Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia sold 24,315 cars in FY2022, up 27% from previous year

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM)
, the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia continued its sales trend on an upward trajectory after closing Financial Year 2022 (April 2022 – March 2023) with
24,315 units
 sold. This is 27% more vehicles sold compared to the same time last financial year.
The company managed to capture a market share of 3.2% as well, allowing it to retain its top-three spot in the non-national automotive sales table. This is also MMM’s historical high sales achievement since its inception in 2005.
MMM’s top seller, the
Mitsubishi Xpander
 remains Malaysia’s most popular non-national MPV with
13,794 units
 sold and has contributed 57% to the company’s overall total sales. This is a 52.2% increase compared to the same period in FY2021.
The
Mitsubishi Triton
 pick-up truck also had a sales growth of 12% compared to the financial year before. With
10,520 units
 sold, the Triton maintained a solid market share of 18% and is currently a strong number two in the pick-up truck segment.
RELATED:
Mitsubishi Triton, Xpander now cost up to RM3.3k more, Phantom Plus dropped
“The Triton and Xpander have been a catalyst for our sales growth in Financial Year 2022. In ending a successful financial year, we will continue to focus on improving customer purchase and service experience to meet the evolving needs of our customers, assuring a seamless experience,” said Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Chief Executive Officer, Shinya Ikeda.
“On the global front, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) recently premiered the Mitsubishi XRT, the concept car of the all-new Triton at the 44th Bangkok International Motor Show 2023. For the upcoming Asia Cross Country Rally 2023, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart plans to compete with a prototype cross-country model of the all-new Triton in its quest for a second straight victory,” Shinya Ikeda added.
MMM’s CEO also mentioned that the company will not only be participating in rallies with the new Triton models but also with other Mitsubishi models as well. The company is optimistic about its future as a brand and its presence in Malaysia.
RELATED:
Mitsubishi expands footprint in Malaysia with new 3S centres in Alor Setar and Langkawi


UMW Toyota’s hilarious Hari Raya film explains why our moms were always so fussy!

Growing up, we’ve all had that one adult in our lives, be it our mothers or relatives, who are extra fussy about everything… and we mean everything. But while we may not realise at the time, they usually have your best interests at heart, as demonstrated in
UMW Toyota
‘s Hari Raya advertisement this year.

The story was told by the character Aiman, who chronicles his childhood under the watchful eyes of his mother, affectionately nicknamed
Umi Pembaris
 – as she always seems to have a ruler in her hand. As you might have experienced yourselves growing up in an Asian household, the ruler – aside from being used to actually measure things – also sometimes function as a form of punishment.
As years go by, almost everything has changed; Aiman now has his own family, and he’s switched from riding in the KE10 Toyota Corolla, to now driving his own
Corolla Cross
. But the one thing that just doesn’t change is
Umi Pembaris
, her ruler, and her constant nagging.
Without her children by her side this year, Umi Pembaris’s ruler has now taken on a hilarious new role.
Having his own family though, did make Aiman understand
Umi
‘s way – while the teachings of tradition and cultures may seem harsh, it’s the one thing that truly strengthens the bond in the family. And that is why he’s now passing on the same teachings to his own children, albeit in a more… gentle way.
Aside from the main message, the film also reminded us of the good ol’ days before the world was turned completely upside-down by the Covid-19 pandemic. But while we may not be with our loved ones this festive season, it doesn’t mean that we can’t still have fun in different ways, as the video cheekily shows at the end.
Hopefully, the pandemic will soon blow over, and we can have a more regular
Hari Raya
 next year. But for now, let’s all stay home, and stay safe.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri
, everyone!


MINI proves its haters wrong by taking the all-electric Cooper SE to a rally stage

MINI is tired of everyone saying that the all-electric Cooper SE is not a “real MINI”, so of course, the British brand (well, sort of) did what it does best – by taking the
all-electric Mini
 to an Opel Trophy rally stage in Romania, opening a new chapter in its rallying history that dates back to the 1960s.
The effort was a partnership between the local Romanian BMW arm and Vitesco Technologies, a German company supplying electric drive solutions. However, changes to the Cooper SE that took part in this race were minimal – modifications were focused on safety and weight-saving, along with a cheeky “No gas? No problem!” number plate.
The rear seats in the MINI Cooper SE were removed, and the ones in front replaced with proper racing seats. A roll cage was also installed, along with six point harnesses to ensure the safety of the driver. In total, these changes shed approximately 150 kg off from the weight of the original car.
With the drivetrain, battery set-up, suspension setup and brakes retained from the stock car, and the only mechanical performance upgrade being a set of slightly-stickier Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (road) tyres, the electric Mini managed to complete the 5 km rally course in 3:18.
The MINI Cooper SE finishes round one in the second-half of the standings, and achieved an average speed of 96 km/h throughout the stage. However, the most impressive part of the feat is that it completed all eight runs in just one single charge. Yes, it’s only around 40 km in distance, but it’s 40 km of hard driving, on a hill no less.
According to the driver, Andrei Barbu, the car still had lots of potential to be explored, with this first entry being more of a benchmark run more than anything else. “I set off in this adventure rather skeptical towards the car’s potential. However, during my eight runs in this stage I learned a lot about the car, its pros and cons and I can say there’s room for improvement.
“This is where our partners from Vitesco Technologies will step in, as they will hopefully provide a better thermal management solution for the battery packs, so that we can squeeze 100% of the performance they can offer in future runs.”
This race was only the first in a long series to come, and the electric Mini will receive further modifications to better cope with the challenging conditions of the Romanian National Hill Speed Championship rally stages. For starters, the rally-prepped Cooper SE will receive a new suspension, new tyres and a new management unit for the battery module for the next race.
BMW Group Romania General Manager, Dr. Josef Reiter added: “We’re still in the early stages of this project and we don’t have any special modifications done to the car to enhance its performance so far but this only goes to show that the MINI Electric, even in stock form, can deliver incredible performance and keeps the ‘go-kart’ feeling alive and well.”
Closer to home, MINI Malaysia has only
recently unveiled the MINI Cooper SE on our shores
, priced at RM218k inclusive of sales tax exemptions. Powered by a single electric motor on the front axle which serves up
184 hp
 and
270 Nm
 of torque, the Cooper SE completes the century sprint in a brisk
7.3 seconds
, and boasts a pure-electric driving range of
 234 km
 (WLTP cycle) from its 28.9 kWh battery pack.


Mitsubishi Malaysia achieved its best ever quarter, ranked top three among non-national brands

Thanks to the delivery of
 4,156
 vehicles between January to March this year, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) is ranked among the
top three
 non-national brands in the country. This figure is also a
historical high
 for MMM.
This stellar quarterly performance also registered a
growth of 135%
 compared to the same quarter a year ago (Q1 2020). In total, MMM delivered
11,554
 vehicles during its 2020 Financial Year FY20 (April 2020 to March 2021) which represented an
increase of 51%
 compared to the previous Financial Year (FY19).

No surprise on which product has significantly pushed the total sales of MMM to cross the ten-thousand unit mark- the recently launched locally-assembled
Xpander
 MPV. In the recently issued press release, MMM said its dealers have delivered 2,742 units out of the
9,300
 over bookings received since its launch in November last year.
“Due to the overwhelming positive response for the new Xpander, we are progressing to increase our production volume to cater for higher
production
 capacity to fulfil all booking demands,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, Chief Executive Officer of MMM.
The bulk of MMM sales are contributed by the popular Mitsubishi
Triton
, registering
7,568
 units or a solid 32% increase between FY20 and FY19.
Mr Shinnishi added that new sales outlets have opened in
Temerloh
, Kuala Selangor and Petaling Jaya and the theme of dealer network expansion will continue into FY21. Over 60% of MMM dealers
have upgraded
 their outlets for better sales and
after-sales experience
.

“We thank our customers who have supported the Mitsubishi brand and the good sales only reveal brand and customer’s loyalty. In return for this strong support, we prioritize all our customers’ needs by introducing a seamless digitalisation sale and after-sales experience with the introduction of
Test Drive 2U
,
Mitsubishi CONNECT
 mobile application as well as the newly launched
Mitsubishi Online Showroom
.
“With this, we persevere to push forward and to remain optimistic in our new financial year, in terms of growing our sales while maintaining a dedicated after-sales service,” Mr Shinnishi in his closing remarks.


Take a closer look at the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe & Cabriolet duo

The
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet
 underwent a refresher not too long ago and now the guys at Daimler has released more images of the their facelifted two-door S-Classes.
The flagship coupe and cabriolet now feature redesigned front and rear bumper with chrome-plated finish, subtle but highly effective. The flashiest item on the list has got to be the new
 organic LED taillamps
 consisting of 66 ultra-flat individual OLED to create a unique light sequence. AMG Line gets a new 20-inch 10-spoke alloy wheel design finished in either high-sheen titanium grey or high-gloss black.

Inside, the two door S-Classes gets a revamped cabin design featuring the
Widescreen Cockpit
(two 12.3-inch display) and new-generation steering multifunctional steering wheel design. this being the flagship luxury coupe/cabriolet, the interior is furnished with high quality Nappa leather contrasted with a choice of high-gloss brown burr walnut wood, satin-finish grey ash wood or designo flowing lines magnolia wood.
The S-Class Coupe models are available with a 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 with
362 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque as well as a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 packing
462 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque. Meanwhile the S-Class Cabriolet only comes in a sole
S 560
 variant packing the same 4.0-litre V8 as its coupe twin. The new V8 engines now feature
cylinder deactivation technology
 that shuts off four cylinders under light load for better fuel efficiency.
A nine-speed 9G-Tronic transmission comes as standard on all variants. Interestingly, the coupe style is only offered with a 4MATIC four-wheel drive layout while the cabriolet is strictly rear-wheel drive.
The optional
Magic Body Control
 suspension on the S-Class Coupe has been further improved to detect road surfaces better and is now operable at speeds of up to 180 km/h, ensuring that you and your passengers are feel nothing more than a slight bump when you’re travelling at ridiculous speeds.
Lastly, Mercedes-Benz has fitted both the S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet with
Active Distance Control DISTRONIC
 and
Active Steering Assist
 which semi-autonomously keeps a safe distance between the car in front, maintain the lane, steer and adjusts cruising speed according to bends or junctions.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe Facelift

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet Facelift


2023 Lotus Eletre launched in Malaysia, from RM578k – up to 905hp, 985Nm

Lotus

has always been known as a low-volume two-seater sports car maker, but things have changed. Introducing the all-new highly anticipated
 2023
Lotus Eletre
, Lotus’ first electric SUV that has just been launched in Malaysia! Priced from
RM578,000
 all the way to
RM798,000
, the British Hyper-SUV is available in three variants.
Lotus Eletre –
RM578,000
Lotus Eletre S –
RM648,000
Lotus Eletre R –
RM789,000

By the way, if you’re looking to renew your insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
Built on Lotus’ all-new 800v Electric Premium Architecture (EPA) which uses aluminium and high-tensile steel for optimum structural rigidity, the Eletre has a similar footprint as the
Lamborghini Urus
 and is just marginally bigger than
BMW’s iX
.
Featuring Lotus’ aerodynamic ‘porosity’ design, which the manufacturer claims to improve aerodynamics and overall efficiency, gives the Eletre’s exterior a muscular look. The Eletre, Eletre S and Eletre R feature 22-inch wheels as standard. Customers can upgrade their wheel to the 23-inch options, with five designs to choose from.
RELATED:
Lotus Eletre is world’s fastest dual-motor EV SUV – 905hp, 985Nm, 0-100km/h in 2.95s
At launch, the Eletre and Eletre S exteriors are finished in Kaimu Grey as standard, while the Eletre R is finished in Solar Yellow, as per the images you see. There are also other colours that come as cost options – Natron Red, Galloway Green, Stellar Black and Blossom Grey. On the outside, the standard Lotus Eletre comes with these features:
Matrix LED headlamps, DRLs, side lights, fog lights, reverse lights and rear light strip
Welcome home lighting
Powered hands-free tailgate
Active front grille
Heated washer jets
Carbon fibre roof spoiler
22-inch 10-spoke silver diamond forged alloy wheels
Pirelli P-Zero tyres
Black lightweight brake discs and six-piston callipers
Up a tier, the Eletre S adds on the following exterior features:
Auto-dimming side mirrors
Rear privacy glass
Soft-close doors
22-inch 10-spoke grey diamond forged alloy wheels
Pirelli P-Zero tyres
Lightweight brake discs and six-piston callipers with a choice of six colours
Active tailgate spoiler
With the top-of-the-line Lotus Eletre R, you get:
22-inch 10-spoke gloss black forged alloy wheels
Pirelli P-Zero CORSA performance tyres
Here comes the exciting part, the performance. All three Eletre variants come with dual electric motor all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrains, albeit with different outputs. The powertrain and technical details of the standard Lotus Eletre and Eletre S are as follows:
Engine: Dual-motor system
Maximum output:
603 hp
Maximum torque:
710 Nm
Transmission: Single-speed
0-100 km/h:
4.5 seconds
Top speed:
258 km/h
Battery capacity:
112 kWh
Range (WLTP):
600 km
Maximum DC Charging rate:
350 kW
DC charging time (10-80% with 350 kW charging):
20 minutes
Maximum AC charging rate:
22kW
AC charging time (with 22kW charging):
6-7 hours
Opt for the Eletre R and you get these tasty performance figures:
Engine: Dual-motor system
Maximum output:
905 hp
Maximum torque:
985 Nm
Transmission: Dual-speed
0-100 km/h:
2.95 seconds
Top speed:
265 km/h
Battery capacity:
112 kWh
Range (WLTP):
490 km
Maximum DC Charging rate:
350 kW
DC charging time (10-80% with 350 kW charging):
20 minutes
Maximum AC charging rate:
22kW
AC charging time (with 22kW charging):
6-7 hours
Inside, all Eletres feature 100% recycled and recyclable man-made microfibre materials and come with a five-seat configuration. This provides 688 litres of rear boot capacity and 1,532 litres with the rear seats folded. A four-seat configuration is available with the optional Executive Seat Pack.
Inside, these are features you get standard with the Eletre:
12-way power-adjustable front seats
Four-zone automatic climate control
Augmented Reality (AR) head-up display
15.1-inch full HD OLED display
Lotus Hyper OS
‘Intelligent cockpit’ infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
1,380-watt, 15-speaker KEF Premium Audio system
Wireless charging system
Additional features found in the Eletre S’ interior include:
Illuminated side sills
Ambient lighting
2,160-watt, 23-speaker KEF Reference system
Lotus also adds these features to the Eletre R exclusively:
Stainless steel sports pedals
Sports motor sound
Safety-wise, The Lotus Eletre is fully loaded with deployable LIDAR technology, as well as a suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), a driver monitoring system, Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning/Prevention (LKA+), Blind Spot Detection, Traffic Sign Information (TSI), Front and Rear Park Assist, Visual Park Assist and Lotus Intelligent Dynamic Chassis Control.
To recap, the Lotus Eletre is launched in Malaysia with three variants: Eletre, Eletre S and Eletre R, and are priced at
RM578,000
,
RM648,000
and
RM798,000
 respectively. Fully packed with safety features, the Eletre also comes with a five-year/150,000 km manufacturer’s warranty and an eight-year/200,000 km warranty for the battery. As of today, Lotus’ Hyper SUV has collected 140 bookings with a total of only 200 units available throughout 2023 in Malaysia.
RELATED:
The Lotus Emira GT4 is here to rip through racetracks
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Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S (PS4S) launched, to replace the Pilot Super Sport

Michelin has just announced a new ultra-high performance (UHP) tyre to their line-up, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S (PS4S). Not to be confused with the Pilot Sport 4 (PS4), the PS4S is positioned higher in the line-up and is set to replace the Michelin Pilot Super Sport series.
The PS4S was developed in partnership with BMW M division, Ferrari, Ford, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche to engineer a tyre to best complement the high performance vehicle line-up from these esteemed manufacturers. As such, the Michelin PS4S, designed to provide maximum performance and safety on all surfaces, was born.
With Michelin’s Total Performance philosophy in mind, engineers applied a ‘bi-compound technology’ that uses a new hybrid compound on the outer thread for high levels of dry grip while the inner thread uses a new silica and functional elastomers compound to provide consistent grip on wet surfaces.
In a comparison test conducted by an independent organisation – TÜV SÜD in Germany, the PS4S came out on top in four key segments –
dry braking
,
wet braking
,
lap time
and
longevity
. The test was conducted with
255/35/R19 section tyres
 against five other main competitors – Bridgestone Potenza S001, Continental SportContact 6, Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 and Pirelli PZero Nero GT purchased on the European market.

In the dry braking test, the PS4S came to a stop from 100km/h in 33.66 meters, besting its closest competitor by 0.83 meter. In the wet from 80km/h, the PS4S takes only 27.73 although Goodyear trails behind by only 0.1 meter. Around a 2.6km track, the PS4S took 1 minute and 20.33 seconds beating its rivals by 0.4 seconds to 1.39 seconds. Perhaps the most significant edge the PS4S has over its competitors is longevity. The PS4S is the only tyre to break the 50k mileage barrier at
52,032km
 while its closest rival only manages 48,910 km. That’s almost 2,600 km lesser than the PS4S!
Like all of Michelin’s high performance tyres, the PS4S also gets
Michelin Premium Touch Technology®
 at the sidewalls. This not only gives the tyre a
velvet-like tyre writing
 to make it easier recognisable but also acts as a rim protector that cushions the rims from coming into contact with the kerb.
Sales of the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S will begin in January 2017 in Europe and March 2017 in USA. The PS4S comes in 34 different sizes ranging from 19 to 20 inch in diameter, effectively dropping the 18-inch sizes that was previously available for the Pilot Super Sport.
For those who are keen on having Michelin’s UHP tyres for smaller wheel diameters, maybe the
Michelin Pilot Super Sport 4
 (which we will be testing real soon) may be of your interest. For now, catch what GC Mah was up to at the 2016 Michelin Pilot Sport Experience
here
!
IMAGE GALLERY


Meet the Honda Ridgeline, the pickup truck you’d love to own but can’t

It’s no secret that us Malaysians love pickup trucks. Some buy it for their small businesses, others get them for the sole purpose of terrorising other motorists. While the inept are certainly deserving (I’m generally against this, but some people really ask for it), there’s one pickup truck that deserves our attention, and it’s the Honda Ridgeline.
You may have not heard of this, but the Ridgeline is actually in its second generation cycle. Commissioned specially for the North American market, the Ridgeline is actually a direct competitor to the
Chevrolet Colorado
,
Nissan Navara
 and
Toyota Hilux
, with the sole and biggest difference being its underpinning.
Unlike the trio, the Ridgeline is built atop a unibody architecture, compared to the more utilitarian ladder frame setup of the Hilux and
Ford Ranger
. The Ridgeline is also designed to ride more comfortably, which better suits the general American automotive palate. At heart is a
3.5-litre gasoline V6 (J35Y6) with i-VTEC
 technology, producing
280 hp
 and
355 Nm
 of torque.
Only one engine is available, and it’s paired to a
six-speed automatic transmission
. Drive is sent either to the front wheels or all four wheels depending on trim, whereas its kerb weight tips the scale at just over 2,000kg.
The Ridgeline comes with a multitude of equipment, such as multi-view camera, leather seats, cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring system, 200 Watt sound system with seven-speaker and a subwoofer (upgradable to a 540 Watt setup). There’s also a tri-zone air conditioning system, blind spot monitoring system, 10-way powered driver’s seat and acoustic windshield.
As to why we can’t have the Ridgeline, it’s because the pickup, like many other American-made Hondas, are exclusive to the market. Even if Honda Malaysia has plans to introduce it locally, the pricing alone (never mind the road tax) would render the effort futile. And oh, the two pictures above are of the Black Edition variant. Anyone else drooling over this, or is it just me?


This video featuring Volvo’s heavy machinery is unusually cool

Volvo is no stranger to the unconventional; just look at their cars and you can tell these guys are all about individualism. Their approaches, however unorthodox, have never failed to be relevant – like this video for example.
It features the legendary Dolph Lundgren, known for his roles in Rocky IV, Universal Soldier and more recently The Expendables, as the coach of sorts to a very unusual group of trainers – an arsenal of Volvo excavators.
Not only is it entertaining to watch, it exemplifies Volvo’s heavy machinery to be highly maneuverable and robust. I mean, have you seen an excavator performing a pull up?
It’s not the first time Volvo has produced such a quirky video; remember the one featuring
Jean-Claude Van Damme
? You might want to refresh your memory here.
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Here are some of the new updates on the 2019 Acura NSX

Before we embark on this technological journey of new developments on the 2019 NSX, I’m just going to put it out there – I prefer calling it a Honda rather than an Acura.
Right, so the 2019 Honda NSX with a starting price from USD157,500 (RM647k) just debuted at the Monterey Car Week with a queue of updates that include new designs, new exterior and interior combinations and chassis upgrades. US deliveries are expected to begin in October.
2019 NSXs will be available with a new striking Thermal Orange Pearl colour as an option where it pays tribute to 30 years of Acura Motorsports vehicles with orange accented liveries.
Optional carbon ceramic metallic (CCM) brakes can now also be fitted with optional orange calipers. As standard, the calipers will appear in red but I can’t imagine those red calipers going well with the optional orange body paint.

The 2019 NSX is distinguished with a new body-coloured front grille garnish (previously silver) and high-gloss treatments for the front grille surround, front air intake mesh and rear bumper outlet mesh.
High-gloss treatment is also applied to the available Carbon Fiber Decklid Spoiler and Carbon Fiber Exterior Package – including a front chin spoiler, side sill garnish and rear diffuser.
Inside, there is now an option for an Indigo Blue interior with a mix of Alcantara and leather upholstery. The 4-way powered sport seats which previously was a $1,500 (approx. RM6k) option, are now offered as standard. Lightweight manually-adjustable sport seats, wrapped in Black Milano leather and Alcantara, remain an available no-cost option.
Other standard equipment includes an ELS Studio premium sound system, front and rear proximity sensors and aluminum sport pedals. Can you believe that the front and rear sensors along with the aluminium sports pedals were an option before?
Mechanically, modifications have been done on the chassis, tyres and software to make the NSX more responsive and reactive to the driver’s inputs. The changes resulted in a
nearly 2-second faster lap time around the famous Suzuka Circuit
 during testing.
The chassis has been tightened up with larger front and rear stabiliser bars. Software updates have been applied to the NSX’s Sport Hybrid SH-AWD power unit, active magnetorheological dampers, electric power steering and VSA settings.
The 2019 NSX now sits on grippier Continental SportContact 6 tires, developed exclusively for the NSX. The tyres feature a revised tread pattern, construction and rubber compound for improved handling performance in all conditions—from daily commuting to track use—including wet weather driving.
IMAGE GALLERY


Next-gen Porsche Cayman and Boxster models to use iconic 718 moniker

There’ll be new generations of Cayman and Boxster models that will bear the “718” moniker, paying homage the company’s iconic sports car from the same year our country gained its independence. Also, the new Cayman and Boxster will receive new forced induction engines, the first for both models, after the
facelifted 911
.
Porsche claims that both models will be known as
718 Cayman
 and
 718 Boxster
; both featuring more
“visual and technical” similarities
 than before. That said, the Boxster will carry a slightly higher pricetag compared to the Cayman couple.
For the uninitiated, the 718 was one of Porsche’s most important open-cockpit sports car that raced and won Targa Florio and Le Mans. The company referred the 718 as “a reference to the ground-breaking sports car of this type during 1957, which enjoyed much success in renowned car races of the period.”
Also reported was that the new Cayman and Boxster will lose the existing 2.7-litre and 3.4-litre flat-six engines for a single
turbocharged 2.0-litre flat four
. The standard version gets
240 hp
 while the S version gets an additional
60 hp
 – all powered by the same 2.0-litre engine.
Porsche has yet to announce any firm dates on the revealing of these new models. Instead, they have hinted that both cars will be introduced sometime in 2016.
Closer to home, the GTS variants for both
Cayman and Boxster models were just launched by Porsche Malaysia
 for the local market back in July this year. If these aren’t hardcore enough for you, there’s always the
RM840k Cayman GT4
! If you’re considering to get one, it’s now or never, because the next Cayman may just come with an engine that’ll cost you RM380 on road tax per annum.


Tennis star Andy Murray wins a brand new BMW i8 at the 2015 BMW Open

Andy Murray, an international tennis figure
from Scotland
 came out triumphant at the
2015 BMW Open
 and walked away with not just the title and a trophy, but a brand new
BMW i8
 to go with them. The tennis tournament was organised by FWU AG 2015 and the finals took place on a clay court in Munich.
Philipp Kohlschreiber serves against Murray with the BMW i8 in the background
The victory marks the 27-year-old’s
maiden win
 on a clay court, outplaying Philipp Kohlschreiber with a score of 7:6 (4), 5:7 and 7:6 (4) after three hours of world-class tennis. During the award ceremony, BMW Group Germany’s head of sales and marketing, Peter van Binsbergen congratulated Murray on his victory at the tournament’s 100th anniversary, and that the Munich carmaker looks forward to 2016 – BMW’s 100th anniversary.
Read all about the RM1.2mil BMW i8 in our report
here
.
[divider]
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Singapore reduces toll charges at Woodlands Checkpoint for all vehicles

Back in 2014, Singapore started imposing toll charges for vehicle entering the country at its Woodlands Checkpoint along the Johor-Singapore Causeway to match Malaysia’s revision in toll charges. This is in line with Singapore’s long-standing policy of matching Malaysia’s toll rates.
Now, Singapore will be revising its toll charges again at Woodlands Checkpoint from 1 February 2018, to match Malaysia’s recent removal of toll charges at the Eastern Dispersal Link.
From 1 February 2018 onwards, all vehicle classes will not be imposed any toll charges entering Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint. At the same time, vehicles leaving Singapore through the same route will see a reduction in toll charges. The revised Woodlands Checkpoint toll charges are as below:
Vehicle Category
Current
 (Since 1 October 2014)
Revised
 (From 1 February 2018)
Leaving
 Singapore
Entering
 Singapore
Leaving
 Singapore
Entering
 Singapore
Cars
S$3.80
S$2.70
S$1.00
–
Vans/ Light Goods Vehicles
S$5.80
S$4.00
S$1.50
–
Heavy Goods Vehicles
S$7.70
S$5.30
S$2.00
–
Taxis
S$1.90
S$1.40
S$0.50
–
Buses
S$3.10
S$2.20
S$0.80
–
When the new toll charges come into effect, cars entering Singapore will save S$2.70 (RM8.10) when and will only need to pay S$1.00 (RM3) when exiting the country; saving S$5.5 (RM16.50) for every return trip (from MY to SG). Heavy Goods Vehicles, on the other hand, will save S$11 (RM33) for every return trip.
No changes were made to the toll charges at the Tuas Checkpoint along the Second Link Bridge.


2022 Mazda CX-30 updated in Malaysia with new Ignite Edition variants – FWD and AWD, from RM169k

Alongside the
Mazda 3
,
Bermaz Motor
 has also now updated the
Mazda CX-30
 for 2022 with two new Ignite Edition variants joining the line-up.
The two variants are based on the existing 2.0G High and 2.0G High AWD variants (the latter now discontinued in the local line-up), with pricing starting at
RM169,044
 and
RM180,689
 respectively – a RM9,000 increase over the standard models.
For that extra dough, the Ignite Edition models receive several extra aesthetic and equipment upgrades. The former includes a new set of 18-inch wheels finished in gloss black alongside blacked-out wing mirror covers, as well as burgundy leather upholstery on the seats inside.
As for equipment upgrades, the Ignite Edition variants gain a new 360-degree surround view monitor in place of the regular reverse camera, while the i-ActivSense advance driver assistance suite has also been updated to now include Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), Driver Attention Alert with Driver Monitoring, and Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS).
With the new CTS feature working alongside the existing adaptive cruise control, the Mazda CX-30 Ignite Edition variants can now support a Level 2 semi-autonomous highway driving capability.
Beyond these changes, the rest of the Ignite Edition is carried over wholesale from the existing 2.0G High variants, with standard kit including the automatic LED headlights with a unique daytime-running light signature, powered sunroof, 8.8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as a dual-zone climate control system with rear blower vents.
The powertrains are also unchanged from the existing variants. Underneath the bonnet for both Ignite Edition Variants is the same SkyActiv-G 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four engine, pushing out
162 hp
 and
213 Nm
 of torque. Both are paired to the same six-speed automatic gearbox, but the AWD variant adds the i-Activ all-wheel drive system (with Off-Road Traction Assist) to send power to all four wheels.
RELATED: Mazda 3 updated in Malaysia for 2022 – new range-topping Ignite Edition variant
The rest of the Mazda CX-30 model line-up in Malaysia remains unchanged from before, although there’s now a slight price increase across the range for 2022. The revised Mazda CX-30 price list is now as follows:
Mazda CX-30 2.0G Core – RM145,759
Mazda CX-30 2.0G High – RM160,109
Mazda CX-30 1.8D High – RM168,673
Mazda CX-30 2.0G High Ignite Edition – RM169,044
Mazda CX-30 2.0G High AWD Ignite Edition RM180,689
Just like before, the model will be fully-imported (CBU) from Japan, and thus comes with a 50% SST rebate until the 30th of June 2022. Also included in the price is a five-year/100,000 km warranty with free scheduled service package.
GALLERY


At top speed, the Koenigsegg Agera RS was covering 127 metres per second!

If you’ve still not heard, Koenigsegg recently set a new world record for the
highest top speed in a production car at 445.7 km/h
 in the Agera RS – powered by a 5.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing well over 1,300 hp.
While there may have been other footages of the record-breaking feat, this one projects more of the driver’s point of view and what he had to do which was very very little considering the speeds at which he was travelling at.
For the keen eye with questions on the slow take off, Koenigsegg’s reason was simple –
it wasn’t an acceleration record
. They didn’t want to cause additional stress to the engine as it would be at redline for a considerable time at its top speed.
Full throttle only took place
from 300 km/h onwards
 and from the looks of it, the Agera was still faster from 300 km/h to 400 km/h than most cars would be from 0 to 100 km/h.
What you’d also notice is how stable the car is at such high speeds. Bear in mind the record was not attempted on a track but instead on a public road. The driver merely had to control the car and not fight it. If the numbers still don’t impress you, get this; at its top speed, the Agera RS was covering over
127 meters per second!
Recently, Koenigsegg also
 broke the 0 to 400 km/h to 0 record
 in the Agera RS which was set by the
Bugatti Chiron
 just less than a month ago.


The all-new Audi RS3 is the new performance king in its segment

We’ve
seen it in camo
, and we’ve heard all about its
fancy rear torque splitter
, but now, we finally get to see it all together in full. Here it is, then, the all-new Audi RS3 – and it’s rather stunning, isn’t it?
As before, the all-new Audi RS3 will be available in both sedan and fastback form, with both getting the aggressive styling treatment including larger air intakes, flared wheel arches (with chunky front brake vents!), and larger exhaust exits at the rear.
But for the first time ever, the German carmaker has also given the compact performance model a bespoke front end to differentiate it from its
regular A3
 brethen.
The Audi A3 is now launched in Singapore, in both sportback and sedan guises. Check it out here!
Unique to the RS3 twins is the new front grille surround in black (either matte or glossy) that extends into the headlights, which themselves comes with darkened bezels, and are also optionally upgradeable to matrix LED items.
The sinister black theme continues throughout the exterior styling of the new hot hatch/sedan, as seen on the side skirts, wing mirrors, rear diffuser, and optionally, the roof, which we think works really well on the striking new Kyalami Green exterior colour.
Compared to the regular A3, the RS3 also sits 25 mm lower, thanks to its performance-oriented suspension set-up and bespoke subframes. It also has a 33 mm wider track up front and 10 mm at the back over the old car for improved handling and a wider stance.
As revealed earlier
, the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine from its predecessor has been retained on this all-new model. Horsepower output hasn’t changed at
400 hp
, but its torque figures have now been bumped up to
500 Nm
.
Paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and all-wheel drive, the all-new RS3 propels from zero to 100 km/h in just
3.8 seconds
 – that’s three tenths faster than its predecessor, and a tenth faster than the
Mercedes-AMG A 45 S
.
The Audi RS3 can soon join the Volkswagen Golf R and AMG A45 S in their drift battles…
Top speed in standard form is rated at 250 km/h, but customers can optionally upgrade it to 280 km/h, or 290 km/h with the RS Dynamic Package – the latter is the fastest in its class, Audi says.
The Quattro all-wheel drive system has also been updated on the all-new Audi RS3 with a new RS Torque Splitter system, which uses a pair of multi-disc clutch packs, one for each rear wheel, to direct up to 100% of the power to any one wheel. The new system is also what gives the RS3 its ability to execute “controlled drift”, courtesy of the new ‘RS Torque Rear’ mode.
Other performance upgrades include the new set of larger six-pot brakes up front, mated to ventilated and drilled discs on each axle. Buyers can also opt for ceramic brake discs for the front axle if they so wish, alongside factory-appointed semi-slick tyres for improved on-track performance.
As for the interior, Audi has suitably given the RS3 some additional flair over the A3 to complement its performance credentials. The instrument panel is made out of carbon fibre for maximum “racing feeling”, and buyers can even opt for a RS Design package to add even more flourishes in the form of red or green piping and accent highlights on the seats and air-con vents.
A 12.3-inch instrument cluster is fitted as standard, and features RS-specific displays including a ‘RS Runway’ rev counter design. To the side is a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen display, which also comes with a ‘RS Monitor’ feature that shows additional real-time performance-oriented data such as coolant, engine and gearbox oil temperatures.
The all-new Audi RS3 will go on sale in August, priced from GBP50,900 (~RM295k) and GBP51,900 (~RM301k) respectively for the hatchback and sedan variants in the UK. First customer deliveries are expected to begin towards the end of the year.
GALLERY


Petronas launches new Mesra Redemption Portal

Petronas Dagangan Berhad today launched the
new Mesra redemption portal
 and expanded its network of merchants to over 81 brands, making it easier and faster for card members to redeem rewards.
Aside from Kedai Mesra items and purchasing fuel, Mesra card holders can now access lifestyle rewards from merchants such as TGV, Baskin Robbins, Tealive, AirAsia BIG, Inside Scoop, Llao Llao, Legoland and more.
The portal also offers a cash top-up option for members with insufficient Mesra points. All rewards redeemed will be in the form of e-vouchers which members will need to present at the merchant’s stores.
The Mesra Rewards Festival is happening between 27th to 29th September 2019 at Sunway Pyramid where shoppers can sign up for a Mesra card and instantly receive 200 Mesra points.
Upon signing up for the Mesra card
free of charge
, card holders will be given a chance to win prizes from such as Mesra points, AirAsia BIG points, fuel vouchers Petronas merchandise, Dyson products, a Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and more!
Throughout the 3-day festival, there’ll also be lucky draws where prizes include flight tickets and gadgets.


Even the Naza Group is getting in on the Tabung Harapan Malaysia action

Despite amassing a whopping RM 150 million as of last week, it seems that the fund-raising initiative of Tabung Harapan Malaysia has not lost any of its traction (or lustre) since its announcement on the 30th of May 2018.
If anything, the “nation-saving fund” should see a spike before its dateline with Naza Group now in on the action among others. The Group has announced that it will
contribute RM1,000 towards the Tabung Harapan Malaysia for every car sold by them
.
Have you seen Adrian’s
walkaround video of the all-new Kia Stinger
 yet?
This noble move will begin from the
1st of June to the 31st of August 2018
. The Naza Group is an importer and distributor for a diverse range of established automotive brands such as Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles and Kia in Malaysia.
“The Naza Group is proud to play its part by contributing to the Tabung Harapan Malaysia as a responsible and patriotic corporate citizen. Our contribution is also a way of thanking the Government of Malaysia for the stable economic and political landscape and most of all, for the 3-month tax holiday which has spurred car sales to achieve record levels this year,” said Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd, Group Executive Chairman and CEO, SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin.
“As a homegrown company, it is our obligation and responsibility to assist wherever possible for the betterment of our beloved nation, especially as we’ll soon celebrate our 61st Merdeka anniversary and 55th Malaysia Day,” he added.


Sunway Smart Parking is here to solve your parking woes!

The days of having to search high and low for that RM1 note will soon be over, as Sunway has just introduced their cashless and ticket-less smart parking system at a preview at Sunway Pyramid.
The smart parking system will be deployed in Sunway City, which comprises of Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Hotels and Menara Sunway. Currently in operation for season pass holders, the system is expected to be rolled out to the public in the first quarter of 2020.
Here’s how it works. First, drivers will need to register their license plate number through the
Sunway Parking portal
. Once your license plate is linked to a participating e-wallet, the license plate recognition system will allow for seamless entry and exit to the parking lot.
Not a fan of e-wallets? There is also an automatic payment kiosk at the car park to enable Touch ‘n Go and cash payments on the spot. A Sunway spokesperson said that for the time being, the existing cash and Touch ‘n Go payment systems will not be eliminated to allow for a smooth transition to the smart parking system.
To facilitate the adoption of the cashless system, Sunway is also offering a one-time free parking when the system is open to the public for shoppers who register their cars during the pre-registration period.
As for the non-standard registration plate fonts that we have here locally, Sunway says that the machine learning built into the license plate recognition system will identify the various styles over time.
For the time being, drivers of cars with unreadable plates will need to look for the photo of their license plates at the automatic payment kiosk or help desk to make payment.

Sunway’s electronic payment partners include GrabPay, Boost, WeChat Pay, Alipay, Touch N’ Go Digital, and Maybank QR, alongside credit partners MasterCard, Visa, American Express, JCB, UnionPay, and MyDebit.
Aside from simplifying the parking experience for its shoppers, Sunway says that the smart parking system also helps reduce the carbon footprint of all shoppers by reducing paper waste.


SISMA Auto unveils Malaysia’s largest BYD 3S centre in Glenmarie

Sime Darby Beyond Auto
, together with its latest dealer-partner
SISMA Auto
, has opened the doors to the largest BYD 3S centre here in Malaysia, in the heart of Glenmarie, Shah Alam.
Set up at a cost of RM5 million, the new Glenmarie 3S centre is the first Class-A BYD facility in the country, featuring a nine-car display showroom and 16 service bays – the latter with a throughput capacity of
over 1,000 customers per month
.
The “state-of-the-art” service centre is built for BYD’s electric vehicles in mind, and is equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment, specialised tools, as well as climate-controlled storage areas for sensitive power battery components. There is also a New Energy Vehicle room specifically for repairing all high voltage components.
In line with the marque’s EV push, the new Glenmarie 3S centre is also equipped with various charging points throughout the centre, including two AC chargers and DC chargers out in front, both of which will be open for public use once the charging network onboarding is finalised.
Speaking at the launch of the new BYD Glenmarie 3S centre today, SISMA Auto Group Managing Director Syed Khalil bin Syed Ibrahim said, “We believe the future of the automotive industry is electric and as the number one New Energy Vehicle (NEV) manufacturer in the world, BYD is well positioned to be a leader in this electrified future.”
“We are very encouraged by the Malaysian market’s response to the
 BYD Atto 3
 and eagerly looking forward to the introduction of more BYD models in the coming months,” he added.
The BYD SISMA Auto 3S Centre is located at
19, Jalan Perintis U1/52, Temasya Industrial Park, Glenmarie, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor
, and opens from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm from Monday to Saturday, and 10.00 am to 5.00 pm on Sunday and public holidays. The Service Centre operates from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm on Monday to Friday, and 8.30 am to 12.30 pm on Saturday.
In conjunction with its grand opening, the BYD SISMA Auto 3S Centre will also be hosting a special ‘Electric Dreams Carnival’ event from 2-11 June 2023, from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm daily. Customers who register for test drives are entitled to door gifts, snacks, and lucky draws.
GALLERY


RM500mil Daihatsu Perodua Engine Manufacturing Plant now operational in Sendayan

Perodua is set to be boosted by the newly launched Daihatsu Perodua Engine Manufacturing (DPEM) plant in Sendayan. This RM500 million plant will complement the existing transmission plant, Akashi Kikai, in the same vicinity as well. Together, this sets up a powertrain production hub for Malaysia.
The new plant is currently producing engine components for the
Perodua Bezza
. This means both the
1.0-litre 1KR-VE
 and
1.3-litre 1NR-VE

petrol mills are assembled in DPEM. Meanwhile, the Akashi Kikai plant supplies both manual and automatic transmissions to the
Axia
 and Bezza models.
However, this isn’t just limited to Perodua, because the company is open to supply engine components for other car manufacturers as well. With Toyota using a range of broadly similar engine components (Dual VVT-i NR series engines), the 1.5-litre motor currently powering the
facelifted Vios
 and
Avanza
 are also being assembled in DPEM.
The new powertrain production hub will strengthen the country’s automotive industry, one such way is to increase local content among locally assembled cars. That will subsequently lower the price tag of our locally assembled cars, which translates to good news for Malaysians.


UMW Toyota celebrates 50 years of producing Toyota cars in Malaysia

UMW Toyota Motor today
celebrated their 50-years of local production in Malaysia at its new
manufacturing plant in Bukit Raja, Klang, Selangor.
The first made in
Malaysia Toyota vehicle, the Toyota Corolla KE10 rolled off the assembly lines
of Champion Motor plant in Shah Alam in 1968, two years after the KE10 made its
official debut in Japan. Subsequently in 1975, Champion Motor was renamed to
Assembly Services Sdn Bhd (ASSB), a wholly owned subsidiary of UMW Toyota Motor
Sdn Bhd, and the production facility hit their first milestone of 300k units of
Toyota assembled in 1990.
Mr Anuar Ani, Executive Director ASSB explaining to HRH Sultan of Selangor
Ten years on, half a
million units of Toyota vehicles were proudly assembled in Malaysia and the
company hit their 1-million-unit milestone in 2011. Fast forward to 2016, ASSB
began construction of their new Bukit Raja plant and rolled off their first
vehicle, which is the Toyota Vios facelift on 10 January 2019.
With an initial
investment of RM2 billion, the new Bukit Raja plant is one of the most advanced
vehicle manufacturing facility in Malaysia with high levels of automation (45%
automation), energy efficient, technology-driven and people centric
environment.
The new plant features
up to 2 mega watt of solar energy production, rainwater recycling, bright and
breezy working environment as well as LED and natural lighting with high roof
design. With the spirit of
Kaizen
which translates to continuous
improvements, the assembly line has a flexible set up to quickly accommodate
newer functions and models in the future.
The new Bukit Raja Plant will be dedicated to the production of passenger vehicles and currently assembles the new
Yaris
 and
Vios
 while the company’s Shah Alam facility will focus on commercial vehicles like the
Hilux
,
Fortuner
, Innova and Hiace.
Currently, the Shah Alam plant operates on a single shift and has an annual capacity of 38,000 units. Bukit Raja plant with its high levels of automation and 2 shift operation has a maximum capacity of 50,000 units annually.


Volkswagen Amarok facelift goes on sale in the UK, priced from RM181k

The Volkswagen Amarok was just given a mid-life refresher earlier this year. Now, the Europe-only Volkswagen pickup has gone on sale in the UK with four variants to choose from. Also available at the launch is a special edition Aventura trim, to which only 240 examples will be made.
Exterior wise, the Amarok gets a revised front bumper, radiator grille, front fog lamps, LED third brake light and new alloy wheels. The interior now comes with an all-new dash panel design and Volkswagen’s MIB touchscreen infotainment system. Optional extras include navigation, Guide & Inform, Car-Net and App-Connect systems.
Safety equipment for the Amarok include four airbags, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Park Pilot and a rear-view camera.
For the exclusive
Aventura edition
, it adds on
19-inch alloys
 wrapped in 255/55 profile tyres, arch extensions, matte black Drabed coating for the cargo bed, “Discover Media” infotainment system, ParkPilot automatic parking system, front and rear parking sensors as well as a reversing camera. The Amarok Aventura also gets a unique
Ravenna Blue Metallic
paint finish.
New to the Amarok is a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel making it the only six-cylinder model in its segment. In its highest tune, the turbodiesel outputs
221 hp
 and
550 Nm
 of torque channelled through a
conventional eight-speed automatic gearbox
. This allows the Amarok to be capable of a century sprint time of
 8.0 seconds
 and a top speed of
192km/h.
 The engine also comes with an over boost function that pumps the engine output to
237 hp
. The same engine also comes in a lower
201 hp
 tune (paired to the eight-speed automatic), as well as a
161 hp
 manual variant to come in 2017.
For automatic variants, it features a
permanent
 4MOTION four-wheel drive system while the manual variants get a
selectable
 4MOTION four-wheel drive system. Additionally, customers can opt for a mechanical rear-axle differential lock for added off-roading capabilities.
In the UK, prices for the Amarok begins from £32,493.00 (RM181k) for the entry automatic model to £39,381.00 (RM220k) for the range topping limited edition Aventura.
With luxury brands trying to get a hand in the pickup segment (such as the
Mercedes X-Class
) and the growing demand for luxury pickups, the Volkswagen Amarok may be an interesting proposition to the Malaysian market. What do you think, dear readers? Should Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) toy with the idea of introducing the Amarok here?
IMAGE GALLERY


VPCM shines some IQ Lights on the upcoming Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R-Line

Following the opening of the registry book for the all-new eight-generation Volkswagen Golf in
Malaysia
, more details regarding the hatchback have been revealed on social media via short teaser clips.
No additional variants have been added if that is in anyone’s mind following the announcement of the government’s
proposed tax-free incentive
 on electric cars, with the short reels just showing key features of the new Golf hatchbacks.
One key feature Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is keen to highlight is the fitment of the advanced
IQ Light
 or LED Matrix lighting system. Up in front, the headlamps fitted with 22 individual LEDs have advanced high-beam control with Dynamic Light Assist, DRLs and poor weather lighting with cornering function.
The taillamps also feature LED technology and both front and rear turn signals have dynamic illumination for the added premium look. The wheels on the Volkswagen Golf R-Line are 17-inch ‘Valencia’ units finished in grey metallic.
As for the Volkswagen Golf GTI, all that
245 hp
and
370 Nm
 of torque from the turbocharged 2.0-litre TSI engine is transferred to the road via 18-inch wheels in Richmond design and wrapped with 225/40R18 Bridgestone Potenza S005 tyres.
0 to 100 km/h is dispatched in just
6.4 seconds
 with the rapid-shifting seven-speed DSG transmission in the Golf GTI. Volkswagen says this latest GTI is also the most digital variant of all time, with the fully computer-controlled chassis handled by the new
Vehicle Dynamics Manager
. It integrates the ESC, with the new electronic differential locks (brake system-based XDS and mechanical-based VAQ) and the continuously adaptive electronic damping control system (DCC).
At a touch of a button, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport has its entire chassis set up just to tackle the 20.8 km of the Nurburgring! Find out more here!
The unique five-LED foglight in honeycomb design is exclusive to just the Golf GTI, together with red highlights in the LED headlamps with IQ Light function.
As for the Golf R-Line, the engine is a new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit with a mild-hybrid assist system (eTSI) to return self-charging hybrid-like fuel consumption of just 4.8 litres per 100 km travelled. Power outputs are
150 hp
and
 250 Nm
, and the benchmark sprint time of 0 to 100 km/h is 8.5 seconds.
No pricing has been mentioned in these short clips or in the registry of interest
pages
, but expect to not differ too far away from the previous generation’s Mk 7.5 pricing (inclusive of sales tax exemption) of
RM168,505
 for the Golf R-Line and
RM238,860
 for the Golf GTI.
GALLERY
Volkswagen Golf R-Line
Volkswagen Golf GTI


The New Perodua Alza launched in Malaysia – more goodies & more affordable, from RM52,400

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua, Perodua launched its face-lifted and improved MPV, the New Perodua Alza at One Utama shopping mall today in a fashionable manner. All three models namely Standard, SE and Advanced Version of the New Perodua Alza now come with more equipment yet more affordable than the previous Alza.
The launch event at One Utama Shopping Mall was quite a spectacular affair with the involvement of media, public and a grand stage. Despite all that, changes on the new Alza are mainly cosmetic as they still run on the same 1.5-liter engine with DVVT that produces 103 horsepower and 135 Nm of torque.
However, there are two good news to celebrate; Perodua is extending the 3-year Free Service programme it offered last year to mark its 20th Anniversary celebration. This offer applies to all Perodua vehicles purchased in 2014. The other good news is, Perodua is pricing the new Alza lower than the previous one. Meaning, you pay less and get more!

THE MODELS & PRICES

Prices for all three Alza models have gone through price reduction from 2.1% to 7.4%. This is an afford from Perodua and its vendors to produce a competitive MPV in Malaysia. Refer table below for the price comparisons of the previous Alza and the New Alza.
OTR Price (RM)
Reduction
Variants
Previous Alza
New Alza
Standard (MT)
53,517
52,400
RM1,117 (2.1%)
Standard (AT)
56,517
55,400
SE (MT)
60,517
56,400
RM4,117 (6.8%)
SE (AT)
63,517
59,400
Advanced Version (AT)
69,517
64,000
RM45,117 (7.4%)
 Perodua Alza Standard
Perodua Alza SE
Perodua Alza Advanced Version
WHAT IS NEW?
Perodua said all-in-all the added improvements into each new car is worth about RM4,000, making it a great value to their customers. One of the standard features that come in all models is pre-installed security tint, Perodua’s answer to the rising cases of smash and snatch. To better explain the new features in this new Alza, the following are images of the new features and improvements.
Clear Lens Signal Headlamp
New Front Grille
New Sport Rim Design
Side Skirting
Clear Lens Tail Lamp
ISOFIX System (2nd Row Only)
ISOFIX System (2nd Row Only)
Monotone Interior (SE & Advanced Version)
2-tone Interior (Standard)
Multimedia System (Advanced Version Only)
New Design Meter Combination (SE & Advanced Version)

Retractable Side Mirror (Advanced Version Only)
Roof-mounted Monitor (Advanced Version Only)
 Shopping Hook
 50:50 Split Folding 3rd Row Seat
Arm Rest with Compartment (Auto Only)
Since the introduction of the MPV in 2009, Perodua had sold 167,000 units of Perodua Alza. Making it the best-selling MPV in Malaysia. Perodua is expecting a double digit growth this year, like all the previous years. This new Alza has proven to be a hot MPV in Malaysia as Perodua has received 5,000 booking in just 21 days from the day it was opened for booking in December 20th. The New Perodua Alza, the Alza for everyone does seem like a great value for money. For more information, visit
Perodua’s official website
.
Do enjoy the images below of the launching coverage and video gallery.
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IMAGE GALLERY – EVENT

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IMAGE GALLERY – THE NEW PERODUA ALZA

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VIDEO GALLERY


Naza celebrates the Chinese New Year with sweet deals for Kia, Citroen, Peugeot and more

The shopping malls are all decked-out in bright red decorations, which means that Chinese New Year is upon us. To welcome the auspicious Year of the Rat, Naza Automotive Group is offering some golden deals for its cars.
First up, Naza Kia Malaysia will be holding their ‘More Ong, More Huat’ Chinese New Year campaign. Customers who purchase and register a Kia vehicle from the
7th January until 29th of February 2020
 will stand a chance to win exclusive prizes, including the grand prize of a
Kia Picanto
.
Aside from the grand prize, eight petrol vouchers worth
RM1,000
 will be given out monthly, while eight weekly winners will take home a Touch ‘n Go Card worth
RM200
.
Naza Kia is also offering a
five-year/unlimited mileage warranty
 for all Kia models,
two-year complimentary lubricant service
, and access to Sky Lounge by Naza during this festive period.
Click to enlarge
Up next, Naza Euro Motors, the official distributor for Citroen in Malaysia, is running the ‘Citroen Prosperity Drive’ campaign from now until the
29th of February 2020
.
As part of the campaign, Customers who purchase the
Citroen C3 Aircross
 SUV (
RM115,888
) will receive an
Ang Pau
 worth
RM8,888
, and a
 three-year free service package
.
As for Peugeot, Nasim is also offering a
three-year free service
 package, which includes parts and labour charges, with every purchase of a Peugeot vehicle.
Naza Motor Trading will also be offering special prices on selected luxury vehicles with their ‘888 Prosperity CNY Deals’ campaign this festive period.
The campaign will run from today until the
 24th of January 2020
, with models such as the Mercedes-Benz CLA180, Mercedes-Benz C200, Toyota Vellfire, Toyota Alphard, and Toyota Harrier on offer at the Naza Automall showroom in Petaling Jaya.


10 km travel limit over, new limit for passengers in one vehicle

The 10 km travel limit imposed from the previous Movement Control Order (MCO) is no more, said Senior Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob after the new relaxed Conditional Movement Control Order was announced by Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Last week, the government announced that most businesses will be allowed to resume operations beginning 4th of May 2020, as the National Security Council released
 a list of places and activities which we have translated, which are still not allowed
.
That said, entry and exit into Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) areas are still prohibited. As of today,
three new areas
 in Kuala Lumpur have been added to the list of EMCO areas. The three includes the Jalan Raja Bot area in Kampung Baru, residential areas of Taman Wilayah and Taman Desa Bakti in Selayang, which have all been classified as
Red Zones
.
Activities still not allowed under the CMCO.
The three new locations means there are now 10 locations under strict lockdown. Among them are:
Menara City One, Kuala Lumpur
Bangunan Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion, Kuala Lumpur
Masjid India and surrounding areas Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Tun Perak and Jalan Ampang
Kampung Sungai Lui, Hulu Langat
Kampung Dato Ibrahim Majid and Bandar Baharu Dato Ibrahim Majid, Simpang Renggam, Johor
Selayang Baru
Bandar Baru Utara, Selayang
Also part of the new CMCO is that
up to four people (from the same household) are now allowed to travel together in the same vehicle
 from the previous two, up from just one at the start of the MCO.
As for e-hailing services, drivers are
only allowed to pick up two passengers
 – both of which are required to sit in the back – as announced by the National Security Council.


Facts & Figures: Fully-electric MINI Cooper SE launched in Malaysia, RM218k

Remember the time when a certain camouflaged
MINI was used to tow a Boeing 777 plane
? Well, it has finally arrived in Malaysia with a price tag of RM225,888 but with the Sales Tax Exemption, it’s priced at
RM218,381
. MINI says a quarter the total units brought into the country have been booked up.

PERFORMANCE
Engine: Front-mounted electric motor
Transmission: Single speed
Horsepower: 184 hp
Torque: 270 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 7.3 seconds
Top Speed: 150 km/h
Battery Capacity: 28.9 kWh
Electric driving range: 234 km (WLTP cycle)
When driving, brake energy regeneration from decelerating the vehicle not only feeds back into the high-voltage battery but also allows for the vehicle to be driven using only a single pedal. Within just 2.5 hours, the all-electric MINI can be charged up to 80% using the MINI Wallbox Plus. As it is fully electric, the T-shaped battery pack is positioned where the conventional exhaust system would sit.
EXTERIOR
The all-electric MINI is available in White Silver with Energetic Yellow exterior finishing, along with the British Racing Green and Chili Red colour options. The grille blades will be available in two colours – Vigorous Grey and Energetic Yellow. There are also aero-optimised mirror caps either in Black or Energetic Yellow.
Matrix LED headlights
LED tailights with Union Jack graphics
17-inch “Power” spoke wheels with run flat tyres
INTERIOR
Dual zone air conditioning
MINI 12-colour ambient lighting
Head up display
12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
8.8-infotainment display with Apple CarPlay only
SAFETY & DRIVER ASSISTANCE
Digital High Beam Assistant
Cruise Control with Braking Function
Park Distance Control (Front and Rear)
Park Assistant
Approach Control Warning
The Green Driving Assistant (GDA) provides useful onboard functionalities, such as the Range Assistant that presents different solutions to the driver in case of insufficient battery.
With the Balloon Financing from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the all-electric MINI will only cost RM 2,421.00 per month to own on estimates of 80% loan on a five-year tenure. The MINI is accompanied with a 4-year Unlimited Mileage Warranty and an 8-years or 100,000km High Voltage Battery Warranty with Free Scheduled Service.
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Sony Vision-S 02 SUV shown at CES, could be on sale soon!

Right before the new norm we live in today, Sony at the CES 2020 (Consumer Electronics Show) shocked both the automotive as well as the consumer electronics world with the unveiling of the simple yet stunning
Vision-S
 fully electric car.
More well-known for televisions, home entertainment equipment and cameras, Sony’s Vision-S teased the world with its clean exterior styling, hospitable interior and decent performance figures. The completeness of the prototype looked like it could be in the hands of owners within the next 10 months.
However, it was all a tease as last year, the company announced it has
no intentions
 to manufacturer the Vision-S sedan, even after undergoing public road tests.
Now making its third appearance in a row, Sony is back at the CES and after 12 months of silence, the company unveiled an
SUV version
 of the Vision-S concept car! From here on, the sedan will be known as Vision-S 01 and the SUV as Vision-S 02. Sony has also made a ‘U-Turn’, with a statement simply saying, “will establish an operating company ‘Sony Mobility Inc.’ in the spring of 2022, through which the company intends to explore entry into the EV market,”
As for the new Vision-S 02 SUV, it uses the same EV/cloud platform as the 01 prototype, which is being tested on public roads. Much of the styling of the 01 sedan is replicated on the SUV, such as the small headlamps, full-width taillamp with illuminated brand logo, virtual side mirrors, deeply contoured door panels and an upper half exterior finished in gloss black.
Inside, the 02 SUV also shared the full-width digital ‘panoramic screen’ dashboard, which offers three distinct displays. As expected, the central screen functions like a television, powered by the brand’s Bravia video streaming technology. Playstation games can also be played inside the Vision-S, with the Dualshock 4 wireless controller included as a control device!
The infotainment system in the Vision-S is highlighted by the “360 Reality Audio”. The four main seats have individual speakers, enveloping the occupants in sound from all directions. We, however, question how much genuine space is there in the third-row seating though, as the Sony Vision-S is dimensionally as large as an
Audi e-Tron
 and smaller than a
BMW iX
, both models exclude third-row seating.
The Vision-S pair is powered by dual electric motors (one on each axle) rated at 200 kW or 272 hp each, for a combined system output of
544 hp
. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h for the 01 sedan takes
4.8 seconds
, with a top speed of 240 km/h, while the 02 SUV is expected to take slightly longer and onward to a lower top speed of over 180 km/h.
The Sony Vision-S project was originally envisaged to further advance Sony’s capabilities in the field optics, where sensing and graphics processing technologies are vital for the deployment of autonomous vehicles. Its “Safety Cocoon” concept uses 40 different imaging and scanning devices to monitor the exterior and interior of the vehicle in real-time, sufficient to allow a Level-4 equivalent self-driving system.

A lip-reading sensor is also placed in front of the driver to improve the accuracy of speech recognition. Last month, the company released a demonstration video showing a remote operation of the physical 01 car in Germany, being “driven” by a team member in Japan to highlight the incredibly high-speed connection and low latency transmission of 5G networks. This is in anticipation of the remote operation of self-driving cars to be rolled out in the future.
Amongst the big names in the auto industry working with Sony on the Vision-S are Bosch, Continental, ZF and Valeo with Magna tasked to physically build the prototype vehicles.
With three straight years of model introduction at the exact same venue, perhaps Sony will showcase the Vision-S 03 sports car at next year’s CES 2023? Enthusiasts sure enjoy wishing and hoping.
Images:
Sony
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SONY Vision-S 02 SUV
SONY Vision-S 01 sedan


Video: BMW X5 xDrive45e PHEV M Sport now in Malaysia, priced at RM440,745

BMW Malaysia
 has welcomed the new
X5 xDrive45e PHEV M Sport
 with several changes when compared to the xDrive40i model launched last year.
Along with the
sales tax exemptions
 and the fact that it’s locally-assembled, the plug-in hybrid SUV
costs around RM200k less than the fully imported model introduced in May 2019
.

So what’s different then? As for the exterior, the xDrive45e is also dressed in M Sport attire and finished with the same wheel design however it’s been fitted with Bridgestone Alenza tyres as opposed to the Pirelli P Zero tyres found in the xDrive40i.
As for the vital figures, the non-PHEV xDrive40i produces 340 hp and 450 Nm of torque – capable propelling it from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.5 seconds – while the xDrive45e makes a combined
394 hp
and
600 Nm
. Unfortunately, due to its immense 2.5-tonne weight, it’s actually 0.1 second slower than the xDrive40i from 0 to 100 km/h.
There is however a silver lining. If you’re right foot is made of feathers, BMW claims that the X5 is capable of doing 2.5L/100km with a
pure electric driving range of 77km
.
The X5 xDrive PHEV can be yours with a monthly payment starting from RM5,028 based on estimates of an 80% loan, on a 5-year tenure. It also comes with a 5-year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service and 8-year or 160,000km Battery Warranty.
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Ford releases first of eight documentaries on the all-new Focus RS, ‘Rebirth of an Icon’ [+Video]

Ford has rather ingeniously made an eight-part documentary of the inside story in the making of the
Focus RS
 with the help of Ford Rally and Hoonigan Racing division superstar Ken Block. The company has done a fair bit of hyping on the all-new RS model, especially with the new EcoBoost engine.
Having said that, what other cars have had the privilege of bearing the RS badge ? It all started in 1970 with the
Ford Escort RS1600
 and the sexier
Capri RS2600
. These two legends started the craze of hot British coupes and sedans. The culmination of this was the
Escort RS Turbo
 and the insane
 RS200
 model with the mud-slingers kicking out in excess of
 500 hp
 from their four bangers. Legends in their own right is to say the least.
The 2015 Focus RS is more of a throwback to the
all-wheel drive
 fire spitters such as the
Sierra Cosworth 4×4
 and the
Escort RS2000 4×4
 which needed the quad-drivers to channel the power down onto the black top for better, more responsive and immediate feel that made them excellent
 track warriors
. Back in the day, be it on the streets or on the track, utter the words “Ford-RS” and most would tremble with trepidation. Such was the reputation the moniker carried.
It really is fascinating to watch the engineers and the factory’s tech guys get down and dirty with the development project of the Focus RS. Like all other global models, it undergoes rigorous testing on all sorts of weather and conditions – from the desert of Arizona to the bone chilling
Arctic
.
The eight-part weekly episodes starts today:
Episode 1: Project kick-off – Ken Block and Raj Nair debate what the car should deliver, from behind the wheel of an early prototype
Episode 2: Design and development – Crunching crashes put the new design to the toughest of tests
Episode 3: Hitting the road – A 1,600-kilometre (1,000-mile) drive through epic terrain takes prototypes from high in the Rocky Mountains to the Arizona desert
Episode 4: Test-track trials – Block heads for Ford’s top-secret test facility, and indulges in some “hooning”
Episode 5: Arctic extremes – Winter testing in Sweden, and the team is under pressure to improve performance
Episode 6: Power struggle – It’s all about performance, as the Ford manufacturing plant in Saarlouis, Germany, gears up for production
Episode 7: Close scrutiny – The day of the critical sign-off drive follows Block’s headline appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
Episode 8: Final chapter – It’s time for the nail-biting management review
Be sure to subscribe to the
Ford Performance
 page on Youtube to catch all eight episodes.


Peugeot 208 and 2008 facelift previewed, new 1.2L turbo, arriving Jan 2017 !

Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Peugeot cars in Malaysia
teased
 the Peugeot
208
 and
2008
 duo in Penang earlier this month. Yesterday, at the Peugeot Malaysia Media Night, we had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the pair.
Starting with the 208 B-Segment hatchback, it now features a new front bumper, front grille, fog lamp surrounds, chrome side mirror caps and
LED taillamps
 with signature lion claw graphics. This zesty
Orange Power metallic
 example shown here rides on new design
16-inch alloys
 wrapped in 195/55 profile Michelin Energy Saver tyres.

The interior dittos the pre-facelift specifications, save for the carbon fibre-like trims on the dashboard, new fabric seat design and new leather material on the multifunctional steering wheel.
On the other hand, the
Honda HR-V
 and
Mazda CX-3
 rival now wears a larger front grille with the lion’s badge now positioned at the centre of the grille giving a more rugged appearance. Other than the new
17-inch
alloy wheel design wrapped in 205/50 profile Goodyear EfficientGrip tyres, the 2008 is as per the pre-facelift. The same can be said for the interior.

Under the hood is where the meat of the facelift is for the duo. Peugeot has retired the 1.6-litre four-cylinder VTi engine and four-speed automatic gear box for a punchier
1.2-litre PureTech turbocharged three pot
 mated to an Aisin sourced
six-speed automatic
 transmission with quickshift.
The new turbocharged mill and six-speed combo dishes out a healthy
110 hp
 and
205 Nm
 of torque. This will make the 208 to be the hatchback with the highest torque figures in our market, besting even the
Ford Fiesta EcoBoost
’s
170 Nm
! In addition to the auto start/stop system, Peugeot claims that their award winning engine is capable of returning
4.2 litres per 100 km
 and is able to travel
1,190 km
 on a single tank of fuel.
No prices were revealed but the pre-facelift 208 and 2008 retailed at RM86k and RM120k respectively. If Nasim is keen on outplaying their competitors, pricing will be key to swing conservative buyers to give the French make a try. More info of the Peugeot 208 and 2008 facelift will come when it’s officially launched in January 2017.
IMAGE GALLERY
Peugeot 208 5-door

Peugeot 2008 Crossover


Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV coming to Malaysia in July!

At the launch of the
Michelin XM2+
, Managing Director of Michelin (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei), Pascal Nouvellon has hinted that the company will be launching the new
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
 (PS4 SUV) tyres to the Malaysian market as soon as July 2019.
Acknowledging the
growing market share for SUV vehicles not just in Malaysia but also globally, there
is a strong demand for road-oriented SUV tyres for customers who almost never take
their vehicles off tarmac. Hence the PS4 SUV, a high-performance tyre that
replaces the Latitude Sport 3.
Michelin claims that the PS4 SUV is a dedicated sports tyre of the Pilot Sport family and not merely an SUV tyre made sporty. Learnings from brand’s Formula E activities as well as developments of the
PS4
 and
PS4 S
 have been carried over to the PS4 SUV.
Hence the PS4 SUV
features an asymmetrical thread pattern like the PS4/PS4 S, ultra-reactive thread
pattern inspired from Formula E racing tyres as well as “Dynamic Response”
technology. All these innovations give the driver optimum contact patch and unrivalled
steering precision.
Of course, the PS4 SUV
is not all about setting the quickest lap times, comfort and tyre longevity are
also a concern here. Using rigid tread blocks and a two-layer high-density
casing ply, Michelin promises that the PS4 SUV will deliver excellent comfort and
low rolling noise. Michelin’s
Premium Touch Technology that adds a velvet finish onto the sidewalls are a
nice and premium touch.
Globally, there are a total of 53 sizes available for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV ranging from 17- to 23-inch. Selected 18-, 19- and 20-inch tyres are available with Michelin’s Zero Pressure run flat technology. Michelin Malaysia has yet to disclose the available sizes in Malaysia but we can expect the common SUV sizes to be available.


Mercedes-Benz UK recalls 400,000 cars over airbag fault, recon-cars in Malaysia affected?

Mercedes-Benz UK had issued a major recall involving over 400,000 vehicles sold through their network regarding a faulty steering column component that could potentially break and cause the driver’s airbag to deploy abruptly. The company stressed that this recall is
unrelated
 to the ongoing Takata Airbag recall.
A total of
eight models
 are affected – A-Class, B-Class, C-Class, E-Class, CLA, GLA, GLK and GLC that are manufactured between November 2011 and July 2017. Hence, if your prized Mercedes-Benz vehicle is a
reconditioned or parallel imported unit from the UK
, you might want to be extra cautious when driving it around.
CLA

 GLA

 B-Class

 GLC
According to BBC, the faulty component in question is a steering column module clock spring which when broken, can lead to the wiring components not being properly earthed and potentially
short circuit
the airbag module and
deploy

the driver’s side airbag

prematurely
.
However, a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson said that the car is safe to drive under
normal conditions
 and should the steering column module clock spring breaks, it will first trigger the
driver airbag warning light
. When the warning light pops up, owners should promptly have the vehicle transported to the nearest Mercedes-Benz dealer for an immediate fix.

 W212 E-Class

 C-Class
We have reached out to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) and confirmed that MBM will assist all owners, official- and grey-import alike, who are involved in a
global recall campaign
. In other words, you can have your parallel imported Mercedes-Benz looked at under the recall fix at MBM.
MBM did not express whether the owners will have to bear the costs of replacement, it is a grey area after all as these cars were not made available to the Malaysian market officially by MBM. But then again, there should not be a price on the safety and well-being of you and your loved ones.


Honda Malaysia has replaced 70% of affected Takata airbag inflators

Having been actively replacing affected Takata front airbag deflators since 2014, Honda Malaysia has announced that completion is almost at 70% as at August 2017. Completion rate for the replacement of Takata driver airbag is at 81.2% and 59.5% for the front passenger airbag inflators.
Honda Malaysia has ensured that the stock availability for Takata driver and passenger front airbag inflators is at 100% as of August 2017 for customers convenience and peace of mind.
The same dedication is not neglected elsewhere around Malaysia as Mobile Hubs in selected Shopping Malls and PETRONAS Station Hubs will continue, providing convenient venues for customers to replace the affected Takata front airbag inflators – credit to the support of PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad (PBD) in this campaign.
The Honda Malaysia Mobile Hub in various Shopping Malls in Peninsular Malaysia will be available every weekend in the month of August for ease of access to replacement by affected Honda customers. Locations and operating hours of these replacement activities are as per the table above.
It is vital that all affected Honda customers replace the defective Takata front airbag inflators immediately as they may deploy with excessive internal pressure when activated. The airbag inflator casing might rupture, resulting in injury or even fatality to the driver and passenger.
Affected customers are strongly encouraged to make an appointment at any Honda Authorised Service Centre to avoid delays or setbacks in replacing the Takata front airbag inflators. Meanwhile, customers can
simply walk-in without advance appointments
 for replacement activities at the Mobile Hubs in selected Shopping Malls and PETRONAS Station Hubs.
Honda customers can check their vehicle’s recall status either by logging on to
www.honda.com.my
 or
www.productrecall.honda.com.my
 or by calling the Honda Toll Free number 1-800-88-2020.


Video: Range Rover Velar, Things You Need To Know

The
new Range Rover Velar
 has just been launched in Malaysia with three different variants available; the standard P250 Velar, the P250 Velar R-Dynamic and the range-topping P380 Velar R-Dynamic. Here are the Things You Need To Know about Jaguar Land Rover’s latest offering.
At the moment, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia is
only offering the P250 Velar and the P250 Velar R-Dynamic
 while the P380 Velar R-Dynamic will be introduced later on.
The P250’s are assembled with the new 2.0-litre turbocharged Ingenium engine,
similarly found in the 2.0-litre Jaguar F-Pace
 recently introduced in Malaysia, producing
246 hp
 and
365 Nm
 of torque and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with Drive Select.
Despite weighing 1,800 kg, the P250 Velars are still expected to hit 100 km/h from standstill in just 6.7 seconds with a top speed of 217 km/h. The P250 Velar is priced at
RM 529,800
 and the P250 Velar R-Dynamic at
RM 588,800
. As for the 3.0-litre P380 R-Dynamic, prices will be announced soon.


Audi A4 Black Edition goes on sale in the UK, gets swanky styling enhancements

Over 50 percent of Audi A4 customers in the UK purchased the Black Edition when it was introduced to the B8 model. So it’s back, naturally, by popular demand, and the stealthy trim can be opted across the entire
A4 B9
 lineup.
The Black Edition variant comes with 18-inch 10-spoke gloss black alloy wheels (as depicted in the pictures here), upgradable to the 19-inch five-arm rotor alloys finished in matte titanium. The chrome bits on the outside such as the Singleframe grille and window surrounds are all finished in titanium black. This extends to the side mirrors, side skirts, rear spoiler (for the sedan), air intakes and roof rails (Avant).
All Black Edition A4s get flat-bottomed steering wheel with piano black inlays, acoustic front side windows and tinted rear windows. Back at home, Audi Malaysia is currently selling
three variants of the ninth-generation Audi A4
 – 1.4 TFSI (RM218,900), 2.0 TFSI (RM248,900) and 2.0 TFSI quattro (RM314,900).
IMAGE GALLERY


Five Petroleum enters the market as homegrown brand, fuels supplied by Petronas

Malaysians will now have another choice of petrol to fuel up their prized possessions, as Five Petroleum Malaysia is officially launched in the country with its first station now operational in
Kalumpang, Selangor
.
Operated and managed by
Seng Group
, Five represents the group’s first foray independent foray into petrol retail business. Seng Group also operates several BHPetrol stations as authorised dealers.
Seng Group has had nearly five decades of experience in supplying and managing distribution to petrol stations, as well as construction of new petrol stations.
The launch also marks the debut of the brand’s
Ultimaxx fuels
,
 supplied by Petronas
, as well as the its own petrol station convenience store, W
oo! Mart
.
Being a completely homegrown brand, Five aspires to go provide Malaysians with a hassle-free fuelling experience by closely integrating their service with the latest technology and innovation.
Five will be introducing a brand-new
mobile application
that will enable
cashless payments
 at the petrol station, as well as integrating other features such as
 partnerships, rewards, and loyalty features
 directly in the application.
Five also added that the brand will provide an easier entry to opening its petrol station for new entrepreneurs by offering smaller station and easier station set up.
The smaller station size also makes it easier to open more petrol stations at more remote areas, bringing the much-needed fuel supply to more accessible locations.


The Toyota GRMN Yaris is a 500-units-only extra spicy hot hatch for both dirt and tarmac

The much-rumoured souped-up
GR Yaris
 is finally official, as Toyota has just revealed the GRMN Yaris at the
2022 Tokyo Auto Salon
. The extra spicy hot hatch is only limited to just 500 units, and will be sold through GR Garages in Japan exclusively through a lottery system. Sorry, we’re still not getting more GR Yarises here.
The Toyota GRMN Yaris has undergone a number of upgrades over the standard GR Yaris, and can be further optioned with specialised packages, depending on whether the lucky buyer prefers precision (Circuit Package) or dirt (Rally Package) driving.
No matter which package you choose though, the GRMN Yaris is already equipped with a long list of performance tweaks, including a reworked six-speed manual transmission with closer gear ratios, GR-specific mechanical limited-slip differentials (both front and rear) replacing the Torsen units, and a reinforced three-puck metal clutch and pressure plate.
The engine however remains unchanged from the stock car, but that’s not something we’d complain about after
sampling the car on the Sepang Circuit
 – the mighty 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine still produces a pretty mind-blowing
272 hp
 and
370 Nm
 of torque.
To increase the car’s body rigidity, Toyota has given the “fully-tuned” hot hatch an additional reinforcement brace at the rear, while the number of spot welds have also increased by 545 over the standard GR Yaris. And to take things even further, the Toyota GRMN Yaris also ditches its rear seats and touchscreen infotainment display, all in the name of weight saving.
RELATED: The Tom’s Toyota GR Yaris bodykit is the very definition of “just right”
The weight saving measures, alongside the new carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof and vented bonnet, results in a drop of up to 30 kg compared to the standard car. Toyota also says that the new GRMN Yaris is 10 mm wider and sits 10 mm lower too, for better aerodynamics and a lower centre of gravity.
Other changes on the GRMN Yaris can be found on the interior, which now comes as standard with a pair of Recaro bucket seats, alongside Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, gear knob, and handbrake. There’s also a new plaque on the centre console to remind you that GRMN means “Gazoo Racing Masters of Nürburgring”. Yes, Seriously.
Toyota GRMN Yaris with Circuit Package
 Toyota GRMN Yaris with Circuit Package
 Toyota GRMN Yaris with Rally Package
 Toyota GRMN Yaris with Rally Package
Moving on to the extra upgrades, the Circuit Package gets a bespoke set of 18-inch alloys from BBS, larger brakes, new Bilstein adjustable shocks, an additional carbon fibre rear wing, a more aggressive body kit consisting of a new front lip and extended side skirts, and a variant-exclusive Matte Steel paint job.
As for the Rally Package, the Toyota GRMN Yaris gets a GR-tuned shock absorber and short stabiliser link set, a new underguard to protect it against the rough terrains, as well as a roll bar with side protection.
Toyota says that the Circuit Package will be limited to just 50 units, but did not set a production limit for the Rally Package. Japanese Pricing for the GRMN Yaris starts at JPY7,317,000 (approx. RM270k), and increases to JPY8,467,000 (approx. RM310k) for the Circuit Package and JPY8,378,764 (approx. RM307k) for the Rally Package – but good luck in getting one.
For the other already-fortunate GR Yaris owners, Toyota will also be offering some of these GRMN parts on sale around fall 2022.
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Hyundai’s new roof airbag proved effective in vehicles with sunroof

When a car rolls over, seat belts, front, side and curtain airbags are almost helpless in preventing injuries to its occupants. In some circumstances, passengers can even be thrown out of the car’s sunroof.
In fact, according to surveys by Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), out of 13,700 accidents occurred in the US for 15 years from the year 2000, 17% of cases had passengers thrown out of the car through the sunroof.
As such, this has led to Hyundai developing the roof airbag,
first announced in 2018
, to protect passengers from being ejected out of the car through the sunroof.
The roof airbag which is mounted around the sunroof can be deployed to cover the entire roof in just 0.08 seconds. It’s coated with silicone to maintain its inflated shape for up to six seconds, while stainless steel wires increase the deployment speed.
Upon testing, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found the roof airbag to be effective in preventing passengers from being ejected from the car through the sunroof. It also prevents passengers from bouncing off the sunroof, reducing head and neck injuries.

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Video: 2020 Proton X50 1.5TGDi Flagship, 5 Things

The most anticipated Proton since the company was first established in 1983 has
finally been launched
 with prices starting from
RM79,200
 for the Standard variant,
RM84,800
 for the Executive,
RM93,200
 for the Premium and lastly,
RM103,300
 for the Flagship variant of the
X50
.
All
four variants
 will be powered by a
1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder
 engine which will be
adapted into future Proton models
 however there will be
two different output

levels
, depending on which variant you go for. The highest spec Flagship variant will come with
177 hp
 and
255 Nm
while the lower three variants are rated at
150 hp
 and
226 Nm
. Transmission wise, all variants are equipped with a
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
 first seen in the
 locally-assembled Proton X70
.
As for the exterior, all variants come with LED headlamps but from the Executive onwards to the Flagship variant, the X50 will be available with LED fog lights along with an automatic feature for the headlamps. Wheel sizes range from 17 to 18-inches depending on which variant you opt for. As for the quad tailpipes and sporty rear spoiler, it will be available in all variants. There will be six colours available for the Proton X50 – Snow White, Armor Silver, Ocean Blue, Jet Grey, Citric Orange, and Passion Red.

On the inside, the lower two variants are equipped with an analog instrument cluster while the top two feature fully digital units. The Standard variant gets fabric seats while the top three are finished with leather upholstery. As for the infotainment display, there are two different sizes available depending on variant but are powered by the same processors. Impressively, all variants are equipped with rear air-con vents and USB charging ports. Opt for the Flagship variant and you’d stand out from the rest with a dual-tone dashboard and a massive panoramic roof.
As for safety features, the X50 comes with a maximum of six airbags along with the following in the highest spec Flagship variant:
Intelligent Cruise Control (Level Two)
Auto park assist with support for both parallel and perpendicular parking (level two)
Adaptive cruise control with stop-go functionality
Lane keep assist
Lane departure warning
Blind-spot information system
Intelligent high beam control
Autonomous emergency braking
Forward Collision Warning
Find out all you need to know about the new Proton X50
here
. Following the Sales Tax Exemption announcement, for the latest price list of Proton vehicles, click
here
.


Government to give RM500 one-off payments to help e-hailing drivers

Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has just announced an updated version of the Economic Stimulus Package or “Prihatin” as he prefers to call it and it’s good news all round.
The updated stimulus package amounts to RM250 billion and with every industry and sector taken into account,
e-hailing drivers (Grab, Mula etc)
 stand to benefit from this as well.
A total of 120,000
e-hailing drivers will receive a one-off payment of

RM500
 with RM60 billion allocated to the cause.
This follows after the governments recent announcement where
 taxi drivers will receive one-off payments of RM600
 beginning 1st of April 2020.
The PM also took the opportunity to slip in a cheeky message at the end of his announcement.
“We are a nation at war with invisible forces. The situation we are now facing is unprecedented in history.
And, this government may not be the government that you voted for. But I want all of you to know that this government cares for you
. I resigned to the fact that I came in as your Prime Minister not at the best moment. I face political, economic and health crisis all at the same time.”
“This unprecedented situation of course requires unprecedented measures. So, my dear brothers and sisters, and the children of this beloved country, whether you are a Malay, Chinese, Indian, Sikh, Iban, Kadazan, Dusun, orang asal, please bear with me and my friends in the cabinet and the government. We are not perfect, but we are doing the best we can to pull through this crisis together, as one nation. God willing, we will come out stronger when this crisis ends and the dust settles,” he added.
Bless this man’s honesty.


Chevrolet Malaysia launches comprehensive after-sales programme

Naza Quest, the official distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in Malaysia has just launched the Chevrolet Complete Care (CCC) programme. Together with the tagline –
Committed. Constant. Comprehensive.
 – they aim to deliver a worry-free ownership experience before, during and after every purchase.
The CCC programme encompasses five services that are offered to all Chevy owners in Malaysia:
1. Comprehensive Vehicle Manufacturer Warranty
A 5-Year or 200,000km bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage, giving customers peace of mind on their brand new Chevrolet of choice.
2. Chevy Assist – 24/7 Roadside Assistance
A
one-year complimentary
 24-hour roadside assistance including minor roadside repairs, emergency on-site towing assistance, workshop referral and etc. Owners only need to dial the Chevrolet Assist toll-free hotline at 1-800-2-24389 (CHEVY) in the event of a breakdown or accident anywhere in Malaysia.
3. Complete Chevrolet Service
All Chevy owners can trust that their vehicles will be taken care by highly trained technicians using only high-quality genuine Chevrolet replacement parts. Other than that, owners will be presented with clear service schedules and transparent pricing to estimate the cost for their upcoming service.
4. 24/7 Customer Care Assistance
Apart from the 24/7 customer support hotline, owners will be able to send in their queries via an Online Live Chat which is also available throughout the day on
Chevrolet Malaysia’s website
 and receive instant real-time response.
5. Chevy Link
An integrated Service Operations System that shares all service records and vehicle data. All information pertaining to your Chevrolet will be accessible by all authorised Chevrolet dealerships in the country.
The CCC programme isn’t just a local initiative, actually, but a part of the brand’s global initiative to provide value added services and deliver a more satisfying ownership experience for all new and existing customers around the world.


All-new Nissan X-Trail debuts 1.5L turbo with 204 hp and 300 Nm in China

Our
earlier reports
 mentioned plans by Nissan China to launch the all-new X-Trail this month have been proven correct. The company has previewed the all-new Nissan X-Trail at the Auto Shanghai 2021 motor show that also debuts a new
1.5L turbocharged
 petrol engine.
More details have emerged on this downsized turbocharged petrol engine. The new
three-cylinder
 engine uses
variable compression ratio
 technology that Nissan first employed in the
Infiniti QX50
 model in the USA.
All internal combustion engines have a fixed compression ratio, in the case of turbocharged engines, excellent fuel economy can only be achieved with a high value, while a lower figure is applicable to achieve high power outputs. Nissan designed the engine to vary the compression ratio of the new turbocharged three-cylinder engine between
14:1 to 8:1
 to achieve the said targets, via special hardware, actuators and control systems.
In China, the revolutionary ‘VC-Turbo’ engine is said to deliver class-leading outputs of
204 hp
 and
300 Nm
 of torque with only Volkswagen’s Tharu model eclipsing the torque output by dishing out 320 Nm from a much larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Engine output is channelled to a CVT-type transmission that cleverly adjust to the engine outputs, all transparent to the driver and occupants.
The latest Nissan X-Trail for China is identical to the design that was launched
in the USA
 back in June of last year. Key features inside include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9-inch touchscreen display (largest in its class), a 10.8-inch head-up display, ambient lighting and a Bose Premium Audio System.
To further separate itself from the crowded SUV segment, the rear doors itself now open up to nearly
90 degrees
, making ingress and egress easier plus movement of child seats.
The new X-Trail also comes with the new Vehicle Motion Control system that predicts what the driver is trying to do by monitoring steering, acceleration and brake inputs. It works in conjunction with the revamped Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system through different drive modes (now with Off-Road, Snow and Sport) to provide four-wheel individual control, even by applying a single brake to allow the SUV to corner more smoothly.
The all-new Nissan X-Trail with the new 1.5-litre VC-Turbo engine will only arrive at Chinese dealerships at the second half of this year.
Which do you prefer to see made available in Malaysia? An all-new technology with high outputs as seen in this Chinese variant, or the proven large displacement 2.5-litre four-cylinder found in the US market?
GALLERY