Enhanced Proton Ertiga Xtra launched in Malaysia, priced from RM56k

Proton has just unveiled an enhanced version of the Proton Ertiga Xtra at the grand finals of the Proton 1 Tank Adventure. The new variant gets a minor equipment change and is not any pricier than the
previous Ertiga line up
.
Priced from RM56k to RM62k (on-the-road without insurance, GST & SST), the Ertiga Xtra is available in three variants – Executive MT, Executive AT and Premium AT. With the Xtra variant, you’ll get extra equipment in the form of a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, DVD player, Smartphone E-Link and GPS Navigation.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Proton Ertiga Xtra Executive (MT)
Proton Ertiga Xtra Executive (AT)
Proton Ertiga Xtra Premium (AT)
Engine
1,373cc; DOHC with VVT, timing chain, multi-point injection (MPI)
Transmission
5-speed manual
4-speed auto
Max Power
92 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
130 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM56,773
RM59,525
RM62,278
Besides that, the beige interior of the Ertiga has been swapped out for a darker shade (fabric) material for a warmer cabin ambience. Other than that, everything else such as steering wheel audio switches, powered folding side mirrors, second-row air conditioning, dual power sockets and six speakers are retained.

Visually, the Ertiga Xtra is no different too with halogen reflector headlamps, front 15-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 185/65 R15 GT Radial Champiro Eco tyres and fog lamp with chrome garnish.
Underneath the hood, you’ll still find the same K14B 1.4-litre naturally-aspirated MPI four-cylinder that is paired to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic to deliver
92 hp
 and
130 Nm
 of torque to the front axles. The Ertiga is also qualified for EEV status in Malaysia.
IMAGE GALLERY
Proton Ertiga Xtra Premium (AT)


Video: Volkswagen Arteon R-Line, 5 Things

At long last, the new
Volkswagen Arteon
 is here in Malaysia and was launched side-by-side with the new Tiguan Allspace 7-seater.
The new Arteon is available in a sole variant – the R-Line – and is locally-assembled in Pekan, Pahang. Perhaps the most stylish Volkswagen on sale in Malaysia at the moment, the successor of the Volkswagen CC sports a distinctive front end, frameless windows and a dramatically-sloping roofline that results in a stunning rear 3/4 view.

The Arteon is powered by the same engine found in the Passat launched recently and is also equipped with the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) as standard; offering five different driving modes – Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual.
Priced at RM221,065 on-the-road without insurance, the Arteon R-Line also comes with a5-year unlimited mileage warranty, 3-year free scheduled maintenance package, and 5-year roadside assistance. The new Arteon R-Line will be on display as part of the
Volkswagen Tour
, happening 12th till 16th of August 2020 at 1 Utama Shopping Centre.
Following the Sales Tax Exemption, for the latest price list of Volkswagen vehicles in Malaysia, click
here
.


The Toyota Aygo X Prologue is a “spicy” supermini designed for Europe

Toyota
 is bringing the ‘Kei’ into Europe, with the Aygo X Prologue giving us a taste of how it’ll look. OK fine – they didn’t say that exactly, but since small tiny crossovers like these don’t really exist outside of the adorable Kei cars in Japan, we’re just going to roll with it.
Currently, the Aygo X Prologue (the X is pronounced as ‘Cross’, if you’re wondering) is more of a show car than anything else, and from the images, looks like it only exists as a virtual rendering. It’s the work of Toyota’s European design house, ED2 that’s based right outside of Nice on the French Côte d’Azur, and it’s supposedly “designed in Europe … for Europeans”, with the sole purpose of making it stand out in any crowd.
Despite sharing a name with the Aygo, the X Prologue does stray quite a bit away in looks from the supermini – and that’s not taking into account its taller stature thanks to its new crossover body style. Specifically, the concept car gets a new wedged roofline, alongside massively flared arches to give it a more athletic stance.
Both the front and rear fascias are dominated by new full-width lighting elements, the front being a daytime-running light strip that wraps upwards to form a “wing-like” dual layer design, while the rear looks more like an evolution of the current Aygo’s lighting design.
On the Aygo X Prologue, Toyota also wanted to emphasise the “go anywhere” image of the mini crossover. These include a large lower grille up front surrounded by fog lamps on both ends and a skid plate element below, an integrated roof rack, and also a skid plate at the back housing a bicycle holder mount.
Even the wing mirrors also double as an action camera, designed to capture and share your “moments of exploration”. We figure that this probably won’t make it into production though, at least not in its current stylised form due to European homologation requirements.
Remember the whole standing out thing? Even its paint job gets a special treatment, inspired by chillis of all things. Here’s an excerpt from the press release:
In life, colours are central to our emotions. This is also true for Aygo X prologue. To bring the “spicy” concept to life, certain ingredients naturally presented themselves. The top four were chilli, ginger, wasabi and black pepper. Spiciest of all is “chilli”.
The red paint mix, called “Sparkling Chilli Red”, is given an extra boost with blue metallic flakes, and contrasted with black paint on the body work to give it a snazzy two-tone look.
“Fun and playfulness has always been at the heart of Aygo. Now, we’ve added to its DNA an additional pinch of hot spice,” added ED2 Design Director, Lance Scott.
No technical details have been shared so far, though it is understood that Toyota will be fitting a small internal combustion engine underneath the bonnet to keep the price low, as it is intended to serve the “entry point” market in Europe.
Rumours also say that despite this being a concept of sorts, the next Aygo will supposedly be launched within the next few months, with a design that will look very similar to what we’re seeing on the X Prologue – which is terrific news, because we love it. If only it’ll be brought over here onto our shores.
GALLERY


Driving with flip flops can be more dangerous than you think, here’s why

We Malaysians are always in a hurry, and we like things to be convenient. That’s why our flip flops are our go-to footwear for any events that are not formal. What you don’t know is your unassuming flip flop is also scheming to take you out when you least expect it.
Studies have shown that flip flops can be the most dangerous type of footwear to drive in. It is deemed dangerous enough, that some countries have considered it a
traffic offense
 if you’re caught wearing one while driving.
You’re probably thinking, “No, my beloved flip flop can’t be that dangerous”, and that we here are overreacting. We beg to differ and here are three reasons why:
They can get caught between your pedals
Source:
stuff.co.nz
Flip flops getting caught between your pedals happen more often than you think. It could be due to them slipping off because of rigorous movements, or the weather was hot and you decided to take them off and leave them next to your pedals.
The danger here is when we drive, items in the car tend to shift about. While you keep your eyes on the road, you could be unaware that your flip flops, which you have removed earlier, has shifted and is now trapped between your brake pedals. By the time you notice the blockage, it will already be too late.
Their thick soles could be a hazard
Source:
thesun.co.uk
Having thick soles are normally a sign of comfortable footwear. Too thick of a sole can also be dangerous, as it takes away the pedal feel when driving. Pedal feel is important, it’s how you know whether to apply more or less pressure to the accelerator or brakes pedals when driving.
Having limited pedal feel is like having a sponge between your feet and the pedals. When you can’t feel much of the pedal, you tend to apply less pressure to it. This can result in you not braking fast enough to avoid a bumper to bumper collision.
Delayed reaction
Source:
thesun.co.uk
Driving requires a lot of focus, and accidents could happen because we stop paying attention for a split second. An ill-fitting flip flop can be a potential hazard, as it can be a distraction or delay your reaction.
A scenario can play out like this; when coming to a stop, you shift your feet from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal. As you’re shifting your feet, your ill-fitting flip flop can come loose causing you to take your eyes off the road for a second. When you look back up, you see the gap between you and the car in front is now very close, you panic and stomp on the wrong pedal, lunging your car forward instead.
Fortunately, some cars do come with safety features for the scenario we just mentioned. The
Pedal Misoperation Control
 by Perodua or
Pedal Misapplication Acceleration Control System

II
 by Toyota. The system works by detecting objects or vehicles in front of you and suppresses the engine output, should it detect that you stomped on the accelerator pedal by accident. Not all cars however, come with such features.
So, the next time before you put on your favourite pair of flip flops, remember these three hazards they may pose. If you still insist on wearing flip flops, please make sure they are of the
right size
,
not too thick
 and
not ill-fitting
 for your feet.


SDAC lends a hand to nursing home on Ford Global Caring Month

Ford Motor Company kicked off its 14th annual Global Caring Month this September, as a way for Ford employees around the world to participate in community projects and create positive impacts in others’ lives.
Here in Malaysia, Ford together with its sole distributor, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) organised a full day activity at the Sincere Care Home to help improve the living conditions as well as provide emotional support to the elderly.
Sincere Care Home is a nursing home dedicated at looking after senior citizens who were found living on the streets, sent by families who are less able and referred to by the hospital.
During the all-day visit, the volunteers from SDAC and Ford were tasked with housekeeping, meals preparation and entertaining the senior folks. The volunteers even set up a spa corner offering manicure, pedicure, facial and hair cut services to groom the residents of the nursing home!
At the end of the day, a cheque was presented to Sincere Care Home as a donation to aid in the daily operations of the nursing home.
SDAC Managing Director Syed Ahmad Muzri Bin Syed Faiz said, “Ford Global Caring Month programme is a great platform and we are proud to be a part of it. Each year, we get to contribute to a different cause and make a difference in people’s lives. Together with Ford, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life for people in our communities where we live and work.”
Ford Global Caring month is an annual event by the Ford Volunteer Corps. Since its launch in 2005, Ford Volunteer Corps members have contributed more than 1.5 million hours of community service in 50 countries.
Throughout the month of September, the Ford Volunteer Corps will carry out projects in cities and towns across six continents.


BMW X6 xDrive35i M Sport launched, priced at RM719k without insurance [+Video]

BMW Group Malaysia at their BMW World Malaysia event last week launched their
second generation X6
 alongside the
2-Series Active Tourer
 and
i8
. The
Sports Activity Coupe
 (SAC) is of the
xDrive35i

M Sport
 variant and is priced at
RM718,800
 without insurance but is GST inclusive.
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW X6 xDrive35i M Sport
Engine
2,979cc; inline-6 with BMW TwinPower Turbo
Transmission
8-speed ZF automatic
Max Power
306 hp @ 5,800 – 6,400 rpm
Max Torque
400 Nm @ 1,200 – 5,000 rpm
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
6.4 seconds; 240 km/h
Price (OTR
without
 insurance)
 RM718,800
(with GST)

Only one variant and trim level of the F16 X6 will be offered by BMW Malaysia, and the M Sport package comes with the RM719k asking price.
EXTERIOR
Outside, the SAC sits on
20-inch
 M Double-spoke wheels with the front donning
275/40 R20
 profile tyres and
315/35 R20
 series for the rear. Source of illumination is
full LED
 (fog lights are LEDs as well) with
adaptive lighting technology
 and high beam assistance. The said fog lights however, seem to be a little out of place for our liking if we’re honest.

Thanks to the
M Aerodynamics
styling kit, the front and rear bumpers are more aggressive, with the rump flanked by two large trapezoidal exhaust pipes. It rides on Adaptive M Sport
air suspension
, featuring variable damper control.
INTERIOR
Here, the interior looks much like the
F15 X5
‘s, but the steering wheel of the X6 is sportier, featuring the
M Sport leather steering wheel
 with paddle shifters. The front seats are supposedly sport seats and are upholstered in Dakota leather.

You also get door sill finishers with M designation, interior trim accented in chrome, BMW Individual headliner anthracite and the instrument panel is finished in ‘Softskin Black’. Elsewhere, you get
four-zone air-conditioning
 controls, multifunctional instrument display, automated tailgate, Comfort Access System, panoramic glass sunroof and passenger sun blinds.
Audiophiles can enjoy the
16-speaker
 600W Harmon Kardon surround sound system. At the centre, you get a
10.25-inch
 high-definition display monitor with GPS navigation ssystem, 3D mapping with arrow display, DVD playback, MP3 decoder and hard-disc connectivity for maps and all your audio data. You also get BMW’s iDrive Touch Controller, of course.
PERFORMANCE
Underneath the hood is a twin-scroll turbocharged
3.0-litre inline-six
 engine making
306 hp
 at 5,800 to 6,400 rpm and
400 Nm
 of torque from 1,200 to 5,000 rpm. It is paired to an
eight-speed ZF
 automatic gearbox that channels drive to the
four wheels
 via the brand’s
xDrive
 drive system.
The
2.1 tonne
 X6 sprints from 0 to 100km/h in a respectable
6.4 seconds
 while managing a top speed of
240 km/h
. Fuel economy however, isn’t as impressive at
8.6 litres per 100km
. If you’re looking to get one, you probably don’t care about fuel consumption.
SAFETY
General safety kit includes
six airbags
, ABS with EBD, child ISOFIX attachments, dynamic braking lights, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control; the whole works, standard stuff. As for driver assistance technologies, you get BMW Head-Up Display,
adaptive cruise control
 with braking function, front and rear parking sensors with
surround view camera
 and rear view camera.
WHAT ELSE?
Pricing for the sole X6 is at
RM718,800 without insurance
, and it comes with a
two-year warranty
 programme with
unlimited mileage
 and a three-year or 60,000km BS+RI package.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


The Porsche Taycan is outselling the 911 worldwide

In a world where SUVs reign supreme, it’s not surprising to see the Cayenne and Macan topping Porsche’s sales charts. But what most people probably didn’t expect, is that the new Taycan EV is actually outselling the 911, Porsche’s bread and butter.
And it’s not just the 911 either. Through the first nine months of the year, Porsche delivered 28,640
Taycans
, compared to 27,972 units of the
911
, 20,275
Panameras
, and 15,916 units of the
 718 Caymans and Boxsters
.
Together with the
Cayenne
 (62,451 units) and
Macan
 (61,944 units), it all amounted to a rise of 13% in total sales for Porsche, thanks to increases in every market – particularly in the US where the company saw a year-on-year increase of 30% over the same period last year.
Sales growth in China meanwhile was more modest at 11%, but the region still remains as the single biggest market for Porsche by volume, with a total of 69,789 deliveries within the first three quarters of 2021.
The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo has just been launched in Malaysia! Check it out here.
“The very high demand for our sports cars continued into the third quarter, and we are delighted to have been able to supply so many cars to customers during the first nine months of the year,” said Porsche executive board member for Sales and Marketing, Detlev von Platen.
“The order books are nicely filled and are, in turn, filling us with optimism and enthusiasm as we approach the year-end rush. However, the coronavirus situation remains dynamic, and we are facing challenges in sourcing semiconductors. For these reasons, we are keeping a very close eye on current developments to ensure that we can continue to react in a flexible manner.”
Porsche’s CEO Oliver Blume said earlier this year that the company has blown through the Taycan’s annual production capacity of 20,000 units in just six months, resulting in a
wait list of over half a year
 for the electric sports car. With the
electric Macan
 due very soon, Porsche’s EV future seems to certainly be in good hands.


New Acura Integra to preserve the manual gearbox – revealed in new teaser!

Honda’s premium brand in the US, Acura, is planning to offer a six-speed manual transmission on the upcoming Integra fastback.
A short and sweet celebratory video has also been made to welcome this great news! For the past four generations since 1986, Integra models have featured a manual transmission and the American brand plans to continue this key attribute for the fifth generation.

The accompanying image however looks as if it’s taken from the all-new 11th generation
Honda Civic
 hatchback but added with the drive mode toggle for Sport, Econ and Normal modes. The Honda Civic with manual transmission omits the Sport mode that alters engine and transmission response, thus instead of a toggle switch, a dedicated Econ mode button is placed instead.
2022 Acura Integra
2021 Honda Civic
Acura earlier also teased a sketch of the Integra, showing the rear design will be a
five-door fastback
, again, an aspect close to the hearts of the Integra owners. Only the fourth generation, which also changed to the RSX naming, went to the coupe styling, similar to the DC5 Honda Integra.
In the Honda Civic hatchback, the slick six-speed manual transmission is paired to the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with outputs of 180 hp and 240 Nm of torque. As Acura is perceived to be a more premium and higher performance brand, we can expect that the fifth-generation Integra have access to a larger K20-series 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that currently serves the FK8
Honda Civic Type R
.
Want more Honda Integra shifting melody? Check out this on board in a race-prepared Honda Integra Type-R hunting a Porsche in Sepang!
Acura ILX
Acura TLX
Current interiors of the Acura do not share dashboards with Honda models
Thus, it will not be surprising to see the all-new Acura Integra having outputs of circa
255 hp
 /
370 Nm
 (or 10% lower than the Type R) and this engine is currently fitted in the Honda Accord 2.0T Sport.
2020 Honda Accord Sport 2.0T 6MT


Kia Rio Sedan previewed in Malaysia, single variant with an estimated price of RM73k

Naza Kia Malaysia has finally decided to introduce the booted variant of their popular B-segment model, the Kia Rio. The third generation Kia Rio was originally launched in Malaysia in early 2013, but it was only available in a 5-door hatchback body style. The Rio hatchback has recently been given a styling refresh, and now the facelifted Rio hatch is joined by the introduction of the Rio Sedan.
Previewed during the
NST-MAI ASEAN Auto Show
 at The Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre, the
Kia Rio Sedan
 comes in a
single variant
 like the hatchback sibling with the
same powertrain
, but specification-wise it’s positioned below the hatch. It also carries a marginally
cheaper price tag
 compared to the hatchback, by around RM6k less.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Kia Rio Sedan
Engine
1,396cc; inline-4 DOHC
Transmission
4-speed automatic
Max Power
108 hp @ 6,300 rpm
Max Torque
137 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Price (OTR with insurace)
RM73,000.00 (estimated)
EXTERIOR
It’s not merely a Rio with a tacked-on tail. Upon closer inspection the Rio Sedan has a
 larger ‘Tiger Nose’ grille
 along with a totally
different front bumper
. Even the headlights are not the same as on the hatch and although it misses out on the LED for its DRLs, it still retains the front foglamps.
The side indicators have moved from the side mirrors to the front fenders, while the mirrors have to be folded manually on the sedan. The wheels are two inches smaller than the 17-inch alloys fitted on the hatch, and they’re wrapped with a more eco-oriented set of Hankook Kinergy Eco tyres measuring
185/55 R15
.

While the width (1,720 mm), height (1,455 mm), and wheelbase (2,570 mm) matches to the figures from the hatch, the total
 length
 has
grown
 from 4,050 mm to
4,370 mm
. The extra rear overhang contributes to the extension, where it offers at least
389 litres of cargo space
 under the bootlid complete with a full-size spare tyre that resides under the boot floor.
INTERIOR
On the inside it’s the same affair as the Rio hatchback, but the equipment is not as generous. The instrument cluster is the basic type with a small trip computer screen at the base of the speedometer, and the steering wheel is not wrapped in leather. However, the controls for the radio and
Bluetooth audio system
 are still on the left and right spokes. Speaking of audio system, the head unit supports the mentioned Bluetooth connectivity, and it offers
800 MB of memory
 for you to keep your favourite tunes on board.

There are
Aux and USB ports
 flanked by
a pair of 12V power outlets
 below the
manual HVAC controls
, and there are the usual storage space underneath the center armrest. Space remains the same inside, the only difference is the extra boot space behind the
60/40 split folding rear seat back rests
.
PERFORMANCE
Unsurprisingly, the Rio Sedan shares the same powertrain combo as in the hatch. A
1,396cc four-cylinder
 mill is mated to a
four-speed automatic
, sending
108 hp
 and
137 Nm
 of torque to the front wheels. Compared to the Honda City and Toyota Vios, the power output is on par with the Japanese offerings.
SAFETY
On the safety front, the Rio Sedan is fully kitted with
six airbags
 as standard. That certainly put some cars in the bigger segments to shame.
ISOFIX
 anchor points can also be found in the rear seats.
Electronic Stability Control
 (ESC),
Vehicle Stability Management
 (VSM) and
all-round disc brakes
 with
ABS
 ensure a safe drive, while
Hill-start Assist Control
 and
reverse sensors
 lend a hand in the day-to-day driving.
WHAT ELSE?
Available in Clear White, Bright Silver, Deep Blue, and Signal Red, the Rio Sedan is now
open for bookings
 with an estimated price of
RM73,000.00
 inclusive of GST and insurance. Deliveries will commence in January 2016, and the Rio Sedan is covered by a
 five-year warranty
 with unlimited mileage.
IMAGE GALLERY


Video: Subaru Forester 2.0-iS EyeSight review

With the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 being so well received, and rightfully so, it makes the Subaru Forester by far the most underrated SUV out there at the moment. When you compare all three, it’s easy to see why but the Forester is not to be underestimated either.
Aside from looks and ultimately first impressions, the Forester does fall short when compared to the grandeur of the CR-V and the emotional appearance of the CX-5 but the differences end there. Beyond that, whether it’s the drive, comfort, cabin quality or insulation or even off-road capabilities, the Forester is no doubt on par and in very specific aspects, more superior as well!
Take ride and handling, off-road capabilities and even cabin space, for example. Having spent multiple stints in the Forester, it’s safe to say that the USD1 billion dollar Subaru invested on the development of the new Subaru Global Platform (SGP) has not gone to waste. Neither the CX-5 or CR-V drives the way the Forester does. It’s calm and unbelievably composed at high speeds and at low speeds, the chassis feels taut and highly communicative.

And then there is the matter of traction. Unlike the CX-5 and CR-V which are part time SUVs, sending power to the rear only when needed the Forester has equal power sent to all four wheels all time. The result, without discrediting both the Forester’s competitors, is unparalleled traction, nothing like you’ve ever felt. As for space, it’s best left to visual and you will no doubt find it impressive upon viewing the video.
Both the CX-5 and CR-V are undoubtedly great SUVs and sales figures have reflected so but it’s not to say that the Forester is without appeal, because it does. Here are my compelling points as to why the Forester, deserves to be under your consideration, at least, if you’re looking for an SUV with superior road holding abilities and cabin space.
The long duration spent in the Forester, along with its competitors have led me to believe that you’ve not experienced Subaru’s all-wheel drive system, you’ve not experienced all-wheel drive at all. Now, if only they had spent a small chunk of that USD1 billion on design.


If you’re drowsy from lunch, this Shelby GT350 will get you back up!

1,348 whp (around 1,500 hp on engine with E85 or race fuel) sure changes a lot about a car. In the case of this Shelby GT350, that power turns it into an absolutely merciless beast!
The car has been given the “1200R Twin Turbo” package treatment that comes with an extensive list of upgrades; significantly bumping up its stock output of just
526 hp
and
429 Nm
.

They include a custom, hand-built stainless steel exhaust system, oversized ball bearing turbochargers, high-flow injectors, forged engine components and even a carbon fibre driveshaft, to name a few.
The result is a
nine second car
 in the quarter mile (400m) run that Dominic Toretto will approve. On 93 Octane fuel, the GT350 makes around
884 hp
.
Check out the newly revealed,
most powerful Ford Mustang ever, the Shelby GT500
.
In case you’re wondering, this pony to stallion transformation will cost approximately USD71,999 (approx RM294k).


Watch an F1 car drag race against Formula E and WRC racers in this Top Gear special

People seem to really love drag races (
check out our very own drag race series!
), so for their last episode of the year,
Top Gear
 has prepared something truly special, a little Christmas present of sorts – by lining up a
 Formula 1
,
Formula E
, and
WRC
 race car side-by-side on a drag strip to see which one’s fastest in a straight line.
It’s not often we get to see cars from different race series compete against each other, and even rarer when there’s three of some of the most successful teams in their own respective sports. And to make things even more interesting, the race was ran on wet surfaces – no thanks to the gloomy UK weather.

Most people, we think, would scoff at the notion that a Ford Fiesta WRC rally car would even be placed on the same playing field as the other two open-wheel racers. But the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine (same as the F1, mind you) underneath its bonnet actually produces a pretty sweet
375 hp
, and with the help of the smart all-wheel drive systems, they actually take off from a standstill at a pretty maddening pace – and could prove advantageous in the wet, too.
Representing the electric camp, then, is DS Techeetah’s DS E-Tense FE21 Formula E race car from this year’s championships. It might not be the least powerful car here with “just”
335 hp
, but we all know how fast a fully-electric powertrain can react, and the official performance figures shows – 0-100 km/h takes just
 2.8 seconds
.
Last but not least, is the Formula 1 car – the pinnacle of motorsports, as many would claim. And it’s not just any other F1 car either; it’s the
2019 championship-winning car
from the most successful F1 team of the decade – the Mercedes-AMG F1 W10 EQ Power+.
Naturally, it’s the most powerful of the bunch – and by a huge margin. The turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 hybrid powertrain produces approximately
1,000 hp
, and all that is for a car (plus driver) that weighs under 800 kg. An easy win, then? Well, the downside is that all of that power goes solely to the rear wheels – and on a damp surface, it could be hard to pin all that power to the ground.
We don’t want to spoil the results, so be sure to check out the video above. But we’ll say that it’s perhaps fortunate that the cars weren’t driven by the three comedians of the show, Chris, Paddy, and Freddie…


Here’s your first look at the all-new 2023 Mitsubishi Triton – global debut on 26 July

Mitsubishi Motors has announced that the all-new 2023 Mitsubishi Triton will be making its world premiere in Thailand on
July 26
. As part of the announcement, the carmaker also included a couple of teaser photos of the next-generation one-tonne pick-up truck, giving us a first look at the all-new
Mitsubishi Triton
.
As is standard for all teasers, the pick-up truck in these photos is pretty much completely shrouded in darkness. There are, of course, still some details we can pick out though – including the reimagined Dynamic Shield face that now features a much more prominent front grille in the centre, giving the all-new 2023 Mitsubishi Triton a much more aggressive appearance.
In fact, Mitsubishi says that the all-new Triton is designed around a “Beast Mode” concept, and as such it prevalently features many tough and rugged motif on the outside, most notably the upright lines on the bumpers, and the strong character lines on the sides that emphasises on its wide wheel arches.
The headlights retain the same split design as before, but now significantly modernised with a T-shaped signature for the main headlight assemblies, seemingly inspired by the
new Xpander facelift
. Round the back, the taillights now feature a T-shaped light signature – a new family design element as seen on many of the marque’s
new concept vehicles
.
Mitsubishi didn’t provide any photos for the interior, but a
“design teaser” video
 published on its YouTube page does give us a quick glance. From what we can see, the dashboard will mirror the upright design motif of its exterior styling, accentuated by the free-standing infotainment display in the centre.
Despite modern design trends, the all-new Mitsubishi Triton also seem to retain many of its physical controls on the interior, with a bank of toggle switches underneath the central air vents, plus physical gear levers and the Super Select all-wheel drive switch on the centre console.
“The all-new Triton has been completely reimagined under the design concept Beast Mode, or audacious and daring,” said Mitsubishi Motors division general manager of design, Seiji Watanabe. “While expressing the toughness and powerfulness expected of a pickup truck, the all-new Triton combines agility with the brand’s robust design to create an imposing look. Tough and reliable, the all-new Triton will make customers want to go on any adventure.”
Based on the short teaser video, it appears that there could also be a range-topping variant, replete with a raised air intakes first seen on the
Mitsubishi XRT concept
. Could we finally see a
Ranger Raptor
-rivalling off-road racer from Mitsubishi?


The new Mercedes-Benz EQC is a techfest for automotive geeks

No I’m serious. If you actually sat through all of the press release(s), you’d be popping Panadols for days. For every aspect of the car, there was an article with long flowery descriptions but I bit the bullet and read through them and here’s what I filtered out.
Series production of the new Mercedes EQC will start in 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen where it will be integrated into ongoing series production as a fully electric vehicle. Here’s the gist of what you’d be keen to know about this “Mercedes-Benz” of electric cars, as the boys from Germany put it.
The new EQC packs 408 hp and 765 Nm of torque from two electric motors on each axle – one in the front and another in the back – effectively giving the EQC all-wheel drive capabilities. The front electric motor is optimised for efficiency in the low to medium “rev range” while the rear unit is responsible for dynamism.
It will go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds with a limited top speed of 180 km/h. Driving range is estimated to be more than 450 km. The EQC features five driving programs; COMFORT, ECO, MAX RANGE, SPORT and an individually adaptable program.
The driver is also able to influence the recuperation level using so-called paddles behind the steering wheel. The paddle on the left increases the level of recuperation, the paddle on the right reduces it. The following stages are available:
D Auto
 for recuperation via ECO Assist to suit the situation

D
for coasting

D
 for low recuperation

D
for medium recuperation

D
for high recuperation where it makes one-pedal driving possible, because in most situations the recuperative deceleration is enough not to require operation of the brake pedal.
The lithium-ion batteries consists of 384 cells and is located in the vehicle floor with boot space not affected at 500-litres. It has a 80 kWh capacity to supply the vehicle with power. Under low to medium load conditions, only the front electric motor is operated for efficiency reasons. Maximum recuperative deceleration is achieved by using both electric motors as alternators.
As standard the EQC is equipped with a water-cooled onboard charger (OBC) with a capacity of 7.4 kW, making it suitable for AC charging at home or at public charging stations.
The EQC is fitted with 19 to 21-inch, aerodynamically enhanced, bicolour light-alloy wheels, which are flush with the wheel arches. Two wheel variants have blue touches on the rim flange or spokes.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC is also available in the sporty equipment line AMG Line, with the options of AMG Line Interior and AMG Line Exterior.The EQC with
AMG Line Exterior
 features e.g. an AMG-specific radiator grille and mirror housings in the vehicle colour. It also looks considerably more sporty thanks to a distinctive front apron. A wide rear apron in an AMG design further reinforces this impression. Several new AMG wheel designs in sizes between 20 and 21 inches are available for the EQC.The interior also becomes more sporty with the
AMG Line Interior
. In addition to a three-spoke AMG multifunction sport steering wheel with flattened lower section, the package includes an AMG sports pedal cluster of brushed stainless steel. The seats are in black ARTICO man-made leather/microfibre, with leather seats and carbon-fibre look trim available as an option. AMG floor mats round off the AMG Line Interior.
The instrument panel is designed as a driver-oriented cockpit with its upper section reduced to what is essential. This is where one of the visual highlights of the cockpit is located – a high-tech, high gloss cassette housing flat air vents with key-shaped, rosé-gold coloured louvres. It’s a feature of the new EQ design idiom and is exclusive to this new model.
The instrument panel has a metal surrounds that looks like the cooling ribs on a high-quality music amplifier. This design feature is a wrap-around extending into the doors. The simulated, metallic-look ribbed rim continues into the door panels as a design highlight, and has integral mid-range speakers.
Dual 10.2-inch displays function as the instrument cluster and infotainment system; where they are housed behind a continuous glass surface to form a large, free-standing screen. There is a touchpad in the centre console to get around the thousands of functions in the car.
Mechanical protection of the battery
: the high-safety design begins with the installation position of the high-voltage battery beneath the vehicle floor. The energy storage unit is surrounded by a stable frame that can absorb energy. Deformation elements are installed between the frame and the battery, and these are able to absorb additional forces in the event of a severe side impact. A battery guard in the front area of the battery is able to prevent the energy storage unit from being pierced by foreign objects.

Electrical protection of the high-voltage system
: the extensive experience of Mercedes-Benz with high-voltage drive systems has led to a multi-stage safety concept that deploys in the event of an accident. The high-voltage system automatically shuts down, reversibly or irreversibly, according to the severity of the accident. There are also shutdown points where emergency teams can deactivate the high-voltage system manually.
With the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), there are three different options of interior ambience:
Modern Classic
 is a further development of the classic display style in an elegant and light material mix while
Sport
 has a high-tech turbine look with decidedly sporty black/yellow contrasts.
Electric Art
 presents its digital look in reduced form, and emotively displays the current state of the e-drive system. The visible colour changes explain and thrill in equal measure. The glass dials change from rosé-gold in Drive mode to white, and to “Electric Blue” during recuperation. The media display clearly presents functional aspects of the energy situation, e.g. the energy flow or the power consumption history.
The Pre-entry climate control feature ensures that the cabin is already at the desired preset temperature on departure. It can be programmed directly via MBUX or via the Mercedes me App.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0L with 7-seats, 4WD & Apple CarPlay is now RM128k

With the announcement from the newly minted Pakatan Harapan Government that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be set to 0% from 1 June 2018 onwards, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has revised its vehicle price to reflect the new fiscal policy.
Customers keen on acquiring a Mitsubishi Outlander will enjoy the most savings at RM7.8k for the 2.0L or RM8.7k on the 2.4L. The rest of the range sees a price reduction of between RM4.3k to RM7.5k.
The one variant that caught our attention is the
Outlander 2.0L
 variant that now retails for RM132,109 after having the 6% GST waived. This price tag is valid to go with the ongoing
MMM Special Raya Promo
 that adds a
 factory-fitted 360-degree all round monitor
 and premium leatherette seats. Top it up with the
Raya Bonus cash rebate of RM4,000
, you are looking at a final price tag of RM128,109 for a highly-equipped seven-seater SUV.
If you’re keen on having a people carrier for your growing family, the Special Raya Promo only runs
until 30 July 2018
 while the zero-rated GST price is only valid until further instructions from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to reinstate the Sales and Services Tax (SST).
Amidst this “tax-free holiday” and Raya promotions, should you part ways with your hard-earned money for a brand-new ride? Read
here
 and decide.


A Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport ripping up the Nurburgring Nordschleife is as crazy as it sounds

The Nurburgring Nordschleife is known as the “Green Hell” for good reason – nearly 21 kilometres of twisty tarmac with 73 complex bends and 300 metres change in altitude, plus kerbs as slippery as ice. You can imagine how crazy it will be to have 1,500 hp and 1,600 Nm on a track like this.
But that is exactly what Bugatti did. For the final suspension and handling tests to tune the chassis control software of the
Chiron Pur Sport
, the hypercar maker elected to use the Green Hell as the proving ground for the 8.0-litre W16 monster. And yes, it’s exactly as crazy as it sounds like. Check out the short onboard video Bugatti has released:

To be fair, the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport was designed to be a track-focused version of the
Chiron
. Fitted with reworked aerodynamics, stiffer chassis and dampers, retuned gearbox, and a slight weight loss, the Pur Sport is probably the most qualified member of the Chiron family to take on the Nordschleife.
But still, we can’t help imagine the possibility of something going wrong when there’s more than 1,600 Nm of torque just under your right foot… especially when this thing costs a whole three million Euros, and only 60 will be made.
Here’s Bugatti’s head of development Stefan Ellrott’s justification: “It’s extremely important to us for the Chiron Pur Sport customer to instantly sense the much more radical approach we’re taking with this car in terms of driving dynamics.
“With its unusual topography, numerous bends and the high-speed section from Döttinger Höhe onwards, the Nordschleife is very demanding for both driver and vehicle so it’s ideal for our new car, which is streamlined for agility and speed. This is why we’re running the final tests for fine-tuning the suspension and safety systems here in the Eifel,” he added.
The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport taking on the infamous Carousel at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
The company also adds that aside from track testing, they also took the Chiron Pur Sport out on the motorways and hilly roads around Nurburgring to make sure that it drives just as well in a day-to-day scenario.
For an extended look at the Chiron Pur Sport on track, along with a technical chat with Bugatti’s head of chassis development Jachin Schwalbe, check out
Misha Charoudin’s video
 where he was invited along for the prototype testing.

IMAGE GALLERY


If you’re into engine sounds, this 6-minute video is pure bliss

Petrolheads aren’t only defined by those who dwell into the technical aspects of a car. Some simply love cars for how they look, or how they sound.
If you’re among the latter, this video will definitely give you the goosebumps. As much as you like spreading this form of joy, these six minutes are best enjoyed with a headphone on.

The video features the cream of the crop of motorsport legends including the Mazda 767B, Jaguar XJR-14 and Sauber Mercedes C11.
Do treat those eardrums with care.


Turns out the Honda HR-V facelift is quite popular among Malaysians

Despite having a delayed and
fairly quiet launch
, the Honda HR-V facelift is receiving positive response among buyers since its official launch in January 2019. To date, Honda Malaysia has delivered over 3,000 units of the compact SUV out of the 4,000 bookings collected.
Based on internal
findings, Klang Valley contributed the highest sales at 47%, proving the HR-V’s
popularity among buyers in the urban cities. Southern and Northern region each make
up 18% of total sales.
Honda HR-V 1.8L RS

Honda HR-V 1.8V Facelift
Honda HR-V 1.5L Hybrid
The newly introduced
Passion Red Pearl, which is exclusive to the range-topping HR-V RS variant, appears
to the most popular colour choice, representing 28% of overall sales for the facelifted
HR-V.
To recap, the Honda
HR-V facelift is offered in four-variants – 1.8L E, 1.8L V, 1.8L RS and 1.5L Hybrid.
Prices ranges from RM108,800 to RM124,800 on-the-road without insurance. Every
purchase comes with a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty while the hybrid
battery pack comes with an 8-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty.


Sketches of all-new Kia Carens released, global launch on Dec 16

More seasoned readers would recall the Kia Carens MPV (which was also rebadged to Naza Citra) that offered generous interior space for seven and performance from a large capacity engine. The model was then discontinued in the local line-up from the 2013-generation, as the product had European specifications.
After close to ten years of absence, the Kia Carens is set to return to developing markets, as Kia has developed the three-row vehicle based on the requirements of Indian consumers. Unlike the recently launched
Kia Niro
 compact SUV as well as the
Kia Sportage
, the Kia Carens is set to adopt a more relaxed design expression.
Kia’s Tiger Face design at the front continues, with high mounted LED headlamps and signature DRLs together with highlighted grille interpreted under the pillar of ‘Bold for Nature’ from the ‘Opposites United’ brand design philosophy.
The latest Kia Carnival has arrived in Malaysia, offering up to seating for 11! Here are the 5 things on the Grand Utility Vehicle.
The interior is designed to meet lifestyle needs and daily usage preference in India. The high-tech wraparound dashboard design represents a future-oriented image while giving an impression of a wide and luxurious cabin.
2014 Kia Carens
The chrome garnish applied to the doors enhances the overall premium feel. The 10.25-inch central infotainment display adds to a modern ambience.
“The Kia Carens perfectly embodies our latest design philosophy,
‘Opposites United’
, and it successfully combines sportiness with a sophisticated personality and style with unique aesthetics,” said Kia, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Design Centre, Karim Habib
Habib emphasised that the all-new Kia Carens is a true reflection of what today’s customers want from their three-row vehicles.
The world premiere of the Kia Carens will be made broadcast live on Kia India’s YouTube
channel,
 scheduled to commence from
2:30 P.M.
 on
December 16
.


MINI built a one-off special edition to celebrate a royal wedding

Unlikely to be used as the Prince’s mode of transportation on his big day, the-one-of-a-kind MINI will be instead handed over for public auction with proceeds going to The Children’s HIV Association (CHIVA).
Built for the wedding of Prince Harry, the 6th in line to the British throne, with Meghan Markle, the MINI is finished in Crystal White with Silver-blue accent strips. The Union Jack is embedded into the rear lights with a distinct roof graphic applied meticulously by hand.
The roof graphic brings together the elements of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s national flags – the Union Jack and the Stars & Stripes. Elsewhere, also representing the new union are the M and H initials on the side turn indicators.
When the car’s doors are opened, they project an exclusive “Just Married” graphic onto the ground on both sides of the car.
Inside, the MINI’s interior looks more like a room for a pubescent teenage girl than a commemorative token of a royal wedding. Details on the glove box, door sills and sunshade further asserts the momentous occasion.
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton opens new 3S centre in Kota Kinabalu

Proton, together with their dealer-partner Harapan Maju Sdn. Bhd. has just opened the doors to their new 3S centre in Kota Kinabalu. The new 3S centre will be the second outlet in Kota Kinabalu to be dressed with Proton’s new corporate identity.
The new outlet houses
12 servicing bays
 with 6 hoists, and a
50-car capacity parking lot
 in its 1,686 square metre built-up area. Other amenities such as free WiFi, coffee bar, laptop charging area, kid’s play room and prayer room are also available to the patrons.
Harapan Maju is a new addition to the Proton dealership line-up. Bucking the industry trend, Harapan Maju is led by a team of women, involved in the daily operations of the business – overseeing sales, service and marketing.
Proton’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Li Chunrong said, “We are delighted that many are taking up Proton dealerships. The fact that they are happy to be associated with the brand says a lot about the future of the company.” This new opening brings the total number of Proton certified 3S and 4S centres to
103
.
Year-to-date, Proton sales in the East Malaysia region has
grown by 22%
compared to the same period last year. Sabah in particular has seen immense growth at
32%
.
The new Proton 3S centre is located at
Mile 6, Jalan Putatan, Kota Kinabalu 88200
.


Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV ROI open for Malaysia, EV with up to 590km range

Just after launching two AMG EQ cars in the country, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has now opened registration of interest for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV on its official website. The EQE SUV, as its name suggests, is an electric SUV with the same underpinnings as the Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan.
In total, there are five versions of the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV globally with three of them being non-AMG versions and two of them being AMG versions. The versions of the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV available globally are:
EQE 350+ SUV
EQE 350 4MATIC SUV
EQE 500 4MATIC SUV
Mercedes-AMG 43 4MATIC EQE SUV
Mercedes-AMG 53 4MATIC+ EQE SUV
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV measures 4,863 mm long, 1,940 mm wide, and 1,686 mm tall. It is slightly smaller than a BMW X5. Typical of the EQ series, the EQE SUV sports a black panel upfront which is sandwiched between the standard LED High-Performance headlamps. Customers can also opt for the optional Digital Lights. Its specifications for Malaysia have yet to be confirmed.
In its base form, the EQE 350+ SUV makes
292 hp
 and
565 Nm
 via an electric drive system powering the rear wheels. The EQE 350 4MATIC makes
292 hp
 and
765 Nm
 with an addition of a front electric drive system. In its range-topping version, the EQE 500 4MATIC makes
408 hp
 and
858 Nm
 with one electric motor powering the rear wheels and one electric motor powering the front wheels.
RELATED:
2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ launched in Malaysia, RM650k – 687hp, 1020Nm, 0-100km/h in 3.3 secs
All versions of the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV are powered by a
90.6-kWh
 10-module battery pack. The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) EQE 350+ SUV has a WLTP range of up to
590 km
, while EQE 350 4MATIC SUV and EQE 500 4MATIC SUV have ranges of up to
558 km
 and
547 km
 respectively.
As for the AMG versions of the EQE SUV, The Mercedes-AMG 43 4MATIC EQE SUV makes
476 hp
 and
858 Nm
 while the AMG 3 4MATIC+ EQE SUV (with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package) makes a whopping
687 hp
 and
1,000 Nm
.
RELATED:
2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ launched in Malaysia, RM799k – 761hp, 1020Nm
Based on the other EQ models launched in Malaysia, there will most likely be only one non-AMG version of the EQE SUV that will be launched in Malaysia first. It may later be followed by one AMG version of the car, most likely, its most powerful version. Malaysian customers interested in the EQE SUV may register their interest on the official Mercedes-Benz Malaysia website.
RELATED:
New Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV unveiled with 687 hp AMG version, up to 590 km range


Citroen CXPERIENCE is a 300hp hybrid, successor to the old C5?

Citroen cars have always pushed the boundaries of design. The French’s out-of-the-box thinking have always made Citroen cars quirky, especially when compared to its competitors. Now, they just previewed its future hybrid concept that could shape the brand’s future models, and it’s called the Citroen CXPERIENCE hybrid concept.
Pronounced as
‘C-experience’
, the concept is a large hatchback, which Citroen calls a two-box saloon. Aesthetically, the front gets Citroen’s corporate grille complete with a pair of modern LED headlights, and intake flaps sit below the grille to aid aerodynamics. There’s no signature airbumps on the side, but it does get large 22-inch wheels, at least for now. At the back, the top slides towards the back via a large single transparent panel.
Inside the cabin, all physical buttons are removed to make way for cleaner 19-inch “Advanced Comfort” touchscreen panel. There’s a wireless smartphone charging dock located in the centre console, with each rear passenger receiving a mobile tablet for seat and air-conditioning adjustments. This tablet also doubles as a screen for media consumption.
As is the trend lately, Citroen is also pursuing clean, hybrid solutions. This concept comes with PSA’s latest plug-in hybrid powertrain – a marriage of a
 200hp petrol engine
 and an
80kW electric motor
 that together drive the rear wheels. An
eight-speed automatic
 gearbox will be located between both motors. The hybrid is good for a combined output of 300 hp, but in pure electric mode it’s capable of travelling up to 60km on a single charge.
Citroen will fully unveil this concept at its home turf during the Paris Motor Show in late September. It’s unclear right now which model this concept will succeed, but a replacement model for the ageing C5 is long overdue. Could this be the next generation C5?
IMAGE GALLERY


Perodua’s market share at 33.8%, sold over 108,500 cars in 1H 2015

Perodua has had a good run for the first half of the fiscal year, with an increase of 14.8 percent to 108,500 units sold as compared to last year’s stint of 94,500 units moved. The increase is bolstered by strong demand for the
Perodua Axia
.
The period spanning from January to June alone has seen Perodua delivering
53,700 units
 of the bang-for-your-buck
Axia
 model, and as it happens the Axia’s sales figure represents
almost half
 of the total pie, according to Perodua’s President and CEO,
Datuk Aminar Rashid
.
The sales reduction in this quarter was mainly due to luke-warm reaction from consumers towards the
Goods and Services Tax
 which was introduced in April, a trend that was also observed amongst other manufacturers too.  On a quarter-to-quarter basis, sales figures plummeted
10 percent to 51,300 units
 in the second quarter of 2015 as opposed to the
57,200 units
 in the first quarter.
On the subject of after-sales, Datuk Aminar has announced an increase of
7.6 percent
 in the first half to
RM292.6 million
as compared to the same period last year.


50th Anniversary edition BMW M4 rumoured for 2022 – hardcore CSL-like model with 6MT!

BMW’s M division will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, and the festivities have apparently already started. They’ve already shown off the
first-ever M3 Touring
, the
electric-powered Concept XM
, and they’re even
bringing back the classic BMW Motorsports emblem
, but the German performance car powerhouse isn’t stopping there just yet.
According to a post on the
Bimmerpost
 forum
 by user
ynguldyn
, who’s known to be an insider with an excellent track record, BMW M will be introducing a new 50th Anniversary special edition model of the BMW M4 that’s configured “like the CSL”, but with a manual transmission instead of the eight-speed auto.
The legendary BMW E46 M3 CSL
For those who aren’t hardcore BMW fans, “CSL” stands for
“Coupé Sport Lightweight”
, and is reserved specifically for the most hardcore versions of the M cars. Befitting its “lightweight” name, the CSL models usually have a stripped out (by comparison) specifications list, with most of the luxuries such as electric seats and parking sensors deleted.
There’s only been a few CSL models throughout the company’s 50-year history, but it’s already been rumoured (and photographed) that the current G82-generation BMW M4 will indeed be getting a CSL model, equipped with an uprated engine (around the 550 hp mark) and an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
VIDEO: Watch the all-new BMW M4 Competition blitz through the Nurburgring in 7:30 minutes
Good ol’ stick shift.
According to several insiders, the upcoming BMW M4 CSL will already be a highly-exclusive model, said to be limited to a production run of just 1,000 units. So if the rumours by
ynguldyn
turns out to be true, it’ll most likely be even harder to get your hands on the “50 Jahre” model!
Details of the purported BMW M4 CSL are already close to none, so it’s no surprise that we’ve heard basically nothing on this 50 Anniversary model thus far – but keep your eyes peeled for updates as we learn more.
One thing’s for sure, however: It’ll definitely be an exciting year ahead for all BMW fans. The golden jubilee isn’t a common occurrence after all, and BMW will want to celebrate it as much as they can.
GALLERY
G82 BMW M4 Competition


The new Nissan Titan Warrior Concept is one mean pick up truck

The 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit is a place where the big gets bigger. Take for example the Nissan Titan XD. Now I know what you must be thinking, what in the world is a Nissan Titan? Could I walk into the nearest Tan Chong dealership and get one? The answer is unfortunate, for the car in question is native to the North American market only.
Should you have the opportunity to behold one before your own eyes, you’d immediately be taken aback by just the sheer size of this thing. In the US, this is called a
 full-sized pick up truck
 whereas the ones we get over here are called mid-size pick-ups. Back to the Titan though, because the
Ford F-150
 and its stablemates have been the best sellers in North America for the past millennium, it makes sense that Nissan (and other manufacturers alike) do well to imitate The Blue Oval in hopes of bagging market share. This Titan Warrior Concept on the other hand, plays skip rope with that line of thinking.

When it comes to describing the sheer looks of this thing, words such as
badass
 just doesn’t do it justice, somehow. This Titan Warrior is one mean
mothertrucker
 (as Nissan would put it) especially with all the visual mods that Nissan North America has done to it. Starting with the front end, of which the designers have drawn inspirations from
battle suit
 of armours worn by warriors of yesteryear. Apart from that, the headlamps – especially the DRLs – have the
T-Titan
 logo signature which work very well to accentuate the raw look of this Dakar-inspired conqueror.
Speaking of old desert racers of Dakar fame, the roof-mounted
 spot lights
 are now replaced with a pair of low-profile
LED
 units that illuminate the way forward should the going get tough. Not only that but, with keeping with the tradition over at Nissan, the Titan Warrior features something its local cousin the
 Navara NP300
 sports too, a
tail gate spoiler
 which as we all are aware helps with and improves aerodynamics. Finishing off the look of the
Titan Warrior Concept
 is the paint job which we have to say, is drop dead gorgeous. Nissan calls it a matte gun-metal finish.
On the inside however, it seems to be less Dakar Rally spec and more San Diego Monday morning which means that the centre console does not have a couple bottles of Nitrous Oxide for getting you down town quicker. But rather, it’s a spot for you to holster your Starbucks drive-thru. The Titan Warrior in this respect, comes into its home element of being an urban cruiser that’s cool enough to pick the kids up from school with. Even the steering wheel is milled from
aluminium
 just so you won’t forget how far out-of-this-world this concept truck really is.
But what’s the point in all that style but no substance to boot? Nissan is way ahead of of you on that point. Although Nissan hasn’t been very forthcoming with what sort of mods have been done under the hood, we do know that it features a
Cummins
-sourced
5.0-liter V8 turbo diesel
 lump that’s mated to a heavy-duty
six-speed Aisin automatic
 transmission that’ll  chuck out over
300
 horses and well over
 700 Nm
 of torque. This means that the Titan Warrior could tow loads of up to a
couple of tonnes
 behind the tail gate!

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and Chairman, Nissan North America, Jose Muñoz said, “While Nissan still has many roads and trails to travel as we continue to launch additional production versions of our bold new TITAN, this new TITAN Warrior Concept gives an important signal to American truck enthusiasts that our vision for exploring new boundaries remains strong.”
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota built a full-sized LEGO replica of its all-new 2018 Camry

Built with more than
half a million LEGO bricks
, Toyota will be displaying a full-sized LEGO replica of the
all-new Toyota Camry
 in Melbourne, Australia; one that weighs two tonnes, almost
400 kilograms more
 than the actual car.
The replica sports trademark features of the all-new Toyota Camry such as the logos on the alloy wheels, hybrid lettering, headlights, indicators and brake lights.
Designed by Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught, the only LEGO certified professional in the southern hemisphere and one of only 14 in the world, the all-new Camry replica took a staggering
900 hours to assemble
 over the span of eight weeks – more than
40 times longer
 than Toyota takes to make a single car.
“I’m so excited to be unveiling my newest LEGO creation – a life-sized Toyota Camry – as it has taken over two months to build and comprises of  more than 500,000 bricks. I’m really pleased with the outcome and can’t wait to see what everyone else thinks of it!”, said Ryan.
The new 2018 Toyota Camry will be available with three engines – all-new 2.5-litre four-cylinder Dynamic Force petrol, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder with Toyota Hybrid System (THS II) and
an all-new 3.5-litre V6
 with D-4S Fuel Injection pumping out over 300 hp – the latter however is unlikely to land in Malaysia, ever.
The

2.5-litre four-cylinder Dynamic Force petrol engine
(206 hp / 252 Nm)
 with the latest Variable-Valve-Timing-intelligent Electric (VVT-iE)

and is paired with an eight-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission while the
 2.5-litre Hybrid engine

(176 hp / 221 Nm)
 is linked to a six-speed Sequential Shift and Sports Mode.


All-new Nissan Serena revealed in Japan with Transformer-esque looks, e-Power hybrid

Nissan has just unveiled the all-new Serena in Japan, with a new appearance on the outside, and a myriad of fancy new tech inside. The all-new Nissan Serena will succeed the
C27-generation model
 that has been around since 2016.
In Japan, the all-new model will be offered in a wide range of variants, including a new “Luxion” variant that seats atop the previously range-topping Premium Highway Star. Prices for the family MPV ranges between JPY2.8 million to JPY4.8 million (approx. RM90k-RM156k) in its home country.
Appearance wise, the design of the all-new
Nissan Serena
 is really more of an evolution than a revolution. To be fair, though, there isn’t much room for Nissan to toy with, anyway, on a mostly square-ish MPV shape.
With that being said, the all-new C28-generation model does still manage to look refreshed and modernised, thanks to a new front fascia that somewhat looks like a family-friendly Transformer robot.
The latest reiteration of the signature Nissan V-motion grille up front sees a much wider grille aperture, with the headlights neatly integrated into the surrounding ‘V’ trim. The dramatic shape also influences the new front bumper design, where the triangular air breathers on both ends also double as daytime-running lights on certain variants.
As for the back, the vertical tail lights have also been redesigned to better integrate into the natural lines and ‘curves’ of the body silhouette, giving it a much cleaner appearance. The signature dual-opening split tailgate is also still retained here.
The cabin of the all-new Nissan Serena is also suitably refreshed and modernised, highlighted by the twin 12.3-inch displays on the dashboard (for the range-topping Luxion variant), replacing the old (and weird) two and a half screens set-up. The climate control panel has also been reworked, and the gear lever has also been jettisoned, replaced instead by a bank of buttons.
Despite the complete overhaul to its interior design, the all-new model still retains all of the Serena’s greatest hits, including the fully flat cabin floor, airline-style fold-down table, waterproof seats, and the improved ‘Zero Gravity’ seats for the first and second-row passengers – now enhanced with 120 mm more legroom for the driver.
In an effort to improve ride quality, Nissan has also fitted the all-new Serena with a reworked suspension system, with a 20% stiffer shocks and suspension set-up to better resist body roll.
The most significant change to the Serena, however, is actually found underneath its bonnet. Regular petrol powertrains are still available, but the previous S-Hybrid system has now been replaced by the newer e-Power series hybrid system. Similar to Honda’s e:HEV set-up, Nissan’s e-Power system also utilises an electric motor to drive the wheels, with the small engine running as a generator.
On the all-new Serena, the powertrain consists of a 1.4-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, the latter making
163 hp
 and
 315 Nm
 to drive the wheels. The e-Power system also returns an impressive fuel consumption figure of just 4.85 l/100km, based on the WLTC test cycle.
RELATED:
The updated Nissan Kicks might be the brand’s most exciting car we’ve seen in a while
Also new on the latest C28-generation Nissan Serena is the ProPilot 2.0 advanced driver assistance suite, exclusive to the range-topping Luxion variant. The ProPilot 2.0 suite adds on several new autonomous features to the Nissan Serena, including hands-free driving above 40 km/h, as well as ProPilot Parking and ProPilot Remote Parking.
Other variants will still get the standard suite of ProPilot ADAS system, consisting of autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a new collision avoidance steering assist system, which helps drivers autonomously steer out of potential dangers.
Intrigued? Well, don’t hold your breath for its launch here in Malaysia. With Edaran Tan Chong Motor only introducing the
facelifted C27-generation Nissan Serena
 here on our shores earlier this year, we don’t expect to see the all-new C28-generation model here in Malaysia anytime soon.
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The McLaren P1 is turning 5 but it still looks like a concept car from the future

Five years ago, McLaren Automotive pulled off the wraps of a hybrid concept car at the 2012 ‘Mondial de l’Automobile’ in Paris. The car in question was none other than the
McLaren P1
, the spiritual successor to the McLaren F1 of the 1990s – which is still considered as
the greatest supercar in history
.
Five months after the unveiling of the design study, the team at McLaren rolled out the first production model at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show. With the P1, McLaren is not only raised the bar in supercar performance, but also told the world that they mean business.
Limited to 375 units worldwide, every unit of the P1 was spoken for before the first one was delivered, such was the insatiable demand for the £866,000 (RM4.9 million) hypercar. No two examples of the P1 were the same, thanks to McLaren’s personalisation arm, MSO (McLaren Special Operations).
Pushing the boundaries of internal combustion engines, the P1’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 that pushes out
727 hp
 and is assisted by a
176 hp
 electric motor to give a combined output of
 903 hp
. Century sprint is completed in
 2.8 seconds
; 0 – 200 km/h in
6.8 seconds
 and 0 – 300 km/h in
16.5 seconds
. Top speed is electronically limited to
350 km/h
.
Those astonishing figures owes credit to the high-tech hybrid wizardry where the electric motor fills in the gaps in performance for the petrol engine in turbo lag or torque dip scenarios. When the battery is at full charge, the P1 is capable of driving purely on electric motor for up to 10 km. Beat that Prius.
Tipping the scale at just
1,395 kg
 and all
903 hp
 handled exclusively by the rear wheels, McLaren has poured in great detail towards the aerodynamics of the P1 to keep the car in a straight line. As a result, the McLaren has designed and engineered a car that produces
600 kg
 of downforce solely from the atmosphere.
In 2015, the P1 spawned an even more limited volume, track-only –
P1 GTR
. Available exclusively to existing P1 customers, the P1 GTR boasts a track-optimised output of
986 hp
 with significant weight saving measures to give a power-to-weight ratio of more than
700 hp
 per tonne. The P1 GTR sits on a fixed ride height, race-prepared suspension, titanium alloy wheels and gets a straight-cut, twin-pipe exhaust system.
Since the P1, McLaren has spawned many amazing supercars and sports cars such as the
675LT
,
570S
, 540C and more recently the
720S
. Although the P1 will forever be enshrined as one of the greatest hypercar of its time, the brand already has plans for its upcoming replacement, internally known as the
P15
.
Will the next car be better? Knowing McLaren, most definitely. But we got a feeling that the McLaren P1 will be with us for many more years to come and will continue to turn just as many heads as it was first unveiled on stage.
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Hyundai & Genesis to cut design time by half, faster Full Model Change expected

Let’s face it, consumers of the 21
st
 century are more aesthetically driven than ever. The same theory applies when shopping for a transporter. A car’s design life span generally lasts seven to nine years with a facelift or two in between hence, if a car is just introduced to the market, rest assured the design is going to stick around for a while.
However, in an increasingly competitive market, manufacturers are slowly shortening the car(s) lifecycle to introduce more edgy and futuristic designs in hopes to outdo their competitors. Hyundai Motor Group is planning to take it to the next level by shortening the time from drawing boards to production in half according to
Automotive News
.

Senior Vice President of Design at Hyundai and Genesis, Luc Donckerwolke is confident that the group can shorten the design time from the current three years to just one and a half. Allowing Hyundai and Genesis to introduce
 Full Model Change (FMC)
 much quicker than before.
To achieve this monumental task, Hyundai has injected US$67 million (RM287 million) into a new design centre covering 330,000 square feet. Equipped with state of the art design equipment, Donckerwolke expects to shave
30 percent off
 the current design time within the next 18 months.
Despite the two brands sharing the same design studio, Vice President for Design at Hyundai and Genesis, Lee SangYup assures that the design teams will have their own enclosed workspace, ensuring that the designs are mutually exclusive. At Hyundai, the first model to embark on a new design language will be the new B-Segment Compact Crossover, the
Kona
 while Genesis will unveil their new design direction in September with the new G70 sedan.
Source:
Automotive News


New Toyota 2S service centre opens in Petaling Utama

UMW Toyota Motor recently officiated the opening of a new 2S (service and spare parts) centre in Taman Petaling Utama – an outlet that will cater to the growing communities of Petaling Jaya and Puchong.
The facility will be operated by Laser Motor Sdn Bhd whose association with Toyota goes back 16 years, when they became an authorised dealer with a showroom in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
Laser Motor Sdn Bhd has since expanded its operations; with an outlet in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan that offers body and paint aftersales services.
The new 2S outlet has been designed with a spacious and comfortable lounge with free Wi-Fi for Toyota owners to relax and stay connected while waiting for work on their vehicles to be completed.
The service centre has 14 work bays with 13 technicians, fully trained to look after Toyota vehicles.
The 2S centre is located at No. 30E, Jalan PJS 1/46, PJS 1, Taman Petaling Utama, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan and can be contacted at
03-7731818
. Operating hours are from 8.00am-5.30pm between Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays).
IMAGE GALLERY


Infiniti Q60 Sports Coupe launched in Malaysia, 2.0L turbo, RM309k!

At long last, one of Infiniti’s sexiest cars in has finally made its way to Malaysia, the
all-new Infiniti Q60 Sports Coupe
. The only available variant is the 2.0-litre turbo, and at RM308,800, Infiniti Malaysia threw in a spanking 7-year unlimited mileage warranty for good measure.
It’s undoubtedly a good looker; tautly muscular from the sides and alluringly sultry from just about any angle. The Infiniti Q60 gets full LED headlamps, 19-inch aluminium alloy wheels (shod with 255/40 run-flat tyres), acoustic windshield glass, Active Noise Cancellation and six airbags as standard. As part of Infiniti’s efforts to meet new global safety standards, the hood automatically pops up to cushion pedestrian impact.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Infiniti Q60 Sports Coupe
Engine
2.0L direct injection turbo, 4-cylinders, DOHC
Transmission
7-speed auto with Adaptive Shift Control
Max Power
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 1,250 to 3,500 rpm
Price
RM308,800.00
Previously, the Q60 Coupe (or G37) was sold at RM411k, which makes this sexier successor over RM100k cheaper than before! That doesn’t mean the Q60 is less equipped, though. Inside, items like 13-inch Bose Performance Series sound system, dual touchscreen displays in the centre dash (upper unit 8-inch, lower unit 7-inch) and leather upholstered seats with Infiniti’s ‘spinal support’ technology are all standard issue.
As for the oily bits, the engine is sourced from Mercedes-Benz, with four cylinders displacing
2.0-litres
. It’s turbocharged to churn a healthy
211 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque, all of which are sent to the
rear wheels
 via an in-house
seven-speed intelligent automatic
 transmission. Through Drive Mode Selector (DMS), drivers can choose between four options: Standard, Sport, Personal and Snow.
The transmission features Adaptive Shift Control which uses multiple sensors to detect driving behaviour as well as study your surrounding topography, such as hills or corners. It will then adapt shift speeds according to the driver’s needs. There’s even this feature called Active Sound Enhancement that pipes some of that throaty exhaust note into the cabin for a sportier feel.

Again, pricing for the all-new Infiniti Q60 Sports Coupe starts from RM308,800 and it is fully imported from Japan. To those of you who are interested, test drives can be scheduled from 7 May 2017 onwards. And yes, you can have it in the glorious Dynamic Sunstone Red, which is one of five exterior colours on offer.
IMAGE GALLERY

*Specifications in these images may differ from local spec


Video: New 2022 Honda Civic 1.5V, 1.5E, and RS from RM125k, 5 Things

Honda Malaysia has launched the
2022 Honda Civic with three variants available
; 1.5E from
RM125,634
, 1.5V from
 RM138,043,
 and the RS from
RM144,350
.
All three variants are powered by the same 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder with increased horsepower and torque. It now produces 182 hp and 240 Nm, 9 hp and 20 Nm more than before, paired to an updated CVT gearbox.

In terms of measurements, the 2022 Civic is 30 mm longer, 3 mm wider, and 1 mm lower along with a 33 mm increase in wheelbase; resulting in better legroom and improved high-speed stability.
Standard items include LED daytime running lights, LED head and tail lamps, automatic headlight feature, and auto-retractable side mirrors.
On the inside, you’ll find features like single-zone air conditioning, rear USB ports, rear air-con vents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 7-inch multi-information display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and remote engine start in all three variants.
Exclusive to the 1.5 V and RS variants are items like the 9-inch infotainment display, drive mode selector, electrochromic rearview mirror, 8-way powered seats for the driver, and a Sport button.
Wanna know more about the 2022 Civic and its features? Click
here
!
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Polestar unleashes the new “Beast” at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed

On the opening day of the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Polestar has brought what looks like a regular
Polestar 2
 with an event-exclusive paint job. The company revealed that an experimental Polestar 2 has been driven around the 1.86-kilometre hill climb course in rainy weather conditions.
The dual motors in the Polestar 2 Experimental now produce a combined
476 hp
 (350 kW) or an additional
68 hp
(50 kW).  No mention of the new torque figures, but the regular setup has 660 Nm and powered by a 78 kWh battery pack.

“I challenged the design and engineering teams to play with Polestar 2 and come up with something that makes a strong statement for Goodwood,” comments Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO.
“For a few months, I have enjoyed driving another experimental Polestar 2,
nicknamed ‘Beast’,
 around our Gothenburg campus, which inspired the team to come up with this version for Goodwood. We want to flex our muscles and explore opportunities.”
Handling has also been beefed up for the “Beast”, suspended by significantly uprated adjustable Ohlin three-way performance dampers with 80% stiffer front spring setting and 40% higher value at the rear.
Tracks and thus wheel arches have been widened by 10 mm to accommodate larger Pirelli P Zero Rosso performance tyres measuring 275/30R21 which coincidentally come from the
Polestar 1
 high-performance hybrid Gran Tourer with
1,000 Nm
 and
609 hp
 of system output.
Further chassis enhancement includes a carbon fibre front suspension strut bar from a Volvo S60 Polestar Engineered and a custom-fabricated rear strut bar. The Akebono 6-piston caliper braking system is also directly lifted from the Polestar 1.
Polestar to introduce high-performance SUV next year, to be made in the USA.
Exterior changes are limited to a new front and rear bumper design and a gorgeous Snow Matte paintwork subtly highlighted by Magnesium Matte racing stripe.
The Polestar 2 Experimental will be piloted by Polestar’s lead chassis engineer, Joakim Rydholm, who also piloted the Polestar 1 at the 2018 edition of the famous “moving motorshow” hill climb weekend event.
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SDAC-Ford unveils 2020 Ranger XLT Plus facelift, additional savings for Ranger line-up

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) has announced the availability of the updated 2020 Ford Ranger XLT Plus, taking on several design elements first seen on the updated Ford Ranger Wildtrak and

Raptor
 – both of which have been launched earlier this year alongside the
FX4
.
These include the update headlights, which is now illuminated with bi-LED bulbs instead of the xenon units from the outgoing model, promising a 17% improvement in light penetration for better visibility while driving at night. The design of the headlights assembly has also been updated with a square projector lens and housing.
Further down, the updated 2020 Ford Ranger XLT Plus has also been given a refreshed bumper design in body colour, now featuring the silver lip, mimicking the front design of the Wildtrak. The new chrome grille is also a variant-exclusive item to the 2020 XLT Plus.
Otherwise, there are no changes to the kit count and powertrain on the pick-up truck. The 2020 Ford Ranger XLT Plus is still powered by the 2.0-litre EcoBlue four-cylinder turbodiesel mill in a single-turbo configuration, making
180 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque. The engine is paired to a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
Other standard equipment that has been inherited from the outgoing model include an eight-inch touchscreen display running Ford’s Sync infotainment system, reversing camera, leather seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry with push-start button, and the Easy-Lift tailgate.
The updated pick-up truck is priced at
RM129,888
, on the road and without insurance, and similarly to the entire
Ranger line-up
, comes with a three-year or 100,000 km warranty, whichever comes first.
In conjunction with the launch of the updated pick-up truck, SDAC-Ford has also introduced a new promotional campaign for the Ranger line-up. Customers can choose between
four free vehicle service
 – equivalent to two-year/40,000 km maintenance-
or a RM2,000 cash rebate
 for selected Ranger vehicles until
31 December 2020
. Customers looking to purchase selected XL and XLT variants will also receive up to RM7,000 in cash rebates on their purchase.


All-new Audi Q5 confirmed for Malaysian debut in 2017, CBU only

Unveiled for the first time just two months ago, the all-new,
second-generation Audi Q5
 is fast entering the production stage for the global market. Built at the Four Rings’ new production facility in San Jose, Mexico, Audi Malaysia has confirmed that we will be getting the Q5 as early as the third quarter of 2017.
As before, the Malaysian-bound Q5 will be of the sole
2.0-litre TFSI
 variant. The famed quattro all-wheel drive technology comes as standard, though it now features Ultra Technology which switches from front-wheel drive to four-wheel drive on-the-fly through an electronically-actuated centre differential. This means the Q5 will predominantly be in front-wheel drive to conserve fuel, but quattro can be activated in a fraction of a second when required.

Now, back to the powertrain. The
2.0-litre TFSI
 is a familiar four-cylinder unit, capable of producing
252 hp
 from 5,000 to 6,000 rpm and
370 Nm
 of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. Together with a
seven-speed S Tronic transmission
, the Q5 sprints from 0 to 100km/h in a respectable
6.3 seconds
 before topping out at
237km/h
. Thanks to a class’ best drag coefficient of 0.30, the Q5 sips just
7.1 litres of petrol per 100km
 (combined cycle) when travelling on 17-inch hoops. As a reminder, the Q5 is also
90kg lighter
 than the previous model!
Making their debut are several unique exterior colours, but what struck a chord with us are
Navarra Blue Pearl
 and
Azore Green Metallic
, both pictured in the gallery below. Wheel design and sizes vary anywhere from 17- to 21-inches, but a safe bet for us would be the 18-inch selections. There will of course be an S-Line package as an option, along with the new adaptive air suspension with height adjustment, Matrix LED headlamps and sports differential.

With a little over nine months to go, the wait may be long for those who are eager to get their hands on the much improved Q5. It’s bigger in almost every way, and passengers now benefit from improved legroom thanks to the longer wheelbase – 12mm to be exact.
We have just sampled the Q5 in the beautiful city of Los Cabos, Mexico, so watch this space for more updates to come! Meanwhile, enjoy the pictures below, and shoot us those inquiries if you wish.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota Vios updated, all variants get keyless entry and push-start

The outgoing
Toyota Vios
 is set to be receiving a somewhat minor update, as a quick visit to their website reveals. Like the
recently updated Altis
 (read the Altis’ review
here
), all variants of the Vios model – mid-range
E
 and base model
J
 included – will be getting
keyless entry
 and
push-start
 ignition.
Click picture to visit Toyota Malaysia’s website
A closer look at the revised
specification sheet
 indicates that the
Vios 1.5G
 variant will benefit from an
all-black interior
 with perforated leather seats, as opposed to the current beige-themed cabin. Thank you for that. Because this isn’t a facelift, there’s no visual and mechanical changes to the car, so the Vios soldiers on with its trusty
1.5-litre engine
 punching
107 hp
 and
141 Nm
 of torque.
As of now, it remains unclear what other goodies have been thrown into the Vios, save for the keyless entry, push-start ignition and the G-spec’s blacked out interior. Pricing however, is revised as well, with prices starting from
RM74,700
 for the J-spec (manual) to
RM94,800
 for the TRD Sportivo variant. The J-spec manual was priced at RM73,200 and the TRD Sportivo at RM93,200 at their local debut in October 2013.


2017 Honda City facelift launched in Malaysia, priced from RM78k!

The Honda City is no doubt Honda Malaysia’s most popular model thanks to its superior practicality and advanced features, and its value proposition is uncontested in its segment. After
spotting it in Thailand last month
, Honda Malaysia finally launched the hotly anticipated model today.
It’s offered in three trims – S, E and V, instead of four from before. The S+ model was dropped in favour of a more streamlined lineup. To everyone’s surprise, Honda Malaysia has managed to bring down the price for the CKD City, now with a base price of RM78k!
QUICK FACTS
Name
Honda City 1.5 S
Honda City 1.5 E
Honda City 1.5 V
Engine
1,497cc; 4-cylinder SOHC with i-VTEC
Transmission
CVT
Max Power
118 hp @ 6,600 rpm
Max Torque
145 Nm @ 4,600 rpm
Price (OTR with insurance)
RM78,300
RM84,600
RM92,000

EXTERIOR
A range of standard features can be found across the range, beginning with keyless entry, push-start button, automatic folding wing mirrors, shark fin antenna, steering wheel audio controls, hands-free telephone,
vehicle stability assist (VSA)
and
hill-start assist (HSA)
. It also gets a revised front grille like on the
Civic FC
 while the Solid Wing grille extends into the headlamps. The rear bumper is also new.
The entry level S variant looks almost identical to the previous model, although it gets LED DRLs, shark fine antenna and a 15-inch dual tone alloys with 175/65 profile Goodyear GT3 tyres.

Stepping up to the mid-spec
E variant
, it adds on integrated turn signals in the wing mirrors and chrome plated door handles. Only the range topping
V variant
 gets full LED headlamps and fog lamps, LED combination tail lamps, duck tail spoiler with LED third brake light and 16-inch dual tone alloys wrapped in 195/55 profile Goodyear Excellence tyres.
INTERIOR
Inside, the base spec
 S

variant
 gets manual air condition control, black fabric upholstery and standard audio head unit with four speakers. The
E variant
 adds touch-panel automatic air conditioning controls, rear air vents, cruise control, paddle shifters, front and rear armrest as well as 6.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with reverse camera. The V variant adds leather upholstery and ups the speaker count to eight.

PERFORMANCE
Mechanically, it retains the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC that’s capable of producing
118 hp
 and
145 Nm
, while paired to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). This City is a certified Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV).
SAFETY
Standard safety features are equally impressive as
all variants
 come equipped with dual frontal airbags, ABS with Brake Assist, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Vehicle Stability Assist and hill-start assist. E variant ups the airbag count to four while the V variant gets a six airbags.
WHAT ELSE?
The facelifted Honda City is available in six exterior shades – Lunar Silver Metallic, Taffeta White, Dark Ruby Red Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl. Every purchase of the new City comes with a 5-Year unlimited mileage warranty, with a service interval of 10,000km.
As usual, there’s a range of optional accessories available to spice up your City, beginning with the Modulo Package, Urban Package, Utility Package, window tints and DVD Multimedia Navigation System with reverse camera.
IMAGE GALLERY
Honda City 1.5L V

Honda City 1.5L E with Modulo Package

Honda City 1.5L S


Volkswagen will stop selling petrol-powered cars in Europe by 2035

Volkswagen has earmarked 2035

as the final year the automaker finally ends the sales of vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) in Europe.
“In Europe, we will exit the business with internal combustion vehicles
between 2033 and 2035
, in the US and China somewhat later,” Klaus Zellmer, Volkswagen board member for sales, told the Muenchner Merkur newspaper. Audi, the premium brand under the group, also have the
same timeline planned
.
He added that no timeline has been fixed for South America and Africa, as the political and infrastructure framework conditions are still not in place.
By 2050 at the latest, the entire Volkswagen fleet should be CO2-neutral, Zellmer told the newspaper. Volkswagen began its electric offense in Europe and China via the
ID.3
 and
ID.4
 range of vehicles. The MEB scalable electric car platform will be the
basis of all new electric Volkswagen cars
.
Last year, the Volkswagen Group delivered over 231,000 units of fully electric vehicles,
more than three times
 the volumes of 2019.
Porsche sold as many Taycans as the 718s combined! More numbers here!
In Europe, Volkswagen intends to launch approximately 70 all-electric models by 2030, which should account for 70% of total sales. By then, the EU hopes the bloc can meet its latest target of 55% reduction of carbon emissions compared with 1990 levels.
Based on statistics, the CO2 emissions in the EU amounted to approximately 3.3 billion metric tons in 2019, the lowest level recorded since 1965. The level in 1990 was 4.3 billion metric tons. Germany has been identified as the largest contributor, due to the usage of coal-fired power plants.
Thailand will be the first nation in our region to ditch sales of engines. Find out when here.
The EU also have tough legislations on the emission of CO2 from new vehicles, where several car manufacturers can pool together to meet the emission standards that is on a steep reducing trend. Earlier this year,
Volkswagen was fined more than EUR100 million
 (RM490 million) for missing its CO2 target from its 2020 passenger car fleet.
The fine could have been a lot higher if not for the introduction and sales of the new fully electric vehicles.
Source:
Reuters


One off Lamborghini Aventador S ‘Opera Unica’ shown at Goodwood

Lamborghini has taken the opportunity to showcase its Ad Personam programme at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2017 with a custom built, one-off Lamborghini Aventador S Opera Unica.
Complete with a unique paint finish and unique livery, the Opera Unica demonstrates what Lambo owners can potentially build through this programme.
The exterior is finished in matte Grigio Acheso, a matte-finish grey paint with lines accentuated by matte orange stripes around the front bumper, side and rear bumper. This unique model also gets the full exterior gloss carbon fibre package including the roof. Other exterior touches include gloss black Dianthus, orange brake callipers and matte black exhaust pipe.
Inside, the Opera Unica gets full Alcantara Nero Ade upholstery with orange contrast stitching to reflect the car’s exterior colour theme. A special ‘Opera Unica’ plaque signifies the car’s unique specification.
Lamborghini’s Ad Personam programme offers owners the opportunity to customise their Lamborghinis to feature virtually any colour combination inside and out, in any manner to their liking. What better way to stand out in a sea of exotic cars with your custom built, one of one spec Lamborghini, eh?
IMAGE GALLERY


TC Euro Cars introduces the new Renault Koleos “Signature” variant

A new variant of the Renault Koleos has just been introduced in Malaysia by TC Euro Cars, the sole franchise holder of Renault vehicles in this country, called the Signature.
Priced at
RM 198,800
 on-the-road before insurance, the 2WD Signature variant will sit between the high spec 4WD Koleos (RM 209,000) and the 2WD base model (RM 184,200).
Additions in the Signature variant from the base model includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility – a feature not even the high-spec 4WD is equipped with. It can be operated via voice command through the multi-function steering wheel.
The Signature also comes equipped with
 hands-free powered tailgate
, a feature only made available to the 4WD Koleos so far. The boot can be opened with a simple swipe of the foot underneath the rear bumper while height adjustments can be made from the boot.

Inside, the Koleos Signature gets “Chestnut Brown” leather upholstery as opposed to the 4WD’s “Dark Carbon” upholstery. Most significant of all is the
new electric panoramic sunroof
 which by the way, is a feature not available even in the 4WD variant.
The Koleos Signature is powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine that’s paired with a X-Tronic CVT automatic transmission. Power output is rated at
169 hp
 with
226 Nm
. Colour options available include Marron Red, Universal White, Meissen Blue, Grey Metallic and Black Metallic.
The Renault Koleos Signature comes with a five-year full manufacturer’s warranty with unlimited mileage, backed by Renault and not undertaken by any other insurance companies, which means terms and conditions as well as parts covered are consistent from the first year of ownership to the end of the warranty period.
The Koleos Signature will be on display at Renault showrooms nationwide from today onwards, and will be on display as part of Renault’s showcase at the Malaysia Autoshow 2018, which takes place from 26 to 29 April 2018.
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Video: 2022 Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI in Malaysia from RM211k, 5 Things

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has launched the all-new Mk8 Golf GTI in Malaysia. It’s priced at
RM211,689
and is locally assembled in Pekan, Pahang. It’s the first time a Golf GTI was assembled outside of Germany and China.
Obviously, the exterior looks completely different from the previous Mk7.5 model but the most standout feature has to be the new white lightbar that connects the headlamps; fitted with IQ.Light LED technology.

The Mk8 Golf GTI is available in five different colours – Kings Red, Atlantic Blue, Moonstone Grey, Deep Black, and Oryx White.
The new Mk8 Golf GTI now pushes out 245 hp and 370 Nm, from a new EA888 2.0-litre engine, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG). 0 to 100 km/h is done in 6.4 seconds.
Inside, the Mk8 Golf GTI is now almost entirely void of buttons and switches. Most of which have been replaced by ‘icon’ with haptic-touch feedback. You get a fully-digital instrument cluster, a large 10-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 3-zone air conditioning, and a 30-colour ambient lighting system.
Interestingly, while the Golf GTI may come with six airbags, it does not come with any driver aid at all – not even the autonomous emergency braking feature. Hmm.
More images of the all-new Golf GTI
here
!


BMW i8 Roadster lands in Malaysia, anyone got RM1.5 mil to spare?

BMW Malaysia has just unveiled their latest sports car from the iPerformance brand, the BMW i8 Roadster here at the Conference of the Electric Power Supply Industry (CEPSI) 2018. The open top plug-in hybrid (PHEV) joins its facelifted hardtop coupe twin that was launched recently.
If you prefer to have a foldable fabric roof in your i8, you have to be prepared to part with RM1,508,800 (OTR without insurance) or RM100k more than the i8 coupe. Quite a price to pay to have wind in your hair, eh?
Like the facelifted i8 Coupe, the i8 Roadster is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder pushing out
231 hp
 and
320 Nm
 of torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed Aisin sourced automatic transmission. The three-cylinder mill is further boosted by an electric motor that delivers
143 hp
 to the front wheels, giving the i8 Roadster a
combined output of 374 hp
 and all-wheel drive capabilities.
Century sprint is 0.2 seconds slower than the Coupe at
4.6 seconds
 while top speed is identical at 250 km/h. Pure electric driving range now stands at
53 km
 at speeds of up to 120 km/h (with MAX eDrive engaged).

The first-ever i8 Roadster wears the same facelifted fascia of the coupe, with LED headlamps, dihedral doors, sleek silhouette and 20-inch alloys. The only difference is the Roadster comes with a fabric roof that opens or closes in 15 seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h, Roadster model designation on the C-pillars and the exclusive E-Copper paintwork.
Inside you’ll find an Accaro theme with open-pored carbon trim to match the exterior paintwork. Other standard specifications include a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, powered front seats, LCD multifunctional display, 360-degree Surround View, Navigation System Professional as well as a Heads-up Display.

The first-ever BMW i8 Roadster will be available at authorised BMW i dealerships from 19 September 2018 onwards and every purchase of the iPerformance sports car comes with a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage warranty with free scheduled service, 2-Year Tyre Warranty Programme as well as BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW i8 Roadster in Malaysia


Honda reveals 2022 Civic Type R performance figures, ‘small’ boost from FK8R

Honda
 has just revealed more information on the 2022
Honda Civic Type R
. After unveiling the car back in July, Honda has just released the performance numbers of the latest Civic Type R today.
Carrying over the K20C1 from its predecessor, the 2022 Civic Type R further improves the powertrain with a redesigned turbocharger, increased airflow intake flow rate, and a new more efficient exhaust system that features a straight-through design and an active exhaust valve. These enhancements and some others boost the maximum power by 9hp and the maximum torque by 20 Nm over the ‘older’ FK8 Civic Type R. Honda’s official numbers for the 2022 Civic Type R are
315 hp
 @6,500 rpm and
420 Nm
 @2,600-4,000 rpm.
The turbocharger’s geometry has been optimised, allowing for pressure to be generated at a wider range and more efficiently. As for the six-speed manual transmission, Honda has enhanced it with a lighter flywheel, a revised rev match system, a high-rigidity lever, and an optimized shift gate pattern. A helical-type LSD is also present on the 2022 Civic Type R.
Although the above numbers have been revealed, Honda is keeping mum on the Type R’s acceleration time. The only thing we know so far concerning timing is that it clocked a
2:23.120 time on the Suzuka circuit
.
RELATED:
‘Ride along’ in the latest Honda Civic Type R as it breaks a new record in Japan!
As for handling, Honda has widened the track of the Type R over its ‘normal’ counterpart. At the front, the track is wider by 1 inch and at the rear, the track is wider by 0.75 inches. The wheelbase has been extended by 1.4 inches. The Type R also features two-piece front brake rotors.
The body structure of the 2022 Civic Type R is more rigid than its predecessors, and most of the body panels are exclusive to the latest Type R, accommodating the wider track and boosted performance.
Inside, luxuries such as wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity, and a Bose Centrepoint Premium Sound system come as standard in the 2022 Type R. Honda’s LogR feature now no longer requires to be connected to a mobile phone. A new feature on the Type R is the ‘individual’ mode on top of the usual ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’, and ‘R+’.
Honda is offering the Type R in several colours including Historic Championship White, Rallye Red, Boost Blue, Crystal Black Pearl and Sonic Grey Pearl. Pricing and additional details on the 2023 Honda Civic Type R will be provided closer to launch this fall. The new Civic Type R is built at the Yorii Plant in Japan. The Type R’s K20C1 engine continues to be built at Honda’s Anna Engine Plant in Sidney, Ohio.
RELATED:
Honda dealer begins taking orders for all-new Civic Type R in Malaysia – real or scam?