Yinson GreenTech & PLUS to develop Malaysia’s first hyperpower DC fast charging hub with 8X 350kW chargers

Green EV Charge Sdn Bhd (GEV), a joint venture company of green technologies solutions provider Yinson GreenTech (YGT), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Plus Malaysia Berhad (PLUS). The MoU was signed between the two organisations to develop the first hyperpower DC fast charging hub in Malaysia.
The fast charging hub is provided by one of YGT’s sub-brands –
ChargEV
 and is located at PLUS Seremban RSA (Southbound). The charging hub features eight charging bays with each providing up to
350 kW
 of power output.
Charging an EV to full will only take around
20 minutes
 with the fast chargers provided at the charging hub. The fast charging hub will also incorporate mobility retail including food and beverage outlets and other amenities along with multiple fast electric vehicle (EV) chargers. This is done as an effort by the company to introduce Malaysians to a brand-new concept of EV charging.
YGT said its collaboration with PLUS will leverage the expertise of both parties and will maximise mutual benefits, expanding and enhancing products and services, as well as the strategic innovation. YGT also said that the said MoU will establish a strong working relationship between the two companies and set up effective mechanisms for effective project implementation together. The combined effort at the same time supports the nation in providing EV infrastructure aligned with the Malaysian government’s Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint (LCMB) as well.
RELATED:
Proton Exora given second life as EV Charge Go’s mobile EV charger
Yinson Holdings Berhad Group Executive Chairman Mr Lim Han Weng said, “This partnership encapsulates both parties’ joint commitment to work together to expand our complementing solutions. It marks another exciting step towards our shared goal of ultimately accelerating the electrification of the marine, mobility, and infrastructure ecosystem in Malaysia in line with the country’s aim to become a carbon neutral nation by 2050”.
Yinson GreenTech Chief Executive Officer Mr Eirik Barclay said, “As the leading EV charging infrastructure provider in Malaysia, ChargEV is excited to work alongside PLUS, to introduce innovative products and solutions to support the ever-growing EV needs of PLUS’ customers”.
He added, “Our aim is to make EV charging readily available and easily accessible. As we are completely confident that the market share for EVs will continue to accelerate very rapidly in the coming years. We want to ensure that Malaysian EV users will have access to the fastest and most reliable charging experience possible”.
The signing between Yinson Holdings Berhad Group Chief Executive Officer, Lim Chern Yuan, and PLUS Managing Director, Datuk Nik Airina Nik Jaffar was witnessed by the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, and Secretary-General of the Works Ministry (MoW), Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur. Representatives from both ministries, including the Deputy Secretary-General of the MITI, Datuk Hanafi Sakri, Dato’ Zahrul Hakim Abdullah, Deputy Secretary General of MoW, Ir Sazali Harun, Director-General of Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA), YGT, and PLUS were in attendance.
MITI minister, Tengku Zafrul Aziz said, “Our National Automotive Policy (NAP) is focused on developing the whole ecosystem for Next Generation Vehicles (NxGV), which includes Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV) and the necessary nationwide charging network. To that end, YGT and PLUS’s collaboration on Malaysia’s first ChargEV hyperpower DC fast charging hub supports the NAP’s strategy to enhance the EV industry’s value chain”.
Tengku Zafrul added, “Apart from helping to fulfil our national target to have 10,000 charging points by 2025, it also supports Malaysia’s goal to be carbon-neutral by 2050. MITI expects this collaboration to also benefit SMEs in the domestic supply chain, as well as Malaysians working in industries such as E&E and automotive”.
RELATED:
MOT revising EV road tax for Malaysia, current rates too expensive
PLUS Managing Director Datuk Nik Airina Nik Jaffar said, “PLUS, operates a highway network that spans over 1,130 km. Being the backbone of the Nation’s highway infrastructure, PLUS plays a significant role in shaping and contributing to the sustainable development of the Nation. PLUS collaborated with MoW and MHA to develop an EV charging station roadmap, aimed to achieve 100 DCFC charge points by 2025”.
She added, “As at 2022, twenty chargers have been energised. This year alone, there will be another twenty charge points available along the PLUS highways. This collaborative initiative will promote low carbon mobility practices among Malaysians, accelerate the country’s EV adoption and be a catalyst towards achieving the government’s 2050 carbon neutral aspirations”.
Moving forward, YGT and PLUS will also collectively work to develop new ideas that will cater to the growth of the EV market. This includes Malaysia’s first fast charging hub with dynamic load balancing technology, or the level 3 DC charging solutions which allow optimal and efficient charging power among charging stations.
To date, YGT has upgraded one AC EV charging point to a DC Fast Charger (DCFC) at Ayer Keroh Overhead Bridge Restaurant (Southbound). Through the MoU, YGT will be upgrading 5 more DCFC charging points at the Rest and Service Areas (RSA) at Tapah (Southbound), Dengkil (Southbound), Gunung Semanggol (Northbound), Pagoh (Southbound), and Seremban (Northbound).
RELATED:
UMW Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy involves BEVs, PHEVs, FCEVs, and HEVs


Third-generation Volkswagen Touareg officially teased, Beijing debut in March

Volkswagen has released a sketch image of its latest product – the third-generation Volkswagen Touareg. The seven-seater SUV will make its global premiere on 23rd March 2018 in Beijing, the firm’s largest individual market.
The new flagship SUV will encompass the brand’s ethos through its expressive design, innovative technologies and dynamic handling capabilities. The new SUV will ride on the group’s MQB Modular platform that is lighter, sturdier and safer than the outgoing model.
Touareg to share design cues with the
Tiguan Allspace
?
New innovations to be debuted on the new Touareg include an Innovision Cockpit that is said to be one of the largest in class, new powertrain choices, air suspension, roll stabilisation and even rear-wheel steering. Expect superior off-road performance like its predecessors too.
China, the world’s strongest growing SUV market is expected to double its sales volume of the Touareg by 2023. Perhaps that is why Volkswagen decided to hold its global debut in Beijing instead of Geneva.


Kia says your music choice will affect your EV range

Many people often cite
range anxiety
as one of the main reasons why they aren’t switching to
 el
e
ctric vehicles
 (EVs) just yet, and we really can’t fault them. There are already so many things an EV driver has to look out for to maximise range, from the terrain you’re driving on, to ambient temperature and even use of in-cabin tech. But now, Kia says that there’s one more to add to that list: your music taste.
Kia UK recently recruited Dr. Duncan Williams, a lecturer at the University of Salford’s School of Science, Engineering and Environment, and co-founder of WaveTrace, a psychoacoustic consultancy specialising in biometric tracking of human responses to sound and music stimuli, to help conduct an experiment, to find out if music choices actually impact the real-world range of an EV.
And although the trial was only held over two days, Dr. Williams says that the results were significant enough to prove their hypothesis. “What we found from only two days of testing was that music really can have a dramatic influence on the real-world driving range of an electric vehicle,” he said.
The participants in the trial – all without prior EV driving experience – were put behind the wheel of an
EV6
 in the GT-Line S trim, chosen specifically for its 14-speaker Meridian sound system, the most high-end option among all variants.
They are provided with a fixed playlist, curated with music ranging from classical works to recent pop songs, and were told to drive as they normally would on a 29 km route. Their biometric measurements, including skin temperature, sweat, pulse, and heart rate variability were then recorded for the study, alongside the EV6’s battery consumption.
After all results were tabulated, the study found that classical music – such as Beethoven’s ‘Symphony No. 9’ that was used in the study – preserved battery power the best, thus extending the real-world driving range of the EV6 by up to four times when compared to other music in the playlist.
On the other end of the spectrum, up-tempo pop songs (The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’) performed worst in terms of real-world range – averaging twice as inefficient as the other songs.
From the study:

    On average, drivers lost 25% in range expenditure versus real-world miles
        Total test route distance 29 km
        Average range expenditure 36.2 km

    Classical music (111 BPM, Beethoven, ‘Symphony No. 9’) duration: 32.5% of playlist
        Range expenditure of the 36.2 km attributable to classical music: 7.7%

    Up-tempo pop (171 BPM, The Weeknd, ‘Blinding Lights’) duration: 10.4% of playlist
        Range expenditure of the 36.2 km attributable to up-temp pop music: 23.6%

    Soul ballad (79 BPM, Adele, ‘Hello’) duration: 15.3% of playlist
        Range expenditure of the 36.2 km attributable to soul ballad music: 13.3%

“Different songs resulted in varying electrodermal activity and blood volume increase for each of the participants,” explained Dr. Williams. “This had a knock-on effect on driving style, and ultimately influenced the real-world driving range of the EV6.
“In short: if you want to go further, listen to the likes of Beethoven and other relaxing classical music; if you’re not worried about range dropping a little more quickly, by all means put on some more high tempo tracks,” he added.
For those who listen to music while they drive, the results may not surprise you at all. After all, you most likely won’t be playing classical music through the speakers if you’re doing some spirited driving; it might have been your mind subconsciously telling you that it needs more blood pumping through your veins.
Nevertheless, it’s always interesting to see “common sense” being proven with numbers and science. So if you’re looking to eke out those last few kilometres on your EV’s range, make sure to avoid anything too upbeat if you insist on having music on.


Proton delivers 30 X70 SUVs to Kenyan Police

The Kenyan Police force has received a delivery of 30 new
Proton X70
 SUVs, to be used as part of their official vehicle fleet. “The Proton X70 will bring supreme style, superb stability and comfort for the national police service as they execute their mandate,” the carmaker’s Kenyan arm said in a post on its Facebook page.
Based on the images that were shared in the post, the Kenyan police’s Proton X70 looks to be similar in specifications to the Standard variant
offered here in Malaysia
, as seen from the halogen projector headlights and 17-inch alloys.
Of course, the police X70s are also wrapped in official colours of the Kenyan police force, and will likely be fitted with additional equipment such as VHF radios and police lights before it heads out on official duties.
RELATED: The Proton X70 is also part of our very own PDRM’s official fleet! Check it out here.
Interestingly, the Standard variant of the Proton X70 that’s used for the police force is not officially offered for sale over in Kenya. The C-segment SUV in the African nation is only sold in a single Premium 2WD variant, powered by the 1.5 TGDi three-cylinder engine that’s used on the
Proton X50 Flagship
 here in Malaysia.
In terms of equipment, the Proton X70 Premium 2WD in Kenya is also quite similarly specified to the Premium X variant here in Malaysia. Standard equipment include the larger 19-inch alloys, LED headlamps, Nappa leather upholstery, and the full suite of advanced driver assist systems.
[H/T:
Malay Mail
]
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Lexus shows off the LS+ Concept with automated driving technologies

At the 45th Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus has premiered to the world the “LS+ Concept” with automated capabilities while also unveiling limited editions of the “RC F” and “GS F”.
The LS+ Concept will be the basis of future LS flagship sedans and along with its automated driving technologies will be due in 2020. Starting at the front, the signature Spindle Grille gets a bold new look with large grille shutters to improve cooling and enhance aerodynamics. The LS+ Concept’s visual appeal is also highlighted by its partly laser-lit headlamps and rear combination units.
Utilising its “Highway Teammate” automated driving technologies, it will enable automated merging, lane changing and diverging as well as keep a vehicle in its lance while maintaining distances.
On the side the LS+ Concept, Lexus has also introduced the limited edition “RC F” and “GS F” which will be available for sale in Japan next year. In conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the birth of the “F” models since the Lexus IS F, the pair will be equipped with performance shock absorbers for improved steering stability.
With keen attention to weight reduction, lightweight titanium mufflers and carbon fibre-reinforced plastic exterior components have been extensively used with body panels painted in matte grey. Their interiors will come in a special colour, highlighted by the “F” symbol, coloured in “Heat Blue”.
IMAGE GALLERY
Lexus LS+ Concept

Lexus RC F

Lexus GS F


This BMW X7 in BMW Individual’s Ametrin Metallic colour is simply a show stopper

The BMW X7 is perhaps the largest, most imposing vehicle you can buy from the Bavarian car maker and in Malaysia,
that privilege will cost you RM888,000
 – in the form of the
xDrive 40i
.
It makes
340 hp
and
 450 Nm
 from a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission so even though the X7 is nudging 2.5 tonnes, it’ll still do 0 to 100 km/h in just six seconds – it’s all quite exciting until you look at the exterior colour catalogue available locally.
There is absolutely
nothing from the palate of colours offered as standard by BMW Malaysia
 that’ll raise your hair just by looking at it – except for
Phytonic Blue
, maybe. The rest, from the Terra Brown to Vermont Bronze, deserves to be tucked away into the dark corners of the catalogue’s back pages.
If these options revolt you, there’s always BMW Individual; where the sky is the limit with options are limited only by the depths of your wallet. This is where the Ametrin Metallic X7 comes into the picture. There’s no other way to say it – whether or not you like how the X7 looks – that colour really makes it pop and it’s one of the many colours from BMW Individuals exclusive catalogue.
The X7,
one of many from the inventory of a dealership based in North Carolina, USA
, is also spec-ed with the USD4,300 (approx. RM18k) M Sport package that not only makes the X7 look angrier, but also sportier with 21-inch double spoke orbit grey wheels. Inside, the X7 gets black wood trims and as part of the Premium Package specified, there’s remote engine start, soft close doors, electric rear window shades, head-up display and a Harman Kardon sound system.
The 6-seater has also been fitted with an extensive list of creature comforts like heated and massaging seats alongside comprehensive driver aids but we’ll not bother with that. If you’re interested, you can
find out more here
.
Source:
Hendrick BMW, North Carolina, USA
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All-electric Porsche Taycan can go 400 km with just 15 minutes of charging

Porsche has just released the technical details of their first ever electric vehicle (EV), the
Porsche Taycan
. Driven by two electric motors with 600 hp and over 500 km electric driving range, the soon to be launched Taycan seems to have the firepower to take on Tesla’s reign in the EV scene.
Engineers have gone with a dual motor setup with their first ever electric sportscar, two permanently excited synchronous motors (PSM) – similar to the ones used in the Le Mans-winning 919 Hybrid – located on each axle, effectively making the Taycan a four-wheel driven machine.
Combined, the dual PSM electric motors generate over
600 hp
, allowing the Taycan to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in under
3.5 seconds
 and will hit 200 km/h in under
12 seconds
. Porsche knows that while this EV was designed for efficiency and zero emission commute, they can’t help to inject some of that Porsche racing DNA during the development process.
The 800-volt lithium-ion battery pack was designed to be lighter, more efficient and fast-charging ready. The biggest benefit from this innovation is to achieve high battery capacity for both charging and discharging over the entire temperature range, allowing the car to gain
400 km of range with just 15 minutes of charging
.
Porsche has built three figures worth of the Taycan prototype to undergo real-world testing in the most demanding driving conditions from the western part of South Africa with daily temperatures hovering around 40 degrees Celsius. By the time the Porsche Taycan hits the market in late 2019, the company would have done millions of kilometres already.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen Golf TSI “R-Line” now updated with “R-Line” leather seats

Launched in April during the Malaysia Autoshow 2018, the
Mk 7.5 Golf TSI “R-Line”
 will now only be sold with the “R-Line” Vienna leather seats – a feature absent at launch and in the initial units sold.
As such, the Golf TSI “R-Line” now cost
RM RM159,888
 (without GST) and not RM 157,488 (without GST & leather seats).
The R-Line styling package includes R-Line front and rear bumpers, rear spoiler, R-Line badges on the radiator grille and the front fenders and most notably a set of 17-inch “Singapore” alloy wheels.
The 1.4-litre TSI engine in the “R-Line” with
148 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque is mated to a 7-speed dry clutch DSG transmission.
IMAGE GALLERY


Gallery: Subaru XV GT Edition – The handsome go-getter

Quite evidently
, we’ve always had somewhat of a soft spot for the
Subaru XV
. Launched here in Malaysia back in
November 2017
, the second-generation XV is still among the best in terms of driving dynamics within the compact SUV segment, despite its age.
But when it came to sales figures, the XV never really caught on amongst buyers, perhaps because it doesn’t look as flashy as the other cars in this segment – and as we know, especially in a segment that caters mostly towards the younger crowd, looks are pretty much everything.
Not to be left behind by the other trendsetters, Subaru introduced a
special “GT Edition” for the XV in 2019
, equipped with all the bells and whistles you can think of. Paired to the “Pure White” paint job on our test drive unit here, we think that the results really does speak for itself.
Designed in collaboration between Giken Co. Ltd. and Mr. Masahiko “Jack” Kobayashi, former Chief Designer at Subaru responsible for penning the WRX STI models of old, the GT Edition body kit gives the XV a touch of sportiness thanks to the lip extensions on the front bumper with integrated canards, side skirts, roof spoiler, and rear bumper extension.
The new sportier appearance is also aided by a new set of 17-inch bespoke alloys, which – like all the other additional kit – gets a two-tone finish in satin silver and black, contrasting beautifully with the vast white canvas of the body panels.
Even on the inside, the GT Edition treatment has also given the cabin of the XV a breath of fresh air, with the new two-tone leather upholstery significantly elevating the “premium-ness” of this compact SUV – a much-needed touch in our opinion, especially with the arrival of the
Proton X50
.
Also new on the special edition is the updated eight-inch infotainment system. While admittedly not the most elegant user interface, all is forgotten when you plug in your mobile phone, as it now finally comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity – pretty much a necessity in this day and age.
The new infotainment system is also equipped with a new dual side view monitor system, with cameras pointing out of the wing mirrors to hopefully prevent you from curbing those shiny new wheels.
Aside from these new additions, the Subaru XV GT Edition is otherwise unchanged from the range-topping 2.0i-P variant. That includes the powerplant underneath the bonnet, which is still the same 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-banger producing
154 hp
 and
196 Nm
 of torque, paired to the brilliant Lineartronic CVT gearbox to send power to all four wheels.
Unfortunately,
because
 it is unchanged from the existing model, you also won’t find Subaru’s EyeSight advanced driver assistance on the XV GT Edition. Customers still waiting for that feature will just have to wait a little longer.
Throughout our weekend with the special edition Subaru XV, now more than three years after the initial launch of the model, its pure capabilities in the handling department still wowed us every single time we were met with a corner. Couple that with the shiny new looks from the GT Edition treatment, it’s not hard to see why it still remains as one of our favourites in the segment.
Now, over to you – what do you think of the Subaru XV GT Edition, especially in the looks department? Sound off in the comments section below!
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Behold, the most powerful turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in production!

With most modern European makes fitting their cars with 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engines these days, the crown for the most powerful unit in series production goes to Mercedes-AMG.
Its new
M 139 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
, destined for the AMG 45 models, makes
 416 hp
 (up 40 hp) and
 500 Nm
 (up 26 Nm) of torque. Those are the figures for the “S models”, the base model makes 382 hp and 479 Nm instead.
Maximum boost pressure is set at 2.1 bar (1.9 for the base model), while engine speed is capped at the 7,200 rpm.
Unlike the old M 133 engines, the new power plant is now rotated by 180 degrees in the engine bay which means the turbocharged and exhaust manifold is positioned at the back of the engine bay, with the intake system sitting behind the front grille.
This allows for improved air flow with shorter distances and fewer diversions – both on the intake and exhaust side. The new engine position also allows engineers to design the flattest and most aerodynamic front end.
The new twin scroll turbocharger incorporates roller bearings for the first time for the turbine’s shafts – reducing mechanical friction – allowing it to build boost quicker which in turn improves acceleration.
With more power comes more heat so fresh air is now also used, in addition to water and oil, to cool the turbocharger with fresh air directed to the turbine through the radiator grille.
Along with an electric water pump that works independently regardless of engine speed, there’s also an additional radiator in the wheel arch that supplements the larger unit by the front grille.
Assembled by hand, the new engine is built on a newly designed production line that’s been improved for better ergonomics and efficiency.
Each assembly technician is followed by a driverless transport system. Its shopping cart has precisely the components needed to complete the engine being assembled.


2016 Mercedes-AMG G63 launched in Malaysia, bi-turbo V8, RM1.18 mil

To the well-heeled among you, take note. There is yet another million-ringgit offering from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, but this one bears a face that hasn’t changed much since it first broke cover in 1979.
Widely known as the G Wagon, the variant before your very eyes is juiced by a
5.5-litre AMG V8
 engine that is
 twin-turbocharged
 to produce a mind bending
571 horsepower
 (peaks at 5,500 rpm) and
760 Nm
 of torque from 1,750 to 5,250 rpm. That’s even more powerful than the
C 63 S
 and
AMG GT S
! The only G-Class variant more powerful than this is the G 65, which draws moving power (621 hp and 1,000 Nm!) from a twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 motor.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-AMG G 63
Engine
5,461cc; bi-turbo V8
Transmission
7-speed AMG Speedshift Plus
Max Power
571 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
760 Nm @ 1,750 -5,250 rpm
0-100 km/h
5.4 seconds
Top Speed
210 km/h (electronically limited)
Price (OTR without Insurance)
RM1,181,888 (with GST)
Standard on the G 63 are the seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. Despite weighing in over
2,500kg
, the SUV is considerably brisk, sprinting from 0 to 100km/h in
 5.4 seconds
 before the speedo needle meets the 210km/h mark. It’s also very thirsty, consuming an average of
13.8 litres of petrol per 100km
.
The G 63 is a ladder-frame SUV with permanent four-wheel drive system, has a low-range gearbox and three differential locks that can be engaged or disengaged on the fly. This variant is equipped with the Edition 463 package, giving it the AMG twin-louvre front grille, matte black 21-inch AMG forged wheels, red AMG brake callipers, AMG sports exhausts (side-exit), “V8 BITURBO” lettering on the fenders, as well as Chrome and Stainless Steel exterior package. Headlamps are bi-xenon instead of LED, and below them are horizontally-mounted LED daytime running lights.

Inside, the seats are wrapped in black and brown Nappa leather, while the roof is lined with plush black microfibre. Fitted also are AMG carbon-fibre trim, AMG four-spoke multifunction steering wheel, AMG instrument cluster, AMG selector lever with AMG emblem, ambient lighting, powered sunroof, fire extinguisher and a chromed electronic key with AMG emblem.
Built within the centre dash is an 8-inch media display with COMAND Online and a controller. It’s hooked to a Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound system, and it supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the standard Bluetooth, MP3 and auxiliary playback.

Pricing for the Mercedes-AMG G 63 starts from RM1,181,888, but special orders for other G-Class variants (i.e G 550 and G 65) can be arranged. Optional exterior colours range from Solar Beam, Tomato Red, Alien Green, Sunset Beam and Galactic Beam. Any choice of colour will come with matching interior stitching.
The G 63 was launched together with two other SUVS – the GLC 250 Coupe and GLS 400.
IMAGE GALLERY

Official Photos (by Aaron Lee)


Honda Civic, BR-V now available with Platinum White Pearl colour option

Honda Malaysia today introduced a new colour option, named Platinum White Pearl, for the 2020 facelifted Civic and BR-V models. The new exterior hue, first introduced in the country with the

10th Generation Honda Accord
 and
Odyssey facelift
, will replace the existing White Orchid Pearl.
Honda Malaysia managing director and CEO, Toichi Ishiyama, said that the change was made in response to market reaction and customer feedback following the launch of the Accord. “White Orchid Pearl is a popular colour among Honda customers, accounting for 38% and 25% of the total sales for the 10th Generation Civic and New BR-V respectively.
“When we introduced the Platinum White Pearl colour in the Accord early this year, we saw good market acceptance with this colour accounting for 33% of the sales of the model. We are extending this colour to the C-segment leader and the refreshed Full 7-Seater Crossover in response to customer feedback.”
As with the previous White Orchid Pearl colour, the Platinum White Pearl hue is also a
premium option, priced at RM272.73
 for both the Honda Civic and BR-V. The new colour is now available on the Civic, while the company expects to start deliveries of the Platinum White Pearl BR-V in November.
In response to the
sales tax exemptions
 announced by the Government which will be in effect until the end of the year, Honda has released the latest updated price list for all of its models available here in Malaysia, which you can find
here
.


All-new Audi A3 Sedan launched in Malaysia from RM332k, RS 3 now open for booking

PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM)
has launched the all-new
Audi A3
Sedan S Line
, retailing at a price of
RM 331,990.
 With the launch of the all-new A3, bookings are now also open for the
Audi RS 3
 with an expected price range of
RM 650,000
 to
RM 750,000
.
All-new Audi A3 Sedan S Line
Offered in the S Line guise, the all-new A3 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes
190 hp
 and
320 Nm
. All power is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.
On the outside, the A3 sports “S Line kit”, LED headlamps, and 17-inch alloy wheels. A large “Singleframe” with honeycomb grille dominates the front end of the all-new A3. Behind the Singleframe are controllable cooling-air inlets with two electrically actuated louvre modules. They regulate the airflow in accordance with the driving situation. At the back of the all-new A3 is a rear diffuser that further reduces the drag coefficient.
RELATED:
Audi RS Q8 launched in Malaysia from RM 1.7m – in case the Urus is too flashy for you
In the cabin, the all-new A3 S Line features a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment unit that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interior is upholstered in fine Nappa leather with ‘S’ trim logos, and the driver gets a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with shift paddles. Driving modes include “efficient”, “dynamic”, “comfort”, “automatic”, and “individual”.
Audi RS

3 open for booking
Audi Malaysia has also announced that the hot version of the A3, the Audi RS 3 is now open for bookings. Pricing is expected to range from
RM 650,000
to
RM 750,000
.
Boasting a five-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes
400 hp
 and
500 Nm
, power is sent to all wheels via a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission. 0-100 km/h acceleration is done in
3.8 seconds
 and the RS3 has a reported top speed of 250 km/h. Adding excitement to the RS 3 is a drift mode called “RS Torque Rear”.
RELATED:
PHS Automotive named new distributor for Audi in Malaysia, sister company to VPCM
Both the all-new Audi A3 Sedan and the Audi RS3 are offered with a three-year free maintenance package and a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. Also included in the price of the cars is a five-year roadside assistance package.
RELATED:
Audi Malaysia launches #ReadyToDrive initiative – 20% off parts & labour


Geely’s Galaxy Light patent images leaked, production model coming soon?

Just months after
Geely
 unveiled its luxury electrified sub-brand –
Galaxy
, patent images of the Galaxy Light concept have been leaked. The patent was reportedly registered at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). For those who don’t know, the Galaxy Light concept is one of the
7 models
 the company plans to launch by
2025
.
Compared to the concept model Geely showcased to the world earlier this year, the design seen on the patent images looks closely similar. This includes the concept sedan’s headlights, bumper, and air vents designs.
Its body lines in the patent images look similar to the ones on the original concept model as well. Just like the concept model Geely showcased, the back of the upcoming EV sedan features a slim taillight that extends horizontally across the rear of the car, a trending design in the EV scene.
The Galaxy Light in the patent images also looks to be featuring a larger front overhang. Its ride height also seems to be heightened as well. This modification is most probably done to give the upcoming sedan a more practical and spacious interior space, especially at the back.
RELATED:
Geely unveils ‘Galaxy’ sub-brand, 7 PHEV and EV models planned by 2025
Geely will start to roll out its Galaxy models, starting with the Geely Galaxy L7 SUV in the second quarter of this year. The Galaxy E8, which is speculated to be the production model of the Galaxy Light concept, will be the first EV model to be launched under the Galaxy sub-brand. This launch is scheduled to be happening in the fourth quarter of this year.
The E8 is also said to be built on Geely’s own developed electrified modular architecture (E-CMA), which is the same platform that underpins other models co-developed with Geely. These models include the
Polestar 2
 and
Volvo C40
.
The Galaxy E8 sedan will also feature Geely’s latest Aegis battery safety system. This gives the EV sedan a promised increased protection against direct impacts to the battery during crash situations.
Its battery life is also boosted by as much as 20%, thanks to a new battery system that works together with the Galaxy E8’s
Wise Star Cloud Connected Central Computing System
. This combination allows the car to be capable of accurately predicting and pre-empting thermal runaways and other dangerous situations.
RELATED:
Geely’s Zeekr to enter Malaysia? Ministry visits Ningbo plant
GALLERY


Honda Malaysia offers 25% off on parts to flood-affected owners

Honda Malaysia has initiated a Flood Relief programme for its customers whose cars have been affected by the recent flood.
The Flood Relief Programme will run till the 31st of January 2022 where affected customers are advised to head to the nearest Honda authorised dealer for vehicle inspection. Affected Honda owners will receive a
25% discount
 on genuine parts. The offer is only applicable to vehicles bought from authorised dealers.
Honda Malaysia, Managing Director and CEO, Ms. Madoka Chujo said, “We are deeply saddened by the floods that have inundated several states in Malaysia, which resulted in people evacuating their homes and significant damages caused to their properties and vehicles. We hope that the Flood Relief Programme can help relieve the burden on our customers. We hope everyone continues to stay safe during these challenging times.”
Additionally, Honda owners who have subscribed to the Honda Insurance Plus programme can enjoy free inspection for their cars. Under the programme, towing service is provided along with flood allowance of up to RM1,500. Honda Malaysia will also be working with insurance companies to expedite claims by affected customers.
For more information on the Flood Relief Programme and Honda Insurance Plus, call 1-800-88-2020 or log on to
Honda Malaysia
.


All-new Honda Accord unveiled, 1.5L and 2.0L VTEC turbos, 10-speed auto! [+Video]

Honda’s dominating run is set to continue with the launch of one of its most important product – the 10th generation Honda Accord, and it’s kitted to the brim.
The styling approach is similar to the highly successful
10th-generation Civic
, with the fascia adorned by fat chromed grille and sleek LED headlamps. The C-pillars taper a tad bit for that fastback-esque styling, but it’s nowhere near as deliberate as that of the Civic. Meanwhile, the shorter overhangs give the new Accord a sportier outlook – an approach similarly undertaken by the
US-bound Camry
.

The new Accord rides on a lighter chassis (shaves 50kg to 100kg over the old model) and has a more rigid body structure. Compared to its predecessor, it’s lower, wider, and shorter, but the wheelbase grew by 54mm, making it one of the most spacious vehicles in its class.
Inside is entirely new, flanked with a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel. Affixed to the centre dash is an
8.0-inch infotainment
 screen supporting Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and HondaLink systems. As for the driver, there is a
 7.0-inch TFT digital display
built into the instrument cluster, whereas the 6.0-inch driver’s Head Up Display is available as an option for selected variants.
The biggest change to the Accord is its powertrain. As with the Civic and the
CR-V
, the 10th-gen Accord will share one thing in common with the duo – it’ll be the first ever Accord to be turbocharged. At launch, three four-cylinder powertrains can be had with the Accord, and the predecessor’s 3.5-litre V6 is now retired.
It begins with the all familiar
1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged VTEC
 engine that outputs
 192 hp
 and
 260 Nm
 of torque, mated with either a six-speed manual or a CVT. The 2.0-litre turbo is a detuned version of the
Civic Type R’s
 and replaces the 3.5L V6. This unit deploys a healthy
252 hp
 and
370 Nm
 of torque. There’s a new
10-speed automatic
 (
same as that in the Odyssey
) that is strictly for the 2.0, but a six-speed stick shifter is also available for keener drivers.
There’s also a hybrid option, combining a
2.0-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine
 that’s paired with an electric motor. According to Honda, thermal efficiency is up by 40 percent thanks to more liberal use of insulating materials. The battery is located under the rear floor, meaning boot volume is not compromised. However, Honda has yet to reveal the output and fuel efficiency figures for the hybrid.
The 10th-generation Honda Accord also comes with
 Honda Sensing
 as standard. No price for the US-bound Accord has been announced at press time, but it will go on sale later this year. Which are you expecting, the 1.5L turbo or the 2.0L turbo?
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton opens upgraded 3S centre in Klang with new corporate image

Proton together with authorised dealer Pantai Bharu Corporation has just officiated its latest 3S centre outlet here in Jalan Kapar, Klang. The new showroom adheres to the brand’s latest corporate image that reflects a fresher, more dynamic and bolder Proton.
Pantai Bharu previously operated a 1S and 2S centre on separate premises but have since invested and consolidated the two into this latest 3S outlet. This is in line with Proton’s upgrading exercise of existing Proton dealers to 3S and
4S
 status to provide greater service for its customers.

Owner and shareholder of Pantai Bharu, Dato’ Shamshudin Nor said: “In order to succeed, we need to move with times and stay relevant. The market is fluid, what works today, may not work tomorrow. So, the intention to relocate to a new area to provide better customer experience is inevitable. The new area will provide convenience to customers as a one-stop centre for sales, service and spare parts”.
The new 3S centre has 12 service bays, 8 hoists, 3 delivery bays and 70 customer parking bays. The showroom can accommodate up to 35 customer seating with a dedicated play area for children, coffee and phone/laptop charging area, as well as free WIFI.
Dato’ Shamshudin added: “We are positive that with the new and fresh-looking façade, better lighting and ambience for interior and exterior, we will be able to attract more customers to our showroom, hence this will definitely push our sales and service level upwards. We foresee a 100% increase in sales and service throughput with the inception of this outlet upgrade.”
IMAGE GALLERY


Vietnam’s Vinfast is heading to the US with a trio of new electrified SUVs

Vietnam’s first carmaker,
Vinfast
, has always had global aspirations especially with the larger US and Europe markets. Now a couple of months into its third year since its debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, it seems like the day is finally here, led by a trio of new electrified SUVs.
The smallest of the trio is the VF31, which Vinfast markets as a C-segment SUV. However, measuring in at 4,300 mm in length with a wheelbase of 2,611 mm, the VF31 is more comparable in size to a B-segment SUV such as the
Honda HR-V
.
Details on the car are scarce so far, though Vinfast did reveal that the VF31 will come with a vertical-oriented central infotainment screen sized between 10-12.8 inches, HEPA cabin filter with activated carbon for the air conditioning system, while a “Premium” variant also gains additional steering wheel heating, alongside seat heating and ventilation.
The VF31 will be a fully-electric model, powered by a permanent magnet motor that generates
85 kW (114 hp)
 and
190 Nm
 of torque. No performance figures have been announced just yet, but Vinfast says that the VF31 will be capable of a range of
 300 km
 with a full charge.
The Premium variant is rated a full five stars in the EURO NCAP safety standard, while the standard version gets a ASEAN NCAP four-star rating.
Next up is the VF32, a D-segment SUV measuring 4,750 mm with a wheelbase measuring 2,950 mm, making it just 30 mm longer than the
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
, but with a wheelbase more comparable to that of the
BMW X5
.
The Vinfast VF32 SUV will be offered in two electric and one petrol-powered variants. Both electric variants will be powered by a pair of PSM motors for a full-time all-wheel drive set-up, with the Premium variant getting
300 kW (402 hp)
 and
 640 Nm
 of torque, while the standard variant lowers its output to
150 kW (201 hp)
 and
 320 Nm
 of torque.
The Premium variant will also get a 90 kWh battery pack, which should be good for a fully-electric range of
 504 km
. The VF32 is also rated for a full five-star for both the NHTSA and EURO NCAP safety standards.
On the ICE side of things, the petrol-powered variant will see a 2.0-litre powertrain underneath the bonnet, good for
189 hp
 and a maximum torque of
280 Nm
.
In terms of equipment, the interior of the VF32 is headlined by a massive 15.4-inch central infotainment display, alongside a multi-colour ambient lighting system, HEPA and activated carbon cabin filters, as well as steering wheel heating, and heated and ventilated seats.
Last in the list is the Vinfast VF33, a humongous E-segment SUV similar in size to the
 BMW X7
 and the
Mercedes-Benz GLS
, measuring in at 5,120 mm long with a 3,150 mm wheelbase.
The VF33 will feature the same powertrain set-up as the VF32. Electric juice comes from a 106 kWh battery pack under the floor, which translates to a range of
550 km
 based on an unknown standard. A petrol-powered version will also be made available, powered by a 2.0-litre engine that makes
228 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque.
Just like the VF32, the larger sibling is also rated for a full five-star on both the NHTSA and EURO NCAP safety standards.
Feature wise, the flagship Vinfast VF33 SUV will be equipped with Matrix LED headlights up front, the same large 15.4-inch central infotainment display as seen on the VF32, along with a massive 2.63 sqm panoramic ceiling glass with 99% UV protection for the top-of-the-range variant.
Vinfast made big claims on the advance safety features on its new SUVs, with all three models coming with
level 2-3 autonomous capabilities
. The system will feature 30 smart features divided into seven groups, including smart driving assistant, adaptable lane control, active cruise control, multi-point collision warning, comprehensive collision mitigation system, smart automatic parking, and a driver monitoring system.
The premium version of all three models will also supposedly feature
level four self-driving capabilities
, powered by a suite of Lidar sensors and 14 cameras that feeds info into the Orin-X chip on-board. However, availability of these features will of course depend on each region’s own laws.
Additionally, Vinfast also says that these new SUVs will come with an “e-cockpit” smart virtual cockpit system, with features such as AI-powered virtual assistant and facial recognition. The actual functionalities of these systems though, will have to wait until the cars are released.
Vinfast will begin taking orders for the VF31 beginning May in Vietnam, with deliveries slated for November this year. The VF32 and VF33 meanwhile will be available for order starting September, and will be delivered starting in February 2022.
As for the US and Europe market, the VF32 and VF33 will be available for order starting November this year, with deliveries planned from June 2022 onwards.


Audi to launch 5 new core models, 3 new e-Trons and partners Porsche

Audi seems to be busy ramping things up recently, announcing that they will be launching at least three all-new, full electric vehicles by 2020. This is part of their roadmap to have over 30 percent sales coming from electric or hybrid vehicles by 2025.
The four rings will also be revamping five core models in their portfolio, presumably those that have yet to receive an update – the
A1
,
A6
,
A7
, A8 and
Q3
. As reported earlier, Audi will first focus on the top end models this year with the launch of the
new-generation A8
 (11 July) and the second-generation A7 to follow soon after.
In April, Audi has agreed to partner Porsche to jointly develop new platforms for electric cars. We know that Porsche has the
Mission E all-electric four-door saloon
 confirmed for production and Audi has the
e-tron Sportback SUV
 also due for mass production. The two parties did not disclose further information regarding the partnership but claims that it will “enhance the competitiveness of electric cars”.
By 2020, Audi will have a new range of compact SUV models with the
Q4 and Q8
, three e-tron electric vehicles and five new replacement of its core models. Guess Audi picked up a thing or two from our very own Wawasan 2020.
IMAGE GALLERY
Audi e-Tron Sportback

Porsche Mission E


Porsche spices up the 718 Boxster and Cayman with GTS variants

Shortly after unveiling the
Cayman e-volution
, claimed to be faster than a 911 GT3 from 0 to 100 km/h, Porsche has added even more “
oomph
” to its already potent 718 Cayman and Boxster models with the GTS variant.
There have been significant upgrades to the new Boxster and Cayman including a newly developed intake plenum and an optimised turbocharger which increases output from the 2.5-litre flat-four engine to
365 hp
 along with a savoury
430 Nm
 of torque. That’s 15 hp more that the
718 S models launched earlier this year in Malaysia
.
Both the GTS extensions come with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard takes with Porsche’s famed 7-speed dual-clutch PDK gearbox as an option. With the optional PDK transmission, 0 to 100 km/h will take just 3.9 seconds to hit – onward to a top speed of
180 mph
.
Other standard equipment includes the Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) including a mechanical rear-differential lock, Sport Chrono Package and the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). The PASM is set to reduce ride height by 1cm compared to the standard suspension on the 718 Boxster and Cayman.
The GTS models wear a Sport Design front end with tinted indicator and taillights together with black tips on its standard Sport Exhaust System. They can also be distinguished with black GTS designations on the doors and matte black 20-inch wheels.
On the inside, the GTS comes with a chronometer mounted centrally on the dashboard as part of the standard Sport Chrono Package. The Sport Seats Plus are wrapped in Alcantara with embroidered GTS logos on the headrest.
Also wrapped in Alcantara are the steering wheel, centre console and door armrests. When opted for the Navigation Module and Connect Plus Packages, the standard Sport Chrono Package also offers the Porsche Track Precision App (PTPA). The app allows drivers to automatically record, display, and analyse driving data obtained on closed courses on a smartphone.
Both are expected to arrive in the US early next year with the 718 Cayman GTS retailing at USD $79,800 (approx RM 337k) and the 718 Boxster GTS at USD $81,900 (approx RM 345k).
IMAGE GALLERY
718 Cayman GTS

718 Boxster GTS


All-new Peugeot 308 1.6L THP launched, priced at RM132,888 with GST [+Video]

It’s always an exciting phase when a European car of the year makes its local debut. No, it’s not a German made this time, but rather the all-new, second generation
Peugeot 308
 which took home the crown for France last year. It’s officially launched now, carrying a price tag of
RM132,888 with GST
and
 insurance
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Peugeot 308 1.6L THP
Engine
1,598cc; Turbo High Pressure, direct injection
Transmission
6-speed auto; torque converter
Max Power
150 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Max Torque
240 Nm @ 1,450 rpm
Price (OTR
with
insurance)
RM132,888 with GST

Before we move into the usuals, it’s worth noting that the new 308 is very much lighter than the model it replaces. This impressive weight loss is the result of using the carmaker’s new
Efficient Modular Platform 2
 (EMP2), extensive use of
lightweight but stiffer steel
, optimised design and aerodynamics,
lighter technical components
 and a
smaller fuel tank
. The use of
laser welding technology
 reduces another 12kg’s worth of metal. As such, the new 308 weighs a whopping
140kg lighter than before
!
EXTERIOR
Externally, this 308 is every bit better than the outgoing model. It is 4,253mm long (23mm shorter), 1,804mm wide (11mm slimmer), 1,457mm tall (a ridiculous 41mm lower!) and both axles sit 2,620mm apart, which is 12mm more than before. These improvements should naturally translate to
better on-road performance
, especially in terms of handling with its improved centre of gravity.

Standard to the 308 are its upsized
18-inch Sapphire alloy wheels
wrapped with 225/40 series
Michelin Pilot Sport 3
 tyres. Illumination source is
full LED
 with integrated LED daytime running lights, a first in its class. If we were to be frank, it looks uncannily similar to some Mercedes models (read: the
W205 C-Class
). Peugeot says the full LED technology consumes 50 percent less energy compared to halogen lights, and that the 308 has a total of
31 LEDs

per headlamp
.
INTERIOR
If you’re not a fan of how the exterior looks, there’s no way of denying the outstanding build quality of its cabin. We’ll cut to the chase here. You’ve got a slew of things to marvel at, one of which would be the seats. They’re clad in a mix of
Alcantara

and leather
 finished with white stitches. If that wasn’t enough, the front seats get
electric lumbar support
 with
massage function
 as well!

Apart from winning the 2014 European car of the year award, the new 308 also won the
Most Beautiful Interior Award
 at the 29th Annual Festival Automotive International. The cabin is entirely new, featuring the brand’s latest i-Cockpit design iteration. This means new instrument clusters, simplified dash with a built-in
9.7-inch high definition touchscreen head unit
. As you might have noticed, there are
no air conditioning dials
 because they have all been built into the touchscreen. Yeah, very French, we know.
The screen answers pretty much to all your in-car needs, from GPS navigation to vehicle configurations, driving aid, multimedia, and reverse camera. In keeping the cabin clean, the
parking brake
 is now
electronic
, next to which you’ll find the conveniently placed
push-start button
. Sun lovers should particularly be fond of the
panoramic sunroof
, a standard feature that was also available in the previous model’s top-end variant.
PERFORMANCE
The familiar
1.6-litre Turbo High Pressure
 (THP) engine continues its propulsion duties here, but has been tweaked to provide an optimal balance between fuel efficiency and power delivery. As such, the new motor makes
150 hp
 at 5,000 rpm and
240 Nm
 of torque from 1,450 rpm onwards, compared to the previous tune that made 156 hp at 5,800 rpm.
Fuel consumption is rated at a healthy
6.5 litres per 100km
, whereas the older model covers as much ground at the expense of 7.6 litres of gasoline. A
six-speed automatic gearbox
 with Quickshift Technology drives the
front wheels
. Sadly, the 308 does not come with paddle shifters, but that’s just the petrolhead in me being mopey.
Before you grumble about the loss of 6 horsepower, you ought to know that the detuned engine still feels as sprightly, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in
9.4 seconds
 before reaching a top speed of 211 km/h. The succeeding model had a sprint time of 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 212 km/h.
SAFETY
Let’s talk about passive safety first. Having earned a
five-star crash safety rating
 award from EuroNCAP, the new 308’s body is now more rigid than ever, allowing for a very controlled and systematic deformation of its structure should a collision occur. Energy dissipation is methodised during the deformation process, and Peugeot claims that this approach increases repairability.
More interestingly, the 308 comes with
Dynamic Cruise Control
 as standard, a class’ first. Complementing this convenient feature are the
Emergency Collision Alert
 and
Emergency Collision Braking
 which work in tandem to deactivate the cruise control when it detects a reduction of speed in the vehicle ahead.
Six airbags
 are standard here as well, including
Hill Start Assist
 and Advanced Intelligent Traction Control.
WHAT ELSE?
Like all other Peugeot models, this 308 gets a
5-year unlimited mileage warranty
 programme including Peugeot’s 24-hour Assistance aid. New owners and their families can also benefit from using
Peugeot’s Lounge
 at Subang Skypark Terminal while waiting for flights, which boasts first class facilities.
There are
five colours
 to choose from – Nera Black, Rouge Red, Mocha Brown, Artense Grey and Pearl White. Again, the 308 is priced at
RM132,888
 including GST and insurance. We have already sampled the car on your behalf, so keep a lookout for our full review of the new 308 soon!
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
Peugeot 308 1.6L THP


BFM launches iOS app that works with Apple CarPlay – first in Malaysia!

BFM Media Sdn Bhd, the operator of BFM 89.9 has launched an Apple iOS app that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay. When downloaded, the app allows users to live stream all of BFM’s radio shows and access their library of podcasts as well.
But why go through the hassle of creating an app? Well, according to BFM, their broadcast frequency (89.9) is limited only to the Klang Valley. They have consistently tried to acquire FM frequencies in other cities in Malaysia, but Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM) have rejected all of it due of unavailable frequencies.
The BFM CarPlay app cuts through all that with a few simple taps on your iPhone. Cars with head units that support Apple CarPlay can immediately begin using the BFM app. Customers of U Mobile and Digi (Digi Prepaid LiVE and Digi Broadband plan) will not incur data charges when accessing the app. BFM is currently working with Maxis to bring the same benefits to all Maxis customers as well.
The Honda Civic comes with Apple CarPlay as standard
Managing Director of BFM, Malek Ali said, “We look forward, over time, to the increasing proliferation of CarPlay among car makes, models and standalone car entertainment systems in Malaysia. With greater penetration of CarPlay, more and more car drivers and passengers outside of the Klang Valley will have access to BFM’s engaging discussions with thought leaders on the economy, business and nation-building despite BFM not being available on FM radio in their area.”
All BMW and Mercedes-Benz models are able to support Apple CarPlay (cost option feature), as well as the new
Honda Civic
,
Honda Accord
,
Volkswagen Passat
,
Volkswagen Tiguan
,
Volvo XC90
,
Volvo V90
 and selected Chevrolet models.
The BFM CarPlay app was developed for by Snappymob, an iOS and Android app developer based in Malaysia.


Mazda ranked as USA’s most reliable brand in Consumer Reports’ survey

Mazda has been named the most reliable brand in Consumer Reports’
2020 USA Auto Reliability Survey
, marking the first time that the Japanese carmaker has ever ranked first in the annual survey. The survey is based on data collected from Consumer Reports members, who have collectively shared over 300,000 car ownership experiences, that have then been processed by the non-profit consumer organization.
Scoring a total of 83 reliability points,
Mazda
 has effectively overtaken fierce rivals and traditional reliability champs
Toyota
 and
Lexus
, who ranks second (74 points) and third (71) respectively.
According to Consumer Reports, Mazda’s success this year was largely due to its conservative model updates and redesigns, which limited its risks as there are no new powertrains and infotainment systems – both of which are common pain points in other carmakers’ new car line-ups.
In fact, the minor issues experienced by some owners of the
Toyota RAV4
 was one of the key reasons that brought Toyota down the pecking order. However, all of the brand’s models available in the USA still ranked average or better in terms of reliability.
The
Toyota Prius
 even scored 93 points in total, earning it the title of the most reliable car. Oddly enough, dig deeper into the per-model results and you’ll see that many other cars – including the
Mazda MX-5
 – scored higher than 93 points. There were no reason given as to why the Prius won the title, but if we had to guess, it’s probably related to volume.
The same can’t be said for many other brands though;
 Honda
(63) ranked fifth in this year’s survey – and while it gained seven spots from the previous year, points were deducted by models such as the Passport SUV and Odyssey MPV, which both had below-average ratings in terms of reliability.
Somewhat fortunately for Malaysians, the
Honda HR-V
, as well as the Insight Hybrid – which features the same powertrain technology as the upcoming
Honda City RS e:HEV
 – is ranked “well above average”.
Hyundai
 (62) ranks sixth overall in this year’s survey, with the
Kona
 ranking “above average”. The all-new Sonata, which was also
just launched locally recently
, was the South Korean carmaker’s least reliable vehicle, though still scored average. Meanwhile, its sister-brand
Kia
 (45) dropped six places from last year, ranking fifteenth in this year’s survey.
Subaru
 (57) rounds up the top third of this year’s survey at eighth position, but most of its issues were found on the Ascent, which has “subpar reliability due to multiple problem areas”. For concerned Malaysians, you’ll be happy to hear that the
Subaru Forester
 ranked above average.
European brands in general did not do too well in this year’s survey, with the top-scoring European brand,
Porsche
 (55) ranking ninth – down five spots from the previous year.
BMW
 (52) finished 12th, up five spots from last year with mixed per-model results, while
Audi
 (46) remains unchanged at 14th.
Volvo
 (41) moved up to 18th this year, while
Mercedes-Benz
 (40) ranked 20th overall, putting it into the lower third of the brand rankings.
Volkswagen
 (36) ranked 24th in this year’s survey – just two spots higher than bottom-ranked Lincoln – with only the
Golf
 scoring “well above average”.
It has to be said that Consumer Reports’ method of determining reliability perhaps isn’t the most
reliable
 way of doing things. There are too many variables at play, not to mention the potential bias when it comes to self reporting from its members. The report also caters to those in the United States, so it’s hard to gauge how well these results translate over to us in Malaysia.
However, there should still be some takeaways here, given the sheer amount of data – so take it however you will. The full list of brands is available below, ranked from best to worst:
Mazda, 83
Toyota, 74
Lexus, 71
Buick, 70
Honda, 63
Hyundai, 62
Ram, 58
Subaru, 57
Porsche, 55
Dodge, 54
Infiniti, 54
BMW, 52
Nissan, 51
Audi, 46
Kia, 45
GMC, 43
Chevrolet, 42
Volvo, 41
Jeep, 41
Mercedes-Benz, 40
Cadillac, 38
Ford, 38
Mini, 37
Volkswagen, 36
Tesla, 29
Lincoln, 8


SpyBuzz: Geely Bin Yue testing in Malaysia, new Proton X50?

Last year, Proton’s newly appointed Chief, Dr Li Chunrong announced that the company will be launching a
new model every year until 2021
 starting with the
Proton X70
 in 2018. A fresh set of spy shots uploaded onto a popular
Facebook group
 hints that the national carmaker is working on bringing the
Geely Bin Yue
 to the local market.
While the car in
question is heavily covered, we can tell from the car’s silhouette, expanding Cosmos
grille front bumper sculpture and quad exhaust outlets that it is none other
than the Bin Yue B-Segment SUV (to be called Proton X50?).
It appears that there
are two separate units photographed as told by one unit spotting the more aggressive
sports spoiler and the other a standard trim spoiler. Both cars are still in
their left-hand-drive configuration.
In China, the Bin Yue is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine
co-developed with Volvo
 paired to a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission pushing out
177 hp
 and
255 Nm
 of torque. The front-wheel-drive SUV is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in
7.9 seconds
 and has a rated fuel consumption of
6.1L per 100km
.
Despite competing against the likes of
Honda HR-V
 and
Mazda CX-3
, the Bin Yue is armed to the teeth with dual tone leather upholstery, 7.0-inch LCD instrument cluster display, 10.25-inch floating touchscreen display, electronic gear selector, panoramic sunroof and Level 2 semi-autonomous driving technology.
Looking at what Proton was able to offer on the X70, don’t be surprised that the RHD Bin Yue to go on sale in Malaysia with all the options and features ticked.
In China, the Bin Yue is priced between RMB78,800 (RM47k) for the base 1.0L (MT) to RMB118,800 (RM71k) for the range-topping model and comes with an 8-Years or 300,000 km mileage warranty.
Factoring the price positioning of B-Segment SUVs in Malaysia as well as the X70’s pricing, we speculate that the X50 (again, we’re jumping the gun on the name) will be priced in the region of RM70k to high RM80k – any higher it will be eating into the X70’s market share.
Geely Bin Yue to be the base for Proton new SUV
Proton X70 in Cinnamon Brown
However, do not expect to see the X50 hit showroom floors by 2020 as the first spy shots have only emerged and it would take the engineers at least 12 to 18 months (around the same time it took to develop the RHD X70) to re-engineer the car for right-hand-drive markets. Factoring in marketing campaigns and lead time, we will most likely see the first RHD X50 sometime in 2020.
 Besides, Proton has already filled up this year’s launch promise with the
facelifted Proton Iriz
.
IMAGE GALLERY
Geely Bin Yue Spied in Malaysia
Geely Bin Yue at GuangZhou Motor Show


The New MINI 5 Door launched, meeting your practical needs for RM239k [+Video]

It takes guts,
lots of guts
 to take a huge leap of faith in attempt to break away from what is essentially an icon to the automotive world. The icon we’re talking about is the
MINI Cooper
, and today saw the official introduction of the new
MINI 5-Door
after its initial reveal
earlier this year
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
MINI Cooper S 5 Door
Engine
2.0-litre MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology
Max Power
192 horsepower @ 4,700 to 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
280 Nm of torque @ 1,250 rpm (300 Nm with overboost)
0-100km/h; Top speed
6.8 seconds; 230 km/h
Price
RM238,888 (OTR without insurance)

As with its name, the MINI Cooper S 5-Door gets additional doors for the rear occupants and in this process of adding extra doors, the MINI 5-Door
gains 161mm
 in overall length, thanks in part to the
72mm increase
 in wheelbase length.
This translates to
more legroom
 and an
increase of 15mm headroom space
 for the rear occupants. Boot space is also increased by
67 litres
, totalling up to
278 litres
. You’ll find out what we thought about the gains as you read on.
EXTERIOR
Everything up front is just like its 3-door sibling, and the new F55 MINI 5-Door is easily spotted with its halved-elliptical LED daytime running lights and honeycomb-styled radiator grille. Exclusive to this 5-Door MINI is the
17-inch two-toned Roulette Spoke rims
 shod with 205/45 R17 series run-flat tyres. Lighting sources are
fully powered by LED
 – this includes the headlamps and the fog lamps.

INTERIOR
The cabin of this MINI screams premium build quality, featuring the Carbon Black
leather upholstered sports seats
 for both the front driver and passenger. The roof gets a convincing shade of
Anthracite
, among the other nifty touches such as the
black-checkered surface
 and
chrome-lined interior
. Further increasing the cabin’s appeal is the MINI John Cooper Works’ multi-function leather steering wheel with
 Chilli Red contrast stitching
, as well as the
JCW logo
 embedded into the six o’clock position.

We tried getting in and out of the rather small rear doors, and ultimately rejoiced with the MINI’s new found practicality. Rear legroom is evidently bigger, and there’s more space for your arms to move about more freely than in the 3-door variant. The rear seats have a
60:40 split configuration
 that, if folded down, gives you a total of
941 litres
 of cargo space.
In the centre rests the
6.5-inch MINI Visual Boost LCD display
 which is operated via a
five-key controller
 located next to the parking brake lever. This head unit comes with the
MINI Excitement package
 as standard, giving you an orchestra of illumination seen on the instrument clusters, operating modules, door trims and centre console area.
PERFORMANCE
Pop the hood of this 5-Door Cooper S and you’ll be greeted with the familiar
2.0-litre
 engine with MINI TwinPower turbocharging technology. This particular mill is exactly the one found in the 3-Door Cooper S, and makes
192 horsepower
 @ 4,700 to 6,000 rpm and
280 Nm
 of torque @ 1,250 rpm (300 Nm in overboost).
Such numbers propel the car from 0 to 100 km/h in
6.8 seconds
 with a top speed of
230 km/h
, all while returning just
 5.5 litres
 of combined fuel consumption, thanks to the auto on/off engine function. The engine is paired to a
six-speed sports automatic transmission
 that drives the
front wheels
.
WHAT ELSE?
MINI Malaysia has revealed that the
RM20,000 Wired package
 (originally introduced for the 3-Door Cooper S variant) may be introduced for the MINI 5-Door in the near future, as will the 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged Cooper. Till then, this 5-Door Cooper S can be yours for
RM238,888
 (OTR without insurance) and comes with a
 three-year or 50,000km warranty
 programme.
There are
11 shades of colour
 to choose from, inclusive of the newly added
Electric Blue
 that is exclusive only to this variant. The roof, side mirrors and stripes can be had in either white or black. The car can be viewed at your nearest MINI dealership beginning this
15 November
.

[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Alfa Romeo will launch a new car every year until 2026, before going full EV

Stellantis’ Alfa Romeo will be unveiling a new model every year until 2026, CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato said in an Italian dealer event on Wednesday.
Alfa Romeo’s new model push will kick off with the Tonale, a compact SUV that will be launched in March next year, Imparato said. The model was initially scheduled for debut by December 2021, however the launch date was inexplicably pushed back, supposedly due to Imparato’s own displeasure with the plug-in hybrid’s performance.
As for the rest of the new cars, not much is known at this moment. There were rumours of an even smaller SUV called the “Brennero” that’s poised to join the Alfa Romeo model line-up after the launch of the Tonale, although we’ll still probably have to wait a bit longer before we hear anything substantial about that.
Five cars in five years, that’s already a pretty packed schedule. But they’re not done yet – Imparato also said in the event that Alfa Romeo will be transitioning into an EV-only carmaker from 2027 onwards, in line with Stellantis’ overarching electrification strategy.
Stellantis has unveiled their new STLA modular platform, which will also be used on future Alfa Romeo EVs. Learn more here.
For those afraid that moving towards electric will somehow ruin the famed “sports car” feeling of their beloved Alfa Romeos, fret not – Imparato has repeatedly said that the brand will still focus on handling and performance, not technology.
Heck, he even said recently that he’s selling an Alfa Romeo, and not an
“iPad with a car around it”
– that should already be enough to instil confidence, we think. It’s going to be a busy couple of years for the Italian carmaker, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store.
Alfa Romeo has brought back the GTA nameplate with new Giulia GTA and GTAm. Check it out here!
[Source: Reuters]


All-new Hyundai Santa Fe revealed: Land Rover-inspired interior, 2 wireless phone chargers

Hyundai
 has just revealed to the world the brand-new fifth-generation
Santa Fe
. This is the first full model change for the Santa Fe since the introduction of the fourth-generation model in 2018, and Hyundai has given it a full redesign, both inside and out.
Hyundai describes the Santa Fe’s exterior as a lifestyle-based design and has designed the Santa Fe to be suitable for both urban and especially outdoor lifestyles. And unlike any Santa Fe in the past, this all-new one sports a boxy exterior design, giving it a futuristic yet retro look, reminding us of cars like the
Land Rover Defender
 and the latest second-gen
Lexus GX
.
Both the Santa Fe’s front and back feature Hyundai’s latest signature H-lights, with the front also sporting an LED light bar that extends across the grille and connects both of the headlights, giving it the RoboCop kind of look.
Besides the headlights and rear lights, the H-design motif can also be spotted at the front bumpers. There are boxy and angularly shaped wheel arch claddings shaped too, adding to the Santa Fe’s outdoors theme. The Korean SUV also comes with 21-inch wheels.
RELATED:
Hyundai Ioniq 6 to launch in Malaysia on 21 July – ‘Streamliner’ EV with 610 km range
Inside, the H-shaped design cues continue and can be found on the dashboard and air cond vents. The interior also features wood-patterned garnish and Nappa leather seats, together with two wireless phone chargers.
But what is most interesting is the fifth-gen Santa Fe’s interior’s strong Range Rover influence. Just look at the boxy and angular design elements on the centre console, as well as the HVAC control unit, the air cond vents, the 12.3-inch panoramic driver and infotainment display, and especially the steering wheel.
Overall the interior looks neat and premium even, and we can’t wait to see the car for ourselves. Hyundai continues to boast of its fifth-gen Santa Fe’s size, marketing the SUV as a car that is suitable for outdoor lifestyles, thanks to its roomy interior, which features fully foldable second and third-row seats.
As of now, Hyundai has yet to share any of the fifth-gen Hyundai Santa Fe’s technical specifications. For that, we will have to wait for the car’s world premiere, which will be taking place in August this year. The premiere will also be live-streamed via Hyundai’s YouTube channel.
RELATED:
3 new Hyundai models teased for 2023 – Ioniq 6, Santa Fe & Tucson, is that you?


2023 Volkswagen Amarok gets teased in snowy illustration

The Volkswagen Amarok, a pick-up truck which unfortunately is not available in ASEAN, has been teased yet again, but illustrated instead of wrapped in camouflage or photographed in super low-lighting conditions.
Marketed under Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the illustration now provides a glimpse of how the rear and side design of the new Amarok will look like. A few months ago, Volkswagen officially begun teasing the looks of this new pick-up truck with illustrations.
The German carmaker has partnered with Ford to jointly develop the next-generation Amarok pick-up truck. Volkswagen’s model is only officially due a year later, after the
all-new Ranger’s
 official launch and will be built in South Africa too.
Being a pick-up truck, the rigid three-box silhouette is standard issue, as per the flat, boxy doors and rear deck design. In the earlier illustration, the new Amarok seem to have a high hood line and bold frontal look similar to the
Atlas
 large SUV.
The side profile meanwhile is dominated by massive wheel over fenders, which are a significant design difference compared to the similarly-sized Ford Ranger.
To prove its off-road credentials, Volkswagen took the fully electric ID.4 to a 2,500 km rally with just one upgrade! Find out more here!
The interior meanwhile has parallels with the Ford, with a large portrait-oriented infotainment display taking centre stage of the dashboard. Like the Ford, an electronic parking brake and an array of switches, presumably for the 4WD drive and terrain modes are located on the lower console.
No mention of powertrain at this stage, but the range-topping unit is said to be a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine with up to 260 hp and 580 Nm of torque. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles plans to launch the new Amarok this summer.


Get up to RM6,000 cash rebates on Ford Ranger Raptor and Wildtrak models!

After recently
revising the prices on their Ranger line-up
, Sime Darby Auto Connexion, distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia is now offering up to
RM6,000 cash rebates
on selected Ford Rangers – the Wildtrak and Raptor.
The Ranger Raptor is now priced at
RM210,888
and Ranger Wildtrak at
RM152,388
. Both models have seen an RM2,000 increase from before. The cash rebates of up to RM6,000 is only applicable to 2020 model year Ford Rangers only.

That said, all Ford pick-up trucks registered from 2021 onwards will now come with a
new 5-year/160,000km warranty
. Previously, the warranty was only limited to three years or 100,000 km. Existing Ranger owners on the 3-year warranty can opt for an optional 2-year/60,000 km warranty extension.
The 2.0-litre 4×4 Ranger Wildtrak and Raptor are powered by a 4-cylinder twin-turbo diesel engine, paired to a 10-speed automatic, producing
213 hp
 and
500 Nm
.
The Ranger Raptor however get additional items such as gear shift paddles, Fox Racing suspension, a wading depth of 850 mm, a 4WD Terrain Management System with “Baja mode” and of course, sports seats and of course, a much angrier exterior.
For enquires, customers are now encouraged to make an appointment with a Ford authorised dealer or contact their
Sales Line
.


Lamborghini LM002 was the 80’s super SUV, new Urus to follow the same recipe?

In the year 1986, Lamborghini made its first ever SUV, the LM002. Unlike the SUVs of modern times whose sole purpose is to ferry people in utmost comfort, the LM002 started life as the Italian carmaker’s pet project to develop a high-performance, military grade off-road SUV in the late 1970’s, codenamed – Cheetah.
It was not until 1981, when Lamborghini engineer Giulio Alfieri reopened the Cheetah casefile and thus, the LM002 was born. The final production model was presented at the 1986 Brussels Auto Show, featuring a front-mounted 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V12 sourced from the legendary Countach Quattrovalvole producing
450 hp
. Four-hundred and fifty ponies in an SUV from the 80s, the guys at Lamborghini must be mad, in a good way of course.

Coupled that with an aluminium and fibreglass body structure as well as four-wheel drive, the LM002 was able to reach speeds in excess of
200 km/h
. Not forgetting that its original purpose was to serve in the army, the LM002 came equipped with transfer case, three self-locking differentials, specially-developed Pirelli Scorpion tyres and many other high-tech wizardries to give it the capabilities to climb gradients of over
120 percent
 and extreme durability in extreme conditions.

It became an instant hit during its production lifespan from 1986 to 1992. Lamborghini made a total of 300 units of the LM002. The Italian carmaker is geared up for its global premier of its second SUV, the
Lamborghini Urus
 on 4 December 2017 and like the SUV before it, the Urus will come with exceptional on/off-road dynamics, performance and luxury. The Urus will also feature the brand’s first turbocharged mill,
one that belts 650 hp
.
IMAGE GALLERY


2023 Mercedes-Benz E 300 AMG Line updated in Malaysia with new equipment list – RM400k

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
 has quietly updated the equipment list for the E 300 AMG Line on its website, with a price list that has been effective since 9 February 2023. However, a quick check with a dealer has reveals that the update has been in effect since at least 1 January this year.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz E 300 AMG Line in Malaysia now retails at
RM399,888
 on-the-road, without insurance, representing a slight RM2,000 hike over its most recent SST-inclusive price tag.
Chief among the updates on the new 2023 model is the new set of 19-inch AMG 10-spoke light alloy wheels, which replaces the five-twin-spoke design from the
 launch model
. Behind the front wheels are also a pair of larger cross-drilled brake discs for better braking performances.
Over at the back, the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz E 300 AMG Line also gains a new boot lip spoiler. As for the boot itself, it now also comes with a hands-free access feature (previously only powered) that lets you open the rear cargo area by waving your foot underneath the car.
READ MORE:
3 luxury features on the 2022 Mercedes-Benz E 300 that were unnecessary, but yet so charming
Aside from these, though, the Mercedes-Benz E 300 AMG Line mostly remains identical to the car that
made its debut in Malaysia back in 2021
. Underneath the bonnet is still the same 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four mill, sending
 258 hp
 and
370 Nm
 to the rear wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox.
Other standard equipment here include the Multibeam LED matrix headlights, panoramic sunroof, a Burmester sound system, as well as an interior lined with black leather and open pore wood trims.
The all-new, next-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class model is set for its global debut soon, and will feature the marque’s latest
 ‘Superscreen’ dashboard
 with the latest MBUX operating system.
GALLERY


Alfa Romeo has dressed these 3 in “Nero Edizione” trims to look evil

The sighting of an Alfa Romeo in Malaysia may be as rare as a delicious home-cooked meal by your other half but it doesn’t mean that they’re resting on their fading laurels. Enter the Nero Edizione Edition – catered to the Giulia, Stelvio and the Giuletta.
For the Giulia and Stelvio, the kit includes a dark glossy V-shaped insert for the front grille, adaptive Bi-Xenon headlamps, gloss back mirror caps and exhaust tips – basically a bunch of black trims to define Alfa Romeo’s idea of “evil”.
Filling the Giulia’s arches are 18-inch dual 5-spoke dark finish alloy wheels while the Stelvio gets a 20-inch dark V-spoke alloy set. Inside, both cars are garnished with aluminium kick plates, pedals and footrests.
As for the little Giulietta, the fancy trims are carried over from the Giulia and Stelvio with the addition of an “oversized exhaust pipe” – Alfa Romeo did not elaborate further. An 18-inch set of dark gloss alloys complete the exterior.
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton opens new engine plant in Tg Malim, first outside of China to assemble 1.5 TGDi mill

Proton has officially unveiled its new engine assembly line at Tanjung Malim, at an exclusive event for invited media and guests yesterday. The new facility will produce the
 Geely-Volvo-developed 1.5 TGDi
 (Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection) engine, marking the first time it has been assembled outside of China.
The new assembly line has been operational since April this year, with the engines produced already being used on the
recently-unveiled 2022 Proton X70 update
. The project is part of Proton’s RM1.8 billion plan to upgrade its facilities at the Tanjung Malim plant, and covers an area of over 18,000 square metre within the plant’s Engine and Powertrain facility.
Built according to the Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) ethos, the new assembly line utilises numerous automatic and semi-automatic stations to boost its automation level up to 47%, thus significantly upping productivity. At full bore on a three-shift schedule, the new assembly line currently has a maximum capacity of 180,000 engines.
Proton says that the assembly line is manned by 202 directly-employed staff, many of which have spent time in China for extensive skill training. With an average of just 24 years, the “next generation of automotive talents for the nation” is also a step forward in the company’s human capital development goals.
The line itself uses equipment similar to Geely’s Baoji engine plant in China, sourced from reputable suppliers such as ABB, COMAU, FEV China, FEV India, WiBeda, and Hangxin. Of the 88 stations on the assembly line, 17 are fully automatic, 15 semi-automatic, and 56 are manually operated.
The entire assembly line is housed in a climate-controlled clean environment with an anti-static station to prevent static electricity damage to electric components, and the assembly line also moves on a conveyor system that is said to not only run smoother, but is also cleaner, more durable, and cheaper to operate than a chain-based system.
Focusing on quality control, Proton has also implemented Internet of Things (IoT) technology such as data capture and analysis tools throughout the assembly process to ensure the quality standards are met and maintained. Additionally, 207 Error Mistake Proofing (EMP) controls and 34 intelligent high-resolution cameras have been installed on the line to detect process and assembly defects in real-time (with 100% hit-rate), reducing overall downtime.
The fully-assembled engines are subjected to a range of tests before leaving the assembly line, and a number of engines from completed batches are also pulled out at random and subjected to dyno tests of up to 100 hours to ensure they meet the company’s quality standards.
Speaking of the engine, Proton says that the 1.5 TGDi powertrains now feature 30% of local content, with 72 parts currently supplied by 19 Malaysian and four ASEAN vendors. Currently, only the 1.5-litre TGDi engine is assembled at the new Tanjung Malim facility, but Proton says that it will be able to make other variants of the engine, including the
 port-injected variant
, for other models in the future.
GALLERY


Hyundai has built a robot that will tell you to wear a mask!

Hyundai Motor Group today introduced the DAL-e, a customer service robot that can independently communicate with people using facial recognition technology.
DAL-e stands for “Drive you, Assist you, Link with you-experience”
 and is the company’s first step to automated customer service. It’s equipped with artificial intelligence technology for facial recognition as well as an automatic communication system based on a multiple language platforms.
“The DAL-e is is expected to become a messenger capable of delivering consistent messages to customers in a more intimate and personal way than conventional robots,” said Hyundai, Head of Robotics Lab, Vice President, Dong Jin Hyun.
“With continuous updates and improvements, the DAL-e will provide fresh, pleasant experiences to our valued customers in a contact-free environment. Our objective is to enable the DAL-e to engage in a smooth and entertaining communication with customers and present valuable services to them,” he added.
The 80 kg robot has undergone initial pilot testing at a Hyundai showroom in Seoul, South Korea, and will be deployed for various use that requires everyday interactions with customers at showrooms.
Unlike most working on the showroom floors, the DAL-e has been programmed to be friendly, with “emotive physical features” to better interact with customers. It can also engage in an automated and smooth dialogue with customers while providing information on products and services.
If needed, DAL-e can also move freely to escort customers to a particular area. In fact, if a customer is seen not wearing a fask, DAL-e can also detect it and ask the customer to do so!
When it was undergoing its pilot tests, Hyundai said DAL-e was useful for customers who do not prefer to be assisted by Hyundai staff due to Covid-19 circumstances.


Kia to debut an all-electric crossover concept in Las Vegas, Niro EV?

It seems that Kia Motors will be joining the EV (Electic Vehicle) movement as they prepare to unveil an all-electric crossover concept at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on 8 January. The concept car will showcase Kia’s vision of cutting-edge vehicle interfaces, autonomous driving and the world’s first in-car 5G connection.
Based on the teaser image, it appears the company is hinting at a Niro EV however it is yet to be confirmed whether the final product will be named as such. Although wearing the
Niro nameplate
, the concept car looks radically different from the regular Niro. Sporting a crossover body style, the concept features much sleeker lines as well as new lighting graphics.

Kia is also taking the opportunity to debut its new range of advanced driver assistance technologies at the CES at their booth titled “Beyond Autonomous Driving”. The company will also exhibit its upcoming autonomous driving technologies as well as outline their plans for future autonomous mobility.
Kia will also present three futuristic cockpit designs to showcase how the company will integrate new technologies to enhance the connectivity between the car and driver. Kia also promises that the “never-seen-before human-machine interface (HMI)”, new advanced driver assistance technologies and
world’s first in-car 5G connection
 are under heavy consideration for market introduction in the coming years.
Vice Chairman and Head of Hyundai-Kia R&D Center, Dr. Woong-cheol Yang said, “Virtual reality, self-driving cars, and full vehicle connectivity were all once considered technologies of the distant future. As they rapidly become a reality, Kia is exploring how to adapt these new technologies for its customers. At CES we will share our strategy and vision for future mobility, and exhibit a range of advanced technologies that our customers can look forward to.”
IMAGE GALLERY


Bring those tissues out, BMW Malaysia launched the new i8

BMW Malaysia has launched the new BMW i8 coupe here at the Auto Bavaria showroom along Jalan Tun Razak to further solidify its foray into the realm of electric mobility. The new BMW i8 is not only a showcase of powertrain improvements but also aerodynamic efficiency.
You get an electric motor powering the front wheels, while a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine powers the rear wheels. The internal combustion engine’s power is channelled to the rear wheels through a six-speed Steptronic transmission, while the electric motor drives the front wheels via a two-speed automatic gearbox.
The battery pack rests in the car’s underbody for a lower centre of gravity, where its capacity has been increased to offer an electric driving range of up to
55 km
 (previously 35 km). As for the 1.5-litre engine, BMW has managed to squeeze out
231 hp
 with
320 Nm
 of torque.
The combined output of both the electric motor and engine has increased from 362 hp to
374 hp
 but 0 to 100 km/h still takes 4.4 seconds like before, strangely.
The BMW i8’s body is made up of air flaps, air curtains, a sealed underbody, “Stream Flow” lines along the sides and air ducts between the rear lights to make sure it’s as slippery as possible through the wind.
Elsewhere, the BMW gets new 20-inch BMW i light-alloy wheels in radial-spoke style, that’s just far more suited to the silhouette of the car.
Inside the 2+2 seater cabin, is a cockpit that focuses on the driver – an aspect that’s been vital to BMW’s interior design. All controls and display elements are within arm’s reach of the driver and is easily readable.
The cockpit is fitted out with the BMW Head-up Display, where in Sport Mode, changes to display engine revs, gears and shift lights during gear changes.
There’s an 8.8-inch touchscreen display, utilising the iDrive operating system, which can also be controlled by the touch controller on the centre console.
Open-pored carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) trims occupy the centre console, door handles and dashboard inlay, the ceramic controls of the iDrive Controller
with an embossed i8 logo, and the ceramic finish on the gear lever.
The new BMW i8 exterior comes in Crystal White with a Frozen Grey highlights or the new BMW Individual special paintwork Donington Grey, with the interior in Black Amido or Accaro respectively.
The new BMW i8 is priced at
RM1,310,800
 (OTR without insurance) and comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty with Free Scheduled Service Program, 2-year/24-month Tyre Warranty Programme for its Run Flat Tyre offering and services, BMW Roadside Assistance & Accident Hotline and the BMW White Card.
IMAGE GALLERY


Reserve, park and charge at Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays in Sunway Pyramid

BMW Group Malaysia together with Sunway Group, Shell Malaysia and ParkEasy have just launched new charging bays for electrified vehicles here in Sunway Pyramid Shopping Centre.
The new Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays are slightly different from the
BMW i Charging Facilities
 launched previously as users can reserve their parking spot beforehand through the ParkEasy app. Once reserved, users will be guaranteed that particular parking bay equipped with BMW i Charging Facilities.
There are 5 Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays in Sunway Pyramid, located at Level CP2 Preferred Parking and are the closest parking spot to the mall entrance. Reservations made through the ParkEasy app will be held for up to 1 hour and each booking costs 6 credits on weekdays and 8 credits on weekends (1 credit = RM1).
An hourly fee of 3.8 credits is charged for the time of the vehicle is occupying the bay while standard parking charges collected by the building (Sunway Pyramid CP2 Preferred Parking, 1st 2 hours RM5.00) still apply. Charging of your EV/PHEV is, however, free of charge.
 From L:
Datuk Iain Lo, Chairman of Shell Malaysia
;
Harald Hoelzl, MD of BMW Group Malaysi
a;
Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah and Warren Chan, CEO of ParkEasy
There will be 10 Reserve
+ Shell Recharge Bays available across three major Sunway Group Properties – 5
in Sunway Pyramid, 3 in Sunway Pinnacle and 2 in Sunway Velocity Mall. BMW
Group Malaysia, Shell and ParkEasy are looking to grow the number of bays in
the future.
IMAGE GALLERY
 Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays at Sunway Pyramid, CP2


Man gets Land Rover stuck in a river, after “driving through” for a car wash

And this is what we call “Penny wise pound foolish”. While it may be old news as it took place four months ago in Sichuan, China, the amusement is evergreen.
More interestingly, this madness took place all because the
owner wanted to save USD 3 on a car wash
; a Land Rover owner mind you. There are so many questions to ask, I don’t even know where to begin.
Safe to assume that wherever he came from, assuming from the city judging from the suit, the drive alone would’ve cost him more in fuel.
One viewer did shed light on the situation in the comment section, saying that it was because “His brain was made in China”, which explains a heck of a lot.
Only in China, I guess.


Facts & Figures: First-ever G28 BMW 330Li M Sport arrives in Malaysia – RM300k

Previously only destined for the Chinese market, BMW has now designed the long wheelbase variant of the new 3 Series sedan in right-hand drive orientation. After launching in India and Thailand, the new G28 BMW 3 Series long wheelbase is now available in Malaysia in a single variant.
BMW Malaysia is offering the locally-assembled BMW 330Li M Sport from
RM 300,800.00
 with 5-years unlimited mileage warranty and free scheduled service.
EXTERIOR
The first-ever BMW 3 Series long wheelbase in Malaysia will be offered with the popular M Sport package. This means the inclusion of the M Sport aerodynamics kit, M badges, and black window surrounds similar to the standard wheelbase variants.
However, the design of the rims is different, together with a rear bumper that surrounds the exhaust outlets in a trapezoidal design. Visible behind the 18-inch wheels are the unpainted standard brake calipers.
18″ M light-alloy wheels in Double Spoke Style 848 M Bicolour with Run Flats
M Aerodynamics Package
Standard brake calipers
Adaptive LED headlamps
Welcome light “carpet”
Panoramic 2-piece glass roof
The wheelbase has been stretched by
110 mm
, measuring 2,961 mm, which is just 14 mm shorter than the BMW 5 Series. Compared to the Lexus ES which visually looks exceptionally spacious like a long wheelbase car, the ruler only registers a reading of 2,870 mm, or 91 mm shorter than the 330 Li.
BMW says there is a 6 mm increase in overall height on the 330Li M Sport compared to the
330i M Sport
. Boot space is rated at 480 litres.
INTERIOR
In terms of the additional features for the more spacious back seat, there aren’t any extra toys. However, a massive two-piece
panoramic glass roof
 provides more light into the enlarged cabin. Dimensionally, the legroom for the rear passengers has increased by
42 mm
, while headroom is a marginal 4 mm more compared to the 330i M Sport.
Dashboard in Sensatec
Aluminium Tetragon trim with pearl chrome highlights
M Sport steering wheel and foot pedals
12.3-inch fully digital instrument display
10.25-inch touch screen
Three-zone automatic air-conditioning
10-speaker HiFi sound system
Enhanced ambient lighting (lighting strip at back of front seats)
Upfront, the occupants are treated to a higher quality interior compared to the standard wheelbase variants. The dashboard is now covered in Sensatec with contrast stitching while the switches at doors are in a satin finishing called “Galvanic Embellishers”.
The Malaysian launch of the new BMW 330Li M Sport will also debut the new ‘
My BMW App
‘ that provides easy access to a wide range of remote services, on-the-go navigation, and e-mobility features. The application will replace the BMW Connected App come
 July 2021
, and is now available for download on both Android and iOS-enabled smartphones.
The first-ever locally-assembled BMW 330Li M Sport can be had in Mineral White or Carbon Black and paired with Vernasca leather upholstery in Mocha with black stitching.
PERFORMANCE
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission: 8-speed Steptronic automatic
Max Power: 258 hp @ 5,000 rpm to 6,500 rpm
Max Torque: 400 Nm @ 1,550 rpm to 4,400 rpm
0 – 100 km/h: 6.2 seconds
Top Speed: 250 km/h (limited)
Fuel consumption: 6.4 l/100 km
The powertrain of the new BMW 330Li M Sport mirrors the 330i M Sport, which means access to the potent
258 hp
 output and
400 Nm
 of torque from the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Due to the increase in overall mass, the 0 to 100 km/h time for the long wheelbase variant takes a little longer, now registering
6.2 seconds
– a 0.4-second delay.
SAFETY
Similar to the 330i M Sport standard wheelbase variant, the new BMW 330Li M Sport is also equipped with the Driving Assistant Package which includes:
Front Collision Warning with brake intervention
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Change Warning
Rear Cross Traffic Warning and Collision Prevention
Reverse camera
Six airbags
GALLERY


MOF assuage fears after price adjustment by Honda Malaysia

After Honda Malaysia announced a
price hike to selected models last week
, attributed to a “review to the Completely Knock-Down (CKD) customised incentives”, there were naturally fears that other brands would also be
similarly affected
, but the Ministry of Finance (MOF) has acted swiftly to clarify the issue in a statement via Twitter.
Siaran media terkini
@MOFmalaysia
 berkenaan kenaikan harga kereta jenama Honda.
pic.twitter.com/atFV39ejbo
— Ministry of Finance🇲🇾 (@MOFmalaysia)
February 23, 2020

The MOF statement clarified that there are
no changes whatsoever
 to the policy that governs
excise duty exemptions
 granted under the
Industrial Linkage Programme (ILP)
 for locally assembled vehicles made with varying degrees of localised components. Typically, a car comprising of a
higher value of local content
 enjoys a
higher degree of excise duty exemption
.
MOF added that its
Automotive Business Development Committee
 (ABDC) is using the same and unchanged assessment method to evaluate incentive proposals from automotive manufacturers but stressed that they must adhere to the existing duty exemption policies and to comply with
audit reviews
, as well as to
practise fairness
 in relation to other car makers which follow the correct criteria.
While the government (now an interim one) has extended the customised incentive route to auto manufacturers for the foreseeable future under
NAP 2020
, the
lack of clarity
 as to how these incentives are awarded persists since every package is ‘customised’ differently.
As the government is targeting more investments from manufacturers and to
raise vehicle exports
, policy transparency will go a long way in convincing car makers to make
Malaysia their production base
, instead of choosing Thailand or Indonesia.


BMW M850i xDrive Coupe confirmed, will we get this in Malaysia?

Before unveiling the car in full, BMW has just revealed images and details of one of the many variants that will form the
BMW 8 Series Coupe
 line up, the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe. Powered by a “completely redeveloped” V8 engine, the M850i was last seen in Wales, United Kingdom undergoing final stages of real-world test drives before the series production begins.
The company has confirmed that the new engine will be based off an existing unit, likely to be the N63 4.4-litre TwinPower Turbo V8 that powers other
50i variants of BMW models
. In the M850i’s application, the motor will develop
530 hp
 while max torque of
750 Nm
 is available from 1,800 rpm.
Head of Drive System Integration, Christian Billig said: “The new V8 engine offers exactly the right balance between performance and emotion, which is what also sets the new BMW 8 Series Coupe apart.”
BMW has also confirmed that the M850i will adopt an extensively redeveloped
eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission
. Key performance figures like century sprint time and top speed remains a corporate secret for now.
One of the highlights of the M850i is its broad spectrum of driving characteristics as the engineers have calibrated the engine, transmission, damping, stability control system and the xDrive all-wheel-drive system precisely to the drive mode selected whether is Comfort, Sport or Sport+ Mode. This allows the drivers to exploit the 8 Series Coupe as the perfect all-rounder for leisure cruises, track driving and everything in between.
BMW 8 Series Project Manager, Markus Flasch commented: “The thing that always impresses when test driving the new BMW 8 Series Coupe is its adaptability. Whether a driver expresses his or her wishes with regard to comfort and sportiness using the accelerator pedal or by pressing a button, the vehicle immediately adapts perfectly to each setting.”

Other technical highlights of the M850i include a
rear-biased xDrive set up
, active rear axle differential lock, adaptive M suspension Professional with active roll stabilisation and Integral Active Steering, electronically controlled dampers and mixed tyres with the rear tyres being wider than the fronts.
Malaysians were treated to a pleasant surprise when BMW Malaysia hosted the maiden debut of the
BMW Concept 8 Series right here in the heart of Kuala Lumpur
. Could it be that BMW Malaysia is keen to introduce the 8 Series Coupe to our local market? All we can say is, it would give the
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe
 a good run for its money.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW M850i xDrive Coupe