Lamborghini just smashed the Pikes Peak record with a camouflaged new Urus variant

Lamborghini
announced that it’ll be unveiling two new Urus models this year
, and one of them – ahead of its launch, mind you – has just smashed the record for the production SUV category on the historic Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Under the experienced hands of Hillclimb champion and Pirelli test driver Simone Faggioli, the yet-unnamed camouflaged new Urus model managed to set a time of
10:32.064
 on the Pikes Peak route, beating the
Bentley Bentayga’s previous record
by nearly 18 seconds.
Although Lamborghini is still keeping mum on the car underneath the camouflage, the company says that it’s powered with a “standard twin-turbo V8 engine”, which leads us to believe that it’s most likely the highly-rumoured high performance ‘Evo’ model.
The juiced-up Urus will be launched alongside a plug-in hybrid as part of the model’s mid-lifecycle update, set to be unveiled sometime this year.
RELATED:
Lamborghini announces best half-year results ever, confirms two new Urus models this year

Lamborghini did have to make some modifications to the camouflaged Urus (which is still technically a prototype) in order to comply with the safety regulations of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The passenger compartment is equipped with a roll cage; the standard seats are replaced by a race seat with six-point harness, and a fire extinguishing system was also installed into the car.
Despite that, the rest of the car is supposedly stock, including the updated Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres, which are developed specifically for the Urus to “meet the characteristics of an SUV”, offering increased versatility and performance no matter in the dry or wet.
ALSO READ:
Lamborghini took its Urus customers on a month-long expedition across Iceland
“The decision to test ourselves at Pikes Peak reflects the Lamborghini spirit of ‘expect the unexpected’, and demonstrates the outstanding performance of the new Urus model to be presented shortly,” said Lamborghini Chief Technical Officer, Rouven Mohr.
“Pikes Peak is the most famous hillclimb event in the world, as well as being extremely challenging for the car: the uneven track layout tests the chassis’ balance; the significant altitude differences stress the powertrain; and the weather conditions can change very rapidly between start to finish.”
When you have a car that can beat the previous record by that margin, that’s how you convince Pikes Peak to close down the public roads just for you to set a time.

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All-new Honda Civic Type R gets toned-down looks, but spiced-up performance

Following up with the launch of the
all-new 11th-generation Civic
 last year, Honda has now unveiled the souped-up Civic Type R, as it celebrates 25 years of the iconic hot hatch.
The all-new Honda Civic Type R represents a stark contrast in terms of appearance when compared to
its predecessor
. While the FK8R had an over-the-top boy-racer look, the all-new model sports a more matured, grown-up appearance, at least on the outside.
Aside from the big rear wing, larger wheels, vented bonnet, and red Honda badges, the rest of the all-new Civic Type R is almost… too subtle – you’ll have to really know what you’re looking for to even tell the difference. Not that we’re complaining, though; we’ve never been too big fans of the FK8R’s shouty looks anyway.
Just as the previous generation models, the all-new Honda Civic Type R is based on the hatchback model, although it’s noticeably lower and wider in stance. The wheel arches are flared out to house the 19-inch matte black alloys, which creates quite a nice contrast, especially when paired to the Type R-exclusive Historic Championship White paint job.
Honda says that all of the new aerodynamic surfaces are actually functional, too. The large lower grille of the bumper works in conjunction with the bonnet air scoop to maximise airflow to the intercooler and engine block, while the large aperture vents behind the front wheels help cool down the brakes and reduce air buffeting.
There’s also a massive rear diffuser round the back, which is integrated directly into the under-floor, working in unison with the shorter but wider rear wing to enhance overall downforce of the car, without adding too much air resistance. While we’re at the back, the all-new Honda Civic Type R also gets an updated version of the now-iconic updated triple-outlet exhaust in the centre of the CTR-exclusive bumper.
The interior of the all-new Civic Type R builds off of the 11th-generation Honda Civic’s fantastic cabin, which means the general improvements in usability, comfort, and seating position are all also carried over.
It’s not as boring as it sounds, fortunately, as Honda has also suitably spruced up the interior with the Type R’s signature red trims. And it’s really quite a lot – the seats, which used to be red with black accents, are now entirely red. The carpet (below the floor mats), which used to be black, are also now completely red.
The interior updates aren’t just for show, however. Honda says that the driver now seats lower than before, and the red suede-effect upholstery also help keep the driver glued to the lightweight racing seats during hard cornering.
The Honda LogR driving data logger has also been heavily updated in the latest-generation Civic Type R, and now combines performance data collected by in-car sensors with a smartphone app, to help drivers monitor and record a variety of metrics in real-time, which will be especially useful during high-octane hot laps on the track.
Key features on the new system include a stopwatch to record lap times, a 3D vehicle motion display, “tyre friction circles” that displays the maximum tyre force the vehicle can achieve on each corner, and even a new scoring function that’s meant to help drivers improve their skills on the track, improving lap times.
As for performance, the familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine and six-speed manual transmission returns, with incremental updates including a revised turbocharger, exhaust system, and an optimised shift gate pattern. Honda hasn’t revealed any performance our output figures yet, but says that it will be “one of the most powerful per litre cars in its class”.
Despite Honda’s secretive approach, the all-new CTR has already proven its might, recently setting a
new front-wheel drive lap record at Suzuka
. The suspension and steering have also been tuned at the Nurburgring to be more responsive and precise, and the Brembo high-performance brakes are also upgraded for improved feel and longevity.
The Civic Type R also gets an exclusive +R drive mode, with everything turned up to 11 for maximum performance. Drivers who want more precise control, however, can use the new ‘Individual Mode’ to further fine tune the settings for engine, steering, suspension, and engine sound.
The all-new Honda Civic Type R will go on sale next year, with first deliveries to customers in Europe beginning in early 2023.
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CPRC: Use of MySejahtera check-in mandatory at petrol pumps

A news report from
China Press
 concerning the mandatory use of the MySejahtera app even while fuelling up at a petrol station went viral yesterday evening. The report quoted Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department deputy director DCP Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid, who said “If the people do not register or scan, how will the police trace them if there are Covid-19 cases in the area?”
However, shortly after the news broke, we also sighted an email conversation with the Health Ministry’s Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) dated 24th of October that was making rounds on social medias. The response from CPRC classified fuelling petrol at the pumps as “brief encounters”, thus not requiring users to “check-in” using the application.
A later news report by
Sin Chew Daily
 said that even phone operators at the National Security Council (NSC) were providing contradicting statements on the mandatory use of the contract tracing application at petrol fuel pumps.
Due to the ambiguity in the reports, we have decided to contact the CPRC directly today morning to seek for clarification. This was the agent’s response, translated and paraphrased: “According to the latest Ministry of Health (MOH) directive, you will be required to check-in with your MySejahtera app even if you are only fuelling up your car at the petrol pumps.
“This is to assist with the MOH’s efforts in contact tracing in the event that there is a confirmed case at the petrol station,” the agent explained.
So yes, it should now be mandatory to check-in using the MySejahtera application, or jot down your details in the booklet at the petrol stations even when you are just fuelling up your vehicles – as the saying goes, better safe than sorry. Failure to do so might result in a fine of RM1,000, and nobody needs that in this
Covid-19
 economic climate!


All-new Hyundai Kona: No new engines, EV specs to be revealed in March

Last year, Hyundai revealed the design of the all-new
Hyundai Kona
, showing off the compact crossover with its new Robocop-like looks and boasting overall larger dimensions. Back then the company also revealed that the all-new Hyundai Kona will be available with internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid (HEV), and EV powertrains.
Starting off the year, Hyundai has now revealed three powertrains for the Kona in the Korean Market. So far, two ICE powertrains and one hybrid powertrain have been revealed. The two ICE powertrains are a 1.6-litre T-GDi engine (
198 hp
/
265 Nm
) and a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine (
149 PS
/
179.5 Nm
), which are already used in the outgoing Hyundai Kona.
ICE/HEV all-new Hyundai Kona with unpainted claddings
The HEV powertrain consists of a 1.6-litre GDi engine and an electric motor that make a combined output of
141 hp
 (metric) and
265 Nm
. The transmission in use will be Hyundai’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). Hyundai will reveal details on the Hyundai Kona electric later in March.
As mentioned previously, the all-new Kona is built as an EV first before adapting ICE powertrains. The fact that the ICE powertrains remain unchanged despite the all-new chassis hints at the direction the Kona is heading.
1.6-litre T-GDi engine – 198 hp (metric), 265 Nm
2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine – 149 hp (metric), 179.5 Nm
1.6-litre GDi + electric motor – 141 hp (metric), 265 Nm
RELATED:
All-new Hyundai Kona unveiled with Robocop looks, 4 powertrains, LED light bars
All-new Hyundai Kona electric
Hyundai has also revealed details on the Kona’s cabin which benefits from the new, 60-mm longer wheelbase. Compared to the outgoing Kona, there is 77 mm longer legroom, 11 mm higher headroom, and a 1,402 mm cabin width (shoulder space) for the second row.
Already revealed in December last year was the twin 12.3-inch display on the dashboard and the new electronic column shifter that frees up space on the centre console. Hyundai claims the new centre console can even store big bags.
Tech-wise, the all-new Kona supports Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates. The all-new Kona can be locked, unlocked, and started through the Digital Key 2 Touch, using near-field communication (NFC) on smartphones or smartwatches, which assures a high level of security.
RELATED:
Hyundai Kona N Line – Arguably the most complete and futuristic crossover in Malaysia
Safety features on the all-new Kona include Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Safe Exit Warning (SEW), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW) and Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM) and High Beam Assist (HBA). It is also equipped with various driving convenience functions, such as Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC), Lane Following Assist (LFA), and Highway Driving Assist (HDA).
For safe-assured parking, the all-new KONA provides various advanced technologies, such as Surround View Monitor (SVM), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Forward/Side/Reverse Parking Distance Warning (PDW), Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA) and Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA).
ALSO WATCH:
Hyundai Kona Electric launched in Malaysia, 5 Things


Bugatti’s next hypercar will still have a petrol engine

French marque
Bugatti
 is perhaps most well known for their bonkers hypercars powered by its crazy 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W16 engines. But ever since the company was
bought over by Croatian EV maker Rimac
, rumours have pointed at the end of Bugatti’s fossil-fuel supremacy.
But as it turns out, these rumours were pretty off the mark, at least for now. In a video announcing the company’s 2021 sales results, CEO of the newly established Bugatti Rimac company Mate Rimac re-confirmed that their next model will still come with a internal combustion engine.
In fact, Rimac says that he has been personally “pushing also for a combustion engine” in their next hypercar, which will feature a host of features that “have not yet been seen on any other car”.
“I don’t want to talk too much about future plans yet. But I can tell you, you will be astonished… There is a future for combustion engines in Bugatti.”
RELATED: This electric scooter is technically Bugatti’s first EV
Timing wise, the statements does coincide with what Rimac told real estate mogul and Bugatti collector Manny Khoshbin
 back at the Monterey Car Week last year
, where he said they are working on “something crazy”, built “from the ground up” to replace the Chiron, and will be unveiled sometime in 2024.
Having a combustion engine, though, doesn’t mean that Bugatti is eschewing electrification completely. Rimac was reportedly saying earlier in June 2021 that Bugatti’s next combustion vehicles will be “very heavily hybridised”.
ALSO READ: Bugatti launches new personalisation division with bespoke Chiron Pur Sport “Grand Prix”
If Bugatti does indeed go for the hybrid route, then it’ll be pretty similar to what
 Lamborghini is doing
 to keep the V12 engine alive. With emission regulations getting stricter by the day, it probably is just a matter of time before big brawny combustion engines cease to exist anymore – so we’ll accept anything we can to save them, at least for a little while more.
On top of that, just imagine how crazy it can be when you pair extra electric motors to the already-bonkers W16s – the Chiron without electric propulsion already makes
up to 1,600 hp and 1,600 Nm
!


Volvo EX30 EV SUV teased, June 7 world premiere – Something small is coming

After introducing the
EX90
, Volvo will soon unveil the Volvo EX30 to the world, its small fully electric SUV.
Volvo
 has previously teased its “small electric SUV” during the presentation of the Volvo EX90 and has now released an official teaser for the Volvo EX30.
During the presentation of the Volvo EX90, the EX30 was teased right next to the EX90 by only showing its rear three-quarter silhouette. We caught a glimpse of the taillight design and got a bit of an idea of how large the small EV SUV would be.
The Volvo EX30 (left) teased right next to the EX90 (right) during the latter’s world premiere
Now on Volvo’s official website, it is stated that “the new, fully electric Volvo EX30 SUV will make its global debut [On June 7 at 13:30 CEST]. On the same date, it will also become available to order or pre-order in selected markets.”
In the latest teaser video, we get a glimpse of the Volvo EX30’s headlight design which seems to feature a continuous LED strip, albeit with a dotted-line appearance. We also get a glimpse of the camera located underneath the side view mirror of this upcoming small electric SUV. Like other Volvos, it also features the small Swedish flag detail on the front seat.
RELATED:
Volvo now supports Waze navigation, no phone connection required
Like the initial teaser during the EX90 briefing, the new teaser still shows the EX30’s rear three-quarter silhouette, albeit with a bit more angle variations. Besides that, we also get to see the hood of the EX30 which features a rather prominent indent. Look hard enough, and it seems that the EX30 sports a 5-spoke wheel design, almost like the wheels on the original Volvo C40.
No technical details have been shared on the Volvo EX30 but do expect it to inherit some technologies from its bigger brother, the EX90. It will reportedly be smaller than the XC40 or C40.
Only teased with the tagline “Something small is coming”, the Volvo EX30 will make its world premiere on June 7, 2023. It will be Volvo’s second car in the “EX” series and the brand’s fourth electric car after the
XC40 Recharge Pure Electric
, the
C40
, and the EX90.
RELATED:
Volvo Car Malaysia aims for 75% EV sales by 2025, EX90 to launch next
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New Honda Sensing Elite with Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities now in Japan!

Honda has commenced the introduction of the higher level semi-autonomous driving (Level 3) feature in its home country of Japan. The Honda Legend Hybrid will be the world’s first production car to have the assistance system dubbed Honda Sensing Elite.
The Honda Sensing Elite suite has additional cameras, LIDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors, and radar sensors together with high-accuracy 3D maps and a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) to perform
hands-free driving

for an extended period of time
.
One of the key features of the Honda Sensing Elite is the ability to
perform overtaking maneuvers autonomously
. When the system detects a car in front being driven at a lower speed, the system notifies the driver and then assists with the overtaking before returning to the original lane.

Original English video from Honda USA, hosted by Carscoops
During trips in traffic jams, the Traffic Jam Pilot will autonomously drive the Honda Legend Hybrid, controlling the braking, acceleration, and steering. The system drives, stops, and resumes driving within the same lane while maintaining a proper following interval in accordance with the speed of the vehicle detected ahead.
While the vehicle is under the control of the system, the driver can watch streaming videos on the infotainment screen or operate the navigation system to search for destinations, which helps mitigate driver fatigue and stress while driving in a traffic jam.
An Emergency Stop Assist feature is in place, should the driver be unresponsive to the multiple system requests for the driver to assume control of the vehicle. For example, if a driver suddenly loses consciousness while the Honda Legend is already in ‘hands-off’ functionality, the Honda Sensing Elite system will gradually slow the car down and steer itself to the road shoulder and alert other vehicles using the hazard lights and horn.
With exterior styling is befitting a flagship sedan, the
automate
d
driving sensors
 are subtly integrated into the body panels, producing a clean design while discreetly highlighting the vehicle’s automated driving capability.
In Malaysia, the Honda Sensing suite with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist system is available in the TC-P variants of the
Honda Civic
,
Honda CR-V
 and
Honda Accord
. The soon-to-be on-sale all-new
Honda City RS eHEV
 will also come equipped with Honda Sensing.
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Audi has turned the “e-tron Vision Gran Turismo” race car into a reality

If you think about it, it’s not the first time Audi had built a concept for a virtual setting only to eventually turn it into a production vehicle. Remember the Audi RSQ concept driven by Will Smith in I, Robot? That eventually became the Audi R8, whose design was heavily influenced by the RSQ.
Originally developed solely for the Gran Turismo on PlayStation 4, the fully electric Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo was nothing more than a virtual expression of a highly-possible means of real-world mobility but that’s has changed.
Audi has made the virtual race car a reality in conjunction with Formula E where the three electric motor,
815 hp
 all-wheel drive concept will be deployed as a
race taxi
 – to impress Audi’s guests and customers with a high-voltage experience around the Formula E circuits in Europe,
starting April 14 in Rome
.
The colours of the e-tron Vision Gran Turismo emulates the legendary
Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO
, a race car far ahead of its time, driven by some of the best drivers in the world then namely Hans-Joachim Stuck and Walter Röhrl.
IMAGE GALLERY


Maserati GT turns 60, launches special edition GranTurismo and GranCabrio

It’s been 60 years since Maserati produced their first ever Grand Tourer, the 3500 GT. Today, the Italian company is celebrating the occasion by introducing two special edition variants of the GranTurismo and GranCabrio.
Based on the outgoing versions of the GranTurismo and its convertible sibling, the GranCabrio, only
400 units
 will be commissioned. It bears a number of aesthetic upgrades inside and out, as you’ll soon find out. Mechanically however, remains as per standard factory settings.

Three new exterior colours are offered: New Rosso Italiano (red), Bianco Birdcage (white), and Grigio Lava (grey), joining the existing colours of Nero (black), Bianco Eldorado (white), Nero Carbonio (carbon black) and Grigio Granito (grey). All variants ride on
MC-design 20-inch
 alloy wheels with a unique special-edition logo wheel cap. The hood, front splitter, door handles, side mirrors and rear lip spoiler are all made of carbon fibre.
The cabin gets a new Poltrona Frau leather or leather/Alcantara upholstery that’s available in four striking colour combinations. There’s also carbon fibre trimmings, including the exclusive plaque on the centre tunnel embossed with the 60th anniversary badge.

Both models are powered by a Ferrari-built
4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8
 that outputs
405 hp
 and
460 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a ZF-sourced
six-speed dual clutch automatic
. The century sprint is completed in
 5.2 seconds
 with a top speed of
285 km/h
.
Back at home, both the Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio are offered by Naza Italia, and customers can specify any of the two to their personal liking.
IMAGE GALLERY
Maserati GranTurismo Special Edition

Maserati GranCabrio Special Edition


Tesla introduces Dog Mode to keep pets comfortable in the car

Apparently, it all started when a Tesla owner twitted Elon Musk to add a feature that allows owners to safely and briefly leave their pets in the car. Musk replied with a simple “Yes” and the software was available.
While it may have a very specific name, Tesla’s latest software update for the Model 3, Model S and Model X, essentially allows owners to briefly keep their pets inside the car without suffocating them.

Dog Mode
 leaves the car’s air-conditioning on while the pets are left in the car with a note that reads, “My owner will be back soon”; so that concerned passer-bys wouldn’t break into the car to save the animal.
If the car’s battery reaches below 20%, a notification will be sent via the Tesla mobile app to alert the owners.
Dog Mode was rolled out together with “
Sentry Mode
” that helps prevent car theft and break-ins by continuously monitoring the car’s surroundings with its external cameras.
Tesla Model S
The system in itself comes with three different modes –
Standby
,
Alert
 and
Alarm
. When activated, the car goes into “Standby”, detecting potential threats with its external cameras.
When a minimal threat is detected, such as someone leaning on the car, it goes into “Alert”, displaying a message on the touchscreen that its cameras are recording.
Tesla Model 3
If a more severe threat is detected, the car goes into “Alarm”, where it would activate the alarm and play music at maximum volume.
When that happens, the owner will receive an alert of the incident through their Tesla app. They will also be able to download a video recording of the incident.


Renault-Alpine to make a comeback, teases new sports car concept

Not to be mistaken with the Alps, Alpine is actually a long-forgotten performance-wing of Renault that specialises in making sports cars. After years of hibernation, Renault is set to relaunch the Alpine brand, along with a new sports car in February.
The company posted on their
Twitter account
 suggesting that a “monumental moment” will occur on 16 February 2016. The not-so-cryptic message read “
We wanted to announce our comeback but some would say we never left
”, hinting at the return of a long anticipated sports car.
While no specific model is mentioned, the A120 is most likely to be it, evolving from the A110-50 concept car unveiled back in 2011. The A120 could be powered by a
200 hp

1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
 engine which powers the Clio RS hot hatch. The car is set to give the
Audi TT
 and
Porsche Cayman
 a run for its money.
Look out for more of Alpine’s revival in shades of blue this coming February!
IMAGE GALLERY


Would you buy a Volvo S90 Coupe with AMG-like performance?

Many carmakers today have their own trusted performance division. For instance, BMW has their M Division, Mercedes-Benz has AMG, Audi has quattro GmbH and Jaguar has Special Operations.
Volvo is not entirely out of the game either, because they actually own tuning specialists and racing experts Polestar. Most performance arms supply technical expertise to produce high performance versions of regular road-going cars, so it makes sense to assume that Volvo and Polestar are up to something, right?

Remember the S90 Coupe Concept (pictured here) back in late 2013 which gave us a glimpse of how
their flagship sedan would look like
? Now imagine it in Polestar Blue (official paint name Rebel Blue) with flared wheel arches, slammed with huge 20-inch wheels with an engine belting over 400 hp. If we had it our way, of course we’d love a rear-wheel drive Volvo. But if it’s going to be based on Volvo’s SPA platform, it will most likely be all-wheel drive.
In 2010, Polestar conceptualised the C30 Polestar Performance Concept and threw in a largely modified straight-six (T6) engine. It made a good
 450 hp
 and
 510 Nm
 of torque, but in 2012 they further modified the engine to crank a whopping
508 hp
! The result was a century sprint time of
3.9 seconds
 and a top speed in excess of
 300 km/h
! How fast was it, you ask? When put through its paces at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, its lap time was equal to that of an Audi R8.
We know Polestar is fully capable of pulling off another feat like this, so here’s to hoping that they’d consider the idea. But if you’re eager to get a head turning Volvo today, there are several units of the
S90 and V90 T6 R-Design
 on sale, so snap em’ up before they’re gone!
IMAGE GALLERY


Bermaz to take over Kia in Malaysia – three CKD models planned, including Seltos, Carnival

After many months of
rumours and speculations
, Bermaz Auto (BAuto) is now confirmed to be taking over the Kia franchise here in Malaysia, through a new a “strategic partnership” with Kia Motor Corporation.
As part of the agreement, a new joint-venture company – Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd – will be formed to carry out the local assembly operations for complete knock-down (CKD) Kia vehicles here in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Dinamikjaya Motors (a Bermaz Auto subsidiary) has been appointed as the distributor for the South Korean brand on our shores, taking over the role from Naza Kia Malaysia.
Three models have already been planned for local assembly here in Malaysia, including the
Kia Seltos

and
Carnival
, with a third model to be announced in due time.
Kia Asia Pacific President and CEO, Tae Hun (Ted) Lee said, “After months of searching for the right partner, Kia is delighted to enter into the Kia JV and Kia Distributorship with BAuto. With BAuto’s proven capability in successfully building up automotive marques in Malaysia and the Philippines as well as their automotive manufacturing experience, we believe we have placed the Kia brand in good hands under the capable leadership of its Executive Chairman, Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh.”
BAuto Executive Chairman, Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh added: “We are pleased to be given this opportunity to undertake the Kia JV and Kia Distributorship with our partner, Kia under Hyundai Motor Group, which is Korea’s second-largest multinational automotive manufacturer and currently the fifth-largest automotive manufacturer in the world.
“The Kia JV and Kia Distributorship will complement our existing Group automotive businesses, and we look forward to a successful collaboration with Kia.”
The announcement comes just months after
Peugeot was brought under the stewardship of Berjaya Auto Alliance SB
, a new joint-venture company formed between Bermaz Auto and Berjaya Corporation. Kia will be the third brand associated with BAuto in Malaysia after Mazda and the aforementioned Peugeot.


New Suzuki 3S Centre opens its doors at Jalan Klang Lama

Suzuki customers in the neighbouring vicinity of
Jalan Klang Lama
 (Old Klang Road) can now enjoy an added convenience because just this morning, Suzuki Malaysia Automobile Sdn Bhd officially launched their
33rd centre
 via dealer company Regal Motors Holdings Sdn Bhd.
The
3S facility
 (Sales, Service and Spare Parts) spans an area of
6,500 square feet
, and investment costs hover around the
RM500,000
 mark. It features
six service bays
 manned by trained technicians and houses several models on display, including their latest
S-Cross model
.
In conjunction with the launch, SMA is offering:
i)
RM6,000 rebate
 or a low financing rate of 1.68% + RM2,000 for the Swift GL and GLX (Valid until 31 March)
 ii) Free Blaupunkt Digital Video Recorder with every purchase of any Suzuki Swifts between 2 February to 31 March 2015
As for 3S operator Regal Motors Holdings, they are offering a free 23-point inspection plus discount on selected parts until 30 April.
The newly opened 3S Centre is located at Lot 1E/E-G, Jalan Awan Makmur, Off Jalan Klang Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur.


UMW Toyota is recalling 13,500 Toyota and Lexus vehicles for a fuel pump replacement

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT), distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia has announced a Special Service Campaign (SSC) to replace the fuel pump on certain units of Toyota and Lexus models.
The vehicles involved in this SSC include models
manufactured from 2013 to 2019
. Based on information provided by Toyota Motor Corporation, approximately 12,000 Toyota and 1,500 Lexus vehicles distributed by UMWT are affected in this SSC.
Toyota models affected by the recall:
– Alphard
– Camry
– Corolla
– Innova
– Fortuner
Lexus models affected by the recall:
– GS300, GS350
– IS300
– LC500/500H
– LS460, LS500/500H, LS600H
– NX200T/300H
– RC350/300H
– RX350/450H, RX350/450
The vehicles listed in the list are equipped with a fuel pump that may stop operating, resulting in a vehicle to be unable to start or stall during operation. This scenario could increase the risk of a crash while driving at higher speed.
An
official notice
 will be given to the affected vehicle owners by UMW Toyota. All replacement work will be completely
free of charge
.
For further information, owners of affected cars may contact any authorised Toyota Service Centre or call the Toyota Freephone at
1800-8-TOYOTA (869682)
.


Honda unveils e:N EV sub-brand in China – 10 models in next five years!

Honda has announced its latest electrification plans in China with the launch of the new e:N sub-brand, building on the e:Technology branding that was unveiled with the adorable
Honda e
 for Japan and Europe.
The company will only sell electrified models (hybrid and EVs) from 2030 onwards in the country, and aims to debut 10 new fully-electric models within the next five years, starting with the e:NP1 and e:NS1 SUVs that are scheduled to go on sale next year.
The fully-electric duos is clearly based on the
 SUV e:Prototype Concept
, the fully-electric counterpart to the
Honda HR-V
. And if you’re wondering why there are two different models for the same car, it’s because they’re being made separately by the two Honda joint-venture partners in China, Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda.
Honda also recently unveiled the new Integra in China, basically a rehashed Civic for GAC Honda. Check it out here!
The Japanese carmaker is mum on the SUVs’ electro-mechanical details, though we don’t expect them to differ between the two models. More than likely, the two will only feature different exterior designs – a common strategy employed in China. The e:NS1 will be the sportier model, while the e:NP1 sports a more “traditional” SUV look.
Following the two SUVs are three more concepts that are already under development, called the e:N SUV Concept, e:N GT Concept, and e:N Coupe Concept, which Honda is aiming to launch in the next five years. All three concepts will be built on a new modular e:N EV architecture, which can be configured for front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive set-ups.
Again, no technical details were provided, but in the looks department, the three concepts are basically took the ‘futuristic EV’ rulebook to heart, with sharp angular facets, generous use of LED lights, and pretty much a complete lack of curves – Elon Musk would be proud.
The new cars are meant for China only for now, but Honda says that it “envisions exporting these models from China” in the future, so keep your fingers crossed.
Can the all-new Honda HR-V keep its crown as the best-selling non-national SUV here in Malaysia? We take a deep dive here…

In order to support the new EV charge in China, Honda will be enhancing its sales network to prepare for the start of a full EV business, including creating e:N Series-specific areas within existing dealership locations (like
Toyota’s GR outlets
), as well as new dedicated e:N dealerships in major cities.
Both GAC Honda and Dongfeng Honda will also be constructing new dedicated EV production plants, which they aim to begin production in 2024.
GALLERY


Universo Ferrari: An exclusive insight into the world of the prancing horse

Staged in a special structure near the iconic Fiorano circuit where road cars are finetuned, the Universo Ferrari is an exhibition exploring the world of Ferrari where visitors are able to live and breathe Ferrari’s Classiche division, historic GT and racing cars and admire the latest Ferrari models, a privilege normally reserved for international clients.
The Universo Ferrari will only be held in the month of September, over a series of exclusive tours offering visitors a fully immersive experience of the brand. The tour itinerary starts by diving into the origins of Ferrari and its founder and thereafter into the racing heritage where guests are greeted by the SF90 that took the win at the Belgian GP at Spa Francorchamps recently, a timely victory to celebrate Scuderia Ferrari’s 90
th
 anniversary.
Ferrari Classich is the famous workshop where iconic models are attended to by experts who restore and maintain the cars to perfection. The undisputed star of this area is the 250 GTO from 1962, a model coveted by collectors around the world. One of the exhibition areas is also dedicated to the spirit of competition showcasing a 2017 FXX-K Evo alongside the 488 GTE which won its class at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
As a climax to the exhibition, the entire Ferrari range will be on display including the SF90 Stradale – the first series-production hybrid supercar in the history of Ferrari, with the Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2 models from 2018 – perched on a dedicated platform overlooking the Fiorano circuit – bringing the exhibition to a close. Universo Ferrari will be open to fans and enthusiasts on the weekends of 21
st
 to 22
nd
 and 28
th
 and 29
th
 September. Exclusive tours can be booked, subject to availability, you can make reservations on the Ferrari Museums website:
www.musei.ferrari.com
.


Video: New Ferrari Portofino M in Malaysia, 5 Things

Ferrari Malaysia through Naza Italia has just launched the lastest new drop-top from Maranello to complement the sunny weather we’ve been receiving in Malaysia in the form of the
Portofino M
. Prices start from RM998,000.
M stands for ‘
Modificata
‘ and is reserved cars that have undergone an evolution that has significantly boosted their performance.

What kinda performance upgrades has the new Portofino M received exactly then?
For starters, the Portofino M has an extra 20 hp than before, at
620 hp
, and
760 Nm
 – extracted from a 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 that has won countless awards for Ferrari. It’s also quicker by a whisker from 0 to 100 km/h, 3.45 seconds from 3.5 seconds.
The changes on the exterior can be easily noticed also when putting the old and new Portofino side by side. Most prominent changes lie in the front and rear bumpers while the sports exhaust tips, 20-inch diamond-cut finish wheels and gloss black calipers are optional extras.
In case you’re wondering, this subtle yet striking exterior colour is called Grigio Alloy which projects a soft silver colour with a hint of light blue in certain lighting conditions.
Inside, the changes are less noticeable unless you have the Ferrari name branded on your forehead. The interior architecture remains largely the same but this unit you see here comes with a long list of optional add-ons.
As standard, there’s a new manettino switch that now offers five driving modes, including a new Race Mode, compared to just three from before.
The optional extras for the Portofino M’s interior include a passenger display, a carbon fibre steering wheel with LED rev indicators, and ventilated seats but there’s more! Check out our video!
GALLERY


New Nissan Kicks e-Power teased in ETCM’s CNY video – Malaysia launch in 2022?

The
Nissan Kicks
 might finally be making its debut here in Malaysia, if Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s (ETCM) Chinese New Year greeting video is anything to go by.
The 59-second video showcases several of the Nissan models available here in Malaysia, but focuses a significant portion of the video on the Kicks compact crossover, specifically the e-Power variant, hinting at a potential debut on our shores this year.

The updated Nissan Kicks was
launched globally back in 2020
, where it was unveiled in the e-Power guise (the only variant available in Thailand), making it one of the first few global Nissan models to feature the e-Power technology.
Screenshot: Nissan Malaysia/YouTube
Unlike regular hybrid vehicles, the new Kicks is essentially an electric vehicle with a built-in battery-charger engine. The 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine underneath the bonnet helps charge the 1.57 kWh lithium-ion battery, which in turn powers the electric motor generating a peak output of
95 kW (129 hp)
, and a torque of
260 Nm
 – the latter available almost instantly as is standard on an EV.
RELATED: Nissan brings on the “ong” this CNY with new red and orange colours for X-Trail and Serena
Thanks to the unique e-Power set-up, the electric motor is able to utilise extra electrical power generated from the engine – in addition to the battery – when needed, resulting in better acceleration.
The Nissan Kicks is also available with both 1.5- and 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated powertrains underneath the hood in other markets, though based on the video’s highlight on the e-Power variant, it seems likely that we’ll only be getting the “hybrid” model here – if it makes its debut here in Malaysia.
The B-segment crossover/SUV market here in Malaysia is quickly becoming saturated, with the latest addition being the
Peugeot 2008 just two weeks ago
.
However, the Nissan Kicks will join an elite group within the segment when it launches here in Malaysia, as only the
Honda HR-V
 and
Toyota Corolla Cross
 are available with a hybrid powertrain, and only the
Hyundai Kona
 is available as a fully-electric model.
And while we’re still speculating, is that a
Nissan Ariya
 we spot at the end of the video?
GALLERY


BMW Group Malaysia charts historic sales performance, exporting core models soon

Against improbable odds, BMW Group Malaysia, the company overseeing local sales of BMW cars, MINI vehicles and BMW Motorrad motorcycles, have recorded their sixth consecutive sales high. The numbers grew by a staggering 16 percent from the same period in 2015!
The company collectively sold 10,906 units of cars and motorcycles last year, compared to the 9,368 units shifted back in 2015. Their latest crop of lineup – particularly the
330e iPerformance
 and
X5 xDrive40e
 – helped usher the brand to unprecedented popularity. BMW cars alone account for 9,000 units, up 20 percent from 7,515 vehicles sold in 2015.
There’s also growth for MINI and the Motorrad division; the former saw 902 vehicles registered and the latter approximately 1,004 bikes.
Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia, Mr, Han Sang Yun said, “The continued and growing support from our customers and network of dealerships here were the main factors for our best achievements in 2016. On behalf of the Group, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our customers and dealers here for helping us achieve this milestone in an especially challenging year.”
This year, the company’s focus is in exporting their core models – the BMW 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series to Vietnam and the Philippines. An investment totalling RM10 million will go into enhancing local assembly capabilities, upping production to over 10,000 vehicles per year.
Additionally, RM130 million will go into the establishment of BMW Regional Parts Distribution Centre (that’s major after sales news) located at the Free Trade Zone of the Senai International Airport of Iskandar Malaysia.


Selangor workshops allowed to open during MCO, but NSC isn’t happy

While the
Movement Control Order (MCO)
 is still in effect and everyone is advised to stay home unless necessary, car workshops within Selangor have been given the green light to open from
 9am to 4pm daily
, according to
a report
 from
The Star
.
According to a directive from the Selangor government, automotive workshops are classified as essential services, therefore allowed to operate during the MCO period. Their counterparts in Kuala Lumpur, however, are to remain closed during the period.
Apart from workshops, spare parts shops will also be given the go-ahead, according to spokespersons from several municipal councils within Selangor.
Towing services remain operational around the clock
.
Speaking to
Berita Harian
, Selangor exco member for Local Government, Public Transportation and New Village Development Ng Sze Han, said that priority should be given to front liners involved in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, as well as those working in essential services.
“This permission is given for emergency cases, particularly to those required to work during this period. But all individuals, no matter what the circumstances, must abide by the 1-metre social distancing rule,” said Ng.
“For those who have no necessity to be out, just stay home to help curb the spread of Covid-19,” he added.
However,
Malaysiakini
 reported yesterday
 that Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the decision to allow business premises to open or close during the MCO should lie within the National Security Council (NSC).
“These are not ordinary times. In ordinary times, the local council can use its powers to allow or not to allow an industry or business premises to open, including workshops.
“But these are not ordinary times. In these times, the NSC issues orders or standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said during a press conference in response to the decision from the Selangor Government.
“I hope these matters can be streamlined so that assistance from the Health Ministry, the police and army can also be streamlined to help them. I hope what was mentioned won’t happen again,” he added.


2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is a road legal drag machine! [+Video]

Move over
Ford Mustang
 and
Chevrolet Camaro
, as Dodge is back with a vengeance via its most powerful muscle car offering – the Challenger SRT Demon. The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon holds a number of records broken that makes the other muscle cars look tame.
The biggest piece goes to what’s underneath the bonnet, where the
 supercharged 6.2-liter V8
 engine claims to be the world’s most powerful factory production V8. The heavily revised mill deploys
 840 hp
 and
 1044 Nm
 of torque, 133 ponies more than the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Drive is delivered to the rear wheels via an
upgraded eight-speed automatic
.
The additional horses come from the larger supercharger and an extra dual-stage fuel pump. The mean looking
Air-Grabber
 bonnet scoop, by all means, is not merely for cosmetic purposes. Instead, the scoop, together with driver-side
Air-Catcher
 headlight and an inlet near the wheel liner, are tasked to supply cool air to the engine.

Being a drag machine means it takes cooling pretty seriously. With the help of the
Power Chiller
 feature, an air-conditioning refrigerant is diverted to a chiller unit mounted by the cooler pump to reduce the supercharger’s temperatures. The
After-Run Chiller
 feature ensures the coolant pump and engine cooling fan are running when the engine is shut down.
TransBrake
 is available to maximise the launch by locking the transmission shaft without overwhelming the brakes.
Being lightweight is essential for a drag-purpose machine, so all the items deemed unnecessary including rear seats and carpets were removed. However, Dodge allows those items to be reinstated for just
one dollar
. Other items such as stereo, power sunroof, and ventilated leather seats can be optionally added.
Now here’s what everyone is waiting for, the performance. 0-100 km/h sprint is done in
2.3 seconds,
 making this the quickest production car in the world. It’s also a certified Guinness World Record holder by achieving the
 world’s first front-wheel lift in a production car
 at 2.92 feet (approximately 30 cm). Its quarter-mile (400m) drag completion time in
9.65 seconds
 means this car is deemed too fast by the American drag race governing body, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), thus it’s banned from competing in drag races. What a shame.
Only 3,300 units of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will be made for the United States and Canada with deliveries beginning in third quarter of 2017.
IMAGE GALLERY


Selangor, KL, Penang and Johor switch to CMCO phase from 5th March

Four states will switch to the status of Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) starting from 5th March lasting
14 days
.
This change was announced by Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today, as red-zone states of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor in February saw a 14-day extension of their MCO to 4th March. The second iteration of the MCO, dubbed as
MCO 2.0
, first came into effect on 13th January and was scheduled to last for 14 days but continued to be extended due to the constant high number of daily Covid-19 cases.
The four states join Kedah, Kelantan, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Sarawak that still remain under the status of CMCO and is targeted to end on 18th March
Interstate travel
 is still
 forbidden
 and the senior Minister also announced that inter-district travel within a state will be allowed, with the exception of Sabah from 5th March. The restriction on passenger limit in a vehicle and 10 km travel limits were
lifted
 on 19th February.
The remaining five states and territories that are Putrajaya, Labuan, Terengganu, Pahang and Sabah join Perlis to be categorised as states with the Recovery MCO (RMCO) status. The RMCO period also begins from 5th March and ends 14 days later on the 18th March.
As always, all of us must do our part to help get the pandemic under control as soon as possible. Please do stay home, stay safe, and only head out when absolutely necessary. Hanging out with friends can still wait.


All-new Mazda CX-8 CKD unveiled in Kulim, now open for booking!

Bermaz Motor has unveiled the all-new 2019 Mazda CX-8 at the Inokom Assembly Plant in Kulim, Kedah where the 7-seater will be assembled.
There are
4 variants
of the CX-8 available – 2.5L 2WD MID, 2.5L 2WD MID PLUS, 2.5L 2WD HIGH and 2.2L AWD. The 2.5-litre front-wheel drive models make
192 hp
 and
258 Nm
 while the 2.2L AWD turbo diesel models make
188 hp
 and
420 Nm
. Both engine options are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode.
On the outside, the CX-8 measures 4,900 mm in length, 1,840 mm in width and 1,730 mm in height, weighing 1,781 kg (2.5L) and 1,924 kg (2.2L). Compared to the CX-9, the CX-8 is shorter and isn’t as wide, but essentially shares the same wheelbase with the largest Mazda on sale in Malaysia.
While it may appear too differently from the CX-5 and CX-9, the front grille of the CX-8 adopts a new design that features horizontal silver bars, with a new 19-inch wheel design and a chrome trim that links the two tail lights together, just like the CX-9.
The all-new CX-8 comes in
six colour options
 – Soul Red Crystal, Machine Grey, Snowflake White Pearl, Deep Blue Crystal, Sonic Silver and Jet Black.
All models are equipped with LED headlights, LED tail lights, keyless entry, and powered tailgate. Except for the 2.5 2WD MID model, which comes with Bulb-type DRLs, all models are equipped with LED DRLs.
Inside,
only the base model 2.5-litre MID comes with seven seats
, with Bench Type seats in the 3rd row. The 2.5 MID PLUS gets two Captain Chairs in the 2nd row, while the 2.5-litre HIGH and 2.2-litre AWD gets a centre console between the two 2nd row seats.
The rear doors of the CX-8 can
open up to 80-degrees
 while in the third row Mazda claims, is capable of
accommodating occupants up to 170 cm tall
. According to Mazda, there is
 75 mm of foot space
 for 3rd row passengers.
Vibration-dampening materials in the rear fender panels and sound-absorbing materials at the base of the D-pillars help reduce noise in the 3rd row. Cabin refinement also comes from a reduction in the gap between the roof moulding and roof spoiler to reduce wind noise.
Fabric seats are allocated for the 2.5-litre MID and MID PLUS models while the 2.5-litre HIGH and 2.2-litre AWD gets
Nappa leather
 upholstery.
Elsewhere, all models come equipped with 7-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bose Sound System, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, 3-zone climate control with independent con controls and vents, auto dimming rear view mirror, reverse camera, 10-way power adjustable seats for the Driver and 50:50 split folding 3rd row seats.
Only the 2.5-litre HIGH and 2.2-litre AWD gets a head up display, rear sunshade and 360-degree monitor, while only two USB ports are available in the 2.5-litre MID PLUS model; the rest gets four USB ports. Sports Mode is present in all models except the 2.2-litre AWD.
All models come with Mazda’s i-Stop Idling Technology and G-Vectoring Control Plus. On the safety front, all models are fitted with six airbags, ABS with EBD, emergency brake assist, Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control and Hill Launch Assist.
As for the i-ACTIVSENSE suite of driver assistance systems, the 2.5-litre HIGH and 2.2-litre AWD gets Adaptive LED headlights, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Smart City Brake Support for the front and rear.
IMAGE GALLERY


Porsche to locally assemble CKD cars in Malaysia by 2022

By far the biggest news to hit the local automotive industry has been confirmed, Porsche has announced that it will begin CKD operations with its long-time partner Sime Darby Berhad (under Sime Darby Auto Performance) from 2022 onwards.
There is no mention of which models will be locally assembled although we expect the likes of Cayenne and Macan to be among them.
The Macan…
…and the Cayenne are the most likely models to be locally assembled.
That said, Porsche did highlighted that the vehicles will specifically match local requirements and will be available for Malaysia only.
“We’re fortunate that, due to careful planning, our existing factories are more than up to the task of meeting current and future global demand for our cars,” says Porsche.
“However, the new assembly site in Malaysia meets specific market needs and, although a standalone project and modest in size and capacity, it signals our willingness to learn and adapt to specific local market conditions.”

“Malaysia and the whole ASEAN is a region of great potential and we look forward to the first locally assembled models reaching our Malaysian customers next year,” Porsche said.
“As Porsche is moving into a new era of mobility, Malaysia and the ASEAN region are gaining an increasing importance. This step now is part of a long-standing initiative to keep pace with rapidly evolving customer and market demands.”
Sime Darby’s relationship with Porsche can be traced back 10 years since the company was appointed the exclusive importer and distributor in Malaysia. This will only serve to further solidify the company’s position in Malaysia, if not in South East Asia. Last year, despite all the challenges, the company saw a 9% increase in new vehicle deliveries.


This special Mitsubishi Triton Barbarian SVP is limited to just 250 units

With the launch of the Mitsubishi Triton Barbarian SVP, Mitsubishi Motors UK has announced a new Special Vehicle Projects (SVP, hence the acronym) programme that gives its customers a highly exclusive range of customisations.
First of the SVP range is of course the Triton Barbarian (known in the UK as the L200). Just 250 units of the double cab pickup truck will be built, with the first half finished in Electric Blue Metallic while the other half in Cosmos Black.
A new set of 17-inch bespoke black alloy wheels shod with BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres are fitted as standard, above which are wheel arches extensions to give it a more rugged, “barbaric” appeal. This look is accentuated by an all-new matte black grille, gloss-black garnished headlamps and tail lamps, matte black roof rails and rear bumper. There’s also shark fin-inspired side steps, illuminated load bed, puddle lamps, soft-opening tailgate damper and SVP badge on the tailgate.
Inside, you get a unique serial SVP number, SVP logos embroidered into the head restraints, front and rear footwell lighting and Barbarian door entry guards. The most standout feature is the new “six-pack” leather seats with suede-like ‘Alston’ inserts.
The Mitsubishi Triton Barbarian SVP is based on the
same updated Triton that’s on sale in Malaysia
, which is powered by a
2.4-litre turbodiesel MIVEC engine
 producing
179 hp
 and
430 Nm
 of torque. The price for this special-run variant is RM159k (£28,479) before GST.


Honda Urban EV Concept, throwback to the first Honda Civic with electric-power

Honda’s has pulled the wraps of its all-new electric vehicle, the
Urban EV Concept
. Riding on a completely new platform specifically for electric vehicles, Honda has confirmed that the road-going production model will be presented within two years.
Technical details of the concept car was scarce at press time, but the Urban EV Concept will set the grounds for future EVs to come from the brand. Visually the concept car resembles the first-generation Civic with low and muscular stance, hinting at sporty driving capabilities. Its overall length is shorter than even the
Jazz
 by 100 mm. The perfect city commuter perhaps?
The Honda emblem up front is backlit in blue, while the empty spaces between the headlamps is said to be capable of displaying interactive multilingual messages such as greetings, advice for other drivers on the road, or charging status updates.
Inside, the Urban EV Concept boasts superior outward visibility thanks to its ultra slim A-pillars. While it may not seem like it, the concept car is able to accommodate four occupants with lounge-like comfort. The panoramic display screen upfront creates a futuristic floating dash board as it feeds all the necessary driving data to the driver.
Honda’s Urban EV Concept also showcases the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) personal concierge –
Honda Automated Network Assistant Concierg
e. The AI learns from the driver’s behaviour and provide relevant recommendations for the driver.
The Honda Urban EV Concept is an extension of the Japanese marque’s ‘Electric Vision’ strategy where they have pledged for the development of a dedicated electric vehicle platform, fully-electric powertrain technology, next-generation battery packs and the evolution of energy transfer functions.


Throwback Thursday: Nissan Sunny 130Y – The Evergreen Nissan

In this edition of Throwback Thursday, we’re revisiting the 1980s once again; where an economical vehicle made famous by its signature bumpers is put in the spotlight – the evergreen Nissan Sunny.
Nissan’s compact sedan lineage is as extensive as the characters of X-Men so we’ve narrowed our focus on the fifth-generation model (1981-1985), codenamed
B11
 but more commonly known as the
 130Y
.
Introduced in late 1981, the 130Y was the first of the Sunny models to embrace a front-wheel drive configuration; to lower production costs. Its “three-box design” was simple and clean, along with the option for an estate version.
Back at home, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) introduced the Sunny to Malaysians in 1983. According to our friends at Motor Trader Malaysia, two engines were offered for the Sunny; a 1.2-litre petrol engine and 1.7-litre diesel unit. ETCM kept the Sunny affordable with its price ranging from
RM19,800
 to
RM21,850
. As such the Sunny was an instant hit among Malaysians, until a certain
national car
 showed up.
Still, the Sunny did relatively well for a non-national car in Malaysia as it epitomised a “start and go” vehicle. Its simple and reliable engine meant a no frills ownership experience with low maintenance cost but its biggest trump card were the
signature bumpers
.
Do not let the hard plastic surface fool you. Inside, it housed two shock absorbers which were tasked to cushion the impact of a collision which adhered to the safety standards of the United States back then. ETCM even cheekily had an “
Awas Absorber Bumpers
” sticker at the rear bumpers as a reminder to not kiss the Sunny’s back.
The Sunny’s unpretentious characteristic resonated with buyers during its 13-year run. In fact, the model exceeded its supposed shelf life even when newer generations of the Sunny were introduced. In 1996, ETCM decided to rest the Sunny’s nameplate and the name never resurfaced again. That’s until its true successor, the Almera, took over the mantle in 2011.
A quick search on Mudah.my showed that a used Nissan Sunny can be had within the price range of a flagship smartphone. But of course, extra cash would undoubtedly be needed for touch ups, wear and tear replacements.
Source:
Motor Trader Malaysia
Image Source: Wikipedia


Tesla Cybertruck rethinks pick-up truck design in the most insane way possible

Yes, this is actually Tesla’s latest vehicle, the Cybertruck, and not a movie prop. Don’t worry, we did a double take too.
Tesla today unveiled their long-awaited pick-up truck in Los Angeles, separate from the ongoing auto show in their own bizzare event filled with virtual robots and people dressed in sci-fi-esque outfits. Fitting with the whole Blade Runner theme of the truck, we suppose.
We’re just gonna say it – the styling of the Cybertruck is bonkers. There are absolutely zero curves on the outside, which makes it look like a low-poly video game object or brutalism design taken to the next level.
Tesla says that the body is made up of ultra-hard 30x cold-rolled steel. It’s said that the material is strong enough to withstand a 9 mm round, and a sledge hammer is even used on stage to demonstrate its hardness. Sure enough, the Cybertruck’s body came out unscathed.
The Cybertruck’s windshield and windows are made out of Tesla Armor Glass, which is also supposed to be super strong and impact-resistance.
However, it probably isn’t as strong as Elon Musk has hoped for, as both side windows shattered when Tesla’s head of design threw a metal ball at it during an on-stage demonstration. Oops. Also, on a side note, does the Cybertruck not come with any windshield wipers?
Divisive appearance aside, the performance figures of the Cybertruck are equally bonkers. Three powertrain options are available – single-motor rear-wheel drive, dual-motor all-wheel drive, and tri-motor all-wheel drive.
The top-end model is equipped with Tesla’s latest tri-motor ‘Plaid’ powertrain. Zero to hundred km/h is done in less than
2.9 seconds
, and standing quarter-mile in
10.8 seconds
.
The tri-motor model has a range of
over 800 km
 based on the EPA cycle and has a towing capacity of over
6,300 kg
, while the entry-level single-motor model does
 400 km
and can tow about
3,400 kg
.
The Cybertruck uses an adaptive air suspension as standard on all four corners, with the height adjustable by 10 cm in both directions up to a maximum ride height of approximateley
40 cm
.
The Cybertruck have a 1.98-meter long load bay, and is capable of ferrying a payload of up to
1,588 kg
. Total lockable exterior storage space is over
2,800 litres
, including the vault, frunk, and sail pillars.
Inside, the Cybertruck takes Tesla minimalism one step further. The dashboard is completely replaced by a slab that resembles a marble tabletop, and there is nothing else on it other than a jet fighter-styled steering wheel and a 17-inch touchscreen display at the centre.
The Tesla Cybertruck seats six adults, and can be specified with Tesla’s Autopilot system which includes full self-driving, autopark, and trailer docking.
Being a Tesla, the Cybertruck can also make use of the company’s supercharger network which can charge the truck at up to
 250 kW
. The truck itself can also be used to charge other things, with 110v and 220v sockets on board.
Oh and before we forget, Tesla is also making a quad-bike to go with the Cybertruck, but no specifications were revealed at the event.


Multiple honours for Toyota in fourth ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix Awards

Toyota has received multiple honours at the fourth ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix Awards and bagging the best award for the brand as a whole; the
Excellent Award
 for the brand with the
most five-star
 scoring.
The biannual ASEAN NCAP
Grand Prix awards
, now its fourth edition, was held virtually with the aim to commemorate high achievers in the field of vehicle safety in the region.
Two main awards are given out namely the Excellent Award and the Best Safety Performance Award. Apart from vehicles, there are categories for individuals and organizations to be acknowledged for their dedication and commitment to improving road safety.

Toyota won in three product categories, with the Toyota
Corolla Altis
, Toyota
Hilux
 and Toyota
Innova
 being recipients of the Excellent Awards for Continuous Safety Improvement in their respective segments.
The Toyota Majesty/Granvia window van (available in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines) was recognised with the Best Safety Performance Award for Safety Assist Systems.

“Toyota is committed to continuously improving its vehicle safety technologies and performance, as part of its entire efforts toward road and traffic safety, with focus on three essential elements- vehicles (advancing safety technology), people (educating drivers, passengers and pedestrians towards traffic safety) and traffic environment (supporting safer traffic infrastructure),” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Malaysia (UMWT), the distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia.
The upcoming
Toyota Corolla Cross
 scored the full five stars too
Since 2019, all-new as well as facelifted Toyota vehicles were assessed in the ASEAN NCAP and all achieved the full five-star rating. UMWT has also stepped up the benchmark in active and passive safety systems by placing as many airbags as possible in all passenger vehicles and specifying
Toyota Safety Sense
 whenever possible and available.
The recently launched facelift models of the
Vios
,
Yaris
,
Fortuner
 and Hilux models all come with the option of Toyota Safety Sense.
“Today, many of our models sold in Malaysia have Toyota Safety Sense, an Integrated Safety Management Concept where individual safety technologies and systems are designed to collaborate with each other in various vehicle operation stages, from parking to advanced safety, pre-collision safety, collision safety and rescue,” said President of UMWT, Ravindran K.
Since the introduction of the current 2017-2020 ASEAN NCAP rating system, a total of
ten
 Toyota vehicles have been assessed and all achieve the highest rating of
five stars
.
Recently, UMWT also made it easier for consumers to understand Toyota Safety Sense and its availability through the new
Toyota Synergised Mobility
 communication channel.


Hyundai approved used car programme extends to KL showroom

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has expanded its “
Hyundai Promise Approved Used Car Programme
” to the showroom in Old Klang Road, Kuala Lumpur, following huge demand for Hyundai’s approved used cars.
It’s only the second outlet to offer Hyundai’s approved used cars after the flagship outlet in Temasya Industrial Park, Glemarie, Shah Alam.
Sime Darby Motors Malaysia, Retail and Distribution, Managing Director, Mr Jeffery Gan said, “The take-up rate for Hyundai used cars is rapidly increasing especially for models introduced in the last five years.”
HSDM, Managing Director, Mr Low Yuan Lung added that the expansion of sales operations to Old Klang Road is to cater to customers in the Kuala Lumpur area.
Pre-owned Hyundai vehicles under the programme come with genuine parts and the original engine. The vehicles are inspected rigorously by trained technicians to ensure their electronics and mechanical parts are in optimum condition. These certified vehicles are also free of major accidents and come with an extended (dealer and manufacturer’s) warranty of two to five years depending on the age of the vehicle and the clocked-in mileage.
More information about the Hyundai Promise Approved Used Car Programme
here
.
RELATED:
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors claims Hyundai’s resale value in Malaysia comparable to Japanese rivals


Petron plays host to over 190 food banks across Malaysia

Inspired by the message “Take what you need, give what you can”, Petron Malaysia and its dealers now have over 190 food banks located in their petrol stations.
This is the second year Petron Malaysia has set up food banks at their petrol stations and are delighted to partner with Petron dealers in showing compassion and exercising its corporate social responsibility.
Members of the public have also donated items under the “Jom Bantu Food Bank and Community Table” initiative, which hopes to ease the burden of those severely affected financially by the global Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, many economic sectors and micro-economies are still not open.
The full list of service stations with the community pantries can be found
here
. The list has not been updated with locations in Sarawak.
Petron also collaborated with KPJ Healthcare with the launching of eight KPJ food banks at selected petrol stations, the first being the Petron New Larkin that was opened on July 23rd.
“The response has been overwhelming. The food bank initiative allowed us to connect with others, creating stronger community bonds while contributing to society. It is not all about money or popularity, but being able to be that someone who makes a person looks forward to tomorrow with hope,” expressed Petron New Larkin Johor Bahru, Dealer, Cik Azura Abu Bakar.
The community tables are stocked with rice, sugar, flour, cooking oil, eggs, biscuits, noodles as well as canned and dried foods. Basic personal care items such as soap and toilet paper are also available.
A petrol station in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah even supported the local farming community by sourcing fresh fruits and vegetables from them and then handing them out to the people in need.
Users with the PMiles loyalty card can further contribute to Petron Malaysia’s food and necessities donation scheme under the “PetronMyKasih Jom Derma” programme, where P-Miles points donated will be converted into cash and vested into MyKasih Foundation.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) Johor, Petron petrol stations in the Southern region are also food bank collection centres where the public may donate food and essential items. MDTCA will then distribute the items accordingly.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia contributed vehicles, equipment and cash to further strengthen the fight against Covid-19. Details of the CSR activity can be found here.


Review: 2018 Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo, Stuttgart’s new eye candy

It’s common knowledge that the 911 is one of very few sports cars you can drive to work with ease and come the weekends, it’ll
take any open day track day in its stride
 and still be able to drive you home after.
If the 911 is the sports car for all seasons, the new Panamera 4 Sport Turismo is the Porsche for all occasions. You might think the same about the Cayenne but lets be realistic, being an SUV and all it just wouldn’t have the same dynamism of the 911 or the Panamera, when the sudden urge arises to swipe through the next long swooping bend.
But let’s wind it back a little. When I first laid eyes on what could be the next four-door Porsche through images of the Porsche 989, I was horrified.
It looked as if it was performing an unnatural stretch – like a man doing a split – with both his hands pulled sideways and downwards. It’s as uncomfortable to picture as it is to read.
Having already had to live with the existence of a high-rise Porsche, the Cayenne, the thought of diluting the Porsche brand further (which in MY MIND consists only of 911s) with yet another mass-appeal product just made me cringe.
I’ve seen what a four-door Ferrari 456 GT looks like on paper, what the Aston Martin Rapide looks like in person and more recently, a Lamborghini four-door concept all over the Internet – none of them looks as appealing as their two-door counterparts would.
But in 2009, it happened and just like everyone expected, it was like a stab in the eye with a crinkled fork, on fire. The second generation did the Panamera (Carrera + Panamericana) and ultimately Porsche name more justice with an even more pronounced fastback look but no matter how you do it, a 911 silhouette with four doors just doesn’t work – visually, at least.
And that’s why I think they’ve finally hit the bull’s eye with the Sport Turismo. Now you can’t see it as a stretched 911 anymore, it looks purpose-built; to stand on its own and project more individualism.
Objectively, it may still not be for everyone. You may still not like it, but you won’t hate it. Me, I simply love how it looks. That burning fork is now replaced with a warm towel, gently placed on by a pair of delicate hands.
Arguably, it would look more proportionate with shorter rear overhangs, but it’s got that chunky but approachable hatchback look that just doesn’t try too hard to claim attention.
It gets better with closer examination of the details. Those 21-inch “Exclusive Design” wheels, a RM 23k option, are just to die for. Another must have item on the options list is that RM 16k quad-tailpipe Sport exhaust system that’ll respond either with a gentle purr or a fierce growl, depending on how far you stretch your right feet to trigger the 2.9-litre biturbo V6 engine.
Even the 4-piece Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) LED headlight system is an ornament on its own – there’s an allure to it that just makes you want to take a closer look at its meticulous LED arrangement. Throw in a further RM 7,000 into the order sheet and you’ll score yourself the LED Matrix PDLS pair.
But whatever you pick, please tick this particular “Special Colour” option with the lush Red hue; the Sport Turismo just turns heads everywhere it goes. It’s like walking around with a big red “Ang Pow”; you can’t not draw attention to yourself.
The “Porsche-ness” you seek is more apparent on the inside of the Sport Turismo, and behind the wheel, than from how it looks on the outside.
Let me try it to sum this up in the simplest way I can; it all just feels so right. Every twist of a knob, the push of a button, the resistance and the sound that it makes, justifies its RM 1 million price tag. This particular unit will cost you more, it’s got every possible option on sale.
Whether it’s a trim or a surface or a click, it all feels “tailor-made” but not for a specific individual but instead, “customised” for the masses, for every being privileged to ride in or own one to feel at home and at the centre of it all.
The gear lever console can be easily accustomed to but I suspect the more senior spectrum of Panamera owners will spend more time getting to know the 12-inch central command/infotainment system aptly named the Porsche Communication System, than it took them to assimilate with smartphones.
It also won’t be easy, for the old and young for that matter, to get the exact adjustments of the electronically-controlled air con vents – you’ll need the steady hands of a surgeon to get it just at the right position. In other words, you’ll have to split your eyeballs in opposite directions.
At the back, the first thing you’d notice, if you’ve spent time in a Panamera is the increased head room from the Sport Turismo’s “wagon” design. It doesn’t feel like it was built to confine and induce claustrophobia in you, like the Panameras of old.
I absolutely love how the centre tunnel cascades to the back. The view ahead from the back allows you to appreciate the overall design inside the car; it’s like an operating theater, draped in soft leather.
Behind the wheel, I like how easy the Sport Turismo was to drive. Its light but relatively communicative steering, taut pedals, enormously assuring brakes exudes harmony – a familiar trait of every Porsche driving experience.
Powerful it is not; not by any means. For the same price of a BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 S 4MATIC, it will be left for dust from the get-go with a 0 to 100 km/h time of just 5.3 seconds, armed with only
 330 hp
 and
 450Nm
 to pull its 1.9-tonne weight.
As much as it tries and to an extent succeeds to mask its weight, its belly still shows. The V6 engine really needs a good squeeze, to avoid feeling as if you were running with diving weights strapped on.
But work the revs hard enough through the flawless 8-speed PDK transmission, and you’d have a chubby kid that moves with the fluidity of a gymnast. The PDK gearbox is, in my opinion, simply the best transmission out there at the moment.
And as a long-distance, high speed cruiser, the Panamera Sport Turismo is right up there with the rest. It encloses you impeccably from the elements outside, making your mile-crunching journeys nearly effortless.
Considering the brief moment spent with the car, like literally for just a few hours, I must say it projected more strengths than weaknesses and its pros definitely out-shined any of its cons, if any at all.
And if it’s down to the question of why you should get the Panamera Sport Turismo over the faster BMW or the rude Mercedes-Benz, I put this back to you; why would you bother with a Coach or Micheal Kors bag if you can get something with a Prada badge for the same money?
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen teases the new Polo R WRC for 2017 season

The World Rally Championship (WRC) will undergo a new regulation change which foresees more powerful cars that will conquer any surfaces on this planet. With that, Volkswagen teased its 2017 WRC contenders with the Polo R WRC.
The current VW Polor R WRC for 2016 WRC season
For the uninitiated, 2017 regulation requires WRC cars to have
380 hp
 extracted out from its
1.6-litre turbocharged
 engine, an increase of almost
60 hp
 from the current cars. That’s made possible courtesy of a wider diameter in the air restrictor and the usage of electronic center differential for the power transmission.
In addition to that, 2017 WRC car must shed
 25 kg off
 from the current min weight of
1200 kg
, and encourages a wider usage of aerodynamics as seen with a wider rear wing and broader front spoiler. That said, this is a recipe for a very jovial rally car.

“The 2017 WRC regulations include many spectacular technical innovations for the World Rally Championship,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. “The World Rally Cars of the future will incorporate all the experience that teams have gained in recent years. They will be considerably more dynamic, whilst at the same time being safer.”
The Polo R in WRC is based from this gen Polo
The
Polo R
 has had much success in World Rallying Championship, with 2016 WRC season is pretty much under Volkswagen’s control. As statistics revealed the Polo R is currently WRC’s most successful rally car with
37 victories out of 42 rallies,
 there’s high chance that the 2017 Polo R might to inherit the success formula from its predecessors.


Review: Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 – Doesn’t put a foot wrong

Last month, Porsche AG announced a new addition to their line-up of vehicles, the
 new Cayenne Coupe
, with the aim to take on the likes of BMW’s X6 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
An unsurprising addition, a coupe body style for the Cayenne has been a long time coming seeing as most brands are going out of their way to cater to every buyer possible – even if it means giving the SUVs a coupe look. There you go, this is the world we live in now.
But even with the Macan’s rise in prominence and the emergence of the new Cayenne Coupe, don’t be so quick to discount the Cayenne. Last year, Porsche AG delivered 49,715 units of the Cayenne worldwide and the year before wasn’t any different either.
And it’s not hard to see why the Cayenne has done so well for Porsche; even helping the company prosper – as its bread and butter – for more than 10 years now.
Despite it being just the base model, the Cayenne showed why it has been the luxury SUV of choice, in every way you’d expect an SUV to.
Starting off with the performance, the way this thing accelerates just riles up every nerve in the body. To think it’s just the base model with a 3.0-litre V6 engine making
345 hp
and
450 Nm
 of torque, imagine what the Turbo model can do.
0 to 100 km/h takes just 6.2 seconds – 5.9 if you spec the Cayenne with the Sport Chrono Package – and it’s simply relentless to its top speed of 245 km/h. Trust me, I came within a whisker of it, without much effort or space needed.
And the way the gear changes in the 8-speed Tiptronic S gearbox is quite something behold. There’s no other way to say it but it’s probably good enough to support the performance of a more powerful sportscar.
Short of Volkswagen’s dual clutch transmission, I believe nothing comes close to the fluidity and quick-shifting characteristics of the Cayenne’s gearbox. Anything quicker than this and you’d have to look at the RM1 million and above supercars for such a visceral experience in the lower gears.
Even at standstill, the experience of being in the driver seat alone was indescribable. It’s like every child’s dream come true – of being in a fighter jet.
There are so many toggles, switches and displays in your surrounding, you won’t know where to start. And they’re so impeccably finished; you can almost feel the extensive time and prolonged thought that went into making and putting these components together.
And since this one comes equipped with the SportChrono Pack, you get a rotary dial by the steering – allowing you to switch between drive modes – like a Formula 1 driver (vaguely).
I really appreciate that they’ve, for so long, retained the signature three-spoke steering and the RPM meter in the middle, even in their SUVs. With developments taking place at such rapid pace and seemingly unsustainable, these little touches help retain the source of a brand’s identity.
I mean, these guys were known for their 911s. Then it was the SUVs that put them on a larger, wider map. Now it’s SUVs with coupe body styles. Hence, the retention of the “Porsche elements”, even in their mass-produced vehicles, is a necessary one.
I must say, I’m a big fan of the interface of the mesmerising 12.3-inch full HD touchscreen display of the Cayenne, but operating it is a whole different story. I find it too cluttered, a little “all over the place”.
At least the Cayenne does not come with the digitally-control air vents like in the Panamera Sport Turismo. Cool as it looked, it’s actually more of a inconvenient gimmick than anything.
Granted I may not be the most tech/gadget savvy person out there but I’d assume those who can afford this RM929k SUV (spec-ed up from RM795k) to be the same. If I know old people better, they’d prefer things to be more straightforward.
That emblem is a RM2,000 optional extra.
Speaking of specifications, this car has more than RM134k worth of options that includes the Sport Chrono Package (RM5k), larger 90-litre fuel tank from the standard 75-litre (RM557), rear-axle steering (RM9.5k), Park Assist (RM3.4k), Soft Close doors (RM3.2k), panoramic roof (RM9.3k), Porsche Dynamic Light System head lights (RM9k) and Bose Surround Sound system (RM6.2k) to name a few.
I’m glad the opted for the rear-axle steering for the Cayenne or else I’d never get to experience how nimble an SUV can actually be. For a vehicle that weighs 2,000 kg, thanks to extensive weight saving measures with use of aluminium, it’s almost as nimble as a Golf GTI!
Couple that with the adaptive air suspension, you have a ride that is as comfortable as a “sports car on stilts” can be because that’s what the Cayenne is without even the need to exaggerate.
You can never say that about an X5 or the Mercedes-Benz GLE, as competent as they are, this one has that bit of Porsche magic to help it stand out.
The level of refinement on the move beggars belief too. It strikes a really nice balance between the plushness of an Mercedes-Benz S-Class with the firmness of say, a 911.
Stopping power is immense – a signature Porsche legacy that extends even to the Cayenne and one that is unlikely to ever fade; pun intended.
If you’re looking to get the cutting-edge Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB), you’ll have to opt for the 20 or 21-inch wheels as it wouldn’t fit the 19-inch wheels on this Cayenne.
As for the outside of the car, well, I guess you can’t really fault the design, can you? It may look a little more subdued than its rivals but discretion never really hurt anyone, has it?
It’s big enough and imposing as it is, so being shouty really is an optional extra. Besides, it’s a much prettier version of itself from 10 years ago – have you ran into Cayennes from the early 2000s? Gosh they look awful.
So there it is, an SUV that needs no introduction and given that only a few hours were offered to bond with it, it needed even less time to impress.
If you have RM800k to spend on an SUV and you looked past the Cayenne, what a fool you are.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s new extended warranty offers up to RM250k of coverage

Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia and
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM)
 have announced a new “Extended Limited Warranty Programme” for all Mercedes-Benz customers in Malaysia. Customers with new and pre-owned cars can now opt for a one- or two-year warranty subscription with up to RM 250,000 of coverage.
MBM says that the components replaced under this plan will be further covered by a 24-month Mercedes-Benz Parts Guarantee. The programme also provides unlimited mileage coverage for cars not exceeding 125,000km before the start of their fifth year and 150,000km before the start of their sixth year before opting in for this programme. The warranty subscription cost increases with the age of the car.
Offered are two types of extended warranty programmes – “Essential Coverage” and “Comprehensive Coverage”. The “Essential Coverage” comprises key components such as air-conditioning, brakes, engine, front-wheel drive, power windows, steering, rear-wheel drive, suspension, and transmission.
RELATED:
Mercedes me Store launched in Malaysia – Navigation now requires subscription
The “Comprehensive Coverage” adds another nine additional components on top of the “Essential Coverage”, such as active and passive safety components, Airmatic struts, audio system, ECU and tyre pressure monitoring system, instrument cluster, sensors, all other control units and electrical components, and rear entertainment system (for selected vehicles across the Mercedes-Benz model range in their fifth and sixth year).
Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia Managing Director, Ms. Anamika Talwar said, “The Extended Limited Warranty Programme was developed and designed to offer our customers the flexibility to choose additional coverage best suited for their lifestyle and driving needs. Not only does the programme offer them extended peace of mind, but it also aims to enhance their overall ownership experience in the later years. We are confident that our customers will see the value of this additional coverage as this ensures their vehicle will receive ultimate protection for absolute peace of mind.”
Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia Vice President of Customer Services, Mr. Edmin Naidoo said, “Our customers are our top priority, and our goal is to provide them confidence and peace of mind. This Extended Limited Warranty Programme is one of the many programmes to come in providing our customers a comprehensive and seamless ownership experience throughout their journey with us.”
More information on the Extended Limited Warranty Programme is available
here
.
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Volkswagen Arteon positioned as premium grand tourer, sits above Passat

Scheduled to make its world debut at Geneva is Volkswagen’s latest luxury grand tourer (also known as gran turismo), the
Volkswagen Arteon
.
The fastback-styled four-door saloon will get a completely new front end, flanked by full LED headlights and integrated daytime running lights. What’s unique with the Arteon is the way the grille “flows” into the headlamps, much like the
new Tiguan
 except with more aggression.
Volkswagen claims that the Arteon’s cabin boasts exceptional spaciousness, with ample head and legroom for all passengers. It’s always a challenge trying to maximise interior space in any fastback grand tourer (except if you’re
Bentley
 or
Maybach
, which is in an entirely different league), although Volkswagen hasn’t revealed the exact footprint for the Arteon as yet.
Other debuting features include Volkswagen’s latest generation of driver assistance systems, some of which are typically reserved for high-end luxury vehicles. The Wolfsburg carmaker also said “the Arteon is the amalgamation of avant-garde design and immense versatility. Together with all its features, it will undoubtedly be one of the most attractive products in its segment.”
The Volkswagen Arteon will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show which swings into action from 9 to 19 March 2017.
IMAGE GALLERY


Audi pulls out from Le Mans series, channels resources to Formula E

The
Dieselgate
 scandal that hit the Volkswagen Group (VAG) has claimed another victim, probably its biggest yet. Audi, who promotes its diesel powertrains through their diesel-powered LMP1 car in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), has decided to pull the plug on it. Instead, Ingolstadt will shift its focus in Formula E.
Audi has had a strong presence in prototype endurance racing for decades. Over 18 years, Audi has won

the
 Le Mans 24 Hours
a staggering 13 times, thanks to their turbodiesel technology. This year’s WEC campaign will sadly become Audi’s last.
Moving forward, the Four Rings believes that
Formula E
 will pave the way for the future, especially when road cars are beginning to embrace electrification. Formula E’s low-cost structure and open development for electric cars mean it’s a wise investment for Audi. They have took over Team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport, the team they previously sponsored.
There’s a few reasons why this decision is sensible. Funds are tight after VAG incurred billions in fines and suffering massive losses due to the Dieselgate saga. Furthermore, Porsche’s presence in the LMP1 category means it’s not feasible to have two VAG brands duking it out for Le Mans glory in the long run. It has been a long and fruitful journey for Audi in Le Mans, but unfortunately, it’s time to move on. Hopefully their successes will reward them handsomely in the all-electric Formula E series.
After all, in motorsports, if you don’t take risk, you won’t win. Let’s hope Audi thinks that way…


Precept Concept closer to reality, adopting the Polestar 5 name

Now that is a beautiful electric car! Polestar is back at designing incredibly beautiful cars, as the subsequent
Polestar 2
 fastback looked too ‘safe’ after the beautiful
Polestar 1

1,000-hp
 hybrid coupe.
The Polestar 5 is however not an entirely new styling from the electric performance car company, as the concept originated from the Polestar Precept. The company also
documented
 how the sketches by designer Nahum Escobedo turned into the Precept and slowly become the Polestar 5.
Notice the similarities in the styling and the C-pillar indent between the Polestar 5 and the prototype
Few weeks back, Polestar teased a
prototype vehicle
 that had key styling elements of the Precept, such as the steep sloping roof, C-pillar indent and pop-up door handles; features that can link the black development vehicle as the Polestar 5.
Being a grand tourer (GT), the Polestar 5 will compete against the king of the segment- the
Porsche Taycan
 and joined by the new
Audi e-tron GT
,
Mercedes-AMG EQS 53
 and Tesla Model S. The
BMW i4 M50
 is a size smaller, as these are all clustered into the ‘E’ segmentation.
A very digitised interior in the 2024 Polestar 5
Polestar has naturally set Porsche as their customer experience and
performance target
, with a very strong will to exceed Stuttgart’s brand’s strength.
Polestar to double global retail presence this year, including Singapore. More here!
Polestar says the Precept was developed to preview the future, embodying the company’s key competencies of design, sustainability, technology and performance. Now seen with production readiness in mind, the Polestar 5 embodies the company’s increasingly independent and muscular design language, cues of which will already be seen on
Polestar 3
 performance SUV that is expected to be launched next year.
The Polestar 5 meanwhile will only be made available from 2024, interestingly a year after Lotus’ similarly-sized product with the code
Type 133
. Both Polestar and Lotus have significant links to China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding, with the former co-owned by Volvo while the latter has the remaining
minority 49%
 stake owned by Etika Automotive Sdn Bhd of Malaysia.
GALLERY


New Tank 500 is China’s answer to the Toyota Land Cruiser

For years Toyota’s Land Cruiser has been synonymous with all things four-wheel drive but China may have an answer to Japan’s golden boy which was
 just launched recently
, in the form of the new
 Tank 500
 revealed at the Chengdu Motor Show.
Under the hood of that muscular-looking front end is a petrol-powered 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 making
354 hp
 and
500 Nm
, while a 9-speed ZF auto helps channel power to all four wheels.
Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport launched in Japan, from RM297k! Read about it here!
It’s unlikely to spring any surprises against the Land Cruiser 300 in terms of grunt, as the Toyota’s off-road crown jewel makes over 400 hp and over
650 Nm
. Videos have surfaced showing how it

accelerates like a hot hatch
 as well.
New Toyota Land Cruiser accelerates like a hot hatch! Check out the video here!
Inside is where the Tank 500 really works its charm. There’s a hint of Volvo on the centre console, a hint of Mercedes-Benz on the steering wheel, and it’s hard not to think of
Audi with the switches and the door handles
/speaker cover. Even the dashboard somewhat
mimics that of Rolls-Royce
.
Not much else is known in terms of its features, although based on the images available, it’s clear that the Tank 500 isn’t short of creature comforts and off-road abilities. It gets a locking differential with 4L mode, parking sensors, hill descend control and auto brakehold, to name a few.
Interestingly, the Tank 500 shares the same wheelbase length as the Land Cruiser at 2850 mm, offering three rows for seven passengers but elsewhere it’s just milimetres more petite.
With an 800 mm wading depth, it’s even better than the Range Rover Velar (at 650 mm)
we tested
 and pick-ups (around 700 mm) we testedbefore.
Source:
Drive
GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia welcomes Sagree Sardien as new President and CEO

Mercedes-Benz has appointed
 Sagree Sardien
 as the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, effective
July 1st 2021
.
Sardien will also concurrently hold the role of Head of Region, Mercedes-Benz Cars SEA II. With over 20 years of automotive industry experience and 13 years of those with Daimler, Sardien started as the Head of Operations in South Africa for Daimler’s Fleet Management division.
During her tenure in South Africa, she held various leadership positions across the Daimler organisation including Fleet operations, Logistics, Sales, Product Management and Customer Services, in South Africa.
Sardien was also responsible for the implementation of the Retail of the Future business model in the South African market, transforming the sales environment to Model D between 2016 – 2018, where Mercedes-Benz maintained the number one position for premium brand in the country.
New S-Class
New C-Class
Mercedes-EQS
The all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class flagship has been launched in Indonesia and Thailand!
Three years ago, Sardien moved to Stuttgart, Germany, where she was the Head of Sales for Region Overseas markets, comprising Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, Egypt, Turkey and South Africa.
Sagree Sardien said, “I am excited to join the Malaysia and SEA II regional team. In the last few years, Mercedes-Benz has grown from strength to strength in the premium automotive segment in the region. It is an incredible and opportune time to join the company, and I look forward to contributing to the implementation of our ambition to shape the future of mobility and support the transformation of the automotive environment.”
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia also announced the arrival of Edmin Naidoo as Vice President of Customer Services MBC Malaysia and SEA II. Like Sardien, Naidoo has also built-up plenty of his experiences on Mercedes-Benz working culture in South Africa.
In collaboration with the Customer Service team of Region Overseas, Naidoo was also responsible for introducing best practice steering tools, digital KPI dashboards and Customer Services chat-bot for retailers, advancing the standards of digital transformation in the region. Naidoo, who has been with the Mercedes-Benz brand for over 25 years, is passionate about introducing digitized concepts to the market, enabling customers and retailers to enjoy the advantages of the Digital Service Drive Transformation.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia goes online with the virtual showroom for all vehicles, new and pre-owned!
As the newly appointed Head of Customer Services, MBC Malaysia & SEA 2, Edmin Naidoo said, “We are entering an exciting time where innovation including data at the core allows us to create hyper-personalized ecosystems, where our customers can experience true Mercedes moments that are Best-in-Class. I am excited to join the SEA team to build upon our achievements in shaping the future of service products that offer our customers a Mercedes of Service Experience.”
Sardien’s appointment comes into effect as the incumbent, Dr. Claus Weidner, completes his tenure in Malaysia since appointed in 2015 and Naidoo’s new role commences as Jeffrey Simon finishes his three-year term in Malaysia.


Mitsubishi owners are most satisfied with their after-sales service, again

As proof that it wasn’t a fluke, Mitsubishi did it again by coming in first in JD Power’s Malaysia Customer Service Index (Mass Market) Study for the
second year running
, followed by Toyota and Mazda.
Average score has also increased by seven points from 754 to
761, with dealers putting in more effort to enhance customer service experience
as new car sales flattens. The study also found that customers are much happier
if they are notified when service is required, and also to be kept informed of
the vehicle status during the service process.
Among the areas to be addressed include managing service turnaround time; satisfaction among customers who had their cars turned around in a shorter time span is higher (776 points) than those whose service took longer (748 points), however the proportion of customers who are not told when their vehicle would be ready has also increased (12% vs. 6% in 2018).
Other key findings include facilities that are improving
with better amenities and complimentary services even if fewer customers elect
to wait at the dealership, with those who choose to wait are more satisfied than
those who returned later. Additionally, the use of digital channels to schedule
appointments are also on the rise.
Note: The J.D. Power 2019 Malaysia Customer Service Index (Mass Market) StudySM is based on responses from 2,644 vehicle owners, who received delivery of their new vehicle between February 2016 and June 2018 and took their vehicle for service to an authorized dealer or service centre between February 2018 and June 2019.
The study was fielded from February through June 2019.Now in its 17th year, the study covers owners who bought their vehicle in the past 12-36 months and serviced it at least once in the past 12 months at an authorised service centre. The study measures overall service satisfaction among owners who took their vehicle to an authorised service centre by examining dealership performance in five factors (in order of importance): service quality (25%); vehicle pick-up (21%); service initiation (20%); service facility (17%); and service advisor (16%). Overall satisfaction for the industry averages 761 points.