle frame technology.
Owned by our very own Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Caterham has collaborated with bicycle tube-makers Reynolds Technology and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) consultancy Simpact for this project. With this, a new lightweight chassis which uses butted steel tube (thicker at the end but thinner in the middle) will be developed.
It’s claimed that future Caterham cars will benefit from a weight reduction between 50kg to 60kg while retaining structural rigidity and strength. The drawback to having such a feature is cost, because in the future, any Caterham cars with this frame will cost an additional £2,000 (approximately RM12,000) over the standard car. That said, it’s quite a worthy addition we think, because lighter is more often than not, better.
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Video: Perodua Aruz 1.5 AV Review

Perodua’s first ever 7-seater SUV is the most affordable people carrier currently on sale in Malaysia but affordability is not its only game. Jam-packed with advanced driver assistance features, it’s an exceptional value proposition compared to rivals of its segment, but is it actually any good?

Powered by a modest 1.5-litre four-cylinder DVVT-i engine and four-speed automatic combo, the rear-wheel-drive Aruz has
102 hp
 and
133 Nm
 to lug seven around. Other than the high rpm it holds at highway cruising speed, the four-speed automatic is sufficient in getting the job done while returning a claimed fuel economy of
6.4L/100km
.
All variants of the Aruz comes with six airbags and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) as standard and the 1.5 Advance variant as tested here has the additional
Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) 2.0
 system which includes Pre-Collision Warning (between 4 km/h to 100 km/h) and Pre-Collision Braking (4 km/h to 80 km/h) with pedestrian detection (4 km/h to 50 km/h), front departure alert and pedal misoperation control.
IMAGE GALLERY
Perodua Aruz 1.5 AV


Naza in talks to sell stake in Gurun assembly plant

When news broke earlier this month that
 Bermaz Auto is likely to take over
 from Naza the distributorship of Kia and Peugeot in Malaysia, we raised questions pertaining the “lock, stock, and barrel” inclusion of the Naza Automotive Manufacturing (NAM) assembly plant in Gurun as part of the deal, due to its joint ownership between Naza and Groupe PSA – who holds 61.4% equity interest in the plant.
In an exclusive interview with
The Edge
, Naza Corp Holdings executive chairman and CEO Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin confirmed that the company is in consideration to offload the NAM plant from its portfolio. “That (the sale of the equity interest in the plant) is being discussed with PSA,” says Nasarudin.
Groupe PSA acquired a 56% stake in NAM back in February 2018 with plans for Malaysia to become the export hub for Peugeot, Citroen, and DS, while Naza will be named sole distributor for the brands in the ASEAN region.
The plant, which began operations in 2004, has a production capacity of 50,000 units annually. However, the capacity is likely to be in excess currently. Last year, the company sold 3,432 Kia vehicles, while Peugeot only managed to sell 1,897 units.
A Companies Commissions of Malaysia (CCM) filing revealed that NAM suffered an after-tax loss of RM1.69 million from RM56.92 million in revenue for the year ended December 2018.
When asked on the reason to sell its key automotive assets, Nasarudin quoted the “razor-thin” margins and a challenging landscape, where the group has little say in key decisions. “Margins are limited, and even pricing is determined by the principal, so there are a lot of risk factors.”
Nasarudin explained that the company has long considered a restructure plan, but it was the Covid-19 pandemic that triggered the transformation. “But when Covid-19 hit us, as a group, immediately we wanted to take the opportunity — we wanted to do a check of the organisation, in the sense that we wanted to reassess the group and make key decisions to move forward,” explains Nasarudin.
“My goal is to have this whole transformation exercise finished by December this year, and [to have] until the first quarter of next year to really chart the way forward for the group,” Nasarudin said in conclusion. “With all these divestments in place, we need to be selective of how we want to move the group forward.”


This is the safest Volvo XC90 in the world!

Remember the
Range Rover Sentinel
story I posted a few months ago? Well Volvo Cars is responding to it and is taking safety to a whole new level with the introduction of the new XC90 “Armoured”.
The armoured SUV has been certified with
VPAM VR8 protection rating
 – meaning that the car has 360-degree ballistic and even explosive resistance.
The armoured SUV based on the T6 AWD Inscription model was “upgraded” in Germany by a company specialising in armoured vehicles.
For starters, high-strength steel armour measuring 10mm thick has been applied to the body while the
thickness of the glass can be specified up to 50mm thick
.
As a whole,
 the armour has added around 1,400 kg
 to the XC90, bringing its total weight up to 4,490 kg (with five occupants on board). To cope with the excess fat, the XC90 has been fitted with high performance suspension and brakes.
“Production is classified, with stringent procedures. The armour is fitted discreetly to make the car barely distinguishable from a
standard XC90
,” said Volvo Cars Special Vehicles, Marketing Director, Stephan Green.
Volvo also announced that they’re developing a “lighter version” of the armoured SUV where it will be based on the XC90 and XC60 T6 AWD Inscription. These will be catered to companies offering security services, the police force, diplomatic corps and such.
Intended for the Latin American and European market, the “lighter models” will be retrofitted in Brazil where there is high demand for such vehicles.
I suppose the South Americans face bigger threats on the road than mere drivers playing with their phones while behind the wheel.
IMAGE GALLERY


This supercharged Toyota Yaris makes 205 hp, 6-speed manual only!

The last proper hot hatch from Toyota in recent history was the Corolla T-Sport, a model exclusively sold in selected European markets. That was back in 2007. A decade later, the brand finally makes a comeback to the segment with the Toyota Yaris GRMN.
Based on the facelifted third-generation
Yaris
 supermini, it’s developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing, which runs Toyota’s
WRC
 team. The GRMN moniker stands for
Gazoo Racing Masters of Nurburgring
, which really should give you an idea of where it was put through its paces.
Available only as a
three-door
 hatchback, the Yaris GRMN receives aggressive styling at the front and back. The rear gets a diffuser and a centrally mounted exhaust. Inside, there’s a pair of adjustable bucket seats including a small-diameter steering wheel lifted from the Toyota 86.
At the heart of this Yaris is a supercharged
1.8-litre four-cylinder engine
 deploying
205 hp
. Power is delivered to the front through a
 six-speed manual transmission
. Toyota claims it boasts a best-in-class 0 to 100 km/h sprint and would pull from 80 to 120 km/h quicker than anything else in the segment.
It gets a Torsen limited slip differential, thicker anti-roll bar, shorter and stiffer springs as well as custom shock absorbers from Sachs. It rides on 17-inch wheels wrapped in 205/45 R17 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A rubbers.
The Toyota Yaris GRMN will be sold in limited numbers – just 1,000 in fact – across Europe. Pricing has yet to be announced, but it’ll cost roughly the same as the Toyota 86.
We’re devastated that the car won’t make it to this region. Dear readers, would you pick this Yaris over the
Ford Fiesta ST
 and the
Peugeot 208 GTi
?
IMAGE GALLERY


AC/DC? Common EV terms and jargons explained

Electric vehicles
, or ‘EVs’, are the hottest commodity on the block these days – especially with the Malaysian Government recently announcing a
100% tax break for electric vehicles
 from 2022 onwards.
But with new tech, there is – of course – a massive list of new jargon that almost sounds like a complete new language. ChaDeMo, three-phase AC, WLTP… what do they all mean? If you’re confused, don’t worry – we’ve rounded up a list of the most commonly-seen EV-related terms here to help you out, somewhat like an EV dictionary for the laymen. Yes, you’re welcome.
The latest
BEV
 to make its way into Malaysia – the
Hyundai Kona Electric
.
Vehicle types
BEV
 – Battery Electric Vehicle.
Technically
 the correct term for “fully-electric vehicles”, with all of the car’s power source coming from the on-board batteries.
HEV
 – Hybrid Electric Vehicle. Powered by both an internal combustion engine and electric motor(s). Can be driven plainly on electric power, but does not have a charging port to top-up the batteries directly; charging is usually only done via regenerative braking (self charging).
PHEV
 – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. Vehicles powered by both an internal combustion engine and electric motor(s) (see
HEV
), and can be plugged-in to charge the batteries directly – usually have bigger batteries than plain self-charging HEVs.
MHEV
 – Mild-hybrid Electric Vehicle. Internal combustion engine-powered car, with a small electric motor providing additional boost in power. Cannot be driven on electric power alone.
FCEV
– Fuel-cell Electric Vehicle. Similar to a
BEV
, but instead of deriving electric power from a battery, the power is stored in the form of hydrogen fuel (compressed gas) in a fuel cell. A chemical process takes place to convert the hydrogen fuel into electricity.
Range-extender EV
 – A
BEV
, but with an additional (smaller) internal combustion engine that functions solely to charge the batteries through a generator. The engine is not connected directly to the drivetrain.
Batteries/performance
AC
– Alternating current, the type of electricity that comes out of your regular electric socket at home. Can’t be used to charge EV batteries unless converted to
DC
 – hence the need for an
on-board charger
.
DC
 – Direct current, the type of electricity that’s used in electric vehicles. Most commonly seen referring to
DC Fast Chargers
.
kW
 – Kilo Watts, the SI unit of measurement for power usually favoured on EVs. Usually used to annotate an electric motor’s power output; the higher, the better. Also used to denote EV charger output/speed.
kWh
 – Kilo Watt hours, a measurement of power capacity, used to denote an EV’s battery capacity. The higher the number, the more electricity is stored, and thus the longer the range.
Charging
On-board Charger
 – Electrical device to convert
AC
 electricity to
 DC
 directly on the car itself, used during (slower) AC charging. Usually limited to a certain power input (
kW
) based on design.
DC Fast Charger
 – The fastest way to charge your EVs, utilising an external high-powered charger to deliver high-power DC electricity (ranging from 50 kW to 300 kW) directly to the car’s batteries, bypassing the
on-board charger
.
Single phase AC charger (wallbox)
 – The simpler form of AC charging usually used at home, with power only flowing through one single conductor, resulting in a slower charging speed (around 7.4 kW max).
Three-phase AC charger (wallbox)
 – More advanced AC charger, with power flowing through three conductors. Supports a higher current delivery, and thus a higher charging speed (up to approx 22 kW). Requires more complicated wiring, which means not every home can support a three-phase AC charger.
Mercedes-EQS
Charging… plugs
Type 1 plug
 – Also known as SAE J1772, a five-pin electric charging plug designed for AC charging. Usually found on Japanese and American EVs.
Type 2 plug –
Also known as IEC62196 or Mennekes, a seven-pin electric charging plug designed for AC charging. Commonly found on European EVs, and is quickly becoming the standard charging plug in Malaysia.
ChaDeMo
– A DC charging plug, usually only found in (some) Japanese cars. Derived from a Japanese phrase that means “What about tea?” inferring that your car will be fully charged within the time it takes to finish a cup of tea.
CCS
 – Combined Charging System, which adds two extra prongs on either the
Type 1
 or
 Type 2
plugs to support
DC fast charging
. Used on most DC fast chargers in Malaysia.


Deus Vayanne: The world’s most powerful EV hypercar, made by an unknown EV startup

The advancements in electric powertrain technologies in recent years have made it
very
,
very easy
 to create cars with incredible (and often unnecessary) amounts of power. So easy, in fact, that many previously-unheard companies are now coming out with their own EV hypercars.
Today’s example comes from a certain Deus Automobiles, who have just unveiled its Vayanne hypercar at the 2022 New York International Auto Show. Its main selling point? 2,230 hp.
The Deus Vayanne, named after the city of Vienna, is a product of a collaboration between the Austrian company, Williams Advanced Engineering, and Italdesign. Williams created the Vayanne’s custom electric architecture and advanced battery tech, while Italdesign worked on its styling.
Based on computer simulations, the Vayanne’s twin-motor set-up is capable of outputting over
2,230 hp
 and
2,000 Nm
 of torque, making it one of the world’s most powerful cars on sale, beating out the likes of the
Rimac Nevera
 and the
Lotus Evija
.
Since the actual production-ready car only really exists in the virtual simulations now, performance figures are of course not available just yet. However, Deus says that it’s targetting a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just
1.99 seconds
, onward to a top speed north of
 400 km/h
.
And despite the undoubtedly incredible performance figures, Deus says that the Vayanne has been also designed with practicality in mind, promising ample storage space, and a 12 cm ground clearance to easily get over speed bumps, while also offering a “comfortable and luxurious ride”. The same function-first ethos is also applied onto the -admittedly reserved – exterior design, with the help of Italdesign.
ALSO READ: Dumb Tesla jump stunt is precisely why EVs don’t need 1,000 hp
“At Deus, design is not merely about the looks, it is an integrated concept that reflects the marque’s main credo: to effortlessly combine exquisite design and functionality with cutting-edge technology in the EV hypercar segment”, said Deus head of design, Adrian-Filip Butuca. “To showcase this harmony, we chose to stylise the Vayanne around the idea of symmetry and geometric alignment of its lines and design features.”
The exterior design utilises a mixture of “smooth yet dominant curves” and “refined geometry”, which is supposed to give the Vayanne a timeless look. The front and rear grilles are made to look like an infinity loop, while the geometric shapes can be seen on the various air ducts on the exterior, all of which are also “geometrically aligned”.
ALSO READ: Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX concept EV travelled over 1,000 km on a single charge
Inside, the Vayanne is equipped with a fully digital instrument cluster and control display on the dashboard. The trim pieces also feature a wrap-around “infinity mirror” trim, which is a unique 3D optical effect created by two LED strips and two mirrors, in what Deus says is a first in the automotive industry.
Production of the Deus Vayanne will be limited to just 99 units, each custom-made with a unique, customer-specified paint job and interior trim to maintain exclusivity for collectors. The first cars are expected to be delivered from Italdesign’s Turin factory in 2025.
GALLERY


MINI Owners Club Malaysia turns 10, raised RM15k for animal rescue NGO

Held in Putrajaya on 15th August 2015 was the MINI Pixelized Charity Event, organised by
MINI Owners Club Malaysia
 (MOCM). The event was aimed to raise fund for the Trap Neuter Release Manage (TNRM) program run by the local animal rescue NGOs.

Proven to be a humane method for controlling the population of abandoned stray animals,
TNRM
 works by neutering stray dogs and cats, thereafter releasing them back to their original habitat or sent to the animal shelters for adoption. Among the NGOs involved in TNRM are
SPCA Selangor
 and
TNRM Malaysia
.

The
MINI Pixelized Charity Event
 was held in conjunction with
MOCM’s 10th year anniversary
, and at the end of the event they successfully collected a total of
RM 15,007.40
 from various contributors.

As the name of the event suggested, the theme for the event is based on the movie
Pixels
 that features four units of the
F56 MINI Cooper S
 as the four ghosts to battle against the giant Pac Man. Unlike the movie,
more than 140 MINIs
 turned up for the event, which makes it one of the biggest MINI gatherings in Malaysia.

“
MINIacs
” young and old congregated at the Putrajaya Marriott for a photo session, before proceeding with a convoy to the
IOI City Mall
 for the main event, where representatives were on hand to spread the word about the TNRM program. Finishing off the event was a screening of the Pixels movie.
The event was supported by MINI Malaysia, Auto Bavaria MINI, IOI City Mall, Climax Pet Supplies Sdn Bhd, Pancake House International, Relish by Sweet Chat, Solar Time, Cars International, and Flash Wrap.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz W205 C-Class launched in Malaysia, priced from RM286k [+Video]

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) have just launched their most popular model to date, the fifth generation
W205 C-Class
 earlier today, many months after it was revealed to the public. Two trims were introduced this morning, and they are the
C200 Avantgarde
 and the
C250 Exclusive
, with each priced at
RM285,888
 and
RM314,888
 respectively.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz C200 Avantgarde
Mercedes-Benz C250 Exclusive
Segment
C-Segment
C-Segment
Engine
1,991cc 4-cylinder, turbocharged
1,991cc 4-cylinder, turbocharged
Transmission
7G-Tronic Plus Automatic
7G-Tronic Plus Automatic
Max Power
184 hp @ 5,500 rpm
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
300 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
350 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM285,888.00
RM314,888.00

Fortunately, this C-Class will be
locally assembled
 early next year, and bookings for those have already been opened, with the actual price remain undisclosed for now, of course.
EXTERIOR

The new C-Class has been widely regarded as the
‘Baby S-Class’
, and a quick glance on the exterior of the car would have you just as convinced that the C-Class appears to be a shrunken S-Class. Its design is inspired by
modern aesthetics
, and the lines on the C-Class are made subtler, but they do make the car look good nonetheless.

It’s not all talk and no walk, the design. Its curvier body has helped
reduce coefficient drag
, which is valued at
0.24
. For comparison’s sake, the Prius’ coefficient drag is
0.25
.

From the front, the C200 and C250 can be differentiated by its grille: the C200 Avantgarde has a sportier looking grille with twin louvers and a central star, whereas the C250 Exclusive gets the classic saloon radiator grille with the carmaker’s ‘Star’ on the bonnet. Just like the S-Class, the W205 C-Class will not be using light bulbs. Instead, it uses
LED technology
 for the
headlights
 and the
tail lights
.
The C250 features an
Airpanel function
 for the first time, that actively opens or closes the radiator grille depending on the cooling demand to optimize coefficient drag and reduce air resistance.
INTERIOR

If the C-Class’ exterior somehow bore you, then you’d be sold to what it has in store for you on the inside. Gone are the interior familiarities seen in the superseded W204 model. For starters, the air conditioning vents are rounded here, including the rear vents. The centre console panel sweeps elegantly from the centre air vents to the armrest, in which you’ll find another interesting feature resides.

The centre tunnel houses the new
central controller
 with
integrated touchpad
, and it operates just like your
smartphone
. Finger gestures are easily picked up, and the touchpad also recognises letters, numbers, special characters and any language that the software – Audio 20 – supports. Touch is responded with
tactile feedback
.
The air conditioning system in the C-Class is the only kind of its segment to offer
tunnel detection
 via
GPS navigation system
. It uses map data from the navigation system via GPS location to close the air-recirculation flap when the car enters a tunnel, and subsequently reopens it when the car exits the tunnel.
Exclusive
 to the
C250
 is the
Air-Balance package
 which gives
active fragrancing
,
air ionisation
 and
better filtration
 over the C200.
Another feature seen in the S-Class is the
interior ambient lighting
, which is also LED powered. The ambient lighting stretches from door to door, including the dashboard.
Three ambient colours
 are to be chosen from –
solar
,
polar
 and
neutral
 – and have
five brightness levels
 to suit your mood.
PERFORMANCE

Underneath the hood is the familiar
2.0-litre turbocharged mill
 (also used in the Infiniti Q50), but output figures in the C250 Exclusive is slightly higher than the C200 Avantgarde. The numbers for the C200 are
184 hp
 and
300 Nm
 of torque. It gets the century sprint done in
7.3 seconds
 and onto a top speed of
235 km/h
.
The C250 gets
211 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque, does the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in
6.6 seconds
, and reaches a top speed of
250 km/h
. Both engines however, return the same fuel consumption rating at
5.3 litres per 100km
 travelled. All that power gets delivered to the
rear wheels
 via their
7G-Tronic Plus
 automatic gearbox.
There are
five driving modes
 to choose from, and each driving profile alters the behaviour of the
throttle response
,
steering weight
 and
transmission
. Drivers can choose from Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Individual – the latter allowing for behavioural personalisation.
Thanks to the more extensive use of aluminium, the overall weight of the W205 C-Class has reduced by
100 kilograms
, and this directly translates to a lower centre of gravity and higher power-to-weight ratio. As a result, the C-Class is 20 percent more fuel efficient, handles nimbler and is more agile. Compared to the W204 model, the share of aluminium has increased from less than 10 percent to a whopping 50 percent; an uncommon amount for any large-scale series production.
SAFETY

The W205 has
seven
 airbags as standard: front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbag. It is also fitted with
Attention Assist
 which informs the driver of their drowsiness level and the duration of their drive since their last break.
There is also the
Collision Prevention Assist Plus
 feature which carries out autonomous braking at speeds of up to 200 km/h, and
prevents rear-end collisions
 at up to 40 km/h. Another standard feature is the
Active Parking Assist
 which enables automated parking with active steering and brake intervention for parallel parking and end-on parking.
WHAT ELSE

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia have announced that the new C-Class will be
locally assembled
 (CKD) beginning next January, with the assembly line almost completed and ready for production. MBM’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mr Kai Schlickum said the waiting list for the CBU variants is now six-months long, with fleets of imported W205s coming in from East London and South Africa.
The CKD models of the W205 C-Class will be produced at MBM’s Pekan production plant. They are also taking orders for the CKD C-Class, although no official price tags have been announced as of yet. When asked if MBM will ever introduce the C63 AMG here, Kai said that remains dependent on the market and the C200 and C250 will spearhead sales of its segment as of now.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY

 MBM President and CEO, Mr Roland Folger (right), former MBM Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mr Kai Schlickum (left)

 The electronic panoramic sunroof as seen in the C250 Exclusive


TimeToAttack Grand Finale set to take place at Sepang Circuit this weekend

The final round of our very own homegrown track event, TimeToAttack 2015, will be taking place at none other than the Sepang International Circuit this weekend on 3 and 4 October.
If you’re not in the know, a little bit of history is in order.
TIMETOATTACK
 began in
May 2010
, running four rounds throughout the year to commemorate
Zerotohundred.com
’s 10th Anniversary celebration. It is Malaysia’s first – and has since grown to be the most celebrated – Time Attack event.
To accommodate the sheer amount of cars (a maximum of 60) signed up for the open
Track Day
 on
Day 1
, participants will be divided into two,
4-hour
 sessions. Session one will run from 9am until 1pm and session two from 1pm until 5pm. During their allocated time slots, participants are free to make as many laps as they wish – within the safety guidelines, of course. Because it is an open class, there are no limitations on make, drivetrain configuration and type of engine, whether it’s forced inducted or not.
The main event –
Time Attack
– will happen on
Day 2
 which will see cars of different makes and sizes compete in different categories for the bragging rights of being the fastest to go round the circuit. Their achievements will be logged into the prestigious Hall Of Fame that lists in detail a driver’s name, car, tyres used and their personal best lap times.
Making a special appearance (as part of
HKS Premium Day
 that will run in tandem with TTA) is
Nobuteru Taniguchi
who will be piloting his insanely tuned
HKS GT1000+ GTR
. This specially built time attack beast of a machine will be specially flown in from Japan and will mark the first time a
WTAC (World Time Attack Challenge)
 car gracing an appearance this side of the region. Additionally, a
Dyno HP Challenge
 will run on both days from 9am to 5pm.

Round 1 earlier this year saw
Desmond Soh
 of team
ST Powered
, piloting a
Mitsubishi EVO 9
 to a blazing
2:15.311
 to take the all-time fastest record. In so, securing him the top spot on TTA’s
Hall of Fame
. Will we see this record stand when all is done and dusted, or will we see a new record time set? We shall find out as we will be there to cover this prestigious event.
Sunday’s Time Attack slots are fully sold out. Only
20 slots

remain
 for Saturday’s 1-5pm open
Track Day
. Those who wish to have a go at the track with their finely tuned machines or if you simply would like to get to know the limitations and capabilities of you car and driving skills, this is the place to be. Slots are limited and running out fast, so for those interested, you may
click here to register
.
AutoBuzz.my
 would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone not to race on the streets, but to leave the racing at the track. Also, keep an eye out during Track Day for a lava orange
AutoBuzz.my
 liveried “race car”. In the mean time, enjoy this freshly released promo.


Honda will not use Takata inflators in new models, supplier faces up to RM850m fine

Honda Motor Company has announced that they will stop using Takata’s front driver and passenger airbag inflators for upcoming models after studies found that the supplier misrepresented and manipulated test data, as reported by
The Wall Street Journal
.
This announcement follows after Takata was slapped with a RM300 million fine (or USD70 million) for lapses with their faulty inflator module. Investigators have zeroed in on the defect and found that the airbag inflators, which are prone to exploding (and causing deaths), is caused by using controversial propellants made of ammonium nitrate.
Over 19 million cars
 in the United States are affected and thus recalled for replacement.
What causes the defect, then? One reason is that the inflators will start to give way after long-term exposure to humidity. However, after eight years of battling this issue, the root cause for these ruptures have yet to be determined. Currently,
five car manufacturers
 – Mazda, BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford and Honda (Takata’s biggest customer with a small stake in the company) make up 14 million of the recalled vehicles and 18 million inflators.
The Japanese airbag manufacturer has misled regulators in a presentation which took place in January 2012 by providing incomplete or inaccurate information on the defect. This led to eight deaths and and dozens other injured after the inflators exploded and sprayed shrapnels in the vehicles’ cabin. Regulators have ordered Takata to stop using phase-stabilised ammonium nitrate by the end of 2018.
Takata will pay the RM300m fine in six instalments over a period of five years under the settlement’s terms, which if violated, will see the amount skyrocket to RM850 million or USD200 million – a record penalty. Similarly, Honda also received a RM300 million of regulatory fine for reporting lapses pertaining to the airbag issue.
Source: The Wall Street Journal


Nissan’s next-gen ADAS system can help you avoid dangerous Grab riders at traffic lights

We’ve all experienced it – the traffic light turns green, and as soon as you step on the accelerator, a stray motorbike (more often than not bearing a food delivery bag) suddenly appears and crosses the junction without regard to the traffic lights, forcing you to stomp on the brakes to prevent a collision.
Well, that is, if you manage to avoid it. Intersection accidents are unfortunately way too common these days, and it seems that we might not be the only ones having this issue too. For its upcoming next-generation LIDAR-based advanced driver assistance suite,
Nissan
 is developing a new automatic collision-avoidance feature for intersections, which may help reduce accidents at intersections caused by irresponsible road users.
The new system features a new control logic for the “more complex environment” of intersections, taking advantage of something called the ‘ground-truth perception technology’ enabled by the next-generation LIDAR sensors. The new technology is able to detect an object’s speed, location, and potential risk of a collision from a lateral direction, and will instantly respond to the changing situation through autonomous emergency braking, or releasing the brakes when the potential risk has been avoided.
Nissan Senior Vice President and Head of Research and Advanced Engineering Division, Takao Asami, says, “Development of this technology is being carried out under Nissan Ambition 2030, the company’s long-term vision. We are on course to develop collision-avoidance technology utilizing next-generation LIDAR technology by the mid-2020s.”
READ MORE:
Got into a car accident? Here’s what you should (and should not) do
“Aiming to develop future autonomous driving technologies that customers can use with peace of mind, Nissan is working to fully understand the entire range of accident scenarios by analysing complex accidents that occur in the real world. Our efforts are aimed to substantially improve accident avoidance,” he added.
Accidents at intersections can unfortunately result in significant consequences, as we’ve most recently seen with the case in Penang, where two
mat rempits
ran the red lights while racing on public roads. As much as these new systems can help, though, drivers should still stay vigilant while driving on the roads, and not just rely completely on technology to bail us out.
RELATED:
First Perodua Alza accident shows that ADAS can’t protect you in all situations


Chery sold 1,232,727 cars in 2022 – 37% from exports, China’s top exporter for 20 straight years

With 105,483 units sold in December,
Ch
e
ry
 has now delivered a record-breaking
1,232,727 units
globally in 2022. The figure represents a 28.2% increase over the previous year, and it’s also breached the one-million-unit mark for the first time for Chery – which they’ve already achieved since
October 2022
.
The figure also includes 451,337 units (67.7% increase over 2021) of export sales, which accounted for 36.6% of the brand’s total deliveries last year. Not only is that a record-breaking annual figure for Chery, the performance also helped the marque remain at the top of Chinese passenger car exports for the 20th year in a row.
Chery’s exports achievements were mainly driven by the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 series, which made their international debut in several countries last year. With monthly export figures exceeding the 50,000-units mark for four consecutive months last year, Chery’s cumulative export volume currently accounts for a fifth of the total export volume of Chinese automobiles.
Last year also saw a huge boom in the brand’s technological innovations, with the establishment of a new “technological innovation factory” driving the development of new technologies through new products for the brand. As of end-2022, Chery has applied for a total of 25,795 patents and was granted 17,177, of which 37% were for inventions, which the company say is amongst the top in the industry.
This was accelerated through its many open collaborations explored last year, forming alliances with many top names including Haier, Huawei, CATL, and Horizon Robotics to research in the fields of industrial internet, intelligent solutions, and traction battery systems.
RELATED:
Chery becomes first-ever Chinese carmaker to export over 50k units a month
Chery said it is striving to maintain growth in annual sales volume this year, and although it did not provide a target figure for 2023, we do know that its strategy includes an official launch in Malaysia.
The brand is set to
 establish a dealership network
 with over 30 outlets across the nation, with a “phase one” product launch plan that includes the
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro
 and
 Omoda 5
 SUVs, both of which already
previewed here in Malaysia
 last year alongside the
Tiggo 7 Pro
and
Tiggo 4 Pro
.
A
 local assembly plant
 is also in the plans for Chery in Malaysia, as part of the company’s massive investment plan for the ASEAN region, which will see our nation become Chery’s base for the region.


This Lego Jeep Wrangler Rubicon even comes with proper suspension!

Jeep
 and
LEGO
 has come together to introduce a new addition to the LEGO Technic line up, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
Available with a yellow and black colour scheme, the Jeep Wrangler consists of
665 pieces
, featuring a button-operated steering system, and powerful axle-articulation suspension.
”The Jeep Wrangler is an icon in the off-road world. It has a lot of iconic details so it was important to pack as many of the authentic, powerful features seen in the real vehicle into the LEGO Technic replica,” said LEGO Technic, designer, Lars Thygesen.
The Jeep® brand and the LEGO Group reveal the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon LEGO® Technic™ model.
“Ask any Jeep Wrangler owner and they’ll tell you that their vehicle is just a bigger version of this new set,” said Jeep, Head of Design, Mark Allen.
“The design of the Jeep Wrangler allows owners to take it apart, top off, doors off, reconfigure it, add new pieces from our Mopar team, and then put it back together again.”
The LEGO Technic Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is suited for children aged 9 and above. It will be available from the 1st of January 2021 and is priced at £44.99 (approximately RM244).
GALLERY
The Jeep® brand and the LEGO Group reveal the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon LEGO® Technic™ model.


BMW X4 M40i breaks cover, gets 3.0L straight-six turbo making 360hp and 465 Nm of torque!

The Munich giant has done it again, but this time in the form of an SAC or Sports Activity Coupe. Bimmer has undoubtedly been on roll in this department, ever since the first BMW X6 broke cover, and subsequently headlines. On the local front we’ve recently seen the F16
BMW X6 launched here in CKD
 guise, which leads one onto the question – is there such a demand for premium crossovers that giants such as Bimmer has bowed to such demands and actually proceeded to design and build a crossover based on a 3-Series coupe ? Rhetorics aside, enter the BMW X4 M40i.
In terms of
styling
 and the looks of it all, the X4 really does embody a
shrunken
 down version of the
X6
. It has all the right lines and shapes in terms of design and it really does exude the
sporting
 nature that the 4-Series and X6 for that matter, give off. But that being said, there’s nothing wrong with a slightly compact version of the X6. Where some customers have thought it to be daunting and proportionately sized, the X4 does a superb job of being slap-bang in the middle of that scale. But one can only imagine, Bimmer pulled this off purely as a marketing
stunt
 and less of a range-filler. A matter of
perspective
 one could say.

As with BMW, any car leaving the factory that’s christened with the letter “
M
” truly is something to behold and as much as this X4 may have mixed reviews and opinions, it is an M car – or sort off. While it may not be the full banana, it does have
substance
 to match the badge that’s stuck on the back. The X4 comes with a straight-six 3.0-litre motor that you might find in the most of the hardcore M-cars, albeit in different states of tune. In this state of tune however, the engine makes
360 hp
 from between
 5,800
 and
6,000 revs
.
That’s
more
 than a
100
 horses
 per cubic liter
, which in the realms of power efficiency, puts it in the green for this Bimmer. Thanks to the beauty of
turbocharging
, this big-bore sixer puts out
465 Nm
 of torque from as low down as
1,350 rpm
 all the way up
 5,250 rpm
 which gives the Bimmer a very
linear
 power feel with power and torque available all throughout the mid-range rev band, thus giving it an
effortless
 impression which explains how the M40i accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in
less
than
 five seconds
. And because of an old gentleman’s agreement between the Deutsch giants, the X4 tops out at
250 km/h
.

Blistering figures aside, this X4 was conceived and built in an era where even the titans of industry are powerless but to conform to stern and
draconian emissions regulations
 set by eco-mentalists. So for the good of the environment, this 360hp AWD crossover coupe will return a fuel consumption figure of
8.6 litres per 100 km
 and a combined CO2 emissions sum of
 199 grams per km
. To give it some perspective, this writer’s
Proton Gen-2
 with a measly 1,600 cc engine is returning the better part of
9.5 litres per 100km
.
But forgot not that this fine specimen bears one of the most widely recognised roundels in the automotive sphere and is synonymous with sheer driving pleasure and excitement. Which is why Bimmer has stuck this X4 full to the brim with hot handling bits such as
adaptive dampers
 specifically tuned to M Performance specifications. The BMW
xDrive
 four wheel drive system with its rear wheel-drive characteristics includes
Performance Control
 which ensures a
neutral self-steering
 response as well as a
reduced roll tendency
, not to mention the
tuned sports chassis
 with
stiffer springs
 and
stabilisers
.

Having said all that lot, this hot X4 (painted in the company’s signature
Estoril Blue
shade) is due to make an appearance here on our shores, but there’s no word on that as yet. So in the mean time, do enjoy the high-resolution gallery below for you viewing delectation.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lotus is going electric, Lotus Type 130 hyper EV to debut later this year

British sports car maker, Lotus, will be embarking a new journey into the all-electric hypercar space. Codenamed Lotus Type 130, it will be the brand’s first all-new product in more than a decade and their first product under
Geely as their new owner.
Lotus has a history of
introducing game-changers in not just road cars (the world’s first aluminium
and bonded extrusion construction production car was the Elise in 1995) but
also F1 cars with the world’s first fully-stressed monocoque F1 car, the Type
25 which went on to be the first Lotus to win an F1 championship in 1963.
The new Hyper EV may look nothing like
this
The Type 130 will
continue the brand’s legacy of using industry first engineering solutions and Lotus
CEO, Phil Popham said: “Type 130 will be the most dynamically accomplished
Lotus in our history. It marks a turning point for our brand and is a showcase
of what we are capable of and what is to come from Lotus.”
Lotus is expected to
unveil the hyper EV in full along with its technical specification in London
later this year.