Shell Malaysia unveils ‘new and improved’ FuelSave 95, promises up to 15 KM more per tank

Shell Mal
a
ysia
 has unveiled the New and Improved Shell FuelSave 95, its latest RON 95 petrol formulation that promises
up to 15 km of extra range per tank
. The new FuelSave 95 formulation is now available at all Shell petrol stations nationwide.
A product stemming from over five years of extensive research and testing by over 150 fuel scientists worldwide, the new FuelSave 95 petrol features new deposit targeting technology that is said to remove up to 65% of the carbon build-up in the engine, resulting in approximately 2% better fuel consumption overall.
In addition to removing performance-robbing deposits, the new Shell FuelSave 95 formulation also protects against corrosion and future deposit build up within the engine and fuel systems, such as intake valves and fuel injectors.
Shell says the new fuel is designed to work on all engines, both old and new, including hybrid powertrains. Malaysia is also the first market to launch the new formulation globally.
“Shell continuously strives to innovate and enhance our offerings for the benefit of our customers. Better By Far is our promise of never stopping and always innovating new mobility solutions to match the evolving customers’ needs,” said Shell Malaysia General Manager of Mobility, Seow Lee Ming.
ALSO WATCH:
How far can we travel in the Nissan Almera Turbo with just RM50 of fuel?
The 15 km claim – which Shell says in its press release is coincidentally the distance of the first Penang Bridge – has been tested on Malaysian roads with over 6 vehicles ranging from Euro 4 to Euro 6 specifications, with an accumulated distance of over 10,000 km each, using the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) standard.
However, the company clarifies that the actual effects and benefits of the new fuel will still vary according to vehicle type, condition, and even driving style – Shell cannot provide a guarantee to the fuel-saving claims, but is confident that most car owners will be able to benefit from the new fuel.
In conjunction with the launch of the new FuelSave 95 petrol, Shell has also kicked off the ‘Shell FuelSave 95 Challenge 2023’, where the company is searching for the one Malaysian who clocks the best fuel economy with its latest RON95 petrol formulation. The grande finale winner after the nationwide search will walk home with a RM20,000 cash prize.
Additionally, Shell is also partnering with Visa and BonusLink to giveaway 15 months of free fuels to 150 Malaysians. To stand a chance of winning, all you have to do is pump RM50 of the new Shell FuelSave 95 petrol between 1 March and 30 April.
READ MORE:
Shell installs solar panels at 216 petrol stations
GALLERY


The new Jaguar XE 300 Sport races an ice skater, because why not

We’ve seen various car manufacturers pull different stunts, especially on slippery surfaces, to showcase their product’s ability to find traction even when the odds are stacked against them.
More recently, there was the
 Maserati Levante hauling a snowboarder
 and last year,
Land Rover raced against huskies
 on a snow circuit. This time, Jaguar debuted its new XE 300 Sport by pitting it against a Winter Olympic gold medallist skater, Shaolin Sandor Liu, around the
world’s longest artificial outdoor ice circuit
 in Netherlands.
Find out if the Jaguar XE 300 Sport could actually beat a Winter Olympic gold medallist in his own territory in the video below.
The new XE 300 Sport variant is not only available for the XE line up but also for the XF and XF Sportbrake with distinct interior and exterior designs. The XE 300 Sport is fitted exclusively with the new 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol engine with
296 hp
 and
365 Nm
 of torque,
similar to the one found in the new Range Rover Velar launched in Malaysia
 yesterday, with power delivered to all four wheels.
All 300 Sport models can be distinguished with Dark Satin Grey finishings on its door mirror caps, rear spoiler and grille, along with 19 or 20-inch Satin Technical Grey wheels.
IMAGE GALLERY


The US-market Honda HR-V looks completely different, because it actually is

Remember when we teased about how the US-exclusive Honda HR-V
looks a little too much like the Ford Kuga
? Well, Honda USA has just unveiled the first official photos for the new SUV, and yeah, okay – it’s not as similar as the sketches suggested. It is, however, completely different to the
global-market HR-V
 that we will be getting here in Malaysia shortly, and there’s good reason for that.
You see, size matters – a lot – in the United States. And since the launch of the
 Toyota Corolla Cross
 in the states, the weirdly in-between B- and C-segment-sized SUV has become almost a runaway success.
Honda, of course, can’t just sit around and let its rival take all the limelight. So for the upcoming second-generation HR-V for the USA, they’ve actually bumped it up a size class with a footprint now similar to that of the
CR-V
, and underpinnings based off of the
Honda Civic
!
ALSO READ: 2022 All-new Honda Civic launched in Malaysia from RM125k
The company did not offer any concrete numbers or technical specifications, but says that it’ll be “larger than its predecessor, with a longer wheelbase and wider stance” while also still “sporty and personal” – adding that it’s “the right size with the space and utility for an adventurous weekend escape, yet nimble to manoeuvre city streets”.
In terms of looks, the upcoming US-specification Honda HR-V is quite unlike anything we’ve seen from Honda before, characterised by a large polygonal front grille, and flanked by what looks like a reiteration of the Civic’s slim LED headlights.
Down the sides, Honda says that it has given the HR-V a low horizontal beltline that swells up above the flared rear haunches to give it a “sense of motion”. The extended dimensions of the car is most visible from the side, thanks to its longer bonnet and rear quarter lights that extend well into the D-pillars, accentuating the length of the sleek roofline.
Over at the back, there’s the unique horizontally-oriented taillights with an underscore light signature, paired to a sculpted hatch, and a moulded rear bumper with a scuff plate-like element to give it a more rugged look.
RELATED: New tech, looks, and more space: Can the new Honda HR-V keep its crown?

Interior photos and other technical specifications will have to wait until the model’s official launch “in the coming months”, but since it’s based on the same architecture as the 11th-gen Honda Civic, we’re expecting it to share the same powertrain options as its sedan counterpart including the
recently-unveiled e:HEV hybrid unit
.
Although the model was initially planned to be exclusive to the US, Honda has announced that it’ll also be sold in Europe as a hybrid model, but with a different name to coexist with the
existing HR-V Hybrid
. Would you be interested if the US-market Honda HR-V also made its way down to Malaysia? Let us know in the comments below!


All-new Honda Civic previewed for Malaysia – RS variant, now open for booking!

Surprise, surprise! Hot off the press from the launch of the
City Hatchback
, Honda Malaysia has now announced that the
all-new 11th-generation Civic
 will also be launched here on our shores “soon”, and is now open for booking.
Information is scarce at this juncture, with the company only revealing one of the available variants – the first-ever Civic RS – to the media at a preview event in Sepang yesterday. Even then, members of the media were also only furnished with a couple of hand-picked specifications, with the entire interior of the car being further embargoed until the launch date.

With that being said though, we do know that the RS variant will be the range-topping model in the line-up, and is equipped with several sportier design elements on the outside. These include black ring inserts in the headlights, RS emblems on the front and rear, 18-inch matte black five-dual-spoke wheels, and gloss black garnishes on the windows, door handles, side mirrors, shark fin antenna, and ducktail spoiler.
As for equipment on the outside, the headlights are fully-LED items with unique daytime-running light signature, and gets auto on-off and auto high beam functionalities. The same light signature is also mirrored on the back for the tail lights, which are LED combination items.
The all-new Honda Civic is also available with an RS variant in Thailand, although with a slightly different specifications!
The 11th-gen Honda Civic RS will be powered by the same 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC four-cylinder engine, with output bumped up to
182 hp
 and
 240 Nm
 of torque, which is 9 hp and 20 Nm more than its predecessor. The engine is paired to a CVT gearbox, although Honda Malaysia did not provide any performance figures.
As for safety, the range-topping Civic variant will be equipped with the full suite of the Honda Sensing advanced driver assistance features, now with nine features thanks to the addition of a Lead Car Departure Notification System.
Other standard features in the Honda Sensing suite include Adaptive Cruise Control with low-speed follow, Lane Keep Assist System, Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, and Auto High Beam.
On the passive safety front, the all-new Honda Civic RS will get six airbags as standard. However, the older Honda LaneWatch technology is still carried over onto the 11th-gen car, instead of the newer, more advanced blind spot monitoring system.
Just like the outgoing model, the all-new Honda Civic will also come with convenience features such as walk-away auto lock and remote engine start via the key fob.
No pricing details have been announced just yet, but the all-new Honda Civic is now open for booking at Honda dealerships nationwide. As usual, keep your eyes peeled on
AutoBuzz.my
 as we bring you all of the latest information on the highly-awaited 11th-gen Honda Civic!
GALLERY


German tuner ABT turns Audi RS6 into 800 hp super wagon, with 125-year history

Known for their work on Volkswagen, SEAT and more famously Audi vehicles, ABT Sportsline has given birth to yet another fire-breathing monster. This time, they’ve turned the
Audi RS6 station wagon
 into a fire-breathing 800 hp / 980 Nm land jet.
It’s called the
RS6 Johann Abt Signature Edition
– named after the founder Johann Abt who founded the company back in 1896 – to celebrate the company’s 125th anniversary this year. The company started off making sleighs and horseshoes before the turn of the 19th century.
Only 64 units will ever be built, at the rate of six cars per month, to commemorate the age of the late founder. Just a week into the launch, they have all been snapped up. Sorry.
The performance numbers are so staggering it makes you forget that this is ultimately a station wagon for taking your kids to the park or to a holiday.
0 to 100 km/h is history in just 2.91 seconds, as quick as the Ferrari 812 Superfast, and more than 0.5 seconds faster than your standard Audi RS6. By the time you’re done saying the wagon’s full name, it would’ve accelerated to 200 km/h, in just 9.79 seconds.
“The anniversary model has shortened this time by over 20 seconds compared to the production model”, the ABT Sportsline, CEO, Hans-Jürgen Abt claimed.
Within 28 seconds, it will be touching the 300 km/h mark. Again, station wagon. Top speed? Side by side with the recently launched Ferrari SF90 Spider at 330 km/h.
Of course, all that power is accompanied by aural drama from an ABT exhaust system, with massive quad 102 mm tail pipes.
To achieve these crazy figures, ABT has developed in-house turbochargers and engine control units (ECU) for the RS6. They’ve also fitted larger intercoolers and additional oil cooling systems.
ABT height-adjustable springs and anti-roll bars more control of the car with all the additional power. The special edition also comes with an aero package that not only looks aggressive but has been tested in a wind tunnel to provide 150 kg of downforce to the rear end of the car.
The interior and exterior is garnished with the company’s Signature Carbon Red carbon fibre trims. Even the 22-inch wheels have been developed in-house specially for the special edition tribute car.
“Technically, we have pulled out all the stops and have been able to make a weight saving of an incredible 3.5 kg per wheel, compared to the standard wheels”, explains Abt.
The very definition of a time capsule!
And we’ve saved the best of the last! The icing on the cake for each of the 64 units is
a relic used by the founder himself over a century ago!
 On the centre console of every unit lies
a small fragment of Johann ABT’s first-ever anvil
, and of course, with consecutive numbering.
Hans-Jürgen Abt explained, “Johann Abt’s first anvil provided many years of loyal service. On this anvil, my great grandfather transformed his vision into innovation. It is an irreplaceable piece of history that has now earned a worthy place for eternity: not in the museum, but in the most exclusive ABT of all time.”
GALLERY


Feast your eyes on these first images of the all-new Volkswagen Golf Mk 8!

If you’re done gawking over the renderings of the new Volkswagen Golf Mk 8 we shared with you
last week
, feast your eyes on these images of the real deal – shared by French auto site,
largus.fr
 – ahead of the all-new model’s global unveiling on the 24th of October.
Credit:
largus.fr
It seems the real deal has not strayed too far from the renderings, unlike most that appear far more unrealistic than the actual production vehicle. The badge seen on the front fenders and the front bumper design appears nearly identical to the drawings shown last week.
If you observe closely, the headlamps are a lot slimmer compared to the Mk 7.5 we have at the moment. Also unlike the Mk 7.5, the aggressive slats on both corners of the front bumper are now joint, to form a single frame look.
Credit:
largus.fr
Inside, single piece infotainment and instrument cluster display not only looks less cluttered but should do well in transforming the Golf’s image as a nippy little hatchback, to that of a fighter pilot’s cockpit – something Golf buyers would sure welcome with open arms.
With the new display, the air con vents have also been redesigned – from dual central vents to a single strip stretching across the entire dashboard.
IMAGE GALLERY


Over 1,400 bookings made for the Honda CR-V in just one week – 40% 1.5L TC-P!

It’s been just one week since the
fifth-generation Honda CR-V
 made its official Malaysian debut, and already Honda Malaysia has sold 1,400 units of the SUV, which is twice their monthly sales target.
Among the four variants introduced, the top spec 1.5L Turbocharged Premium proved to be the most popular, accounting for 40 percent of the total sales. The 1.5L Turbocharged 2WD follows closely behind at 31 percent, whereas the 2.0L 2WD stood at 20 percent.
Interestingly, the 1.5L 4WD is the least popular with just 9 percent. The trend is even more startling for the East Malaysian market, with 38 percent of customers going for the 1.5L Turbocharged Premium.
In terms of colour choice, about 30 percent of customers opted for the Lunar Silver Metallic, while the White Orchid Pearl closed in at 27 percent.
According to Honda Malaysia, the waiting period for the CR-V should not go beyond two months and the production plant is in full steam to cope with the demand. They have also pledged to deliver the cars by September for the early adopters.
Ever wonder what all the hype about Honda Sensing is about? Read all about it
here
!
IMAGE GALLERY


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia donates solar power systems to Orang Asli communities

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia, recently donated high-powered solar systems to give the Orang Asli’s shared community space commonly known as ‘Rumah Adat’ access to solar energy.
The donation was done through Global Peace Foundation, a non-profit organization (NGO) with a mission to build resilient and cohesive Orang Asli communities.
When it’s dark, bonfires are often started by burning dried palm fruits that generate a lot of smoke, resulting in coughs and watery eyes among villagers, especially children. As such the lack of access to electricity in Orang Asli communities can cause health risks and negative environmental impact.
With materials such as bamboo used to build these houses and community spaces, the risk of fire is even higher. Some Orang Asli families also rely on disposable energy such as petrol to run generators and batteries to power more than just lights.
“We want to see Malaysians even the indigenous community live a better life. With high-power solar systems, we will be providing the Orang Asli community access to affordable and renewable energy that enhances productivity- allowing community projects to continue even after dark, minimizing health and environmental impact from non-renewable energy, lesser environmental pollution, and lastly reducing energy expenditure from buying expensive energy sources that are not sustainable,” said Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, Senior Vice President, Arba Rahman.


图集：2023 Lexus RX 350 Luxury如今在大马公开接受预定 – RM469k

自
首次正式预告
以来，几天后，Lexus Malaysia现在宣布其2023 Lexus RX已经开放预定。这款全新车型将在发布时提供单一的RX 350 Luxury版本，价格为
RM468,888
（OTR，不含险），并将在马来西亚的所有Lexus经销商处接受预订。
全新2023 Lexus RX的外观设计可以说是更多的是进化而不是全新，但它无疑是一种引人注目的外观。其外观重新设计的最显著特征是新的”Spindle Body”（纺锤体）格栅；这是对Lexus标志性前脸的新解读，它已经演变成更多的是一个三维质量，而不是一个格栅，因此不再有传统的“框架”。
新的格栅两侧是新的瘦长的三束LED大灯，但仍然带有该品牌的标志性回旋镖形状的灯光标志，以强调纺锤形状。与之前相比，整体外观更加清洁，但同时也更具攻击性。
到了侧面，全新的Lexus RX的轮廓也与其前身非常相似，但采用了一些温和的触摸以使其保持最新状态，包括新的表面线条处理，以及后移的A柱以延长引擎盖。围绕车轮的黑色塑料覆盖物也已被移除，以获得更清洁的外观。
至于后部，有一个新的且实质性的全宽尾灯组，强调尾门中央的小Lexus标志。由于后窗更加陡峭，尾灯外壳周围的区域看起来也更加突出。对于马来西亚，Lexus RX 350 Luxury搭载21英寸合金轮圈，采用优雅的Hyper Chrome金属饰面。
更重要的改变实际上是在车辆下方发现的，因为全新的2023 Lexus RX现在是建立在母公司Toyota的TNGA-K平台上。新的底盘应该能够显着提高SUV的操控能力，这要归功于其体重减轻90公斤（尽管整体尺寸略大），重心降低，以及车身刚度增加。
这些改进与全新的2023 Lexus RX的空气动力学高效车身相结合，包括贴合的窗户和门模具，以及车身各处的特定空气动力学装置，也增强了SUV的整体舒适性和乘坐品质。
进入车内，您会发现新的双层环绕式仪表板设计，由一个弯曲的黑色部分强调，包括一个空气出口，半数字式仪表集群，以及14英寸触摸屏信息娱乐显示屏，带有集成的气候控制旋钮，形成驾驶舱区域。
这种以驾驶员为中心的理念基于该品牌所谓的“Tazuna”概念，这显然是受到骑师和他们的赛马之间互动的启发 – 想想Mazda的Jinba Ittai。本质上，驾驶员最常使用的控制设备可以直接访问，而所有其他设备都被归入软件内的各种菜单。
据Lexus称，这使得驾驶和操作全新的RX对驾驶员来说更直观，同时还增强了从车内的可见性。例如，当您触摸触摸敏感的物理按钮时，平视显示屏也会显示一个按钮“地图”，因此您会知道自己在点击什么，而不必从路上移开视线。
其他内饰亮点包括三区自动空调控制系统，64种颜色的环境照明系统，NanoeX负离子空气净化器，12扬声器Lexus Premium音响系统，e-Latch电子门把手，黑色灰烬色的开放孔木饰，以及黑色皮革和混合微纤维内饰。
座椅 – 前排和后排外侧位置 – 也都是电动的（前排可调整10种方式，后排可调节和折叠），并且都配备了加热和通风系统。
切换到新的TNGA-K平台也使全新的2023 Lexus RX的内部空间有所改善。具体来说，后排乘客的膝部空间增加了12毫米，而地板的降低也有助于SUV的腿部空间和行李舱的装载高度 – 后者显然降低了约30毫米。这里的行李舱空间现在是612升，足以装下四个高尔夫球袋。
作为一款豪华产品，Lexus在全新的RX的驾驶舱精炼度方面也进行了额外的关注，特别是在噪音和振动控制方面，通过主动降噪系统，改进的门密封，高隔音玻璃，以及用于抑制振动的双锁引擎盖结构。
在马来西亚，全新的2023 Lexus RX 350 Luxury配备了一台2.4升涡轮增压四缸发动机，其额定功率为
279马力
，扭矩为
430牛米扭力
。动力通过全时电子控制的四轮驱动系统传送到所有四个轮子，该系统将最少的25％的扭矩发送到后轮，最多可达50％。
配备八速Direct Shift自动变速器，全新的Lexus RX 350 Luxury从静止状态加速到100km/h需要7.6秒。而阻尼则由Adaptive Variable Suspension（AVS）系统处理。
至于安全性，马来西亚的全新2023 Lexus RX 350 Luxury标准配置了Lexus Safety System+高级驾驶员辅助套件，其中包括带有停止和减速曲线功能的动态雷达巡航控制，车道偏离警告和车道跟踪辅助，自动紧急制动，道路标志辅助，以及带有BladeScan矩阵技术的自适应远光系统。
e-Latch系统还与Safe Exit Assist系统一起工作，如果它检测到从后方接近的车辆或骑行者，它会防止车门被打开。
全新的Lexus RX 350 Luxury现在在全国的所有Lexus展厅接受预订，上路价格为
RM468,888
，不含保险，包括五年无限里程保修。
提供五种外观颜色，包括Sonic Copper（图示），Sonic Quartz，Sonic Iridium，Sonic Titanium和Graphite Black Glass Flake。
【英文版】
【图集】


Toyota will only be making 8,600 GR Corollas this year – 2,000 for global market

Drooling over the recently-unveiled
 Toyota GR Corolla
? Well, the bad news is that you’ll probably have to drool for quite a bit longer… and that’s only if it even makes its way into Malaysia.
Speaking to
Carscoops
, a Toyota spokesperson told the publication that the company will only be building 8,600 GR Corollas for its first production year, with only 2,000 of those earmarked for global markets. The rest are all reserved for the North America continent, and even that feels too little.
While the carmaker did not explicitly mention a hard cap on production limits for the GR Corolla, Toyota North America Vice President of Marketing Mike Tripp told

Road & Track

last week that they intend to make “one too few” of them in order to maintain exclusivity on one of their most desirable models in recent times.
According to
Carscoops
, the production figure is so limited that most dealerships in the United States will only be allocated three units of the Toyota GR Corolla – with no pricing and timing details available yet.
RELATED: The Toyota GR Corolla is a mean-looking Type R slayer with rally-bred AWD
It’s a similar story for the highly-popular
Toyota GR Yaris
, which is reportedly already sold out globally until at least 2023. The 200 or so units that were initially allocated for Malaysia have also
all been spoken for within weeks
of its introduction here on our shores.
For the GR Yaris, orders have been so overwhelming that the Motomachi production facility in Japan is having a tough time keeping up with the demand. However, Tripp says that the production limit for the GR Corolla has nothing to do with the limitations at the plant.
“I wouldn’t say the limiting factor on these vehicles is our ability to produce them,” he said. “It’s being very careful to make sure that we maintain the niche credibility.”
ALSO READ: Overwhelming demand for GR Yaris in Australia, Toyota stops taking orders
The GR Corolla is pretty much like a bigger GR Yaris, bringing the same successful formula onto the five-door Corolla hatchback body style. It’s powered by the same 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine and six-speed manual gearbox, but output is bumped up significantly to 304 hp and 370 Nm of torque.
It’s also equipped with the same GR-Four all-wheel drive system, which allows power delivery to be split between 60:40, 30:70, or 50:50 between the front and rear axles depending on the driving modes.
Will we be seeing any of the 2,000 global units here in Malaysia, then? We can’t know for sure, but seeing that we’re the only few countries in the world aside from Japan with full-blown GR Garages, we’d say that there’s at least half a chance… no matter how slim (
or maybe we’re just wish-casting at this point
).
Even if it does, however, expect allocations to be even more limited than the GR Yaris here in Malaysia, seeing that there’s only 2,000 of them to go around the rest of the world – at least for the first year.


Lotus Evora GT430 – they might as well call it Lotus Carbon Fibre!

Just when we thought the
Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta
 was rare with only 200 units available for buyers, there are only 60 examples of the newly introduced Evora GT430, right out of Norfolk, England.
The handbuilt Evora will be for sale in select markets around the world and, following the popularity of Lotus’ recent limited run editions, it’s already in line to be a true collector’s car.
Source of its straight-line and cornering performance
The new Evora GT430 is now powered by a 3.5-litre V6 supercharged engine producing 430 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 440 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. The spike in torque can be attributed to the air-to-liquid gearbox cooler as standard, an addition that was debuted in the North American Evora 400. As a result, the Evora GT430 is able to abscond of the line to a 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds before topping out 305 km/h.
Delivering this power is tasked to a six-speed manual gearbox which features a low-inertia, single-mass flywheel and a Torsen-type limited slip differential (LSD). The Evora GT430’s brute performance is optimised by Michellin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (245/35/19 in the front and 295/30/20 at the back) and Öhlins TTX two-way adjustable units (which by the way save 10 kg in mass), with twenty click-adjustment compression and rebound settings.
The Evora GT430 would also come with wider 10.5J ultra-lightweight forged aluminium wheels in Black or Silver with optional Gloss Red or Black finishes.
The dampers would be complemented with ultra-lightweight, low-sideloaded Eibach springs alongside front and rear anti-roll bars. The Evora GT430 will count on its 2-piece J-grooved and ventilated discs at the front and 3-piece discs with lightweight aluminium centres saving 2kg, all clamped by AP Racing four-pot calipers.
The GT430 als comes with variouos Dynamic stability modes such as Drive, Sport, Race and Off settings as well as a newly developed variable traction control function linked directly to the ECU.
What makes it so light…
Despite putting on an extra 9 kg due to its carbon rear wing, larger wheels and tyres, overall dry weight is still down by 26 kg, to 1,258 kg, making this the lightest road Evora to date even when in comparison to the already
super light Evora Sport 410
. Significant weight reduced from beyond the front and rear axles, reducing the car’s polar moment of inertia – improving response, agility and driver feedback.
The Evora GT430’s significant weight reduction is owed to its standard titanium exhaust (-10 kg), carbon body panels (-4.7 kg), lightweight interior components (-2.5 kg), Öhlins and Eibach adjustable spring and damper assembly (-10 kg) and lightweight rear brake discs (-2 kg).

Extensive weight reduction measures are also extended to the undercarriage with a thinner aluminium undertray (1.5 kg), the introduction of lightweight aluminium brackets (-1.3kg), lightweight polycarbonate backlight glass (-0.5 kg) and a re-profiled fluid fill system (-2.5 kg). This meticulous attention to detail on weight-saving measure have resulted in a total saving of 35 kg.
The “cut wind” aerodynamic wizardry
The exterior features exposed carbon weave sections in the front and rear, generating up to 250 kg of downforce through advanced aerodynamics. Other “cut wind” bits include larger front apertures (essentially carbon fibre front ducts), new carbon fibre splitter, air blades and louvers positioned on top of each front wheel arch to reduce pressure above the wheel.

At the back, aero ducts behind each wheel arch will serve to reduce pressure at the wheel arches and improve downforce with a larger rear diffuser where the combo is topped of with an oversize motorstyle carbon wing. Developed through motorsport applications, the aerodynamic modifications focus on the management of airflow over, under and around the car. The downforce generated makes its presence felt at even moderate speeds, allowing for higher cornering g-force and providing enhanced high-speed stability.
The heavily reworked aerodynamics on the body work is set to boost downforce by up to 250 kg when the Evora GT430 is at its maximum speed 305 km/h, drawing parallels with the Evora Sport 410’s maximum downforce of 64 kg at only 145 km/h.
On the inside…
The carbon fibre influence also extends to the cabin, with visible-weave, handmade components as standard. These inclide the pair carbon race seats, carbon door sills and a lightweight carbon instrument binnacle cover with a new graphic design on the instrument panel. Carbon-backed Sparco race seats with a unique trim design can also be ordered while other optional extras include a four-point harness for both the driver and passenger and a titanium rear frame.
Other interior bits such as the steering wheel, dashboard, door panels, transmission tunnel and centre console are all draped in a black Alcantara and perforated leather combination. That said, the option of full leather or full Alcantara trims are available at no additional cost. Other interior options include contrasting twin colour stitchings on the trims, whether in red and white and matt black interior panels.
Not sure why it would be needed but the GT430’s cabin will also come with an integrated touch-screen infotainment system  which can be specified, including iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation and reversing camera.
Blistering quick but just as ideal for the back roads, the new Evora GT430 clocked a time of 1:25.8 seconds around the famed Hethel test track – a new benchmark for an Evora. As a result, the new Evora GT430 is testament to Colin Chapman’s visionary quote: “Adding power makes you faster on the straights; subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere.”
Through the increasingly popular Lotus Exclusive programme, customer’s of the new GT 430 can personalise their vehicle and statistics have shown that roughly a third of all new Lotus cars now undergo some form of customisation.
The new, fully homologated, Lotus Evora GT430 is only available in two-seater configuration and can be ordered now. A version of the Evora GT430 for the North American market will follow in spring 2018.
IMAGE GALLERY


2023 Ford Ranger Raptor to be offered with 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel in Malaysia, launching next month

We loved the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine in the
all-new Ford Ranger Raptor
so much that we included it in our
#ABC2022 AutoBuzz.my Best Cars line-up
 last year. But let’s be honest – a large chunk of Raptor buyers will never need the performance of that V6. So for that group of buyers,
Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC)
is now introducing a new 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel option for the Ford Ranger Raptor here in Malaysia, and is set to arrive on our shores on
June 8, 2023
.
The new variant will adopt the existing powertrain from the
previous-generation Ranger Raptor
, consisting of a 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-four diesel mill with
 210 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque, and a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
Power is sent to all four wheels via an all-time all-wheel drive system with a Raptor-exclusive Baja drive mode. Performance figures aren’t available just yet, but expect it to be quite a bit slower than the petrol V6 variant, given its lower performance figures. When the V6 was unveiled, Ford says that it’s “almost twice as fast” as the previous generation, so take that as you will…
RELATED:
 All-new Ford Ranger Raptor unveiled with 3.0L EcoBoost twin-turbo petrol V6
Raw grunt aside, you fortunately won’t be missing out on what makes the Raptor, a Raptor; the new diesel variant will still ride on the Ford Performance-tuned adaptive Fox shocks on all four corners, featuring the brand’s latest 2.5-inch Live Valve dampers with Teflon-infused oil.
The new dampers are also paired to a new toughened chassis, with additional structural reinforcements including beefier shock towers and brackets to handle the extra stress load when you’re jumping over sand dunes.
SDAC hasn’t announced pricing information for the new 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel variant just yet, but expect to see some discounts here due to its smaller (and shared) engines. For context, the V6-powered Ford Ranger Raptor is
priced at RM259,888 here in Malaysia
. What won’t be discounted is its brawny looks, which is what this crowd is buying the car for anyway.
Interested? The new 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel variant will on display at the MRANTI Open Space area opposite Pavilion Bukit Jalil from
 9-11 June 2023
, as part of its official launch event. Customers can also take part in a test-drive experience that covers tarmac, dirt, and rocky terrains.
For the first 300 bookings of the all-new 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor Bi-Turbo 2.0L Diesel here in Malaysia, SDAC will be giving away a complimentary Kenwood DRV-A700W dashcam system, consisting of a Wide-Quad HD (WQHD) front camera, and a full HD 1080p rear camera for dual channel recording, plus a RM500 discount on one of its Ford Ranger Getaways events in the future.
Following the launch, the new Ford Ranger Raptor will also be going on tour with the Ford Experience Hub to the northern and southern regions of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as Sabah and Sarawak.


Volkswagen has launched ID.3 electric car in China

Despite a slow start for the Volkswagen ID.4 electric crossover in China, where it was reportedly losing out to the likes of Tesla and Nio, Volkswagen is staying positive and relentless with its electric charge in China (pun intended). The company has introduced the ID.3 at the Chengdu Motor Show today.
“Volkswagen’s global electrification offensive is rapidly gaining further momentum. After the ID.4 and the ID.6, we are now launching the ID.3 as the third all-electric model series in China within a mere six months,” said Volkswagen CEO, Ralf Brandstatter.
Earmarked for launch in China by October, the ID.3 will be available in China from Q4 of this year but it hasn’t been easy for Volkswagen. The ID.3 is Volkswagen’s best-seller in several European countries. It’s the first car from the ID. family and when it firs debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show, it collected over 30,000 orders.
The company reportedly only sold 1,200 units of the 1D.4 and a total of 1,500 electric Volkswagens in May. The rest were made up of the ID.6 SUV.
Things have picked up recently, with Volkswagen claiming that the numbers have doubled in the last three months. They sold 3,000 units in June and 5,800 units of ID. electric vehicles.
“R version” of the new Volkswagen ID.3 will be faster than Golf GTI. Read about it here!
The strong sales momentum placed Volkswagen firmly in the Top 10 by July. According to the company, between 80,000 to 100,000 vehicles from the ID. family will be delivered to customers in China.
By 2030, Volkswagen intends to increase electric vehicle deliveries in Europe to over 70%. In the USA and China, the brand is targeting an EV share of over 50%.
The ID.3 is powered by an electric motor, with 201 hp and 310 Nm, to drive the rear wheels. It’s available with three different battery capacities, with the highest 77 kWh battery offering up to 550 km of electric driving range.
Find out more about the ID.3 in detail here!
GALLERY


Volkswagen celebrates 45 years of the Golf GTI with an angry-looking Clubsport 45 edition!

Volkswagen is celebrating the 45th anniversary of the iconic
Golf GTI
 with the Golf GTI Clubsport 45. Based on the recently released
Golf GTI Clubsport
, this commemorative model focuses on the exterior and interior individualisation rather than performance upgrades.
The Golf GTI Clubsport 45 has most of its anniversary-themed upgrades on the exterior. The front has larger air intakes with the roof in black, complemented by a specially designed open roof spoiler that is said to increase the downforce levels.
Of course, a not-so-subtle “45” sticker and graphics is placed on the lower section of the Golf GTI Clubsport 45.
This special anniversary edition Clubsport is also fitted with an exclusive Race package that consists of a set of gloss black 19-inch Scottsdale wheels with red accent, sports exhaust system and the removal of the speed limiter.
Inside, the front sport seats are from the premium range marked with a different pattern and finished with a discreet “45” label on the steering wheel that replaces the GTI label.
No changes were made to the engine outputs, with the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine pushing out
300 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque. Drive is to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG transmission. The benchmark century sprint can be completed in
5.6 seconds
.
The Golf GTI Clubsport features a stand-alone driving mode that is specifically tuned (suspension and electromechanical front-axle locking differential) to confidently navigate all 20,832 metres of the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
Priced from
47,790 Euro
 in Germany, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 45 is substantially more expensive than the non-anniversary Clubsport but still cheaper than the
Golf R
 with 320 hp and 4Motion that is priced from 50,220 Euro.


Hyundai Tucson gets N Line treatment, extra spicy Kimchi

Call what you want about the
Hyundai Tucson
 but sporty is the last adjective you’d use to describe this family-oriented SUV. But this Hyundai Tucson N Line is set to change that.
Visually, the Tucson N
Line packs a lot more aggression with sportier bumpers, dark chrome mesh grille
and black touches to the side mirror caps, roof and window surrounds. The headlamps
and taillamps are also slightly tinted while the 19-inch black alloy wheels
complete the new look.
The cabin is dressed in
N-branded leather-suede sport seats and red accent stitching along the interior
trims. Drivers are also greeted with new alloy pedals.
The striking exterior
and sporty seats are backed with enhanced driving dynamics curtesy of retuned MDPS
(motor driven power steering), stiffer springs all round (8% front; 5% rear) and
software updates to give the Tucson N Line a sportier character and more direct
feel at the wheel.
The Tucson N Line is available with two powertrain – 1.6-litre CRDi, 2.0-litre CRDi 48V and 1.6-litre TGDi. The CRDi turbodiesel engines pack
136 hp
 and
185 hp
 respectively while the turbo petrol delivers
177 hp
. All engines are paired to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual clutch unit.
IMAGE GALLERY
Hyundai Tucson N Line


This Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake is a wet dream come true

Not too long ago, Zagato, the Italian Automotive and Design company unveiled two renditions of the Vanquish, the
Zagato Speedster and Zagato Shooting Brake
. While the Speedster was unveiled in full, Aston Martin had only one digital render of the Shooting Brake. Now, the company has unveiled the car in full and it is drop dead gorgeous.
As reported earlier, the Shooting Brake is strictly a two-seater grand tourer. Only
 99 units
 of these will be made. The “double-bubble” extended roofline gets narrower towards the rear. Naturally, the roof and even the A pillars are made out of carbon fibre. A panoramic glass roof lets natural light into the cabin for you and your passenger.

Tasked to move this beauty is a 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 mated to an eight-speed Touchtronic III automatic transmission. Output is rated at
592 hp
 and
630 Nm
 of torque. On the standard Vanquish S, century sprint time is clocked in at 3.5 seconds while top speed is capped at
323 km/h
. Expect the Zagato to match if not best, those figures.


Video: 2023 Kia Sorento 2.2D 6-Seater review – Handsome, but is it for your family?

The
all-new 2023 Kia Sorento
 is a family SUV, and since yours truly still don’t have a family of my own yet, family SUVs like the Kia Sorento aren’t usually my first choice of vehicle. Having spent some time with it over the weekend, though, I do at least see why you’d want one – or more specifically, why you’d want the Kia Sorento.

Chief of which are its looks, because the all-new fourth-generation Sorento ditches the old bulbous appearance of its predecessor for a sharp and chiselled look, whichever angle you’re looking at it from. The all-new 2023 Kia Sorento has also grown slightly in all dimensions over the outgoing model, which also helps contributes to its road presence.
But what impressed me more is how well the all-new 2023 Kia Sorento drives. It’s sure-footed on the highways, and holds itself over the corners too. The mature suspension set-up is complemented by the eager diesel mill underneath the bonnet of our review unit, boasting an output of
199 hp
and
440 Nm
 that makes it incredibly effortless to drive on the highways.
Gallery: 2023 Kia Sorento in Malaysia, from RM211k – Is the diesel worth it?
If you spend most of your time puttering around town, though, you might want to look elsewhere. Firstly, there’s its size, where the 1,900 mm width puts even the
 Mazda CX-8
to shame. Having to constantly squeeze past double-parked cars around KL will very, very quickly wear you out – believe me.
Detracting from the experience even more is its eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. Kia says that the gearbox is designed for “smooth shifting”, though in city driving situations, it’s unfortunately just a little too unresponsive to drive the car smoothly.
Of course, being a family SUV is so much more than just how it drives. So be sure to check out the full review video above to see if the all-new 2023 Kia Sorento is the car for you!


E46 BMW M3 shows A90 Toyota Supra who’s boss

Before you jump into the argument on the
new Supra

not being a “real Supra”, let’s clear the air a little – the E46 M3 isn’t a real M3 either. It’s powered by a 2JZ engine from the
A80 Toyota Supra
 – the very engine that all the narrow-minded enthusiasts had hoped to see Toyota redevelop for the
new A90 Supra
.
For starters, both the E46 BMW M3 and the A90 Toyota Supra have been
Speed Academy’s project cars
 for some time now. Before you start hating on the new Supra again, let’s set a few things straight.

While the new Supra may have undergone some upgrades, the E46 M3’s engine makes in excess of 500 hp – nearly 200 hp more than what it’s original, naturally-aspirated 3.2-litre 6 cylinder engine makes out of the factory. It’s also far more superior compared to what the stock A90 Supra
makes at 340 hp although our dyno test results showed otherwise
.
From the video, it’s clear which of the two is more superior in terms of outright power and acceleration but it also makes you realise, power isn’t everything without control – even more so if it overwhelms the car beyond what it’s built to handle.
Following the Sales Tax Exemption, here’s the updated price list for
Toyota
 and

BMW

vehicles in Malaysia.


2023 Honda City facelift now open for booking in Malaysia – revised looks, updated Honda Sensing kit

Honda Malaysia
 has now opened the order books for the new 2023 Honda City facelift, ahead of its expected launch in Q3 2023. The new 2023
Honda City
 in Malaysia mirrors the changes seen in the
Thailand
 and
India
 markets, and will come with a slightly updated exterior styling, alongside a refreshed list of advanced driver assistance features as part of the Honda Sensing suite.
On the outside, the most noticeable change on the 2023 Honda City facelift is the new front bumper design, sporting a bigger fog light housing on the corners, and a more prominent lower lip for a slightly more aggressive look.
The range-topping RS variant adds-on several exclusive trims, including the faux air intake garnishes, honeycomb mesh on the front lower grille, new side skirtings, new rear diffuser design, and a new set of 16-inch alloys to further turn up the sportiness dial on the B-segment sedan.
Thanks to the new exterior design, the new 2023 Honda City facelift also measures slightly longer at 4,589 mm, or 36 mm longer than before.
For the variants with Honda Sensing, the advanced driver assistance suite has also been updated with two new features – a new low speed follow function, which allows the adaptive cruise control system to remain operational even in traffic jams, as well as the lead car departure notification system that will notify the driver when the car ahead has moved off.
Aside from these changes, however, the rest of the 2023 Honda City facelift should remain unchanged here in Malaysia. As before, two powertrain options will be offered here, including a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four engine with
121 hp
 and
145 Nm
 for most of the variants, and an 1.5-litre e:HEV hybrid option for the range-topping RS making
108 hp
 and
253 Nm
.
Thailand market model shown
The Honda City sedan is currently offered in five variants here in Malaysia, with pricing starting ranging from RM77,600 to RM108,800. Expect to see a slight increase in pricing as part of the facelift update, though; most of its other stable mates, including its hatchback counterpart, have
already seen a price hike
 here in Malaysia due to the weakening Malaysian Ringgit.
Interested parties can log on to
prebook.honda.com.my
, download the HondaTouch application on their smartphones, or walk into any of the 101 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide to place a booking.


Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class range is now CKD, up to RM47k off, from RM349k!

Less than a year since its debut in Malaysia,
the Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class
 is finally available as a locally assembled model. As such, prices have gone down by as much as RM47,000 for the base E 200 Avantgarde!
The E 250 Avantgarde and E 250 Exclusive variants also receive a massive chop in price of about RM42,000. All three variants are identically specced as their fully imported counterparts. This means Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s production plant in Pekan is now assembling all three of their newest core products, the
W205 C-Class
,
W213 E-Class
 and
W222 S-Class
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz E200 Avantgarde Line
Mercedes-Benz E250 Avantgarde Line
Mercedes-Benz E250 Exclusive Line
Engine
1,991cc turbocharged in-line 4
Transmission
9G-Tronic, 9-speed automatic
Max Power
184 hp @ 5,500 rpm
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
300 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
350 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM348,888
RM378,888
RM383,888
Speaking of specifications, one of the key highlights is the massive suite of driving assistive technologies. Besides having auto-parking assist, pre-crash systems and active brake assist as standard. All variants of the the W213 E-Class get LED headlamps, but the entry level E 200 Avantgarde will miss out on the Multibeam technology (84 individually controlled LED modules) and the 13-speaker Burmester surround sound system as standard. Want more? How does 64 different hues for ambient lighting sound to you?

We’ve sampled the E 250 Avantgarde
 (RM378,888 now, formerly RM420,888) and found many, many good things to say about the luxurious, high-tech sedan. But if you’re wondering why the E 300 AMG Line is not offered any longer, well, stay tuned for an even bigger news!
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class (E 250 Avantgarde Line)

 2016 Mercedes-Benz E 250 Avantgarde Review in Malaysia – AutoBuzz.my


Can’t afford a Chiron? How about some Bugatti furniture instead?

The name Bugatti in the automotive world resonates with extravagance, innovation with the finest craftsmanship. A Bugatti doesn’t need a loud exterior because it needs no introduction.
Whether it’s a Chiron or a Veyron, if you’ve observed overtime, they take minimalist forms – with a smooth flow of seamless bulges. So when Bugatti announced that they were showcasing a line up of furniture in Milan, Italy, you’d be wrong to expect a table lamp made out of used dampers, with their name engraved on it.
Take this limited edition
“Cobra Chair”
 for example; limited to only 110 pieces, its minimalist yet contemporary design is a modern interpretation of Carlo Bugatti’s original design. Carlo was the father of Bugatti founder, Ettore.
The “110 Ans Bugatti” logo embroidered on the back rest is a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the hypercar’s existence.
Among the materials used for the various furniture included rare Sodalite gemstone that represents the Bugatti blue, Striato Olimpico marble and of course, the finest skin from an animal.
IMAGE GALLERY


New Volkswagen Cares app delivers better ownership experience for customers

Launched in late 2018, the “Volkswagen Cares” app from Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has been thoroughly revamped to provide a much better ownership experience for customers. The new app replaces the older version with immediate effect.
Previously focussing on customer loyalty programmes as well as a shortcut to roadside emergency assistance, the new “Volkswagen Cares” app now allows customers to arrange for service appointments, manage their vehicle information, as well as receive reminders from the
Volkswagen Insurance Plan (VIP)
. The new app is now a one-stop centre housing various sales and aftersales support.
When developing the new app, designers also took into consideration customer feedback to address any shortcomings as well as improve the user experience. Further upgrades are already planned, such as a rewards system and payment gateway.
Volkswagen to expand SUV line-up in Malaysia. Find out more about which likely model here!
“We have our customers at the forefront of everything we do, and the launch of the new Volkswagen Cares app is an example of this. Our app has been a true success story for us, especially among the markets managed by the PHS group. We have about 30,000 owners with us to date, and more than 50% of this figure are VCP members, those with cars that are 5 years and older,” said VPCM, Managing Director, Erik Winter.
Thinking of upgrading to a more affordable Volkswagen? Das WeltAuto has the answer!
Winter added that it was heartening to have customers stay with the brand and VPCM sees this as a testament to their service improvements as well as the passion for serving the customers.
VPCM is seen as a digital front-runner in the industry, pioneering many digital campaigns such as selling its cars on popular e-commerce platforms such as
Lazada
,
Shopee
 and even an
Instagram-exclusive sale
.
Booking of new Volkswagen models can also be performed via their
eShowroom
. The new Volkswagen Cares app is available to download now on the
Apple App Store
for iOS users, and the
Google Play store
for Android users.


Five factors that make the new Petronas Primax 97 with Pro-Race astounding

Petronas Dagangan has introduced the new Primax 97 with Pro-Race which is now available in all of its stations effective immediately so here’s five key features that sets it apart from the rest of the field.
1.World’s first Advanced Dual Friction Modifier, engineered in-house by Petronas
Petronas’ active involvement in high-profile motorsports (F1, Moto2, and Moto3) mean the research and development time is much more accelerated which allows for quick fine-tuning of the desired performance of the fuels.
Various proposed fuel chemistry concocted by Petronas was also tested at the
Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains
 (HPP) center in Brixworth, England; the same facility that produces the dominating and highly efficient F1 hybrid power units.
Based on internal benchmarking, no other fuel company has a friction modifier that performs as required by Petronas in the new Primax 97 with Pro-Race.
The Advanced Dual Friction Modifier is
25% more efficient than the old Primax 97 fuel
 it replaces, delivering the responsiveness that customers want in their premium fuel.
2. Power is restored by cleaning the engine
The
new Petronas Primax 97 with Pro-Race
 fuel has specially formulated additives that remove 99.9% of engine carbon deposits. These deposits, that build up over time due to the nature of combustion, reduce both power output as well as the efficiency of the engine.
In port fuel injection engines, the Primax 97 Pro-Race removes 99.9% of engine deposits
The technical team from Petronas explained that 99.9% removal of carbon deposit were seen on the intake valve test procedure (port injection), while the fuel injector also saw a reduction in time to deliver the required quantity of fuel (direct injection).
In direct fuel injection engines, the fuel injector gets cleaned from the additives in the Primax 97 Pro-Race
Excellent power delivery is thus restored
 courtesy of the thorough cleaning process, a key requirement by consumers who pay for premium fuel as noted by Petronas.
3. The new fuel also performs together with your engine oil
Did you know,
Petronas is the first in Malaysia
 to add friction modifying chemicals into consumer fuels in the early 2000s!
With its incredible involvement in motorsports that spans over three decades, the knowledge gained has led Petronas to innovate a new friction modifier that incorporates a
unique fuel and oil interaction formulation
.
The green dots represent special friction modifier chemistry from the new Primax 97 Pro-Race that is being circulated around the oil galleys
Thanks to the specially
selected chemistry that survive
 the combustion process and
trickled down to the oil sump
, the engine oil continues to have this key item that improves efficiency.  This is especially helpful as friction modifiers in engine oils degrade over time.
With the engine oil gaining in friction modifying chemicals, the overall efficiency of the engine is improved, delivering lower carbon emissions and fuel consumption.
4. Product is designed and verified by real-world consumers, by Malaysians for Malaysians
Being
customer-centric
, Petronas engaged in focus group discussions with consumers from various backgrounds and vehicle ownership to understand what is expected when they pay for premium fuel.
Once the fuel has been developed, over 100 drivers that primarily use RON 97 fuel were selected to
perform the real-world, real driving conditions blind test
 that spans more than 30 days.
The drivers evaluated different RON 97 fuels and had no idea where the fuel came from.
The result;
over 65% of users noticed improvements in the aspects of power and response
. Efficiency meanwhile saw a higher mark of 73% when filled with the new Petronas Primax 97 with Pro-Race.
5. Improvements can be felt from the first fill
In the aforementioned blind test, participants were only given a small sample of test fuel due to the restricted movement. As such, first impressions were even more valuable.
Over two-thirds of participants experienced better overall performance compared to their existing preferred RON 97 fuel.
Two of us from the AutoBuzz team also tried the new Petronas Primax 97 with Pro-Race fuel from two different Petronas stations, and
we could immediately feel the said improvements
.
The engine indeed felt more responsive and powerful, through a sensation of a lighter and more effortless acceleration.
Further to add, the engine also felt calmer during idling.
In conjunction with the launch of the new RON 97 fuel, Petronas is also offering a RM2 e-voucher for a minimum purchase of RM50 of the new Primax 97 with Pro-Race fuel, and a RM5 cashback voucher for new
Setel
 users. More information can be found
here
.


2023 BYD Dolphin launched in Malaysia, from RM101k – up to 427km range, 2 variants

The
BYD Dolphin
 has finally made its launch in Malaysia as BYD’s first EV hatchback in the country. Offered in two variants – the Dynamic Standard range and Premium Extended range, prices start from
RM100,530
 (OTR, without insurance).
BYD Dolphin Dynamic Standard Range –
RM100,530
BYD Dolphin Premium Extended Range –
RM125,530
Looking to renew your car insurance? Check out
MotorTakaful.com
by Etiqa for an instant 10% rebate, cashback, and many more if you renew online.
The BYD Dolphin is the first model to sit on the brand’s E-platform 3.0 and measures 4,290 mm long, 1,570 mm tall, and 1,770 mm wide, and is underpinned by a 2,700 mm long wheelbase. This makes the Dolphin slightly larger than the
Perodua Myvi
,
Proton Iriz
, and
Toyota Yaris
, and about the same size as the
Honda City Hatchback
. But as expected, the
Ora Good Cat
 EV is still larger than the BYD Dolphin.
Outside, the BYD Dolphin is fitted with LED headlights and tail lights as standard. The Standard Range gets 16-inch alloys, while the Extended Range gets 17-inch wheels, alongside dual-tone exterior colour options.
These are features that come standard with the BYD Dolphin Standard Range in Malaysia:
LED headlights
High Beam Assist (HMA)
LED daytime running lights (DRLs)
LED tail lights
16-inch alloy wheels
Urban Grey, Sand White exterior colour options
Stepping up to the Extended Range, you get:
17-inch alloy wheels
Atlantis Grey/Delan Black, Surf Blue/Urban Grey, Ski White/Urban Grey dual-tone exterior colour options
RELATED:
BYD supersedes Tesla in sales, becomes best-selling EV brand in Singapore
Powering both the BYD Dolphin Standard and Extended Range variants in Malaysia is a front-mounted electric motor, paired with
BYD’s
 in-house developed Blade Cell-to-Body (CTB) battery. Both variants of the Chinese EV hatchback support
7 kW
 of AC charging.
As for DC charging, the Standard Range supports up to
60 kW
 of charging, while the Extended Range supports up to
80 kW
 of DC charging. The vehicle-to-load (V2L) power supply functionality is available across the range as well.
Details of the BYD Dolphin’s electric drive system and handling-related specifications would be as such:
Drivetrain: Single motor front wheel drive
Total power output:
94 hp
 (Standard Range) /
201 hp
 (Extended Range)
Total torque:
180 Nm
 (Standard Range) /
310 Nm
 (Extended Range)
0-100 km/h:
12.3
 seconds (Standard Range) /
7.0 seconds
 (Extended Range)
Battery:
44.9 kWh
 (Standard Range) /
60.48 kWh
 (Extended Range)
Range (WLTP):
340 km
 (Standard Range) /
427 km
 (Extended Range)
AC charging:
7 kW
DC charging:
60 kW
 (Standard Range) /
80 kW
 (Extended Range)
Front suspension: Independent Macpherson struts
Rear suspension: Semi-independent torsion beam (Standard Range) / Multi-link independent (Extended Range)
Front braking system: Ventilated disc
Rear braking system: Solid disc
Inside the Malaysian-spec BYD Dolphin, you get different dual-tone interior combinations depending on the exterior colours you choose. Both variants of the BYD Dolphin get the 5-inch instrument display, as well as the 12.8-inch rotating infotainment display with wired Apple CarPlay support.
A portable card key is provided as standard too. However, only the top-spec Extended Range gets premium features like the panoramic glass roof and ventilated front seats.
RELATED:
Sime Darby Motors appoints 14 new BYD dealers across Malaysia
List of equipment available with the interior of the Malaysian-spec BYD Dolphin Standard Range includes:
Grey/Black or Brown/Black two-tone interior
Leatherette upholstery
Manual front seats
5-inch instrument display
12.8-inch rotating infotainment display
Wired Apple CarPlay support
Voice assistant
Electronic parking brake (EPB)
Keyless entry and keyless start
Portable card key
Driver window with one touch-up-down function
6-speaker sound system
2 USB Type-A + 2 USB Type-C ports
345-litre boot space (858 litres with rear seats folded down)
PM2.5 air-filtration system
The higher-end Extended Range gets you these features:
Grey/Black or Blue/Black two-tone interior
Ventilated front seats
Powered front seats
Wireless phone charger
All four door windows with one touch-up-down function
Panoramic glass roof
The BYD Dolphin is fully equipped with advanced safety features as standard. This includes:
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
Intelligent power brake system
Predictive Collision Warning (PCW)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Rear Cross Traffic Brake
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA)
Lane Keeping Support (LKS)
Lane Change Collision Warning (LCW)
360-degree camera system
Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
Door opening warning (DOW)
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
Single-stage front seatbelt pre-tensioner
However, the dual-stage front seatbelt pre-tensioner feature is only available on the top-spec Extended Range variant of the BYD Dolphin.
To recap, the 2023 BYD Dolphin has just been launched in Malaysia as BYD’s first EV hatchback in the country. Offered in two variants, prices start from
RM100,530
 on-the-road, inclusive of insurance. Deliveries for the Dolphin will start in August this year, and the company has hinted that the BYD Seal will be coming to Malaysia “very soon” as well.
Included with the Dolphin’s price is a standard
6-year/150,000 km
 vehicle warranty, an
8-year/160,000 km
 high-voltage battery warranty, and an
8-year/150,000 km
 drive unit warranty. There is also a
3-year/60,000 km
 warranty for components such as the multimedia system, shock absorber, wheel bearing, AC/DC charging port assembly, bushing, gasket, USB charging port assembly, the PM2.5 measuring instrument, as well as dust cover. Another
4-year/100,000 km
 warranty covers the vehicle’s lights, tyre pressure monitoring module, suspension, and ball joint.
The BYD Dolphin in Malaysia comes with a number of service packages too. First up are the Standard packages, which cover the reducer oil service, air conditioning filter service, brake fluid service, drive motor coolant service, and air conditioning refrigerant service. The available Standard service packages are as follows:
3-year/60,000 km
 (
RM1,688
)
6-year/120,000 km
 (
RM3,888
)
8-year/160,000 km
 (
RM4,888
)
BYD Malaysia is also offering the Plus service packages, which additionally cover windshield washer fluid replacement, front and rear wiper blade replacement, remote control battery replacement, 12V battery replacement, front and rear brake pads replacement, as well as front and rear brake disc replacement. The available Plus service packages are as follows:
6-year/120,000 km
 (
RM7,888
)
8-year/160,000 km
 (
RM12,888
)
RELATED:
BYD overtakes Volkswagen as No. 1 brand in China – 440k cars sold in Q1 2023
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BMW claims that people like the massive kidney grilles

The kidney grille is arguably BMW’s most defining styling feature that stems all the way back from the 1930s. However, the identifying feature on recent BMW models have been, well, controversial to say the least.
Despite the flak that the grilles have been receiving on the internet, the German marque still claims that they have received “very positive” feedback to the stark change in design language, according to BMW Product Chief Peter Henrich in an interview with
Autocar.
The kidney grilles on the
BMW Concept 4
Henrich believes that the bold styling direction under design director Adrian van Hooydonk was the right way to go, and that customer data backs the claim as well.
“This is crucial for success,” said Henrich. “BMW customers are demanding. They want to express something and are not afraid of vehicles with strong characters… So we have decided to focus even more on strong characters and bold design.”
When BMW first unveiled the new
 X7 seven-seater SUV
, it was the massive grilles in front that drew the most attention, especially online. However, Henrich claims that actual customers “never reacted like that” and the car was received well. “It’s sold out for a very long period and people love it.”
Fortunately for some, Henrich says that there are still going to be BMW cars with a more conservative design, so to speak.
“Each car has its own positioning,” says Henrich. “In the early stages of development, we sit down – product, design and engineering – and define the character and the positioning. This is then the base for the design and engineering team. Some cars are more extroverted, more bold than others as they have different messages to transmit.
“The customer is looking for a different type of a car with a
3 Series
 to a
Z4
or
X6
,” he added.

If you’re one of those angry keyboard warriors online, Henrich has this to say to you: “There are always people specifically looking for something critical and afraid of something new. But we are very self-confident and will continue.”
As confident as they may be though, BMW seems to be backtracking a little on their more out-there design, specifically on the
Vision iNext Concept
. The large conjoined grille on the electric SUV concept car has been abandoned following feedback, according to design chief Domagoj Dukec.
The kidneys were initially connected due to requirements of sensor placement, but BMW decided that “it wasn’t considered to be a BMW kidney grille any more.”
“The grille is critical, so the iNext, the i4 and the iX3 will get separated kidneys – we spent the money to have sensors that can see through the chrome,” says Dukec.


The MINI JCW Rally & JCW Buggy looks absolutely hilarious

MINI, together with German X-raid Team has just revealed its competing vehicles for the 2018 Dakar Rally, the MINI John Cooper Works Rally and the MINI John Cooper Works Buggy. Both vehicles will take on the most demanding long-distance rally in the world which will take place in South America next year.
MINI and X-raid will participate seven cars – three JCW Buggies and four JCW Rally, with hopes to snatch the championship title. “With these two cars we have the most powerful MINI family that ever raced at the Dakar Rally”, said Senior Vice President of MINI, Sebastian Mackensen, at the presentation in Paris.
Both the JCW Rally and JCW Buggy are powered by a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbodiesel that develops
 340 hp
 and
800 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels on the JCW Rally while the JCW Buggy is strictly rear-wheel drive.
Don’t shun the Buggy’s hilarious design because engineers have utilised specially designed tubular steel frame shrouded in
carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP)
 and Kevlar body provides maximum protection for driver and passenger in extreme situations. Its exterior design has also aerodynamically optimised by MINI Design.
The 2018 Dakar Rally will be the event’s 40
th
 instalment and will take place in South America, taking participants from Peru to Argentina via Bolivia. The 2018 Dakar Rally incorporates extended desert stages as well as rocks and boulder fields as well as asphalt tracks which take the cars up to an altitude of 4000 meters in the Andes – the longest mountain chain on Earth.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW M2 Competition unveiled, 3.0L bi-turbo in-line six with 6-speed manual

BMW has officially unveiled the BMW M2 Competition in full after details of the baby M car was
leaked onto the internet
. As per the leaked brochure, the M2 Competition gets a new 3.0-litre bi-turbo in-line six engine, more M-specific design cues as well as track focused options to go along with it.
The M2 Competition is now powered by an
S55 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged in-line six engine
 (
standard M2s
 get the N55 block), extracted from the M3 and M4 but detuned for
410 hp
 and
550 Nm
 of torque in this application. Enthusiasts can rejoice as the hot coupe comes with a
six-speed manual
 (now with new carbon fibre clutch lining) as standard while a seven-speed M DCT can be had as an option.
Row through the gears yourself and you’ll sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.4 seconds
 while the self-shifting DCT is quicker by 0.2 seconds. Top speed is capped at 250 km/h, opt for the
M Driver Package
 and the limiter is raised to
280 km/h
.
The chassis has also been beefed up to better match the new powertrain, sporting a new carbon fibre high-precision strut and bulkhead strut taken from the M4 to
increase front-end rigidity
 and improve steering precision. The electronic power steering has also been recalibrated to give a more accurate steering.
A new dual exhaust system with
 electronically-controlled flaps
 give the M2 Competition a distinct aural note according to the drive mode selected. Its DSC system has also been tweaked to give the driver more delicate control when driving on the limit as well as in adverse conditions.
Visually, the M2 Competition now comes with a more purposeful body kit with larger kidney grilles, a modified air intake, M Wing mirror caps and a rear diffuser that houses the quad-tailpipes to optimise the airflow of the car, giving better aerodynamics and cooling function. Two new paint colours are available for the first time on the M2 – Sunset Orange and Hockenheim Silver.

For the track-frequenter, be sure to opt for the new
M Sport brakes
 measuring 400 mm in diameter on the front axle and 380 mm at the rear for greater stopping power and fade resistance. The high-performance brakes can be differentiated by its Grey painted callipers. The optional 19-inch Y-Spoke forged alloy wheels would be a great complement to the beefier brakes.
Stepping inside and the driver is greeted with an M2 Competition sill plate, optional bucket-style M Sport seats with illuminated M2 logo on the backrest, BMW M Stripes on the safety belt, red start/stop button, M leather steering wheel with M1/M2 buttons and redesigned instrument cluster.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life now RM13k cheaper at RM161k

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM)
 announced today that the price of the
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life
 will be adjusted to
RM160,590.68
 (OTR without insurance). It is now RM 13,000 cheaper than the RM173,590 price tag upon introduction in Malaysia
.
 The new price is
immediately effective
 and is applicable for deliveries from January 2023 onwards.
Specs-wise, the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life remains unchanged, still offering the same 1.4-litre TSI engine that makes
150 hp
 (metric) and
250 Nm
. The same 6-speed DSG transmission is also in use. Like before, the Tiguan Allspace Life is the most basic variant of the
Tiguan Allspace
.
On the outside, the Tiguan Allspace Life is offered in five colour options, namely Atlantic Blue, Oryx White, Pyrite Silver, Platinum Grey, and Deep Black. The ‘Frankfurt Alloy Wheels’ are 18 inches in size and are wrapped in 235/55R18 tyres.
At the front, the Tiguan Allspace Life gets a set of full LED headlights with cornering function and all-weather lights. It also has LED daytime running lights and the front grille gets a lighted illuminated strip.
Inside the Tiguan Allspace Life gets ‘Life’ fabric upholstery, 3-zone electronic climate control, and a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment unit that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The instrument cluster is also of the digital kind. The dashboard and front door trim panels are decorated with Horizon Black inserts.
RELATED:
Volkswagen ID.4 Pro Performance previewed for Malaysia at VW Fest 2022 – 520km range EV SUV
Safety-wise, the Tiguan Allspace Life comes with Lane Assist with a lane keeping system, a rearview camera with front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure load indicator, brake auto hold function, cruise control and speed limiter, driver alert system, and 6 airbags. It still doesn’t come equipped with a full suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
Also unchanged is the warranty and free maintenance package of the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life. Included in the new
RM160,590.68
price tag (OTR without insurance) is a 3-year free maintenance package, a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty, and a 5-year roadside assistance package.
RELATED:
New Volkswagen Setia Alam 4S centre opens, offers free 20-point inspection


This mega fast Porsche Cayenne with 640 hp, 850 Nm is called the Turbo GT

Porsche has just released the production model of their most high-performance Cayenne model called the Cayenne Turbo GT.
In the build-up to the official unveiling today, Porsche’s test drivers provided
highly positive feedback
 regarding the higher performance threshold (steering, precision and acceleration) of this new Cayenne Turbo coupe model.
The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, only exclusively available as a four-seater coupe bodystyle, comes with heavy revisions to the powertrain and chassis. Think of it as the Turbo S version of the Cayenne model.
Under the bonnet is the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, now producing
640 hp
 and a monstrous
850 Nm
 of torque. The figures represent a 90 hp and 80 Nm increase over the
‘regular’ Cayenne Turbo Coupe
. Porsche have upgraded the crankshaft, pistons, con-rods, turbochargers, fuel delivery, induction and intercooler systems to achieve better response and power delivery of the V8 engine.
Plenty of glorious V8 soundtrack can be heard thanks to a lightweight titanium sports exhaust system that
deletes the centre silencer
.
The transmission meanwhile maintains the same 8-speed automatic but massaged to shift even faster, allowing the big SUV to shave 0.6 seconds of the century benchmark sprint time to register just
3.3 seconds
. Top speed of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is 300 km/h, an increase of 14 km/h versus the non GT.
Students get to choose a Porsche Cayenne for driving lessons in this centre. Find out where here!
Compared to the Cayenne Turbo Coupe, the Turbo GT rides up to 17 mm lower. Based on this, both the passive chassis components and active control systems have been re-engineered and optimised for handling and performance, allowing Porsche’s test driver Lars Kern to register
a record lap time
 at the
Nurburgring Nordschleife
.
Among the systems upgraded are the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus system (electronically-controlled LSD), rear-axle steering, active roll stabilisation (PDCC) and 15% stronger chambers in air suspension.
Suspension geometry sees a negative-camber setting of 0.45 degrees and paired with wider 22-inch wheels and 285/35-section front tyres to ensure maximum contact patch from the specially-developed Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres.
Braking duties are performed by the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system, with the front disc brakes measuring 440 mm in diameter and grabbed by 10-piston calipers.
On the outside, the new Cayenne Turbo GT features a model-exclusive front bumper with spoiler lip and enlarged cooling intakes. Black wheel arch extensions and special GT Design wheels in Neodyme finishing dominate its side view.
The new Cayenne Turbo GT also features a standard-fitted carbon-fibre roof panel that leads air to the larger roof spoiler and an automatic extending rear spoiler lip that is 25 mm larger than that fitted to the Turbo model. This increased downforce by up to 40 kg.
The Porsche Cayenne just got even better with Premium Package upgrade, more here.
Inside, only two sport seats are fitted to the back row with all seats receiving exclusive Turbo GT stitching on the headrest. In this example, the tachometer and seat stitching as well as seatbelts are all finished in Neodyme highlights. Turbo GT emblems are also found on the lower console and doorsill decorative trim pieces.
The Cayenne Turbo GT is also the first model to feature the
next-generation Porsche Communication Management
 (PCM) with a new interface, better performance and smartphone integration.
The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is available to order now and will roll into dealerships in mid-September 2021. Prices in Germany start from
EUR196,078
 (RM910,300), over EUR25,000 dearer than a Cayenne Turbo coupe with the fancy electronic chassis control systems and ceramic brakes.
GALLERY


Honda Malaysia says stocks for Takata airbag inflators at 100 percent!

Honda Malaysia has just announced that as of 29 June 2017, the company has completed 80.2 percent replacements for Takata driver front airbag inflators and 55.9 percent for Takata passenger front airbag inflators. Stock availability for both inflators are currently at 100 percent.
Honda Malaysia is committed to ensure the safety of Honda owners by adding replacement activities at selected shopping malls nationwide every weekend this month (July 2017). There are also mobile hubs doing the same rectification process as those carried out at all authorised Honda service centres. Full list of mobile service hubs can be found
here
.
Honda Malaysia has urged affected owners to replace the defective units as soon as possible because the faulty airbag module, when deployed, will send metal shards into the occupants and cause even more harm. In some cases, even death! We have detailed in full on
why you should get your faulty airbags replaced
.
With parts availability at 100 percent and service hubs scattered at nearly every corner of the country, hurry on and get your faulty killer airbags replaced this instant!


This is the most expensive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution ever – sold for RM583k!

The Mitsubishi Motors Heritage auction recently concluded and unsurprisingly, one of the company’s most prized possession fetched the highest bid.
A
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition
 from the company’s heritage fleet fetched the
final bid of £100,100
 (approx. RM583,720) – making it the most expensive Lancer Evolution ever.
The low-mileage car even comes with the autograph of 4-time World Rally Champion Tommi Mäkinen, whose wins were all in the
Lancer Evolution
.
The new world record for the most expensive Lancer Evolution sold at an auction beats the
previous record of £99,000
 (approx. RM577,144) for a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX in the US.
The Lancer Evolution was
one of 15 vehicles
 from the heritage fleet sold at the auction. Here are the final bids of the other Lancer Evolutions:
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR FQ-360 by HKS – £68,900
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Group N Works Rally Car – £61,700
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-440 MR (No.40 of 40) – £58,100
Evo IX MR FQ-360 by HKS
Evo IX Group N Works Rally Car
Lancer Evo X FQ-440 MR
The four Lancer Evolutions contributed
60% of the total amount generated
 from the auction. With a
total of £479,500
 from the sale of the 15 heritage vehicles, the Tommi Mäkinen Edition alone contributed 1/5 to the final amount.
These are rest of the heritage fleet and their final bids:
Mitsubishi L200 Desert Warrior – £30,100
Mitsubishi 3000GT – £24,500
Mitsubishi Jeep J27 – £20,600
Mitsubishi Starion – £21,100
Starion
3000GT
Mitsubishi Shogun Mk1 – £16,000
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2015) – £16,000
Mitsubishi Colt Lancer 1.4 Mk1 2-Door (The first Mitsubishi registered in the UK) – £15,000
1917 Model A (replica of first-ever vehicle made by Mitsubishi) – £13,700
Shogun Mk1
Shogun V6 SWB
Mitsubishi Galant GLSi rally replica – £12,500
Mitsubishi Colt Galant 2000 GLII – £11,600
Mk2 Shogun V6 SWB £9,600
Mitsubishi Motors UK, Operations Director, Paul Bridgen said, “These vehicles each have a unique story to tell and they have been cherished and cared for from the day we acquired them.
1917 Model A
 – The first vehicle made by Mitsubishi (replica)
“I have overseen the development of some of these vehicles personally so it is difficult to say goodbye to them but the values they have achieved assures me that they will all go to enthusiastic new owners who understand the provenance and importance of these cars and who will cherish them and preserve them for future generations,” he added.
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Shogun Mk1
L200 Desert Warrior
Lancer Evo VI Tommi Makinen Edition
Colt Lancer 1.4 Mk1 2-Door
1917 Model A
Starion
3000GT
Jeep J27
Colt Galant 2000 GLII
Mk2 Shogun V6 SWB
Outlander PHEV
Galant GLSi rally replica
Lncer Evo IX Group N Works Rally Car
Lancer Evo IX MR FQ-360 by HKS
Lancer Evo X FQ-440 MR


New generation Mazda CX-8, comes with new 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D diesel engine

As reported
earlier
, Mazda Motor Corporation will be introducing its first new-generation model crossover SUV for its home-market available in six or seven-seater configuration.
Today, the company has revealed its first official exterior photo of the CX-8, which will serve as the flagship of the brand’s line-up in Japan.
Based on this single side profile image, the CX-8 appears to feature similar styling cues as the
CX-9
 but if we were to be honest, it is very difficult to tell this apart from the CX-9. However, the designers expressed that they have further refined the KODO-Soul of Motion design theme to create an edgy and timeless look that will continue to excite customers for many years to come.
Mazda suggests that “adults can sit comfortably in the third row” of the CX-8 and since it shares the same
2,930 mm wheelbase
 as the CX-9, we can expect
similar, if not better third row comfort
. Great attention to detail has been paid to create a more upmarket cabin with what seems like a dedicated arm rest console with storage compartments and cup holders much like the ones you’d find in a BMW 7-series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Focus will also be concentrated on creating a look of class and quality, alongside careful consideration of colours and materials befitting a flagship SUV.
Powered by Mazda’s new-generation 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D clean diesel engine which will be mated to a SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission, the new CX-8 will go on sale in Japan by end-2017.


Two super rare Ferraris up for sale in London, close to RM2mil each!

The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta needs no introduction – a Ferrari GT with a massive 6.3-litre V12 engine with the looks to match. But what you might not know is that the
F12
 comes from a rich line of heritage, from the Ferrari 250 to the 599 GTB and everything in between.
Ferrari’s GT has always been an important member of the Ferrari family, making it a desired collectable among Ferrari enthusiast. At times, Ferrari would throw in some limited-edition variants that would let collectors drool, and they also hold better residual values over regular Ferraris. This time, two extremely rare, limited edition, low-mileage, open-top Ferrari GT has surfaced in London.

Hexagon Classics is a classic car dealer based in London focusing on rare collectibles.
Their inventory
 is nothing short of eye-opening. Recently added to their amazing collection is a
2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina
. The 448-limited run roadster of the 550 Maranello features a
5.5-litre V12
 that pushes
485 hp
. The front-engine, rear-wheel drive comes with a delicious six-speed gated manual. To drive home this rare soft top Ferrari finished in
Giallo Fly
 yellow, you would have to part a good
£395,000
 (approximately RM2 million at the time of posting).
Following the Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina, Hexagon also has its successor on offer – a
 2005 575M Superamerica
. Powered by a more potent
5.7-litre V12
, the
515 hp
 motor is mated to an F1 paddleshift gearbox. This specification comes with a highly innovative roof that rotates 180-degrees backwards to sit flushed with the boot lid in just 10 seconds. To really wrap your head around this innovation, you have to
see it
 for yourself. With an asking price of
£379,995
 (approximately RM1.9 mil), this limited run model of 559 units, finished in
Grigio Silverstone Metallic
 should be a worthy addition to your collection.

On paper and pictures, these two left-hand drive examples appear to be a real steal as they have only done
1,625 miles
 (approximately 2,615 km) and
1,380 miles
 (approximately 2,220 km) on the clock, respectively. The 550 even comes with the original hand book and spare keys. Sounds good as new to me!
IMAGE GALLERY


Would you take the new Audi Q2 1.4 TFSI over the GLA or X2?

After a quiet 2018, the Audi brand is back with
a bang. Simultaneously launching three new models – Q2, Q5 and Q8 to the Malaysian
market. The new Audi Q2 1.4 TFSI is now the most affordable car in Audi’s 2019
model range priced at RM219,900, on-the-road without insurance.
While the Q2 is new to Malaysian roads, the baby SUV actually made its global debut back in 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. Hey, better late than never eh?

QUICK FACTS
 Name

Audi Q2 1.4 TFSI
 Engine
 1,395cc; turbocharged 4-cylinder
 Transmission
 7-speed S Tronic dual clutch
 Max Power
 150 hp @ 5,000 – 6,000 rpm
 Max Torque
 250 Nm @ 1,500 – 3,500 rpm
 0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
 8.5 seconds; 212 km/h
 Price (OTR without insurance)
 RM219,900
Visually, the Q2 is unmistakeably from the “Q”
family with Singleframe grille, sleek LED headlamps with LED daytime running
lights, LED combination taillamps with dynamic turn signal, 17-inch 5-arm star
style alloy wheels wrapped in 215/55 profile rubbers.
The Q2 sports an edgier look with silver
bits around the front lower bumpers, C-pillars and rear lower apron.
Despite not equipped with the S-Line trim,
the cabin of the local spec Q2 is still have plenty of sporty touches such as leather
& leatherette combination Sport Seats and Red Anodized painted inlays.
Other amenities include multifunctional steering wheel, 12.3-inch Audi Virtual
Cockpit, MMI navigation plus with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 10-speaker Audi
Sound System, electronic parking brake, keyless entry and start and automatic
climate control.
Interestingly, you don’t get paddle
shifters, rear air vents nor powered tailgate in the Q2.
Under the hood you’ll find a 1.4-litre
turbocharged four-cylinder TFSI engine packing 150 hp and 250 Nm of twist. The
engine is mated to a 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch transmission to drive the
front wheels. Century sprint is done in 8.5 seconds and the Q2 1.4 TFSI will
continue to accelerate to 212 km/h.
Safety kit is modest, with six airbags,
Electronic Stability Control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and ISOFIX mounting
points.
Audi offers the Q2 in six exterior shades –
Tango Red, Ara Blue, Vegas Yellow, Glacier White, Coral Orange or in an Audi
Exclusive shade of Green. Every purchase of the Audi Q2 comes with a 5-Years Unlimited
Mileage Warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY
Audi Q2 1.4 TFSI Launched in Malaysia


BMW XM Label Red debuts as the most powerful M car – 748hp, 1000Nm, 0-100km/h in 3.8 secs

If the
BMW XM
 in its standard form wasn’t extroverted enough for you, BMW has just unveiled the BMX4W XM Label Red, a souped-up version of the XM. Set to make its world premiere at Auto Shanghai 2023, production of the BMW XM Label Red will begin in August 2023 at BMW Group’s Spartanburg plant in the USA.
On the outside, the BMX XM Label Red, as its name suggests, gets Toronto Red Metallic accents on the kidney grille, shoulder line, and window trims. Those who would like something different could opt for black accents instead. Standard on the XM Label red is a set of 21-inch light-alloy wheels.
Colour options for the XM Label red consist of 1 solid colour and 8 metallic colours. Customers can also choose from more than 50 BMW Individual special paint finishes. Part of the 50 colours are the new BMW Individual Urban Green, BMW Individual Petrol Mica metallic, BMW Individual Anglesey Green metallic and BMW Individual Sepia metallic.
Upon its launch, there will be a 500-unit limited edition variant of the BMW XM Label Red. These 500 units will be finished in the BMW Individual Frozen carbon metallic body colour and matched with the Toronto Red metallic accents.
ALSO WATCH:
The RM1.4m BMW XM tested in Arizona, 4.4L V8 PHEV super SUV
Powering the BMW XM is an M Hybrid system which consists of a V8 twin-turbo engine and an electric drive system. The engine itself makes 585 hp at 5,600 rpm and 750 Nm of peak torque. The engine itself is also more powerful than the standard XM. The electric motor, on the other hand, produces 197 hp and 280 Nm. Combined, the M Hybrid system in the BMW XM Label Red makes a total of
748 hp
 and
1,000 Nm
.
Power is sent to all wheels via the M xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) system, and the engine is paired with an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission. The BMW XM Label red accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just
3.8 seconds
, onward to an electronically limited
250 km/h
 (
290 km/h
 on cars with optional M Driver’s Package).
RELATED:
BMW XM previewed in Malaysia – first-ever plug-in hybrid M car, RM1.4m
As a hybrid, the BMW XM houses a
25.7-kWh
 battery that provides a pure electric range of up to
83 km
 (WLTP). The battery can be charged at a maximum rate of
7.4 kW
 with AC charging and this takes
4.25

hours
 to complete (0 to 100%).
Complementing the high performance of the BMW XM is a model-specific chassis tuning and integrated transverse dynamic management. The car’s sophisticated chassis technology gives it an extraordinary spread of attributes, from dynamism to long-distance comfort, and is adapted to the bespoke performance characteristics of the drive system with the precision for which BMW M models are renowned.
Standard equipment for the BMW XM Label Red includes adaptive M suspension Professional with Active Roll Comfort, Integral Active Steering, M Sport braking system, and M Sport differential.
Inside, the BMW XM Label Red gets M multifunction seats, knee pads, M-specific content on the BMW Curved Display and the standard-fitted BMW head-up display, an M gear selector lever, and an M-specific control panel on the centre console. The M leather steering wheel has trim elements in Black Chrome, plus M buttons and gearshift paddles with carbon inlays whose plus and minus symbols are in red.


Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace adds new entry-level ‘Life’ variant in Malaysia, from RM173k

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia
 today unveiled a new entry-level variant for the
Tiguan Allspace
, bringing the model offering up to three variants. Dubbed the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life, the new locally-assembled base-spec seven-seater SUV will go on sale here in Malaysia at
RM172,990
 without insurance, and before relevant transaction fees and road tax.
Despite being the new entry-level variant, the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life in Malaysia still comes fairly well-equipped in terms of equipment. In fact, its exterior is nearly identical to the Tiguan Allspace Elegance variant, save for the unpainted trims on the bumpers.
The Life is also roughly identical to the Elegance in terms of equipment, with the exterior adorned by fully LED headlights plus a light bar that extends into the grille, LED taillights (with unique lighting effects), identical 18-inch ‘Frankfurt’ wheels, ‘Allspace’ trims, roof rails, and silver-painted side mirrors.
Inside, the new Life variant features the 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as standard, alongside a tri-zone Climatronic automatic climate control, leather multi-function sports steering wheel, and an electronic parking brake.
ALSO WATCH:
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Elegance & R-Line facelift now in Malaysia, 5 Things
Just like the other two variants, the Life also continues to offer seven seats on the inside, boasting flexible practicality with up to 1,775 litres of “class-leading boot space” when the second- and third-row seats are fully folded.
The new Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life is powered by the same 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged inline-four engine found in the Elegance, which offers a maximum of
 150 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission, and the combination translates to a fuel consumption rating of approximately 7.7 l/100 km, according to the company.
Safety wise, the Allspace Life is again equipped similarly to the two other Allspace variants, with features including six airbags, multi-collision brake, lane keeping assist, and a driver alert function, although autonomous emergency braking still continues to be omitted on Volkswagen cars here in Malaysia.
The Volkswagen Allspace 1.4 TSI Life is priced at
RM172,990
 (without insurance, road tax, and relevant transaction fees), making it RM7,600 cheaper than the Elegance (RM180,590). Included in the price is a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, three years of free maintenance, as well as five years of roadside assistance.
Order books are now open at all authorised Volkswagen dealerships nationwide, with test drive arrangements also available. Five exterior colours are available for the Allspace Life, including Atlantic Blue, Platinum Grey and Pyrite Silver metallics, alongside Deep Black and Oryx White in pearl-effect finishes.


Isuzu Malaysia appoints new Chief Operating Officer, Kenkichi Sogo

In light of the departure of Masayuki Suzuki, former Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia, back to Japan at the end of last month to resume a new role there, the position is now assumed by Kenkichi Sogo.
Kenkichi Sogo, 43, is no stranger to the Malaysian market. Before assuming the new position, he spent the last four years in the General Manager position, overseeing light commercial vehicle and parts operations. In total, Sogo has been with Isuzu for seven years.
Right away, the new COO’s first order of business is to prioritise the health safety of Isuzu’s employees and customers as the National Recovery Plan kicks in.
“The all-new Isuzu D-Max has created significant interests and witnessed a surge in vehicle bookings over the past three months resulting in Isuzu claiming a consecutive No.2 spot in the sales charts. However, the constant threat of infections necessitates the enforcement of various safety measures even as government restrictions begin to ease,” said Sogo.
Demand for the all-new Isuzu D-Max increased by 140% in Malaysia compared to its predecessor! Read about it here!
“The launch of our latest Isuzu D-Max model during the pandemic required a paradigm shift in the way we presented our new models to prospective customers. As restrictions become more lenient, we need to vigilantly evolve yet remain relevant to the situation,” Sogo added.
Old vs New: A detailed look at the changes in the all-new Isuzu D-Max. Find out in detail here!
Sogo also hopes all our customers will remain patient and compliant to the set procedures to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for all.”

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Isuzu has introduced a 360-degree Augmented Reality platform for a more immersive experience of the new D-Max without stepping into the showrooms.
On Isuzu’s official website, interactive tools such as loan and maintenance costs calculators have also been made available. Customers can also request for test drives through Isuzu’s website.
Procedures for vehicle service and maintenance have also been reviewed with the aim of ensuring minimal backlog and ensuring a smoother and efficient flow of vehicles dropped off by customers. Customers are encouraged to make their service appointments directly with their dealers in advance to ensure their preferred time slots are available.
Performance Comparison: Isuzu D-Max vs Toyota Hilux vs Mitsubishi Triton. Compare these three off-road kings here!


All-new Mazda 3 teased ahead of debut, new-gen SkyActiv platform

Mazda has just announced that the all-new Mazda 3 will be making its world premiere at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show (LA Auto Show) happening from 30 November to 9 December. The Japanese carmaker also released a teaser image to go along with the announcement.
Now entering its fourth generation, the new Mazda 3 will continue to be offered in both sedan and hatchback guise with the latter’s design heavily inspired from the
Mazda Kai Concept
 that was shown earlier in the year.
From the teaser image, we can tell that its Kodo Design philosophy has taken on a more sophisticated form with additional chrome lining on the upper window trims, pronounced C-Pillar as well as sharper taillamps. Expect the new Mazda 3 to feature styling cues from the new CX-5 and facelifted Mazda 6 especially on the front nose section.
Mazda’s Mazda Connect cabin architecture have received well-deserved praises in their new-generation vehicles and the new Mazda 3 is expected to carry an improved version of it – better connectivity and more intuitive to interact with.
Under the skin, the new Mazda 3 will sit on the next-generation SkyActiv-Vehicle Architecture platform that promises heightened
Jinba Ittai
 (horse and river as one) driving engagement. Mazda promises the new platform “enables people to make the most of their natural sense of balance”.
We all know that Mazda is set to debut their new
SkyActiv-X powertrain
 with the first ever HCCI (homogeneous charge compression engine) technology applied in a petrol engine as well as mild-hybrid technology. However, we will have to wait for LA Auto Show to go into full swing to know whether the next-generation Mazda 3 will feature any of these.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mazda Kai Concept


Hyundai launches new ‘Ioniq’ dedicated EV sub-brand

Hyundai has launched Ioniq, a new dedicated electric vehicle (EV) sub-brand, taking the name of its current
 Ioniq electrified liftback-like model
. Ioniq – which is a portmanteau of “ion” and “unique” – plans to unveil three separate EV models over the next for years.
The new Ioniq models will be numerically named, with the even numbers used for sedans, and odd numbers for SUVs. The first model to be introduced under the Ioniq brand will be the Ioniq 5 in “early 2021”, a midsized crossover based on the Hyundai 45 Concept first shown-off at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show.
The Ioniq 6 electric sedan, which will be based on the
Prophecy concept vehicle
, will be introduced in 2022. It is then followed by the Ioniq 7 full-size SUV in 2024.
While the final design of all three models are of course still under wraps, Hyundai has said that each of the Ioniq models will feature an “aerodynamic silhouette of perfect proportions”, and will all feature the distinctive parametric pixels LED headlights – seen on the 45 and
Prophecy concept
 – as a unique design element for the EV brand.
The Ioniq EVs will sit on the brand’s all-new Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which will enable fast charging capabilities and extended driving range on the new electric cars.
Hyundai Prophecy
 concept
The new dedicated EV platform will also allow Hyundai to focus on space in the interior, thanks to the flat skateboard floor. Modelled after “smart living spaces”, Hyundai says that the Ioniq models will have highly-adjustable seats, wireless connectivity, and simple and intuitive user interfaces, in line with Hyundai’s vision of ‘Progress for Humanity.
By 2025, the company aims to become the world’s third-largest automaker of eco-friendly vehicles, increasing it’s annual Battery-EV sales to 560,000 units. The Hyundai Motor Group as a whole aims to sell 1 million units of BEVs annually by 2025, which should represent a 10% market share to become a leader in the global EV field.


2015 Mercedes-AMG SL unleashed, gets biturbo V8 and V12 with up to 1000 Nm [+Video]

For those of you who sneer at the 455 hp SL 500, Mercedes-AMG is offering at least 585 hp and up to 1000 Nm of torque on the updated R231 SL. The AMG-tuned SL comes in two biturbo flavours – the V8 in the SL 63 and the V12 in the SL 65. Who’s laughing now?
The revised styling is shared with the regular SL, but AMG drops subtle hints that these are not just any other garden-variety SL. The diamond grille has been swapped for a less complex mesh and twin slats cutting through the huge three-pointed star in the middle, while the
A-wing
 in the front bumper and the slashes on the side skirts can be had in either chrome or the optional carbon fibre finish.
Staggered
19-inch wheels
 are fitted on both AMG SL, but on the SL 65 the rear wheels are an inch up. Naturally, the back of the AMG SL is furnished with
quad tailpipes
, and there’s also a subtle
spoiler
 at the edge of the boot lid.
The luxurious cabin is enhanced by huggier
sports seats
,
performance steering wheel
, an
IWC analogue clock
 that sits atop of the dash, and
carbon fibre trim
. Keen eyes will spot that the gearlever is also different on the AMG, and it’s accompanied by the
AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving mode knob
 where the driver can choose from Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, Individual, and
RACE mode
.

The driving mode alters throttle response, gearbox and suspension settings, as well as engine sound.
Active Body Control
 (ABC) is standard fitment on both AMG models, but they are setup more aggressively and features a
more negative camber
 all-round. On top of that, both AMG SL models are equipped with a
limited slip differential
 for a greater traction when accelerating out of corners and such.
As mentioned, there are two models available in this 2015 Mercedes-AMG SL range – the SL 63 and the SL 65. The
5,980 cc V12
 in the
SL 65
 retains its power figures with
630 hp
 and a whopping
1,000 Nm
 of torque, while the
SL 63
 is powered by a
5,461 cc V8
 producing
585 hp
 and
900 Nm
 of torque. That’s 20 hp more than the previous SL 63 fitted with the optional AMG Performance package.
Both engines are mated to a
seven-speed gearbox
, an
AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT
 seven-speed sports transmission on the
SL 63
and an
AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC
 on the
SL 65
. From standstill, the SL 63 blitzes to the 100 km/h mark in 4.1 seconds. The SL 65 is 0.1 seconds quicker, but both have their
top speed
 capped at
250 km/h
, although Mercedes will increase the cap to
300 km/h
 for buyers who opt for the
AMG Driver’s package
.

Similar to the revised non-AMG SL models, the SL 63 and the SL 65 made their debut appearance at the
2015 Los Angeles Auto Show
, and they will go on sale in Europe from second quarter of 2016.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-AMG SL 63

Mercedes-AMG SL 65