MINI ONE & Cooper D updated with new 7-speed DCT & electronic gear lever

MINI has just updated its ONE and Cooper D with a new seven-speed double clutch transmission (DCT). Available for all 3-Door, 5-Door and Convertible versions of the said variants, the new DCT unit offers faster gear changes, better shift comfort and greater efficiency.
The new DCT is a huge step up compared to the six-speed automatic where as it cuts shift times to a fraction of a second without any torque interruption, allowing MINI drivers to continuously maintain ideal engine speed. The gearbox features a new electronic control system where it permanently analyses accelerator position, engine speed, road speed and MINI driving mode to ensure the transmission is able to respond quickly to sudden changes such as unexpected throttling.
Besides that, if the car is equipped with the optional MINI Navigation System, the transmission control unit (TCU) will incorporate navigation data to
adapt its shift strategies to the road ahead
. For example, if a successive corner is up ahead, the transmission will hold its gears through the bends ensuring powerful acceleration is available upon exiting.
MINI understands that in pursuit of high-performance driving, low-speed comfort should not be neglected. Which is why the MINI seven-speed DCT is equipped with a
Crawl Function
 that gives the car a smooth set-off like a conventional torque converter system, allowing for a jerk-free experience in slow-moving traffic.

Lastly, the conventional gear selector has also been replaced with an
electronic selector lever
 – just like the one on modern BMW vehicles. The new selector will always return to its original position after changing gears and the parking lock is activated by pressing the P button. Like other BMWs, S Mode is activated by pushing the gear lever to the left from D.
Currently, the seven-speed DCT is equipped on the
MINI One
 (1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol, 100 hp/190 Nm) and
 Cooper D
 (1.5-litre turbodiesel, 114 hp/270 Nm), offered alongside a six-speed manual option. The rest of the line up soldiers on with the conventional automatics. No word whether the double-clutch will be offered on other more powerful variants like the
Cooper S
 and John Cooper Works.
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MINI ONE with 7-Speed DCT


The Infiniti Q60 Sports Coupe is now RM17k cheaper without GST

It’s 1
st
 of June 2018 in Malaysia which means Goods and Services Tax (GST) is effectively zero-rated. While some car manufacturers have announced their new zero-rated GST price list, others held on till the new calendar month to announce their lowered prices.
Infiniti Malaysia announced that the new price list will take effect from 1 June 2018 till further notice from the Ministry of Finance to reimplement the Sales and Services Tax (SST) which is
scheduled to return in September.
Since all models of the Infinity are fully-imported, they all enjoy a substantial savings of RM13k up to RM21k. The sultry
Q60 Sports Coupe
 Now retails for under RM300k making it a compelling alternative (price pointwise) to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe. Have you watched what GC Mah thinks of the Q60 Sports Coupe?


Aston Martin and Bowmore unveils RM303K bottle of whiskey made with DB5 Pistons

Sometimes, the coolest creations happen when two separate worlds intertwine. In this case, it’s luxury sportscar maker
Aston Martin
 and Scottish Whiskey giant Bowmore, teaming up to unveil a limited-edition bottle of single-malt Islay whiskey.
It’s called the
 Black Bowmore DB5 1964
, and if you’re a fan of whiskies, you’ll know why it’s so special. First distilled on 5 November 1964, Black Bowmore has become one of the rarest and most sought-after single malt whiskies ever created. In fact, there has only been six bottlings of this whiskey ever, and only around 6,000 bottles of Black Bowmore have been made available since 1993.
The DB5 1964 special-edition makes the already-scarce whiskey even more exclusive, as only 25 bottles will ever be produced – each of which featuring an actual genuine piston from the
Aston Martin DB5
.
The bottle itself is handcrafted by a bespoke Scottish glass studio called Glasstorm, with each example taking up to one week to complete. The Black Bowmore DB5 1964 is then presented in a handmade box created from the “finest string-grain calfskin” leather, featuring a custom nickel-plated solid brass latch and hinges, inspired by the Aston Martin DB5.
The companies say that the Black Bowmore DB5 1964 is a celebration of time – more specifically the year 1964 where the the
Aston Martin DB5 was made world famous
 thanks to a certain British spy named James Bond.
Coincidentally, 1964 was also the year where Bowmore switched over to a steam-powered boiler in place of coal fires, producing the spirit which went on to become the highly sought-after Black Bowmore whiskey.
Bowmore distillery manager David Turner commented, “1964 represents a significant date in the modern history of the distillery. Not only a key moment in how we distilled our spirit, but perhaps even more significant as this very spirit went onto create Black Bowmore.
“These defining moments are fundamental to the history of Bowmore. This collaboration with Aston Martin has allowed us to once again showcase this iconic single malt in the most incredible way.”
The Black Bowmore DB5 1964 will sell for an eye-watering
GBP55,000
 (RM302,754) each, but will probably be sold out instantly to the wealthy collectors. The companies added that a series of collaborative projects and products have been planned for the coming months and years.


2018 Nissan Kicks introduced with 3 variants – 7 airbags and Automatic Emergency Brake

Nissan has just introduced the new 2018 Nissan Kicks, the newest entry in the thriving compact crossover segment at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Locally, aside from the impending arrival of the
Nissan Leaf
, there isn’t much for the brand’s loyalist to look forward to yet.
“Facial features” of the new Kicks includes Nissan’s signature V-Motion grille, boomerang head and taillights, a floating roof with a wrap-around visor look that stretches from the front windscreen to the Kicks’ side windows. Intelligent Auto Headlights (I-AH) and LED low beam headlights are standard equipment at the front.

Available exterior features include standard Intelligent Auto Headlights (I-AH) and available LED low beam headlights with LED signature accents. Five two-tone colour combos will be available – white/black, orange/black, red/black, orange/grey and white/blue.
Inside, the “gliding wing” dashboard design houses a 7-inch full colour display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Optional equipment includes the Bose Personal Plus sound system with a pair of Bose UltraNearfield neodymium speakers located by the driver’s seat headrest. The dash also house the Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM).

Power is sourced from a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated engine with an output of
125 hp
 and
155 Nm
 of torque, delivered to the front wheels through a Xtronic transmission. Fuel consumption is expected to be around 14km/L.
Good ground clearance and small turning radius is to be expected of the Kicks. Rounding up the safety systems are Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB), seven airbags, RearView Monitor with the higher end SV and SR variants adding the Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
The 2018 Nissan Kicks is expected to retail at under USD 19,000 (RM 77k) and will be available in S, SV and SR variants.
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Volvo Car Malaysia urges all car occupants to buckle-up with its #SafeDrive campaign

Aimed at raising awareness on the importance of using safety belts for all car occupants, Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has launched #SafeDrive with Volvo Car Malaysia road safety campaign. In an effort to reduce road fatalities during the Hari Raya festive season, for this campaign VCM will work closely with the Road Safety Department (JKJR) and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS).
“All automotive safety technologies rely on the three-point safety belt as a reference point. Without the safety belt, any protective or preventive features in a car could become ineffective. The misconception that the public have is that airbags, crash structures, and active safety systems alone are enough to protect in-car occupants; this is of course, inaccurate,” explained Mr Nalin Jain, Managing Director of VCM.
(From left) YBrs Dr Siti Zaharah Ishak, Director General of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS); Mr Nalin Jain, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia; and Encik Azharul Izwan bin Puaadi, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Director, Road Safety Department Malaysia (JKJR); testing the safety belt rig that demonstrates the impact of a 5 kph collision.
Invented by Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin in 1959, the three point safety belt became the single most important safety innovation ever introduced in cars, and based on internal data collected by Volvo Cars since the 1960s, it has been estimated that the three-point safety belt has saved more than a million lives.
The #SafeDrive with Volvo Car Malaysia road safety campaign will be rolled-out via various mediums including radio, newspapers, websites, social media platforms, and through authorised dealerships.


F90 BMW M5 launched in the UK, priced at £89k, Malaysian debut soon

Seven months after its global debut, BMW UK has announced the pricing details of the all-new
F90 BMW M5
. Available for the UK market since February 2018, the V8-powered saloon carries a base price of £89,645 (RM491k) before options.
Resting under the hood is a heavily revised 4.4-litre TwinPower Turbo V8, now packing
600 hp
and
750 Nm
 of power. Transmission of choice is a sole eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. For the first time in the history of the M5, the F90 generation is equipped with the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system to handle all that power.
It’s got results to prove too, 0 to 100 km/h takes
3.4 seconds
, making it the fastest M5 yet. Top speed is limited to
250 km/h
. Specify the M Driver’s Package (which also earns you an invite to the BMW M Intensive Training) and the limit is raised to
305 km/h
. The M xDrive operates in full 4WD on start-up but drivers can switch between 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD, where the latter allows the M5 to be purely
rear-wheel driven
 without any electronic nannies.
The M5 is dressed in the M-specific body kit, giving it a more aggressive front bumper, side sills, rear lip spoiler, rear diffuser and wing mirrors. All that extra show also contributes to the M5’s overall aerodynamics and cooling function. UK-bound M5s are equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels finished in either dual-tone or Jet black while the lighter (-23 kg)
M Carbon Ceramic brakes
 are also available as an option. UK customers can also have their M5 finished in Frozen Dark Silver and Frozen Arctic Grey matt exterior paint scheme for a fee.

UK customers will enjoy a M-Specific full LCD instrument cluster, heads-up display, M-Sport steering wheel, a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with gesture control, M multifunctional seats with ventilation and memory function, illuminated M5 logo and Fine Grain Merino leather upholstery.
Closer to home, BMW Malaysia has confirmed that the
F90 BMW M5 will arrive on our shores
 but has kept mum on the launch date and pricing details. If its main rival, the
Mercedes-AMG E 63 S is priced at the RM1 million mark
, expect the Bavarian to not stray too far from that.
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2015 Volvo XC90 R-Design unveiled, sportiest XC90 yet

We’ve heard plenty of promising prospects of the all-new second generation Volvo XC90 ever since its
world debut back in August 2014
. Since then, the Chinese-owned Swedish automaker have went on to announce the
T8 plug-in hybrid variant
 and showcased a
possible Polestar variant to rival its Bavarian competitor
.
Volvo also previewed their
XC90 R-Design
 shortly after its launching last year, although the similarly named model here is currently exclusive to the UK market courtesy of Volvo Car UK. This 2015 Volvo XC90 R-Design gets a myriad of visual, equipment and dynamic upgrades.

Externally, the Scandinavian SUV gets a new set of
20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels
, matte-silver side mirrors (like the Audi S models), gloss black meshed front grille and tinted rear windows. All this adds on top of the model’s standard features such as LED headlights, powered tailgate and Volvo’s full suite of latest safety technologies.
Inside, features unique to this variant are finely contoured leather sports seats, a
12.3-inch active TFT
 driver’s information display and perforated-leather wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters. The foot pedals are of the sporty kin, whereas the SUV benefits from upgraded ambient lighting system and black headlining to square off the sporty package.

The Volvo XC90 R-Design variants also come equipped with Drive Mode Settings and Adjustable Steering Force which work in tandem to alter engine, transmission, steering and air suspension (optional) when a driving mode is specified. Customers can opt to go with the R-Design package for the D5 diesel, T6 petrol and T8 plug-in hybrid variants. Its on-the-road price starts from £49,785 (about RM319k) upwards.
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Ford Focus RS Limited Edition adds LSD and nicer cosmetics, 1,500 units only

Ford Performance scoured the
Focus RS
 forums and and found suggestions on ways to further improve the car, so they did. Enter the 2018 Ford Focus RS Limited Edition. Only 1,500 units will be produced for the United States and Canada.
Ford monitored the conversations about the
Focus RS
 on forums, social media platforms and even photoshop renderings to draw inspiration from fellow owners and enthusiasts. In that, Ford added some heavily requested exterior modifications such as blacked out roof, side mirrors and rear spoiler.
The previously body-painted RS badge on either side of the rear spoiler now contrasts against the black spoiler. The 19-inch forged alloy wheels which was an option on the standard Focus RS now comes as standard. Changes are subtle but impactful, just look at the delighted faces of the owners in the video below.
Inside, the door handles, handbrake lever and turbo gauge surrounds are now wrapped in carbon fibre to elevate the sporty image of the mega hatch. Other interior upgrades include black leather-trimmed Recaro seats with suede inserts, eight-way powered driver’s seat, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated wing mirrors and voice activated navigation system.
Mechanically, it retains the same 2.3-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost turbo petrol engine with
350 hp
 and
440 Nm
 on tap. Power is channelled to all four corners via a slick six-speed manual gearbox. After comments from owners, Ford has added a
Quaife limited-slip differential
 on the front axle to give the Focus RS better traction and acceleration through a corner.
Other high-tech gismos such as Dynamic Torque Vectoring, Torque Vectoring Control and RS Drive Modes are retained. It sprints to 100 km/h the same – 4.7 seconds with Launch Control.
The US market will receive 1,000 units of the highly acclaimed hot hatch while Canada will get the remaining 500 units. Ford did not mention about allocations for right-hand drive market but said that this will be “the last opportunity” to order the current generation Focus RS in North America. Perhaps because a successor is now in the pipeline?
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If you’re as big as The Rock, forget about getting into the Porsche Taycan

He may have gotten over his COVID-19 infection but it’s still the year 2020 and even
The Rock a.k.a Dwayne Johnson
 is no exception from continuous calamity.
After months of planning and preparing, not to mention buying the
Porsche Taycan
, it was the moment of truth on the film set of Red Notice, an upcoming Netflix film. The Rock was meant to climb behind the wheel of Porsche’s all-electric car to rehearse a chase scene.

It didn’t turn out quite as planned; the former WWE wrestler was
simply too big
. As The Rock described
 on his Instagram post
, his back was simply too wide to get into the Taycan’s hugging seats.
“Like a big ass brown marshmellow getting shoved into a coin slot,” was how The Rock described the experience.
After about 15 seconds of uncomfortable silence on the set, the actor, director, and the entire production crew just started laughing hysterically.
“Fxxk it, welcome to 2020,” The Rock said – echoing the sentiments everyone on Planet Earth. In the end, they devised a creative way and successfully shot the scene they had initially planned.
Find out more about the Porsche Taycan
here
!
Porsche’s electric sedan was recently launched in Malaysia, with three variants available. Prices start from RM725k for the
Taycan 4S
, RM 999k for the
Taycan Turbo
 and RM1.195 million for the
Taycan Turbo S
.
The Taycan Turbo S makes
625 hp
 and
1050 Nm
while the Turbo makes
 680 hp
 and
850 Nm
. The Taycan S meanwhile produces
530 hp
 and
640 Nm
. As for pure electric driving range, the Taycan serves up to 463 km depending on which variant you go for.


Ferrari’s twin-turbo V8 wins International Engine of the year, again

Ferrari has done
something no other manufacturer has achieved – taking the overall title for International
Engine & Powertrain of the Year award for the fourth consecutive year at
the 21
st
 edition of the awards.
The hand build 3,902cc twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine first debuted in the
Ferrari 488GTB
 and subsequently found its way to the
488 Spider
,
488 Pista
 and
488 Pista Spider
. Output ranges from 670 hp/760 Nm to 720 hp/770 Nm in the Pista. The same engine was also named
Performance Engine of the Year
 and
Best Power Unit over 650 hp
.
GC Mah with the
Ferrari 488GTB
Ferrari’s other V8 with 3,855cc in capacity found in the
Portofino
 and
GTC4Lusso T
 also received the Best Power Unit for 550 to 650 hp category. The 3,855cc V8 also packs two turbochargers and generates up to 610 hp and 760 Nm of torque.


Five cool things you didn’t know about the Honda Accord [+Video]

Honda has had many brilliant models in its history of car making, but identifying their most critical model can be as divisive as selecting your favourite car of all time. But for the purposes of this subject, we take a look at the Honda Accord, one that will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
The introduction of the
Accord
 brought significant impact towards many middle-class families around the world. After nine generations and millions of Accords sold worldwide,
AutoBuzz.my
 pays tribute to this iconic
Honda
 model by sharing five facts you may not know about it. The good news is, the
Accordana
 will not be part of the story.
1. It began as a hatchback model
While we’re all familiar with the saloon-bodied Accord, it actually started as a modest
three-door hatchback
. The first-generation Accord was launched in
1976
, and in a way it’s a larger version of the first-generation Civic hatchback. Just like the Civic, the Accord excelled in build quality, reliability and fuel economy. Those three attributes scored big sales in the United States during the oil crisis when gas guzzling American cars became left field choices.
The saloon model only began three years later in 1979.
2. It was the first Japanese car to be assembled in the United States
While Japanese cars in the United States are a norm nowadays, it wasn’t the case in the past where Americans (and their pride) perceived Japanese cars as inferior products. Things changed in 1982 when Honda opened its production facility
Marysville, Ohio
, and rolled the first ever American assembled Japanese car, the second-generation Accord.
The result? The plant, manned by Americans, produced
over 10.5 million
 Accords, including the Accord coupe model that was exported to Japan.
3. The Accord learns from its failed predecessor, the 1300
Prior the Civic and the Accord, Honda had a rather blotchy history with its cars. In 1969, Honda launched its largest car back then, the 1300, in both saloon and coupe guises. Designed to compete against established competitors such as the Mitsubishi Gallant and Toyota Corona, the air-cooled Honda 1300 was plagued with issues relating to complex engineering and overambitious pricing. Needless to say, it was a flop.
Honda then restructured the company’s approach in making cars. In fact,
click here
 to read in detail how and what they’ve learned from the 1300 episode. The changes were then applied to the process in making the Civic and Accord models. Suffice to say, the rest is history.
4. There are many variants of the Accord
Things changed during the development of the fifth-generation Accord where in 1993, the European Accord was introduced for the first time, while the Japanese and American Accords shared a similar model. Later in the sixth-generation, Honda decided to split the Accords into three separate models, one each for American, European and Japanese markets. Likewise in Malaysia, we’ve been receiving the
American variant
 up till today.
The Accord expanded from a simple three-door hatchback to an estate, coupe, and even the hotter Accord Type R. The Type R was only limited to selected European markets and got involved in some touring car championships.
5. “The Cog” was produced to promote the European Accord
Honda
 has had a pretty good track record in televised commercials, but one that was exceptionally executed was
The Cog
 aired in 2003. The 120-second commercial was an advertising genius, created to promote the seventh-generation European Honda Accord. In a way, it encapsulates Honda’s engineering aspirations so perfectly, we think even Soichiro Honda himself could not have been more proud.
As for now, Honda Malaysia is currently offering the ninth-generation Accord model (launched in 2013), so expect the
facelift
 to arrive later this year. According to our friends at carlist.my, the locally assembled Honda Accord will arrive in September.
Meanwhile, here are some cool facts about the Accord in its four decades of existence.
[Source: Honda]
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2016 Honda Accord Facelift


Proton introduces Intelligent Air Purification System on 2020 X70 – priced at RM79

Following the
news we shared just a week ago
, Proton has proceeded to introduce the Intelligent Air Purification System (P-IAPS) as standard equipment on the

2020 CKD Proton X70
 with a
7-speed DCT
 to complement the existing Air Purifier System.
The new N95 Cabin Filter is said to be capable of
removing 95% of particles larger than 0.3 microns
 and can also
remove 98% of PM2.5 dust particles
. As such, it’s an effective “barrier” against smoke particulates, dust, bacteria and other pollutants for both fresh and recirculated air in the cabin.
The new filter will join forces with the existing Air Purifier System already fitted into the
X70 we tested recently
. It utilises a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter that
removes 99.97% of particles larger than 0.3 microns
.
The activated carbon within the filter can also remove odours, formaldehyde while absorbing and purifying smoke particulates. Negative ions discharged by the ioniser also serves to cleanse the air.
The combination of both the Air Purifier System and the new N95 cabin filter can serve as protection against contaminated air entering the cabin – offering a shield against airborne pollutants.
The company also announced that although it’s only available in the X70 for now, its engineers are working to fit the cabin filter into its other models.
Owners of the first batch of X70s can opt to have the new filter fitted for
RM79 excluding labour charges
. As for that, a quick poke-around revealed that it shouldn’t cost you more than RM100. As of 18th May to the 18th of August 2020, Proton will be offering a
15% discount on the new filter
.


Video: BMW M135i xDrive launched in Malaysia, 5 Things

BMW Malaysia has just launched the most power 1 Series available – the
BMW M135i xDrive
 that
we drove in South Africa last year
 – priced at
RM355,646
inclusive of sales tax exemption. From tomorrow onwards, customers will be able to view the car at all authorised BMW dealerships.
With BMW Group’s Financial Services Malaysia’s Balloon Financing Plan, the M135i xDrive can be yours for
RM4,058 a month
 based on estimates of an 80% loan on a 5-year tenure. Those who book the M135i xDrive online can even win a new BMW i8 Coupe.

Powering the hatchback is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine similarly found in the
X2 M35i
 here, along with the JCW models, with
306 hp
 and
450 Nm
. The most powerful 4-cylinder by BMW is paired to an 8-speed automatic. 0 to 100 km/h is done in 4.8 seconds onward to a top speed of 250 km/h.
Beneath those 19-inch style 557 light-alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza S0005 tyres are 4-pot caliper brakes in the front and single pot caliper units at the back. Inside, among the notable highlights of the cabin include an M Sport steering, M Sport seats and even M Sport seat belts with BMW’s famous M colours embroidered on it. Boot space is rated at 380-litre, with up to 1,200-litres with the second row seats folded.
As for driver assistance, the list of features in the M135i xDrive is rather comprehensive. They include Lane Change Warning and Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Front Collision Warning with Braking Function, Rear Collision Warning, Active Park Distance Control and Reversing Assistant.
The Reverse Assistant can help the driver reverse out of a tight space or alley by recalling the last 50 metres covered. It is able to reverse the vehicle the same way it got in by taking control of the steering, braking and throttle.
For the latest price list of BMW vehicles in Malaysia, click
here
.


This 1,400 hp Mustang Cobra Jet is Ford’s first fully electric factory-built dragster

Together with 1,491 Nm of torque, the one-off factory built prototype is expected to clear 400 metres in the low eight second range, hitting 274 km/h while at it.
Following the debut of the
Mustang Mach-E SUV
, Ford has been eager to show off their innovations in electric powertrains leading up to this Mustang Cobra Jet 1400. It also presents an opportunity to Ford to extend the heritage of the Mustang.
“Ford has always used motorsport to demonstrate innovation and electric powertrains have given us a completely new kind of performance as seen in the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400,” said Ford Icons, Global Director, Dave Pericak who is currently overseeing all of Ford’s iconic nameplates such as the Mustang and Bronco.
The Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 also pays tribute to the original Cobra Jet that first dominated drag strips in the late 1960s and still is a major force in drag racing today.
Ford also said the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 will offer a platform for the company to develop electric-powered race cars for the future. As the Mustang Cobra Jet is still a prototype, Ford will continue developing it before unveiling it later this year.
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Proton sold 8,102 cars in July 2018, donates RM81,020 to Tabung Harapan

The three-month Tax-Free Holiday announced by the newly installed Pakatan Harapan Government has caused a huge spike in uptake of new cars for many, if not all, car brands in Malaysia with many consumers taking advantage of the zero-rated GST deal.
Due to this, Proton has sold 7,585 cars to the local market and exported 517 cars in the month of July. The total sales figure of 8,102 is the national carmaker’s strongest sales number recorded in the past 30 months. Compared to June, sales figures grew by 31 per cent, driven mainly by the Saga and Persona models with 3,000 and 2,221 units sold respectively.
CEO of Proton Edar, Abdul Rashid Musa said: “July was a very good month for PROTON as we had achieved our highest volume not just for 2018 but also for the last 30 months. We know that a big factor in boosting sales is the current tax holiday period with zero-rated GST prior to the implementation of SST in September but the numbers also prove that Malaysians are opening their eyes to the attractive buying proposition offered by the current range of Proton cars. We are therefore hopeful of carrying over this momentum even after SST has been introduced as we gear up for the launch of our first SUV later in the year.”
Honouring their pledge of
donating RM10 to Tabung Harapan Malaysia (THM)
 for every Proton car sold from 1 June to 31 December 2018, Proton will be appropriating a sum of RM81,020 to the Government fund. In June, the company made a contribution of RM61,730.


We discovered something “interesting” about the new Mazda 3 in Singapore

The hype surrounding the
all-new Mazda 3
 is hardly surprising. Unanimously, it’s a good looking thing; especially the hatchback but what we found out today after it was unveiled at the 2019 Singapore Motor Show, although kind of expected, was the real surprise.
And it was the rear headroom. One may be able to tell from the new Mazda 3’s sloping roof line that it may affect roominess for the rear passengers but what we’re about to share could offset the appeal of the car.

 Headroom when seated by the side

 Headroom when seated in the middle
For someone measuring
180 cm

in height
 such as myself, my head was literally rubbing against the roof of the car when seated in the middle of the rear seats. Moving to the side, things weren’t that much better with more or less
a finger’s worth of space between my scalp and the roof
.
Maybe I was having a bad hair day, or maybe I was just sitting more upright than usual but it seemed like the pursuit for a coupe-like silhouette has come at a price – hopefully not a heavy one in the eyes of most hopeful Mazda 3 buyers.
That being said, there’s still a lot about the all-new Mazda 3 to be optimistic about. Forward visibility was superb as Mazda claimed during its unveiling at last year’s LA Motor Show with thinner A-pillars and reduced blind spots from the unobstructed view ahead.
The “less is more” approach to the Mazda 3’s cabin design can also be felt, with ease of access to the main controls; designed to create a driver-centric cockpit.
Mazda also said that the all-new car can be expected to offer dramatic improvements in NVH and having sat in the car to grab pictures of the interior, it was noticeable how much the annoying R&B music playing in the hall, was silenced out.
The new telescopic steering adds 10 mm of movement in both ways, along with a new 8.8-inch infotainment display with the new Mazda Connect.
According to Mazda 3’s Programme Manager, Kota Beppu, “The new Mazda 3 is built on the new Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture, a new set of structural technologies that make riding in a car feel as natural and stress-free as walking on your own two feet.”
He added the all-new C-segment vehicle offers “comfortable quietness” by
focusing not only on noise volumes but on the time it takes for sounds to be transmitted
 and the direction from which they arrive.
The all-new Mazda 3 is the first production car to offer Mazda’s new SkyActiv-X engine with engine options including the 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions of the latest SkyActiv-G petrol engines with optimised intake ports and fueling system.
There’ll also be a 1.8-litre SkyActiv-D diesel engine that utilises high flow fuel injectors for more optimised fuel delivery, which as a result offers better fuel economy, reduced noise and reduced exhaust gases.
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The next chapter of Lotus is electric, and it’s called Evija

Elise, Exige, Evora, Espirit, Elan, Europa, Eleven and now the Evija – the name Lotus chose for its forthcoming fully-electric hypercar. It’s a bit of a tongue twister this as the correct pronunciation is ‘ev-eye-a’, which is supposed to mean the ‘first in existence’, according to Lotus.
Pronounced as ‘ ev-eye-a’.
The Evija will the
 first electric hypercar
from a British carmaker and also the first model to be launched after Geely assumed control of Lotus. In fact, it is the first all-new model from Lotus since 2008, so this has been a long time coming.
Electric hypercar with 1,000 hp, why not?
The model codename of Type 130 also alludes to the plan of producing only 130 units of the Evija which is rumoured to be powered by a 1000 hp all-wheel drive (presumably two motors) electric drivetrain co-engineered with Williams, all housed in a carbon-fibre body with a range of over 400 km. Those attending the Lotus stand at the ongoing Goodwood Festival will get further hints of how the Evija looks in the shape of a ‘light show’.


Nissan just trademarked a new Z logo and we’re squealing with excitement

It’s no secret that Nissan has been planning for a replacement model to the aging 370Z for
quite some time
 now. Ever since a 370Z mule was seen testing on the Nurburgring late last year, the rumour mill has been kicked into high gear.
It seems like the hype train isn’t going to stop anytime soon, as
Motor Trend
 has just spotted a new
trademark filing
 by Nissan in Canada, for what looks like the new Z logo for the upcoming Z-car.
If this is indeed the new Z logo for the 370Z replacement, we might have just gotten our first hint at how the new car might look like. The logo in the trademark filing features a little cross-flourish, which mimics the logo from the original Datsun 240Z – pointing to a retro-inspired styling.
The Z logo on the 370Z, featuring a “samurai slash”
It has been long rumoured that the upcoming Nissan Z sports car will feature the name “
400Z
“. However, unlike its predecessor, the name will no longer signify the engine displacement but instead its power output.
The 400Z is expected to be powered by a
3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine
, as seen in various other models from the Nissan family, which produces roughly
400 hp
.
Although this specific engine has always been paired to an automatic gearbox, reports suggests that a manual version will still be available for the next Z-Car.
Nissan has previewed this combination before, with a engine-swapped 370Z at the 2018 SEMA Show, featuring a manual transmission.
Whatever it is, we hope we get to see it sooner rather than later. The Nissan 370Z made its debut more than 10 years ago in 2009, and although there were several
facelift treatments
 and
special editions
, the two-door sports car is starting to show its age.


Bugatti launches new personalisation division with bespoke Chiron Pur Sport “Grand Prix”

Surprise, surprise: ultrarich people want exclusive things. While Bugatti always offered a degree of customisation to all of their cars, it’s never reached the levels of personalisation like say, Aston Martin’s Q or Bentley’s Mulliner programme.
Obviously, not wanting to let their customers slip away to the other brands, the French ultra-luxury hypercar maker has now unveiled a new “Sur Mesure” customisation division that promises to offer “never-before-seen levels of personalisation” for the marque.
Oh, and if you’re wondering,
Sur Mesure
 translates to “tailored” – how apt.

Customers who choose to customise their cars through the Sur Mesure programme will have a special team under their disposal to help with the creation of their very own “unique piece of personalised automotive art”.
Bugatti also says that they’ll be given “the full Molsheim experience” which, as expected, involves many visits to the Mosheim factory between conceptualising the initial design to the final handover.
To kick things off, the Sur Mesure division has unveiled a bespoke special design based on the
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport
, called “Grand Prix”. And as the name suggests, it takes inspiration from the “20th century heroics of renowned racing driver, Louis Chiron”.
The hand-painted ’32’ lettering on the doors is a nod to the Type 51 racecar which was driven to victory at the 1931 French Grand Prix by Louis Chiron and Achille Varzi, and the unique two-tone light blue and black exterior paint work also comes from race cars of the ’20s and ’30s.
RELATED: Watch the world’s first Bugatti Chiron dyno run here!
Look even closer, and you’ll notice that even the red decals are not just stickered-on – they are intricately hand-painted, and the soft “fade” is actually made of the ‘EB’ pattern that’s spaced out in varying distances to create the unique effect! According to Bugatti, the hand-painting process required new techniques to be developed by the Sur Mesure team.
The EB pattern is repeated inside on the door panels, while the centre console gets a special black anodised aluminium inlay, with a silver hand-painted “Grand Prix” inscription. There’s also plenty of Alcántara suede all around the cabin, offset by red accents on the dashboard and upholstery.
The new Chiron Pur Sport “Grand Prix” is far from the first “bespoke” model that Bugatti has ever created. Just this year, a customer has already commissioned a special one-off “ladybug” specification for the Bugatti Divo, which took them 18 months to complete. And heck – we’ve even featured the
“Hermes Edition” Chiron
 here on our site last year!
“For many years, we have worked with our clients to create their own personal vision of the ultimate hyper sports car. It has always been a highly tailored process, but as an ever-increasing number of our clients request detailed and intricate customization, the launch of Bugatti Sur Mesure will ensure we can cater to their desires with the perfect level of detail required from a Bugatti,” said Bugatti Managing Director for Sales and Marketing, Hendrik Malinowski.
RELATED: The Bugatti Chiron Sport “Les Légendes du Ciel” is a fighter-jet tribute for the road
“Our clients are often deeply intrigued by Bugatti’s motorsport lineage, and it’s fitting that the first Sur Mesure commission should pay homage to one of our great racing icons. We’re so taken with this creation that we intend to make many of this customer’s ideas available to more of our clients with the Chiron Pur Sport.”
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Video: 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift, from RM239k – 5 Things

Malaysia has just welcomed the 2023
Mercedes-Benz A-Class

facelift which introduces an almost entirely electrified lineup. With prices only confirmed for the A 200 and the AMG A 45 S facelift for now, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is all yours from a starting price of
RM238,888
 for the A 200.
It is hard to tell at first glance, but yes, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has been given an exterior design refresh. The headlights are now new with a new LED DRL, the grille is now larger, and the bumpers have been redesigned. Admittedly though, these changes are subtle and quite hard to miss if you’re unfamiliar with its predecessor. To get a better look at the differences, we suggest you watch our video.

In the non-AMG lineup of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift is the A 200 and the A 250 4MATIC. Yes, it’s pretty much like before except for 4MATIC being added to the A 250 in the new facelift. The A 200 is s powered by a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine that gets assistance from a 48V mild hybrid system. Maximum power for the A 200 is rated at
163 hp
 while maximum torque is rated at
270 Nm
. 0-100 km/h is done in
8.3 seconds
 onward to a top speed of
230 km/
h.
The A 250 4MATIC, now with all-wheel drive (as its name suggests) gets power from a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, also getting assistance from a 48V mild hybrid system. Maximum power is rated at
224 hp
 while maximum torque is rated at
350 Nm
. 0-100 km/h is done in
6.4 seconds
 onward to a top speed of
250 km/h
.
RELATED:
2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ facelift launched in Malaysia – from RM510k
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift also introduces updated versions of the AMG A 35 4MATIC and A 45 S 4MATIC+. The A 35 4MATIC makes
306 hp
 and
400 Nm
 from a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. Mated with the turbocharged engine is an 8-speed AMG Speedshift transmission. 0-100 km/h is done in
4.8 seconds
 onward to a top speed of
250 km/h
.
Most of powerful in the A-Class lineup is the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+. It is the only one not provided with hybrid assistance but makes a whopping
421 hp
 and
500 Nm
 from a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. 0-100 km/h is done in
 3.9 seconds
 onward to a top speed of
270 km/h
.
Inside, the biggest changes to the 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift would be the use of the latest MBUX version, the new steering wheel design, and the removal of the touchpad on the centre console. More information is provided in our short video.
RELATED:
2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift launched in Malaysia, from RM239k


Ride along Lewis Hamilton’s first test on a MotoGP bike

If
last week’s story
 wasn’t enough to convince you that Lewis Hamilton, six times Formula 1 World Champion, can really ride a MotoGP bike, there’s now on-board footage to prove.
Sure, he’s probably not going as fast as the MotoGP riders, and he’s probably not leaning as hard through the corners, too. But watching the video, you’ll have to admit that Hamilton does feel pretty at home on the 2019-spec Yamaha YZR-M1.

Of course, if you’re a Lewis Hamilton fan, you probably already know that the F1 prodigy has a pretty big interest in bikes too – he even has his
own special-edition bikes
 courtesy of MV Agusta, four at that to be exact.
Not to be outdone by Hamilton, MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi jumped into the 2017 Mercedes-AMG W08 for a few laps around Valencia Circuit too. From the on-board videos, it seems like Rossi wasn’t holding back either.

Although this was Rossi’s first attempt in a Formula 1 car of the hybrid era, his previous attempts with Ferrari in the mid-2000s probably gave him some valuable insights on how Formula 1 cars handle around the bends.
And there’s no denying that Rossi is a pretty good racecar driver too. It was reported that he lapped just 0.7 seconds behind Michael Schumacher in his heydays, during a test with Ferrari.


Porsche just produced their one millionth 911. What are you doing with your life?

The Porsche 911 is arguably one of the world’s most significant sports cars, and it first rolled off the company’s Zuffenhausen plant in 1963. Today, the Stuttgart carmaker reached the momentous milestone of producing their millionth 911 – from the same plant!
To cement the achievement, Porsche built a special one-off that’s based on the
Carrera 911 S
 variant. It’s finished in
Irish Green
 paint – the same colour as the original, and is Ferdinand Porsche’s favourite. Most of the trimmings are purposely created to reflect the original 911 as much as possible, such as the leather seats, inserts and wooden steering wheel. Making this unit extra special is the “
1,000,000 911
” lettering on the dashboard.
Powering this Carrera S is a
3.0-litre twin turbocharged flat-six
paired with Porsche’s
Powerkit
 package, making a healthy
450 hp
. Enthusiasts will be delighted to know that it comes with a
 manual transmission
The Zuffenhausen plant will continue manufacturing the Boxster, Cayman and 911 models, and the team is currently preparing themselves to produce the upcoming all-electric
Mission E
.
Unfortunately, this particular 911 is not for sale. It will go on a world tour which includes some driving on scenic roads in the Scottish Highlands, Nurburgring, the United States and China before going on display at the Porsche Museum. Apparently, over 70 percent of Porsche 911 (that’s at least 700,000 units!) that they’ve built are still alive and kicking!
IMAGE GALLERY


Would you buy a van with an interior like this?

Mercedes-Benz has just released a series of official images of its next-generation Sprinter Van. The new commercial van will receive a heavily revised interior that’ll be more akin to the brand’s upmarket passenger cars than a workhorse.
For starters, the multifunctional steering wheel is taken from the
S-Class
 albeit in a different finish. The air vents are
turbine style
 similar to the
E-Class Coupe
 and the
all-new CLS
. Like all-new generation Mercedes-Benz cars, the gear lever selector is positioned on the right stalk as is the instrument cluster with LCD multi-info display. The new Sprinter Van will also feature powered front seats with memory function as denoted by the door mounted controls.
The large centre floating display screen has its command controls housed on the dash itself in place of the rotary dial selector seen on Mercedes-Benz’s passenger cars. This design helps free the centre tunnel for additional storage space, it is a commercial vehicle after all.
The company will also debut it’s Mercedes PRO connected services for fleet operators to help better manage its Sprinter vans. The networking and telematics solutions help operators to easily keep track of all its Sprinter vans on parameters such as fuel consumption, location, fuel level, service intervals and many more.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz G-Class designer editions are back, because why not?

The
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
 (G-Wagon) started off life by serving the military before the elites decided to have their way with it. Take that a notch further and you get these: the Designo Manufaktur Edition and Exclusive Edition.
The
Designo Manufaktur Edition
 makes a comeback due to popular demand. Available for the G 350 d and G 500 variants, it gains three unique exterior hues – Designo Magma Red, Designo Mystic White and Obsidian Black. Items such as 19-inch five-spoke wheels in dark finishing with Obsidian Black trimmings for the radiator grille, exterior mirrors and wheel cover all contribute to making a statement.
The interior is wrapped with black Designo Nappa leather with colour-coordinated red topstitching. The similar red and black theme is found on the AMG Performance steering wheel, while black design piano lacquer provides a glossy contrast. It comes with the
“Designo Manufaktur Edition”
 badge on the dashboard, of course. Also included as standard are Mercedes’s Exclusive Package, Sport Package, and Chrome Package.
The “
Exclusive Edition
” meanwhile is only offered for the G63 and G65 AMG models, which means it receives exterior enhancements from the famed Affalterbach tuners. It gets AMG side stripes, 21-inch AMG wheels and the signature Monza Grey Magno paint finish. The interior can be had with the “Designo Exclusive Package” which comes finished with two-tone leather upholstery and sport seats.
These exclusive G-Wagons will be available starting September 2017, but they most likely won’t be introduced to our market.
IMAGE GALLERY


Porsche has just made its 100,000th Taycan, three years after start of production

Porsche
 couldn’t have dreamt of a better start to its electrified era, as the company celebrates its 100,000th
Taycan
 to roll off the production line yesterday. The milestone car left the Zuffenhausen assembly plant, roughly just three years after production for the fully-electric model first started in September 2019.
The 100,000th Porsche Taycan, in the guise of a Neptune Blue Turbo S, will be shipped to its lucky customer in the United Kingdom.
The UK and Ireland are one of the largest markets for the Porsche Taycan, alongside the United States and China. While official numbers for Malaysia aren’t available, it does seem that it’s enjoying a fairly successful time here, with the number of Taycans seen on the road. Last year, the Porsche Taycan also
outsold the 911
.
“We are very pleased to have reached this milestone in production history so quickly – despite the recent challenges posed by the semiconductor shortage and the volatile Covid situation,” says Porsche Taycan model line vice president, Kevin Giek. “With the Taycan, we have made a decidedly successful start in the electric age.”
RELATED:
Porsche wants to make as many Macan EVs as petrol model, production starts 2023
The Porsche Taycan is available globally in three body styles – regular sedan, Cross Turismo, as well as the Sport Turismo. Up to five powertrain options are available for each of the body styles, including both rear- or all-wheel drive variants.
Here in Malaysia, Porsche’s first EV is available in sedan and Cross Turismo forms,
starting at RM508,000
 for the base, rear-wheel drive Taycan thanks to the government’s tax incentives for electric cars.
Porsche also currently holds the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for the
fastest production electric car
, with the Taycan Turbo S recently lapping the Green Hell in seven minutes and 33 seconds.


CEO of Honda Malaysia shares career inspiration and “a super ability”

Mr Toichi Ishiyama has been serving as the CEO and Managing Director of
Honda Malaysia
 since November 2017.  Rarely we do get insights into leaders in the industry and an article of a conversation with him revealed some rather interesting lifestyle practices plus his career inspiration.
Recalling back to his younger years, Mr. Ishiyama who was keen on travelling, wanted to be a pilot

and even attended for an interview with an airline company. His outlook in life changed when
he read a ‘manga’
 that featured Honda’s founder Soichiro Honda. The idea of a career in automotive thus began.
Image: Honda Malaysia
“
I was impressed by Soichiro Honda’s lifestyle
, the way he works, and his challenging spirit, which gave me the inspiration to join Honda. I felt anything is possible and achievable in Honda.”
Mr. Ishiyama added, ”I enjoy what I am doing now. When I joined Honda 30 years ago, I always wanted to be a CEO. It was my dream.”
Watch our video on the new
2020 Honda City here
.
His dislike for cold weather seems to have been a key factor in overseas placements such as Pakistan and Thailand. When
asked about Malaysia
, Mr. Ishiyama said he like the weather and the people, whom he regards as some of the most talented people he worked with at Honda Malaysia.
Meditating plays a key role
 in Mr. Ishiyama’s daily life. It has been a nightly routine as it also helps with new ideas when faced with difficulties. Sleep time is also a luxury, as the boss only gets about four-and-a-half hours of shut-eye nightly.
Mr. Ishiyama is however quick to point out, when it is time to sleep, he can
doze off within three seconds
!
With the management office situated in Petaling Jaya and
the production facility in Melaka
, Mr. Ishiyama said bringing both business units closer by creating a more open environment was his proudest achievement.
“I also improved the policy and infrastructure of Honda Malaysia because I want an open environment,” concluded Mr. Ishiyama.
This year, Mr. Ishiyama and Honda Malaysia are expected to launch all-new generations of their popular
Civic
,
HR-V
, as well as the
City Hatchback
 model as a replacement for the Jazz.


UMW Toyota Motor sold 25,219 cars so far in 2023, highest-ever Q1 figure

In March 2023,
UMW Toyota Motor
 recorded
9,136 cars
 sold with 9,026 of them being Toyota models and 110 being Lexus models. In terms of quarterly sales, UMW Toyota sold a total of
25,219 cars
 in the first quarter of 2023, its highest-ever registered sales for a first quarter.
The 25,219-unit year-to-date sales figure in 2023 is
12%
 higher than the 22,447-unit figure in 2022. Monthly sales are slightly down in March with 9,136 cars sold compared to 9,297 cars sold in February 2023.
UMW Toyota Motor also launched the all-new Toyota Vios in March, a premium evolution from the previous generation. Only available in two variants, the all-new Vios costs
RM89,600
 for the Standard E variant and
RM95,500
 for the range-topping G variant. The all-new Vios comes with a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty.
UMW Toyota Motor President, Datuk Ravindran K. said, “The All-New Toyota Vios represents our commitment to provide our customers with the best vehicles and ownership experience. The All-New Toyota Vios is definitely a model that we are proud to put on the road and we hope many Malaysians will be able to enjoy driving the Vios”.
RELATED:
2023 Toyota Vios launched in Malaysia, from RM90k – EPB, wireless CarPlay, Android Auto
Besides announcing its sales performance, UMW Toyota Motor has also taken this opportunity to announce its tree planting event which is under the UMW Green Shoots Initiative. The event was hosted by the Malaysian Nature Society at Tanjung Tuan, Melaka. Up to 6,100 trees were planted by 250 volunteers made up of staff volunteers, students and teachers from University Putra Malaysia, Serdang and Politeknik Port Dickson, Taylor’s University, and members of the public.
In conjunction with Ramadan, UMW Toyota Motors has announced a promotion on selected models worth up to RM 8,000, 100% loan financing, and a Toyota Service Savers promotion with monthly installments from as low as RM22.
RELATED:
2023 Toyota Vios – Over 5,000 orders received in less than a month


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia ends 2016 with record sales of 11,779 units!

Another year, another record smashed for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM). In 2016, MBM led the premium brand sector with a 2.4 percent market share, sold the highest number of cars, serviced 108,226 vehicles and achieved the Highest Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) score in history.
Back in 2015, when MBM announced that they have sold 10,845 units, it was preposterous to even think that they can outperform themselves amidst an increasingly challenging economy climate. But they have done it by shifting a total of
11,779 units
, charting a
 nine percent growth
 compared to the previous year! Let’s take a look at the break down:
W205 C-Class CKD
 – 4,762 units
W212 E-Class CBU
 – 2,034 units
W222 S-Class CKD
 – 954 units
X205 GLC
 – 1,421 units
GLE & GLE Coupe
 – 250 units
S-Coupe,
C-Coupe
,
CLS
, E-Coupe &
AMG GT S
 – 301 units in total
W176 A-Class
 – 1,034 units
B-Class – 73 units
GLA
 – 571 units
CLA
 – 638 units
The first half of 2016 saw them shifting
6,017 units
, and they went on to sell 5,762 cars in the second half. This strong growth was driven by the 17 vehicle launches (all-new and facelift models included) in 2016 as well as the eight locally assembled vehicles (C180 Avantgarde, C200 Avantgarde, C200 Exclusive, C250 AMG,
C350e
, E-Class, S400h and
GLC250 4MATIC
).
On the global front, Mercedes-Benz recorded double digit growth of 11.3 percent worldwide, with the
C-Class being the brand’s best-selling model
. The strongest performing country for Mercedes-Benz in the Asia-Pacific region was South Korea, charting a 25 percent year-on-year growth.
From left: CEO and President of MBM, Dr Claus Weidner with VP of Sales and Marketing, Mark Raine
Congratulations to MBM for another momentous achievement in Malaysia. With times of greater uncertainties ahead of us, we look forward to what MBM has in store for 2017.


Manthey Racing just helped the Porsche 911 GT3 set a 6:55 time at the Nürburgring

If you’ve been keeping score, that’s
4.19 seconds
quicker than the factory
2021 Porsche 911 GT3
 – which, by itself, is already a whopping 17 seconds quicker than its predecessor. It’s not record-breaking by any means (that
honour goes to the 911 GT2 RS
), but shaving off four seconds – from an already fast car – with just a simple upgrade kit is still nothing to scoff about.
I mean, just check out the on-board video below for yourselves:

Manthey Racing’s Performance upgrade kit
, offered through Porsche’s own dealership network via the ‘Tequipment’ accessories outfit, is admittedly expensive at around EUR38k (approx. RM177k) for the whole shebang. But the results definitely speak for itself, and because it’s developed together with Porsche, the upgrade kit doesn’t even void your car’s factory warranty.
We’ve already gone through the kit in detail previously, but in essence, the performance pack includes upgrades for almost everything on the car – from aerodynamics, suspension, brakes, to even a new set of wheels, but not the powertrain itself.
Most notably are the aerodynamic upgrades, which include a large spoiler lip at the front, additional air intakes on the new front fascia, reworked underbody with new air guide elements, as well as a new diffuser at the back, all to improve the downforce and aero balance of the Porsche 911 GT3.
There’s also the distinctive carbon aero discs for the rear wheels for added slipperiness in the air, as well as the massive new carbon fibre rear wing to also give it some additional heat to the car’s rear-end looks – not that it really needed any.
RELATED: The Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 is a bad-ass tribute to Manthey’s 25 years of racing success
Also included in the Manthey upgrade kit is a four-way adjustable coilover suspension, which they say can be adapted for use on both road and track, promising improved “on-the-limit handling” without sacrificing day-to-day usability.
The kit for the Porsche 911 GT3 is now available to order at Porsche Centres in Europe, with deliveries to commence in autumn 2022. Porsche says that it’ll also be offered in other markets soon, so track junkies, time to ready your wallets.


Facts & Figures: Ultra-limited McLaren Elva lands in Malaysia – only 149 units worldwide!

The Unicorn of
McLaren Automotive
‘s model line-up has just landed here in Malaysia. This is the
McLaren Elva
, the latest member of the marque’s Ultimate series, and is limited to just 149 units in the world.
Uniquely, the McLaren Elva features a completely open-top design, meaning there’s no roof here at all – not even a temporary fabric one. McLaren says that this was inspired by the first sports cars designed and raced by Bruce McLaren, the company’s founder. The car also initially made its debut globally without a physical windscreen, although a
windscreen version
 was later introduced due to regulatory reasons in the US.
The McLaren Elva that made its debut here at the McLaren Kuala Lumpur showroom is the latter windscreen version, but the company says that customers will be able to order one without the windscreen too – though makes no promises that it’ll actually be road legal (pending JPJ’s type approval).
McLaren says that the Elva is the lightest road car it’s ever produced, tipping the scales at under 1,300 kg. The windscreen only adds about 20 kg to the car’s kerb weight, and that’s including the wipers, washer jets, sun visors, and heating elements in the glass itself!
The car is built almost entirely out of carbon fibre, including the chassis which is a bespoke version of the marque’s unique MonoCage III carbon fibre tub. On the windscreen Elva, even the glass surrounds are made out of carbon fibre as well!
Hiding underneath all of that shiny carbon fibre is a mid-rear mounted 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine (codenamed M840TR), making a whopping
815 hp
@ 7,500 rpm and
800 Nm
 of torque @ 5,500 rpm. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG) for a 0-100 km/h time of just
2.8 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
326 km/h
.
It doesn’t just go fast, either; brakes are taken directly from the McLaren Senna hypercar, measuring 390 mm both front and back, while the active spoiler at the back also acts as an air brake during hard braking, giving you the best chance to slow the car down before every corner.
As this is an ultra-exclusive model, buyers can of course opt for their own specifications, both inside and out of the McLaren Elva. There’s even a range of race-inspired liveries available for selection if you’re so inclined.
Pricing wasn’t provided by McLaren Kuala Lumpur, although as the saying goes, “if you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it”. The base-spec Elva starts from roughly GBP1.4 million over in the UK, which comes to about RM8 million when converted to Malaysian Ringgit, before all options, duties, and taxes – make of that what you will.
GALLERY


Hyundai charges towards “hydrogen society” with 670 hp FCEV concept sports car

Hyundai Motor Group
 has unveiled the Hydrogen Vision 2040 roadmap, with an ambitious aim to “popularise hydrogen for everyone, everything and everywhere” by 2040.
As the call to action suggests, the Hydrogen Vision 2040 plan will revolve around a new line-up of hydrogen-based products and technologies with a goal of marching towards a “hydrogen society”.
These products are not just limited to just the automotive sector, too, as the company also has plans in all other aspects of society including homes, buildings, and powerplants as energy solutions.
In the passenger cars segment, the charge towards hydrogen will be led by a hydrogen fuel cell concept sports car, called the Vision FK. In its current form, the Vision FK boasts a maximum power output of
over 500 kW (670 hp)
to the rear wheels, and can supposedly accelerate from 0-100 km/h in less than four seconds.
Just like the
Hyundai RM20e electric race car prototype
, the underlying electric powertrain will be provided by
Rimac Automobili
, which Hyundai holds a substantial stake in since 2019.
Hyundai’s FCEV products will bear the HTwo branding, a new sub-brand dedicated to hydrogen fuel cell technologies. Read more about it here.
Hyundai’s Head of R&D Albert Biermann explained in a web conference today that the reason that Rimac was chosen as the technology partner – rather than relying on their own platform and powertrains – was due to the “very challenging” packaging requirements of a compact FCEV sports car.
Aside from that though, the fuel cell energy converter and other components will all be engineered by Hyundai, and the company also says that it’ll boast a driving range of around 600 km.
On the commercial vehicles side of things, Hyundai has already begun mass production of a “greatly improved version” for its hydrogen-powered XCient HGV truck, and is working towards expanding its FCEV commercial line-up with new products including a new XCient tractor, and other innovative concepts such as the Trailer Drone.
The latter, unveiled today during the Hydrogen Vision 2040 webcast, is a hydrogen FCEV container transportation system, powered by what Hyundai calls the “Fuel Cell e-Bogie”, that can operate autonomously over a distance of over 1,000 km over a single charge.
The flat e-Bogies sit underneath the containers much like rail subframes under every train car, and thanks to its four-wheel steering, makes it ideal to negotiate tight shipyards and urban areas. It can also form an autonomous chain with other e-Bogies – called ‘Cluster Mode’ – to further boost efficiency.
Hyundai also envisions to repurpose the e-Bogie system for other usage, such as ground logistics, construction, firefighting, and disaster relief missions, catering to a wide value chain that can all benefit from a zero-emission, fully-autonomous mobility solution.
The entire Hydrogen Vision 2040 plan hinges on Hyundai’s next-generation fuel cell system, which was shown off in 100 kW and 200 kW variations today.
The 100 kW unit, designed primarily for passenger cars and other civilian applications, is said to have reduced in size by 30% to make it easier to adapt to various vehicle types. Meanwhile, the 200 kW fuel cell stack for commercial usage has doubled in power output while maintaining a similar footprint to the existing system.
The new fuel cell system can also be stacked together – much like lego bricks – to offer a range of outputs anywhere from 500kW to 1MW, ideal for use as an emergency power system for large ships or IT companies.
Hyundai says that its second-generation fuel cell stack that was launched back in 2018 is already capable of providing 5,000 hours or 160,000 kilometers of reliable usage, which is similar to the warranty period of a regular ICE vehicle.
For the third-generation fuel cell, the company is aiming to improve durability by between 50% and 100%, with the “high durability” commercial models capable of 500,000 km of drive range.
The second-gen fuel cell system is currently deployed in the Hyundai Nexo FCEV. Read more about it here.
Aside from technical improvements, the new fuel cell stack also sees costs being lowered by more than 50%, which will be a key factor in its goal to achieve price parity with battery electric vehicles (BEV) by 2030.
Another key aspect in driving the price of Hydrogen FCEVs down is through economies of scale. As a first step to widespread adoption, Hyundai has committed – as the first carmaker globally – to apply fuel cell systems to all of its commercial vehicle models by 2028.


Mercedes-Benz dealerships and service centres remain operational during CMCO

Following the Government’s announcement of the reimplementation of Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) from 14th October to 27th October 2020 in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya, and Sabah, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today announced that all of its outlets in the affected regions will still
remain operational
.
All
dealerships
 will still be open for business, while test drives, routine service and maintenance, and repairs will be carried out as usual in accordance to strict Mercedes-Benz Star Shield SOPs, in line with guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health. The Service24h Roadside Assistance will also remain operational for emergency breakdown and technical issues.
The Mercedes-Benz Star Shield programme is a safety protocol consisting of the provision of masks and hand sanitizers for all dealers and customers, regular cleaning and sanitization of showroom cars and common areas, temperature checks, as well as limited customers per entry.
To practice social distancing and minimise contact during CMCO, Star Shield also includes initiatives such as the Drop & Go, Door-to-door, and Express Service for all customers at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia authorised service centres.
Customers are encouraged to book their vehicle service and test drive appointments ahead of time via the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia website, available
here
, and to follow the SOPs at all times when visiting the dealerships or service centres.
For any emergencies or queries related to their vehicles during this period, customers can phone Mercedes-Benz Malaysia at the toll-free number
1-800-88-1133
.


Toyota Vios updated with more tech, same price, adds 360-degree camera and more!

In a move to offer greater bang for your buck, UMW Toyota has just enhanced the
Toyota Vios
 with additional premium and first in class features. Despite the value-added features, pricing remains unchanged at RM76,500 to RM96,400.
Fitted as standard on all variants but optional extra for the base 1.5J, is an Advanced Panoramic View Monitor, the first B-Segment to offer a
360-degree surround view camera
. Images from four cameras jointly gives you an unobstructed view of your surroundings. Besides that, G, GX and TRD Sportivo variants now gets
auto folding wing
 mirrors that automatically folds when the car is locked and unfolds when ignition is on.

A
Digital Video Recorder
 (more commonly referred to as dashcam) is now a standard fitment on all variants of the Vios. Now you don’t need to go aftermarket and have an awkward cable dangling down through the centre dashboard. Furthermore,
 two USB charging ports
 are made available for the front occupants for added convenience.

UMW Toyota is also offering attractive cash rebates plus free accessories worth up to
RM4,000
 (depending on variant) for very purchase of a new Toyota Vios. Every purchase comes with a 5 Years unlimited mileage warranty package as standard. We’ve tested the facelifted Vios earlier and found it to be
a surprisingly refined and highly competitive B-Segment sedan
.


BMW readies fully Autonomous Driving tech by 2021 in BMW iNEXT

Automated Driving has achieved great strides in recent years, but no single carmaker has claimed their cars to be fully automated. Because available technologies and to an extent regulation only has the capacity for semi-autonomous driving where it requires the driver to be able to intervene when necessary.
BMW, however, has expressed that they will have highly and fully automated driving technology ready in their
BMW iNEXT
 in 2021. In an interview with Senior Vice President Automated Driving and Driver Assistance, BMW AG, Elmar Frickenstein, BMW Group have created a solid basis for mastering self-driving.
Frickenstein said, when the technology is ready for production, the “Highway Pilot” feature will allow customers to take their hands off the wheel completely when commuting the highway from Munich to Hamburg at speeds of 130 km/h. This will allow customers to spend that precious time doing other things such as reading a newspaper or just enjoying the landscape.
The team is now focusing on adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and simulation as their primary focus of development and are gradually expanding their fleet of testing vehicles. Currently, BMW has 80 vehicles operating in Europe, USA and China for R&D on autonomous driving.
Senior VP Automated Driving and Driver Assistance, BMW AG, Elmar Frickenstein
“Our motto is always “safety first”. With the right technology, the right technology partners and an agile working model, automated driving will make our roads safer for everyone. We are changing the face of personal mobility for our customers and giving them back valuable time,” said Frickenstein.


Unlike AMG, BMW M says it won’t downsize its engines to four cylinders

Worried that your next BMW M car will follow suit with the industry trend of engine downsizing? Well, you can relax… for now. In a world of electrification, BMW M is still adamant that they’ll be sticking with six- and eight-cylinder engines for as long as ICE exists.
Speaking to the media during the M Festival at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in South Africa, BMW M boss Frank van Meel told
CarBuzz
, “I hope that was just a rhetorical question because it’s clear we’re not going to do any three-cylinder engines. We’re not even going to do four-cylinder engines in high-performance cars. I know there are other companies doing that, but we’re not going to do that.”
It’s clear who van Meel was referring to with “other companies”. The recently-unveiled
Mercedes-AMG C 63 S
 ditches the sonorous V8 engine underneath the bonnet for a 2.0-litre inline-four hybrid, and despite the massively increased performance figures, the internet still didn’t take to it kindly for losing four whole cylinders.
But Mercedes-Benz isn’t the only one who’s dropping cylinders like flies. Even the universally-loved
Toyota GR Yaris
 and
GR Corolla
only have three cylinders, while both
 Bugatti
 and
Bentley
 are also bidding farewell to their W16 and W12 engines respectively.
ALSO READ:
BMW hints at all-electric M3, says no one cares if there’s no engine
The industry trend will definitely continue, too, especially with the ever-tightening emissions regulations worldwide. And when you compound that to the shift towards electrification, well, it’s probably not wrong to say that these big engines are truly on their last legs.
BMW M themselves have also dabbled into electrification, having recently unveiling its first-ever fully-electric M car, the
XM
. We already know that the all-new M2 will be the final pure internal combustion-powered car from BMW M, but at least the M hybrids will still have six or more cylinders.
RELATED:
All-new BMW M2 unveiled – 460hp, 550 Nm, 6-speed manual


Perodua D55L/Ativa SUV to be launched in Malaysia on March 3rd!

It’s official – Perodua’s upcoming D55L SUV, supposedly to be called the “Ativa”, will make its Malaysia debut on the
3rd of March, 2021
. As is standard these days, the launch will be held online via a virtual launch on its social media pages, happening at
8.25 pm
 next Wednesday.
As mentioned in the previous
commencement of bookings announcement
, the Perodua Ativa will be offered in three variants locally – X, H, and AV – with prices estimated to be between
RM62,500 to RM73,400
, on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales tax exemptions.
Being a cousin to the Japanese-market
Daihatsu Rocky
 (and
Toyota Raize
), we do already know quite a fair bit about this compact crossover model. And good news – based on the images provided by Perodua on its website
earlier this week
, it seems like most of the good bits are being retained on our local model!
Firstly, the D55L/Ativa will feature Perodua’s first-ever forced-induction engine, a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine which makes
98 hp
 and
140 Nm
of torque. Also for the first time ever on a Perodua, the three-potter will be paired to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) in place of the four-speed torque-converter auto on all of its recent models.
Perodua D55L
Malaysians also aren’t being short-changed in terms of equipment, with most of the Rocky’s headlining features being brought over onto the two higher-end variants, H and AV.
These include an Adaptive Driving Beam system for the LED headlights on the two higher-end variants, 17-inch wheels with Perodua’s own design, a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment display, and even a fully-digital instrument cluster!
Impressed? Us, too, but we have not even reached to the most impressive part of the upcoming Perodua D55L/Ativa yet – its advanced driver’s assistance suite.
Now in its third generation, Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) suite has been updated with higher operating speeds, and is now also capable of detecting motorbikes and cyclist. Features such as Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, alongside Automatic High beam, have been brought down across the entire model range.
But the true party piece of the Perodua Ativa’s ASA 3.0 lies within the range-topping AV variant, which will come with features such as Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control – making it the cheapest car on sale here in Malaysia to feature Level 2 Autonomous Driving!
The Perodua Ativa’s Japanese cousin, Toyota Raize
There should be quite a lot more to learn about Perodua’s upcoming SUV, but we’ll have to wait until next Wednesday to find out. Don’t worry, we are just as excited as you are – so make sure to keep an eye out for the latest updates on
AutoBuzz.my
!


BMW reveals the 2 Series GT: Merc B-Class rival now seats seven [+Video]

Joining the already populous lineup of the
2 Series
 is the new
BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer
, a car the Munich carmaker proudly claims to be the first in the premium compact segment to accommodate seven individuals.
Despite being small by measurement, this 4,556 mm long 2 Series GT is a good 214 mm longer and sits 53 mm higher than the front wheel drive
2 Series Active Tourer
. The rear seats have a flexible
40:20:40 split
 configuration, and cargo space expands from
645 litres
 to
1,905 litres
 in the five seater variant. The seven seater GT has a smaller cargo space of 560 litres which expands to 1,820 litres with the seats folded down.
Inside the cabin is very much like the
2 Series sedan
, except for the steering wheel design and air conditioning unit placement. The GT shares the 6.5 inch colour display unit operated via BMW’s iDrive controller. Other amenities such as electronic parking brake, auto headlights, collision warning and city braking function all come as standard. One interesting option box to tick would be the heads up display, if you’re into that sort of thing.

There are five Euro6 compliant engines (three and four cylinder mills) offered here for the 2 Series GT –
two petrol engines
 in the 22oi GT and 218i GT, while
three
 other engines are
oil burners
 offered in the 220d xDrive, 218d GT and 216d GT.
Three transmissions choices including an optional six speed manual is offered alongside the six-speed Steptronic and eight speed Steptronic box, one that we’re familiar with. They all feature auto start stop technology, while the Steptronic boxes benefit from a ‘coasting’ feature which decouples the clutch when your foot is off the throttle, thus saving fuel.

Our friends at BMW have hinted at the arrival of the
2 Series Active Tourer
 last month, so it’s only a matter of time before this Bavarian Gran Tourer reaches our shores.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW 220i Gran Tourer

BMW 220d Gran Tourer

BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer Interior


BMW awards MotoGP winner with new BMW M4 for the first time ever

Following a string of events at yesterday’s Styria MotoGP race, Miguel Oliveira of the Red Bull KTM Tech team clinched his maiden victory at the final turn of the race.
But the winner’s trophy wasn’t the only thing Miguel went home with. Title sponsors, BMW M, had a prize of their own for the 25 year old ride – a brand spanking new 2021 BMW M4! This is the first time ever in the long history of the MotoGP where the winner of a race was awarded a car.
Unfortunately, Miguel will have to wait a while before his new M4 can hit the streets as the all-new car will only make its world debut in the next couple of months. It was seen heavily camouflaged at the race alongside an M4 GT3 race car.
“Congratulations to Miguel Oliveira but he’ll will have to wait a little while to drive his BMW M4 – the car is so new that it isn’t actually on the market yet. However, we’re confident that he will have a lot of fun with it – as the first test drive shortly after the race has already prove,” said CEO of BMW M, Markus Flasch.
M4 Safety Car
M2 Safety Car
This is, however, not BMW’s first rodeo with such giveaways. Since 2003, BMW has awarded the MotoGP rider with the best results in qualifying throughout a season with a BMW M car at the end of the race calendar.
As with the scoring system from the races, the riders are given points for their positions in qualifying at each Moto GP weekend. The rider who has picked up the most points at the end of the season will walk away with an M car.
At yesterday’s race, BMW also presented the new BMW M8 Gran Coupe MotoGP Safety Car. For its role as a lead car, BMW has fitted the M8 with a plethora of BMW M Performance parts. They include an engine cover, side mirror caps, rear spoiler and diffuser, wheel arch grille and steering wheel, all made with carbon fibre. It also comes with a handmade carbon front splitter and front flaps. Also vital for its safety car purpose is the light bar addition on the roof.
2020 marks the 22nd season of BMW M as “Official Car of MotoGP”. More recently, the M models used included the
M8 Competition
, the
M5
, the
M4
and the
M2
.
GALLERY


Mazda China just made a new rotary announcement – could this be the RX-9?

Changan Mazda, the joint venture between Mazda and Changan Automobile, posted a teaser on their
weibo account
 for a rotary announcement “in six days”.
First spotted by
Jalopnik
, the image posted by Changan Mazda highlights the Mazda Cosmo Sport, Mazda’s first rotary-engined production vehicle. Could we see a return of the Wankel engine-powered coupe? Perhaps an RX-9 based on the
RX-Vision
 revealed at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show? A man can certainly dream.
Loosely translated, the wordings on the image says “the magic of dreams turns circles, love you to the night and day”. Additionally, the image also says that “rotary engines makes the world more stunning.”
While we don’t know what exactly Mazda was trying to illustrate with the first half, the latter part is definitely something we can agree on!
More likely than not though, Mazda will be using the rotary engine as a
range extender
 for their hybrid and EV vehicles, which was originally slated to arrive this year.
The RX-8, Mazda’s last rotary engine-powered production car.
What we definitely know is that this mysterious new car will be a part of the “7th Generation Product Cluster”, as written at the bottom of the teaser image.
As the teaser was originally posted on the 20th of September, the announcement should be on the 26th, which is just one day away!


Volkswagen apprentices in Australia has built a 489 hp Arteon “Art Car”

There’s been talks about Volkswagen building an “R version” of the Arteon for the longest time but it seems to have just ended there. Volkswagen Australia on the other hand, has taken upon themselves and asked their apprentices to build this.
It’s called the ART3on, a track-ready “art car” that will be used to compete in the World Time Attack Challenge in Sydney this weekend. To get to this point, its standard 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder has had to go through a complete overhaul.
It’s now strapped with a larger Stage 3 turbocharger, a Milltek downpipe, a high flow sports cat, a new intercooler, a larger air intake system and a high pressure fuel pump.
As a result, it’s now got nearly
500 hp
 and
 600 Nm
 (from 350 Nm) of torque ! The Arteon’s 0 to 100 km/h time also edges it to supercar territory with a time of just 3.9 seconds.
Bigger APR brakes have also been deployed along with a set of Bilstein dampers and Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres to help the car put all that immense power down.
Inside the stripped out interior rests a full roll cage, bucket seats with harnesses, a fuel cut-off switch and fire extinguisher.
IMAGE GALLERY


85-year old former civil servant wins brand new Proton Saga CVT Premium

An 85-year old retired civil servant walked home today with the keys to a brand new
Proton Saga 1.3L CVT Premium
 (worth RM46k) after winning a contest devised by Proton Holdings Sdn Bhd to reward some of their most loyal and earliest customers.
Mohd Isa bin Ibrahim Shah, who formerly worked with RISDA, was the Grand Prize Winner of the Proton Search Contest 2016 (held for 13 weeks from 8 March to 8 June 2016). The contest was organised to search for the longest owned Proton car and must still be in relatively good condition for daily driving. Ibrahim Shah is just one out of 866 entries from all corners of Malaysia.
According to Ibrahim, he has been driving his Proton Saga 1.3S manual (then sold for about RM18,500) since 1985. “The Saga has brought much joy and meaning to my family. It is so reliable that not only did it serve my family, but more importantly it has dutifully served me in my charitable works with the indigenous (
orang asli
) folks until today,” said the 85-year old.
Winning the contest isn’t just about who owns the car the longest. All contestants are required to share warm memories of their cars either through written stories or short videos. Proton said the contest is intended to demonstrate the company’s commitment to building, maintaining and rewarding their loyal customers.

Proton’s Deputy CEO, Dato’ Radzaif Mohamed said the contest brought many of the oldest Proton owners (single owners as well) to share their wonderful stories that many Malaysians will be able to connect with.
Of the 866 entries, 11 finalists were chosen by a panel of professional judges, out of which Ibrahim Shah came out tops. Besides winning the new Saga CVT Premium, Ibrahim was also handed a RM1,000 cash reward and another RM5,000 for the refurbishment of his trusted 31-year old Saga 1.3S.
The remaining 10 didn’t go home empty handed, though. Each finalist received a consolation prize of RM1,000 in cash reward and an additional RM5,000 refurbishment voucher, all to be done at Proton’s Centre of Excellence. All winners were taken for a thorough tour at the facility (including Design Studio and R&D facility), as well as a joyride around the Proton Test Track.
IMAGE GALLERY
Ibrahim Shah’s 1985 Proton Saga 1.3S

2016 Proton Search Contest Winners


EV Porsche Panamera to debut in 2027, petrol and PHEV versions to remain

Building on the success of the Taycan,
Porsche
 is currently working on an all-electric
Porsche Panamera
. Set to make its debut in 2027 alongside a new
Taycan
, the electric Panamera will be built on Porsche’s ‘Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) Sport’ architecture.
The Porsche-developed SSP architecture will underpin more volume-oriented EVs from the Volkswagen group. However, the ‘SSP Sport’ architecture is exclusive to Porsche and will combine “Porsche-specific modules.”
Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid
Key highlights of the EV Panamera’s SSP Sport architecture are a low cabin floor due to the slimline battery pack, and rear footwells. Besides the SSP Sport architecture, the EV Panamera will also get a further-developed 800-V battery, which has more energy-efficient cell technology and a higher-silicon-content anode than what is used by Porsche today.
On the company’s decision to produce an all-electric Panamera, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume said, “We’re targeting higher-margin segments in particular and aim to tap into new sales opportunities in this way.”
RELATED:
Porsche Panamera “goes platinum” with new special edition model
Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid
While the electric Panamera and new Taycan will use the SSP Sport architecture, Porsche’s
electric Macan
 and
Cayenne

will be built on VW Group’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture. The current Porsche Taycan is built on the J1 platform.
Autocar

reports that the size of the upcoming electric Panamera will be similar to the long-wheelbase (LWB) Panamera that is available in China. Compared to other EVs, it will be about the size of the
Mercedes-Benz EQS
 or the Lucid Air.
It is reported that the current Porsche Panamera will receive a facelift sometime next year. According to sources close to the matter, the petrol-powered (PHEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Panamera will still be produced alongside the all-electric Panamera until 2030 to cater to various regions. The current Porsche Panamera is built on Porsche’s MSB (Modularer Standardantriebsbaukasten) architecture.
RELATED:
Porsche Taycan reclaims Nürburgring EV lap record from Tesla Model S Plaid
Prototyp Porsche Macan EV
In Porsche’s latest statement addressing its Initial Public Offering (IPO), Porsche said that its ambition is for BEVs to comprise over 80% of new vehicles delivered in 2030. As part of its strategy, Porsche is also working towards a net carbon-neutral value chain in 2030 and a net carbon-neutral use phase for future BEV models. Porsche’s line-up would have about six all-electric models by 2030.


Save up to RM8K on a Triton this May with Mitsubishi’s Ramadhan Rewards campaign

In conjunction with the holy month of Ramadhan, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has introduced the
Ramadhan Rewards campaign
with attractive offers, available from now until the
31st of May 2020
.
Starting with the Mitsubishi Triton, buyers of the
handsome pick-up truck
 can choose between
cash rebates from RM4,000 to RM8,000
, or
interest rates as low as 0.88% p.a.
 for hire purchases via Maybank or Public Bank, depending on the selected variant. The Mitsubishi Triton is priced from
RM79,890
 for the
low-rider Quest
, to
RM137,900
 for the top-of-the-range
Adventure X Variant
.
On top of that, existing owners of Mitsubishi vehicles are eligible for an extra
RM3,000 cash rebate
, while owners of other pick-up trucks will receive an additional
RM2,000 cash rebate
on top of other offers.
Meanwhile, new owners of the
Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4L
 (
RM152,888
) can enjoy a
two-year complimentary scheduled maintenance package
. Those opting for the
Outlander 2.0L
 (
RM137,888
) are eligible for an
additional RM2,000 cash discount
, on top of the two-year free service package.
As for the Mitsubishi ASX, the compact crossover is offered with a
trade-in top-up worth RM8,888
, as well as a
five-year free scheduled service package
. The Mitsubishi ASX 4WD is priced at
RM133,336
, while the 2WD variant is priced at
RM118,866
.
MMM has also recently announced that majority of its showrooms and
service centres are now back in operation
. Strict health and safety measures are in place to safeguard the wellbeing of customers and staff. Customers wishing to service their vehicles are advised to contact their nearest service centres to make an appointment.
MMM has reassured that it will continue to honour all warranty matters affected by the MCO. All free service maintenance will be offered a 90-day grace period from the expiry date, or within 2,500 km from the mileage due.


2016 Volvo V90 leaked ahead of Geneva debut

Following the unveiling of the
Volvo S90
, it’s only a matter of time before the wagon version get introduced. Now, thanks to these leaked images from Swedish magazine Teknikens Varld, we get an early glimpse as to how the new V90 will look like.
In fact, this is not the first time the V90 was leaked onto the Internet. Last year, several pictures of the 1:43 scale model was leaked onto a Swedish website who went on to claim that “the Swedes fell hardest for estate cars”. Well, it looks like the Swedes won’t be sharing the same train of thought when it comes to judging the V90’s new look. It’s stunning!
While the V90 shares the similar front fascia as the S90 and
XC90
, the V90 has a more distinctive, sharper looking rear lights. The V90 is 5.9 inches longer than its predecessor, the V70.
The V90 will share the similar powertrains with the new XC90 and S90, meaning the top of the range V90 will be powered by the most powerful Drive E engine – a
407 hp T8 ‘Twin Engine’ plug-in hybrid
. The standard V90 will not be the sole variant offered by Volvo, because a Cross Country variant as well as a hotter unit by Polestar are currently in the works.
The V90 is expected to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Once again, Volvo has proved that practicality, performance, and desirability can be combined to create an ultimate performance car that is not an SUV.
Photo credits:
Teknikens Varld


Goodyear Malaysia launches official online stores on Lazada and Shopee

In an effort to simplify the shopping experience for new tyres,
Goodyear Malaysia
 recently launched its own official online stores on both Lazada and Shopee, the two most popular e-commerce platform in Malaysia.
The new online stores will offer customers a variety of major tyre patterns and sizes to choose from, ranging from Goodyear’s Assurance family to their Eagle family of tyres.
Screenshot: Goodyear Malaysia LazMall Flagship Store
“We know online purchasing [is a] rising trend among Malaysians, more so as the trend expands to major industries since the start of the pandemic. People are also looking for a one-stop solution for all their needs online,” said Goodyear Malaysia Managing Director, Alex Ng.
“With our e-commerce official stores, we can deliver quality purchasing experience and tyres to our customers. Not only that, all tyres purchased online are entitled with a 5-Year Limited Warranty while some selected tyre patterns come with Goodyear’s Worry Free Assurance (WFA) coverage.”
Goodyear Assurance MaxGuard SUV tyres launched in Malaysia – 16-19 inch, from RM375
To further aid customers in the new purchasing experience, Goodyear Malaysia also implemented a detailed step-by-step guide on their online stores to help buyers determine the best tyres for their cars.
“We understand that usually the purchase tyres is usually done in store, however in line with constant evolution, we hope to provide as much information as possible for a more informed choice,” Ng added.
Screenshot: Goodyear Malaysia Official Store, Shopee
To purchase Goodyear tyres online, all you need to do is follow the steps below:
Goodyear Shopee Mall
Select the tyres and check out.
Confirm the appointment with selected Goodyear Autocare Center (GYAC).
Present the order details at Goodyear Autocare Center.
Install tyres at the selected GYAC and click order received button.
Goodyear Lazada Flagship Mall
Select the tyres and check out.
Confirm the appointment with selected Goodyear Autocare Center (GYAC).
View coupon(s) in Lazada Wallet.
Redeem the coupon at the selected GYAC.
Purchases from Goodyear Lazada Flagship Store and Shopee Mall can be redeemed at all Goodyear Auto Care Centres within Peninsula Malaysia at the moment, with plans to expand to East Malaysia in the near future. The nearest GYAC can be found on Goodyear Malaysia’s website, linked
here
.
To celebrate the launch, the company will be offering customers who shop on the Goodyear Shopee Mall store a RM8 voucher when they follow the store, as well as exclusive gifts including a Temperature Retention Flask for the purchase of two tyres, and a set of stylish toolkit box for the purchase of any four tyres.
As for Goodyear Lazada Flagship Mall, customers will be entitled to an online exclusive Goodyear Gift set worth RM150 for any purchase of four tyres. Customers will also receive a Goodyear umbrella for purchases of any two tyres. The online exclusive promotion runs from now until the 15th of March 2022, while stock lasts.
The official Goodyear Malaysia e-commerce stores can be found on Lazada (linked
here
) and Shopee (linked
here
).


Honda Malaysia’s new Honda Connect telematics suite makes their cars smarter and safer

Honda Malaysia today launched the new Honda Connect telematics suite here on our shores, with the upcoming City RS e:HEV being the first recipient of the new technology.
The Honda Connect suite allows owners to connect with their cars directly via a smartphone application, with its functionalities split into three main categories – Safety, Security, and Convenience.
On the safety and security front, the Honda Connect suite features functionalities such as
Automatic Collision Detection System, Security Alarm Detection, Speed Alert, Find My Car, Geo-Fencing Alert
and
 Emergency Call.
The Automatic Collision Detection System will automatically notify Honda’s 24 Hours Roadside Assist Call Center when a collision has been detected, or when an airbag is deployed, ensuring swift dispatch of emergency support services. A notification will also be sent to the mobile application to alert the owner.

The Security Alarm Detection feature essentially functions as a remote “sentry” for the car. A push notification will be sent to the owner as well as the Roadside Assist Call Center when a car door, boot, or bonnet is forcibly opened.
Find My Car, Speed Alert, and Geo-Fencing Alert meanwhile uses the built-in GPS modules in the Honda Connect system to provide information directly to the mobile application. Find My Car maps the location of the car at all times, even when the car is parked, while the Speed Alert and Geo-Fencing Alert allows owners to pre-set conditional parameters for speed and location range through the application.
A notification will be sent to the mobile application whenever either of these parameters are exceeded – useful for parents with kids who have just received their driving licences!

On the Convenience side, these features include
Remote Vehicle Control, Car Status and Service Reminder, Vehicle Dashboard,
and
 Point of Interest (POI) search.
The Remote Vehicle Control feature allows customers to access a variety of controls within the vehicle, including remote lock or unlock, remote engine start-stop, as well as air conditioning and lighting controls. If you’ve unfortunately left the car keys locked inside the cabin, the Honda Connect system also allows Honda’s 24 Hours Roadside Assist Call Center to unlock the doors remotely, upon request of course.

Car Status and Service Reminder lives within the vehicle dashboard section of the application, which displays information such as driving behaviour and trip logs, and service history directly within the app itself. For added convenience, the Honda Connect app will also remind you when the next periodical maintenance is almost due, providing tools to directly contact a Honda Dealer to make a service appointment.
As an extension, the Honda Connect suite can also provide
remote diagnostic support
 for an initial assessment and necessary diagnosis for emergency issues. The system can detect issues within these 11 main indicators – Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Supplemental Restraint System, Brake System, Engine Malfunction, Charging System, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System, Electric Power Steering (EPS) System, Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control System (ACC), Safety Support, and Power System.
After the diagnosis is completed, Honda’s roadside assistance call centre can then arrange for necessary support if requested by the owner. Similarly, a push notification will also be sent to the user’s mobile phone.
Other Honda Connect features include the One-to-One Message function for reminders on service maintenance, as well as insurance and annual vehicle road tax renewals, alongside Social Network Services (SNS) Posting which lets users to share their vehicle trip logs with their community via social media.
The Honda Connect system will begin rolling out onto new Honda vehicles, starting with the
Honda City RS e:HEV
, which will begin deliveries from March 2021.


Nissan issues recall over faulty Takata airbag inflators and back-door stays

Edaran Tan Chong Motors (ETCM) has just announced a recall campaign over two issues – a faulty
Takata airbag inflators
 and the defective ‘back-door stay on selected models. The recall is expected to affect 133,118 Nissan cars sold in Malaysia.
We begin with the recall involving the ongoing Takata airbag inflator, where
previously
 three Nissan models (2002-2007 X-Trail, 2004 Teana, and 2003 Liberty) were found to suffer from the defects. Now, ETCM identified about
110,945
 potential Nissan cars that would be affected by the airbag inflator recall.
Image Source: Motortrader MY
Takata SDI Driver Front Airbags Inflator:
Model
Year Model
Affected Units
Navara D40 (CBU & CKD)
2007 – 2014
12,634
Latio C11 (CKD)
June 2007 – October 2014
10,763
Grand Livina L10 (CKD)
July 2007 – October 2013
69,965
X-Gear L10 (CKD)
November 2010 – October 2013
4,874
Takata SDI Passenger Front Airbags Inflator:
Model
Year Model
Affected Units
NX-Trail T30 (CKD)
May 2002 – March 2007
10,589
April 2007 – December 2008
2,101
Teana J31 (CBU)
August 2004 – September 2004
2
Liberty M12 (CBU)
2003
7
The back door stay, also known as gas struts, are shown here.
On the other hand, ETCM also recalled
 22,173
 Nissan cars affected by
faulty back-door stays
. Also known as gas struts, it was found that the paint coating applied to the back door stay did not comply with design requirements for anti-rust treatment. This may cause the cylinder tube of the door to corrode, causing the gas to leak out from the cylinder. Over an extended period of time, the back door stay may weaken, which leads to the malfunction of the back-door stays. Replacement of parts will commence once parts are available by September 2016.
Back Door Stay
Model
Year Model
Affected Units
Serena S-Hybrid C26 (CBU)
September 2012 – November 2013
4,001
Serena S-Hybrid C26 (CKD)
February 2014 – March 2016
3,715
X-Trail T32
August 2014 – December 2015
8,756
X-Gear L10 (CKD)
September 2011 – February 2016
5,701
Nissan owners may able to check if their cars are affected via the VIN checker at
http://servicecampaign.nissan.com.my
/ or contact their Toll-Free line at
1800-88- 3838
. The costs involved in the rectification will be fully borne by
ETCM
.