This 1 of 1 Bugatti “La Voiture Noire” should be the next Batmobile!

It’s got the hardest name in automotive to pronounce, behind the unspellable “Koenigsegg”, but there is nothing mistakable about the menace of Bugatti’s new creation – the new La Voiture Noire.
At 11 million Euros, it is the
most expensive new car of all time
 and surprise, surprise, it’s already sold – and it had to be to a Bugatti enthusiast.

…for three full minutes of feels.
From which pool of the elites will you find a person to part with that kind of money – from the Ultra Boost community?
No, this is a person that walks on clouds and feasts on dragon meat for breakfast.
Just looking at it will get you aroused – the la Voiture Noire should come with parental advisory for being shown off in public, for fear of over stimulating a young mind’s imagination.
“The true form of luxury is individuality. The ‘La Voiture Noire’ is a sculptural beauty with unique technology, the ideal grand tourisme,” says Bugatti President, Stephan Winkelmann.
Every single component on the carbon fibre body has been handcrafted and assembled to create a “one piece surface, with nothing to obstruct the optical flow. As Stephan Winkelmann said it, “It’s a feast of aesthetics”.
Not only is it a tribute to Bugatti’s unrivalled art of coach building, it also pays homage to the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic designed by Jean Bugatti, son of Bugatti founder, Ettore.
Apparently only four were ever made and while three of which still live on to this day, one unfortunate example went missing while being shipped from Bugatti’s factory in Molsheim to Bordeaux, France and has never been found – one of the great mysteries in automotive history.
Almost nothing was revealed about the car, except for the fact that it makes
1500 hp
 and
1,600 Nm
 of torque from Bugatti’s famed 8-litre W16 quad turbo engine – the same as the
 40 units of Bugatti Divo
 and the
Chiron Sport we got to be up close with
!
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW Malaysia teases all-new BMW X2 on website, 2.0L petrol with M Sport?

Well, what do we have here, shortly after the global premiere of the
BMW X2
, BMW Malaysia is now accepting registrations of interest for the all-new Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) on its
official website
.
On the microsite, BMW Malaysia hints at a sole sDrive20i guise. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol delivers
192 hp
 and
280 Nm
 of torque, sending drive to the front-wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Fuel consumption is rated at
5.9 L/100 km
. Internationally, the X2 can be had with diesel options and all-wheel drive.

The website also suggests that the Malaysian market will receive the Misano Blue and Galcanic Gold exterior colour option as well as Dakota leather in Magma Red. It appears that the X2 will be available with the
M Sport Package
, adding M Aerodynamics exterior pack, 19-inch M light-weight alloy wheels, lowered M Suspension (-10 mm) and M Sport interior.
Elsewhere, the X2 is marginally leaner than the
X1
 – the car it’s based on, measuring 4,360 mm in length, 1,824 mm in width, 1,526 mm in height with an identical wheelbase of 2,670 mm. Despite the sleeker profile, BMW claims that the X2 offers great comfort for all passengers. Boot space is rated at 470 litres, 35 litres smaller than the X1.
Market launch is scheduled for March 2018 with Europe-markets getting first dibs. But for BMW Malaysia to collect registration of interest this early in the timeline suggests that we might see it as soon as our European counterparts. To register your interest for the BMW X2, log onto the official website
here
. Now, where is that
Audi Q2
…
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW X2 sDrive20i M Sport


Users should be given payment options at toll booths, says PM

Users of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) were finally able to use their RFID tags for toll payments at the start of this week. However, many new tags could not be read or detected, causing unprecedented traffic congestion at the toll booths.
Frustrated road users thus vent their negativity at PLUS which had seemed to remove the SmartTAG lane and replaced it with the RFID lane. While the majority of the toll booths operated by PLUS in greater Klang Valley are large and able to cater to the three payment methods of Touch ‘n Go card, SmartTag/
e-tag
 and RFID, smaller toll booths will only offer card and RFID lanes.
As such, road users are further infuriated that PLUS is viewed as “forcing” consumers to fit the unreliable RFID tag that is priced at RM35 apiece.  With the uproar by road users, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said consumers must not be forced to switch to RFID payment with the reduction in the number of lanes for other options.
RELATED: You can now refuel at Shell stations with an RFID tag! More on this here!
“We (the government) don’t want to pressure the road users. While RFID is good, road users should be given the freedom to choose to use RFID, Touch ‘n Go card or SmartTAG,” said the PM in a report by
Bernama
.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri further added that highway concession holders must reserve a few lanes for drivers who continue to use the physical card and e-tag payment options.

A day after the congestion at selected toll booths, PLUS deployed personnel at troubled RFID lanes. Owners of defective tags were given coupons for diagnostic tests at fitment centres and replaced for free if found faulty.
PLUS said that it recorded a migration rate of 10% RFID transactions after its implementation on 15 January across the entire North-South Expressway over the weekend. With RFID technology, road users can glide through the toll booths at up to speeds of 30 km/h. Toll collection through e-tag and Touch ‘n Go card are still being accepted but the Works Ministry intends to gradually phase out the methods once more RFID lanes are implemented on the highways.
Image: TWitter/
PLUSMalaysiaBerhad
The roll-out of the faster Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) technology by 2026 meanwhile will see drivers make payments without the need to slow down at toll booths, as scanners mounted on gantries will perform the transaction.


Could this be Hyundai’s new hydrogen sports sedan concept?

Hyundai has managed to make hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) more viable and accessible than many major automakers, even Toyota. Its Hyundai Nexo has cumulated over 14,000 units of sales and leases mainly in South Korea since introduced in early 2018.
In a series of short clips to the build-up of a new communication strategy on hydrogen technology, Hyundai has teased what appears to be a sports sedan with plenty of power driving aggressively at a closed circuit.
The only close-up shot highlights a large multi-piston brake caliper behind the large wheel.
We will have to wait until September 7th for more information, in conjunction with IAA Munich Mobility 2021. Hyundai recently launched the HTWO sub-brand for all matters related to hydrogen fuel cell systems, which made its first public appearance in motorsports.

Did you know, there is a little hydrogen car testing pilot programme in Kuching? Learn more about it here and the vehicle used!
From the first race in June, the first-ever Pure ETCR (electric touring car championship) sees Hyundai HTWO as the sole energy provider, charging up the battery packs of Hyundai, Alfa Romeo as well as Seat vehicles.
The HTWO portable charger is constructed from the Hyundai Nexo’s fuel cell stack, where hydrogen gas is combined with oxygen in the ambient air to generate large quantities of electric energy via the electrolysis process. Thanks to 160 kW energy output, the batteries of two racing cars can be fully charged simultaneously in less than an hour.
In the
Hyundai Nexo
, the total output is 120 hp and has a range of up to 664 km under the WLTP cycle. Refuelling of the hydrogen gas just takes 5 minutes via a 700-bar dispenser.
As for the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR racing machine, it features a championship-issued powertrain consisting of the rear-mounted motors, battery pack and electronics, with each team required to create their own exterior and chassis.
All ETCR cars have a minimum of
410 hp
 and boosted to
680 hp
 once the overtake-mode is enabled. Races are a series of heats rather than a sprint or a 100-km distance.
Mazda is combining the free-revving greatness of the rotary engine with hydrogen! More about the project here!
GALLERY


2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe debuts in Thailand, at Bangkok Motor Show [+Video]

After Mercedes-Benz revamped its
naming convention
 across the line-up, we see the introduction of the
GLE-Class
 Coupe to the world. The full range
GLE Coupe
 now debuts in Asia, Thailand to be exact – at the
36th Bangkok International Motor Show
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 d 4MATIC
Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 4MATIC
Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC
Drive Type
Permanent all-wheel drive (4MATIC)
Engine
2,987 cc V6 diesel turbo
2,996 cc V6 twin-turbo
2,996 cc V6 twin-turbo
Transmission
9G-TRONIC 9-speed Automatic
9G-TRONIC 9-speed Automatic
9G-TRONIC 9-speed Automatic
Max Power
258 hp @ 3,600 rpm
333 hp @ 5,500 rpm
367 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
620 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,400 rpm
480 Nm @ 1,400 – 4,000 rpm
520 Nm @ 1,400 – 4,000 rpm

Name
Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupé 4MATIC
Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupé 4MATIC
Drive Type
Permanent all-wheel drive (4MATIC)
Engine
5,461 cc V8 twin-turbo
Transmission
AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC
Max Power
557 hp
 @ 5,750 rpm
585 hp
 @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
700 Nm
 @ 1,750 – 5,500 rpm
760 Nm
 @ 1,750 – 5,250 rpm

The
GLE-Class
 replaces the
M-Class
 as the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). This however is the GLE Coupe, making it the direct competitor to the
BMW X6
. Displayed at the Motor Show is the
Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC
, with a 7,990,000 Thai Baht (approx.
RM900,000
) price tag.

Sitting right below the AMG GLE 63, the GLE 450 AMG is fitted with a
3.0-liter Biturbo V6
, capable of generating
367hp
 and
520Nm
 of torque. All GLE models are paired with the
9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission
, permanently

driving all four wheels via its
4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system
. Look closely in the images, it’s fitted with massive 22-inch rims.

The GLE Coupe looks rather big in real life, beautiful nonetheless. If you are used to the BMW X6’s slopping roofline and high shoulder line, you will learn to appreciate the new GLE. Check out the image gallery prepared for you below.
When is it coming to Malaysia? Well, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia remains tight-lipped on this topic. So you’ll just have to stay tuned to AutoBuzz.my!
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Chery’s new Jaecoo sub-brand wants to make SUVs for fashionable young people

Chery
 has unveiled a brand-new sub-brand at the
Shanghai motor show
, dubbed Jaecoo, with a focus on making fashionable SUVs for the younger generation.
Together with Omoda, which has previously already been spun off as a sub-brand for sale in certain countries, the two new brands – called “O&J brands” collectively – will be targetting the “Fashion Elite” and “Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS)” market segments, which the company expects to grow to 21% of the global total industry volume by 2030.
With an estimated 66 million new cars sold globally (excluding China) in 2030, Chery’s 10% market share projection would mean that the O&J brands alone could sell over 1.4 million units per year.
A key point in the company’s plans to achieve that figure lies within the two brands’ distinct brand story and design languages. Omoda will feature a sleeker, more futuristic styling, while Jaecoo will be built around a more rugged and slightly Range-Rover-esque design ethos.
The Jaecoo 7 in particular, which was on display at the brand launch, was said to be inspired by rocks that have been smoothened and sculpted by flowing water in rivers.
And just in case you were wondering, the name Jaecoo is a portmanteau between the German word for hunter (
Jaeger
), and ‘cool’. According to Jaecoo Europe Head of Design, Chris Rhoades, it’s representative of its target customer base, consisting of the higher income individuals who will “stop at nothing” – like hunters – to chase after the latest fashion trends.
The two new sub-brands will also feature several new energy products, including hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), battery electric vehicle (BEV), and range extender electric vehicles (REEV). Emphasising on that point, the company took the opportunity at the event to also show off the Omoda 5 EV, its first fully-electric model.
The two brands will be sharing their ICE, electrified, and dedicated BEV platforms, including the one found in the Omoda 5 EV. More details on that can be found in a
separate post here
.
The only question now is how confident Chery is at achieving that aforementioned 1.4 million figure. In just its first year in the market, and currently only in left-hand drive countries, the
 Omoda 5
 has already sold over 150,000 units globally. With the impending market launch of the Omoda 5 EV, plus the introduction of the brand into right-hand drive markets, the figure is expected to go up to 300,000 units this year.
Together with Jaecoo, the Chinese carmaker is targetting to sell over 400,000 units of the O&J vehicles per year, globally, by 2024. And with at least seven models planned over the next three years, it seems Chery is charging ahead full steam in achieving its lofty goals.
READ MORE:
 ‘All new’ Chery Tiggo 8 Pro revealed – to launch in Malaysia June 2023, PHEV variant by year-end


The new RS6 Avant is the ultimate expression of a high performance Audi

Audi may not have invented the station wagon, but the manufacturer from Ingolstadt made the utilitarian workhorse an icon of the brand. In the shape of the gorgeous all-new,
fourth generation RS6 Avant
, it is the ultimate expression of what a modern day, high performance Audi is all about.
Having debuted at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show, the new RS6 Avant will return to showrooms across Europe before the end of the year with more power, more tech and looking even more wicked than ever.
It’ll still be powered by a
twin-turbo V8 displacing 4.0 litres
, but this time supported by a
48V mild hybrid system
 with a total output of
591 hp and 800 Nm of torque
, transferred to all four corners via an
8-speed auto
, apportioned by the famed
Quattro
all-wheel drive system, of course.
How fast?
Idle to 100 km/h takes a scant 3.6 seconds
, onward to
200 km/h in 12 seconds
. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h but that can be extended up to
305 km/h
with the optional dynamic plus package. M5 and E63 S, you’ll have to watch your back from here on.
The powertrain also comes with
Cylinder On Demand
 feature which shuts off four of the eight cylinders on occasions when maximum performance is surplus. While
adaptive air suspension
 is standard, the RS6 Avant can be optioned with
Dynamic Ride Control
 (which keeps body movements on an even keel), all-wheel steering and a ceramic braking system.
One of the less mentioned hallmarks of an RS model is that they always come with an interior that would make other premium makes blush. The new RS6 continues where its predecessor left off with a luxuriously appointed interior but this time with the new near-buttonless touch interface introduced in the new generation A6, but mixes it with a beguiling mix of quilted leather, Alcantara and RS-specific trim.
And yes, it can still comfortably accommodate five adults, skies, mountain bikes, canines with its
565-litre cargo space
 which can also be expanded to
1,680 litres
 with rear seats folded.
Enough of information, feast your eyes on the all-new Audi RS6 Avant.
IMAGE GALLERY


UMW Toyota partners with paralympic gold medalist to “Start Your Impossible”

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has announced that they are realigning their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in line with Toyota’s global corporate initiative called “Start Your Impossible”.
As part of the initiative, UMWT has appointed paralympic gold medalist Abdul Latif Romly as its ambassador of the campaign to inspire employees, partners and customers to “achieve greater heights by attempting missions that they themselves deem impossible.”
UMWT will be hosting the “Toyota OutRun” fun run under the campaign banner to raise funds for the Paralympic Council of Malaysia’s ‘Fitness and Exercise with Person with Disabilities’ programme, which will be happening on 17 November 2019 at Bandar Rimbayu, Kota Kemuning.
On the appointment, UMWT Deputy Chairman, Akio Takeyama said, “Latif was up against impossible odds at the 2016 Summer Paralympics. The world saw him broke the T20 long jump world record three times on the same day. It was Impossible. Then it wasn’t. At Toyota, mobility is about overcoming challenges and making dreams a reality. That’s why we’re teaming up with Latif to support differently-abled children so they too can start their impossible.”

Registration for the run will cost RM50 per participant, and you can register through Toyota’s
website
 starting from 10 September 2019.
Besides the run, UMWT Toyota in partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation will also be hosting a Toyota Classics concert performed by London Chamber Orchestra on the 29th of October 2019.
Part of the proceeds from the Toyota Classics concert ticket sales will be used to rehabilitate and restore degraded mangrove areas in Sulaman, Tuaran in collaboration with Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society, and involve about 13,000 students from neighbouring schools, university as well as the community.
UMW Toyota’s Ambassador for the Starting Your Impossible campaign, Abdul Latif Romly.
The University of Pahang is also set to benefit from this programme, as UMWT aims to equip the youth and community in Lanchang, Pahang with sufficient information on Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics through the university students.
In addition, students from the Faculty of Music of UiTM will also be given the opportunity to participate in a workshop with members of the London Chamber Orchestra, providing the former with international orchestra performances exposure.
The Toyota Classics tickets can be purchased at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas Box Office or online starting 10 September 2019, priced from RM100 to RM250.


Getting your weekly fuel price updates has never been more simple than this

If you find yourself unable to keep up with the weekly revisions of fuel prices and are fed up with the rumours flying about WhatsApp, then consider this a gift to you, from us. You can now get the latest fuel prices simply just by logging onto
AutoBuzz.my
!
Ever since the floating system was implemented, many of us have been duped by rumours of price revisions. Now that the
revisions will happen on a weekly basis
, surely typing in “latest fuel prices Malaysia” on Google (or Bing if you’re hipster like that) will be a chore.
Now, you can simply log on to
AutoBuzz.my
 and look out for the custom-made widget to the right of the website. If you’re on mobile, then just scroll downwards. Prices are updated every Wednesday at 8pm, and it’s that easy!
Be sure to give our
Facebook page
 a like and bookmark
AutoBuzz.my
 to be the first among your peers to be updated. Who knows, you might even find your dream car being reviewed right here!


Honda Civic Type R to feature turbocharged 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine [+Video]

Interesting times loom over the field of hot hatchery, because Honda has just released very promising new details about its upcoming hatch, the
Civic Type R
, just a few days before the 2014 Paris Motor Show kicks off. Honda claims that the hot hatch will be their
most extreme Type R
 to date, one that is in many ways
more superior
 than its Type R stablemates, the Integra, Accord and the iconic NSX.
It is no surprise to know that Honda is jumping onto the forced induction bandwagon, following stricter emissions-based taxation and a whole lot of other industrial reasons. As put by Suehiro Hasshi, Honda’s Large Project Leader in the R&D department said, “The new turbocharged engine benefits by
boosting low-end power delivery
, while retaining its signature
VTEC characteristic
 which is synonymous to Honda.”
Powering the Civic Type R is the
2.0-litre turbocharge i-VTEC
 engine that will be paired to a
six-speed manual transmission
. In its current state of tune, the engine makes
over 280 PS
 and
redlines at 7,000 rpm
; numbers that were first seen in the 3.0-litre V6 of the NSX. With the turbocharger, we can expect Honda to squeeze more juice out of the four-pot mill.
New to the Civic Type R is the
+R
 button located to the side of the steering wheel. It’s basically a
Sports mode
 that, when activated, will
improve engine response
 by
re-tuning torque delivery
 and improves the steering wheel’s responsiveness. In default driving mode, the Civic Type R is essentially an everyday sports car with fluid power delivery. The +R button however, brings out a
more dynamic character
 and is ideal for track use. The hatch gets a new four-point
Adaptive Damper System
 that will automatically adjust damping forces depending on driving conditions.
The new Civic Type R was developed to cater to European driving tastes, and will be build at Honda’s plant in Swindon, UK. The hot hatch will hit European showrooms next year, though it remains unclear whether or not it will be introduced to Malaysian shores.


Mazda3 2.0L Skyactiv-G: Celebration of the Kodo insurgence [+Videos]

The
Mazda3 Skyactiv
, much to the delight of the enthused, proved to be the car they’ve been waiting for. Blessed with the Kodo Soul of Motion touch, never in the history of the model has it been endeared with such hullabaloo.
You’ll understand why after seeing
our old versus new comparison
. To its credit, the Mazda3 brought to the table a perfect mix of good looks and driving dynamics. While the former did most of the job in pushing sales volume, the latter aspect is heredity, polished through decades of the Hiroshima carmaker’s relentless pursuit of the joy of driving.
To this day, more than two years after being in Malaysian showrooms, the Mazda3 is still one of the best driving C-Segment sedans money can buy.
Thanks to local assembly
, the entry-level variant is priced at RM106k and goes up to just RM121k for the full-spec variant. They are all powered by the same
2.0-litre
 naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G engine, producing
162 hp
 at 6,000 rpm and
210 Nm
 of torque at 4,000 rpm. Power is sent to the
front wheels
 through a
six-speed conventional automatic
.
Now, for the price, most would immediately draw comparisons to the
11th-generation Honda Civic 1.5TC-Premium
. The Civic is arguably more fuel efficient, definitely better looking and is more bang for buck in almost every way. It’s also the first car in the segment to come with the remote engine and air-con start function.
The Civic, for all intents and purposes, is built with frugality in mind and not particularly on driver involvement. Make no mistake, the Civic handles beautifully, charges forward without hesitation and does all of the above – and more – in high fashion and comfort.
Honestly, it’s hard for any cars in the segment to compete with the Civic. Popular and established models like the
Corolla Altis
 and Mazda3 could still put up a decent fight, but the rest struggle to even make it to the shopping list. It’s worth noting then, that the facelifted Mazda3 is slated for arrival sometime next year. It will be locally assembled as well, so expect similar pricing but with slight upgrades in features.


The Lexus RC F Track Edition still uses a 5.0L naturally aspirated V8

Besides showing off the stunning
Lexus LC Convertible Concept
 at the 2019 Detroit International Motor Show, the Japanese luxury carmaker also debuted their most hardcore sports coupe yet, the Lexus RC F Track Edition.
The RC F Track Edition gets development inputs from Lexus race teams in the Super GT and IMSA series to deliver exceptional performance for the enthusiast to unleash on track. It gets extensive carbon fibre parts for weight savings, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes and aerodynamic improvements.
Compared to a standard RC F, you’ll find a new front splitter, bonnet, roof and rear diffuser all made from carbon fibre to reduce weight and increase front downforce. At the rear, Lexus has installed a carbon fibre fixed rear wing that is lighter than a standard active rear spoiler to promote smoother airflow and add 26 kgs of downforce.
The wheels fitted on the RC F Track Edition are 19-inch BBS forged alloys with a design derived from the RC F GT3 race car to hide the Brembo carbon ceramic brake rotors. The two components add up to 25 kg reduction in unsprung weight on the front axles which will benefit handling and steering feel.
Further weight saving measures include a titanium muffler and tailpipes, carbon fibre partition behind the rear seats and a carbon bumper reinforcement. All in all, the RC F Track Edition is some
 72 to 82 kgs lighter
 than a standard RC F.
However, Lexus has made sure that luxury is not compromised which is why all the sound deadening materials are left intact and the interior features red leather with Alcantara seat inserts and exposed red carbon trim.
The naturally aspirated 5.0-litre has been revised with new intake routing and lower rpm trigger point for the secondary intake opening to squeeze additional 5 hp and 8 Nm to
472 hp
 and
535 Nm
 of torque. Drive is channelled to the rear wheels via a tweaked eight-speed automatic transmission with a higher final drive ratio (3.13 vs. 2.93) for better off-the-line response.
With the lighter body and a new Launch Control function, the RC F Track Edition is capable of sprinting from 0 to 96 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in
3.96 seconds
, on par with the bi-turbo V8 powered
Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-ddIWa5ub8
In addition, the standard RC F Coupe has also been revised for the new model year with weight reduction measures. It now features hollow half shafts at the rear, pared down intake manifold, smaller air condition compressor as well as aluminium toe control brackets and upper suspension support brackets.
The rear suspension arms and steering mounts also feature stiffer bushings and more rigid engine mount was used to house the updated 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine of the RC F Track Edition. Launch Control is also a new feature in the updated RC F Coupe.

Styling wise, the headlights have been updated to a new stacked LED layout and integrated daytime running lights, lower lip opening that stretches across the bottom to create a visually shorter front fascia and a pair of new taillights that integrates to the reshaped rear bumpers.
Both the updated Lexus RC F and the RC F Track Edition will start production in the second quarter of 2019 with pricing to be announced closer to market launch. Only two exterior colours will be available on the RC F Track Edition – Ultra White and Nebula Matte Gray, the latter an exclusive colour only available on the Track Edition.
IMAGE GALLERY
Lexus RC F Track Edition

Updated Lexus RC F


Add some fizz into your daily commutes, check out the refreshed Renault Captur

TC Euro Cars (TCEC), sole distributor of Renault vehicles in Malaysia launched the updated Captur today, Europe’s best-selling crossover, and will be on showcase from today to 20 May 2018 at the East Atrium, in Mid Valley Megamall.
The Captur is one of Renault’s most in-demand models with 940,000 units sold globally to date. It has also been the top-selling model in its segment in Europe, a testament of Renault’s 120 years of know how in design, production, engineering and technical expertise.
It’s now available in three new body colours –
Atacama Orange, Ocean Blue and Pearl White
 body colours – all paired with a Diamond Black roof.
Powered by Renault’s turbocharged TCe 120 engine and mated to a six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) transmission, the Captur offers
120 hp
 and
190 Nm
 from as low as 2,000 rpm with a factory fuel efficiency rating of up to
5.4L/100km
.
The outside of the Captur has been rejuvenated with the brand’s signature C-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) while the grille has been redesigned to resemble that Renault’s bigger crossover, the Kadjar. Elsewhere, it’s got new 17-inch alloy “shoes” and LED side mirror indicators.
The refinements extend inside too; with use of high-quality plastics and a foam-backed dashboard to go with the redesigned gear lever and door panels. Boot space still stands at 377 litres, but can be expanded to
 1,235 litres
 with the 60:40 seats folded down.
Standard equipment includes a
7-inch touchscreen
 with USB and Bluetooth compatibility, keyless entry with walkaway door lock function, auto headlights and rain sensors and reverse camera.
The Renault Captur offers safety nets such as
four airbags
, Hill Start Assist, ABS with Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
Buying a Captur not only gets you contemporary mode of transportation but added peace of mind with
5-years or up to 100,000 km (whichever comes first) free service and maintenance (parts and labour)
,
5-years manufacturer’s warranty with unlimited mileage
, complimentary 24 hours roadside assistance, and pick-up and delivery during scheduled maintenance at Renault service centres.
In the event that replacement parts are not available for over 48 hours at authorised service centres, a replacement car will be provided, subject to availability.
Pricing for the new Renault Captur remains at RM 109,000 (OTR without insurance) without insurance with an additional RM 900 (excluding GST) for the Flame Red and Pearl White colour options.


You’d never guess what the most expensive car on Mudah.my is

If you thought it was a limited-edition Ferrari, or some exotic hypercar with a hard-to-pronounce name, you’re wrong.
It’s a 2011 Nissan Teana; and it costs
RM 488,004,780
.
There’s not much to describe why it costs so much. Its design is as subdued as a school uniform and it doesn’t exactly scream high performance. Aside from the wear on the key fob, there’s really not much that indicates “a rare classic”.
Maybe it’s an error of judgement or someone actually put a price to sentimental value;
maybe it could even just be a typo
, but who knows?
Nothing in this world is perfect. Source:
Mudah.my
I suppose there’s not much to expect from car salesmen who can boldly claim a car – not to mention a 7-year old Nissan Teana – to be in perfect condition. Although, to be absolutely fair, the car does look to be in pretty good condition, especially on the inside.
No car can ever be in perfect condition and as history has evidently pointed out, not even brand new German-made vehicles.
Source:
Mudah.my
The advertisement also claimed it wouldn’t waste our time but come on, how would it “no waste your time” if you were asked to consider paying RM 488,004,780 for a Nissan Teana?!
If time is in abundant, maybe you might be interested to know how much the monthly repayment would be. Considering the dealer can “loan adjustable” up to 8 years, with a 3.5% interest rate and a 10% downpayment (RM 4,880,047.80), you’re looking to pay
RM 6,441,663…a month!
Lastly, to top it all off, one of the salesman is called “BS Chong”. Go figure.
Source:
Mudah.my
*This article was not written with the intention to shame or to offend. Absolutely not. If anything the intention was to find out what the most expensive car on Mudah was, out of curiosity, but happened to stumble upon this. For those left with a bad taste in the mouth (especially the fearless men of CNN Motor), perhaps this humour isn’t for you. Sorry, I guess?


NISMO Heritage programme lets you buy official parts for your Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R

NISMO, the official tuning arm of Nissan has just introduced its NISMO Heritage programme, allowing owners to purchase new and official replacement parts for their prized heritage Nissan vehicle, keeping them on the road for many more years to come.
The first model to be offered with the NISMO Heritage programme is the Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R which was produced from August 1989 to January 1995. NISMO understands that sourcing replacement parts for a 28-year-old car can be a nightmare hence the company will be re-manufacturing and resupplying discontinued parts through its Heritage programme.

In the initial stages, NISMO will sell about
80 parts
 including harnesses, hoses, emblems and other exterior components and hopes to expand the product range further. Plans are in the pipeline to include the
R33
 and
R34 GT-R
 models in the Heritage programme.
While certain parts are not offered under the Heritage programme, NISMO gives owners the alternative to use substitute, rebuilt or overhauled products as well as NISMO-tuned parts.


Porsche brings Cars’ Sally Carrera to life with new 911 ‘Sally Special’ one-off

Porsche
 has breathed life into the Sally Carrera character from Pixar’s ‘Cars’, and we unironically love it. Dubbed the ‘911 Sally Special’, the one-off model sees a
911 Carrera GTS
 adorned with unique touches from the movie star.
In order to bring Sally Carrera to life, Porsche worked directly with the members of the original Cars team – including Bob Pauley, the Production Designer who first drew Sally Carrera – to reimagine the character on a modern 911.
The result, after nine months of work, is a unique one-off finished in a custom Sallybluemetallic colour, complete with the cheeky tattoo hidden underneath the rear spoiler. Porsche says the paint job had to be done completely by hand, as it covers virtually all exterior surfaces – even those parts that are usually black on a standard factory-spec 911.
ALSO READ:
Porsche Taycan reclaims Nürburgring EV lap record from Tesla Model S Plaid
Since Sally Carrera was based on the 996-generation 911, Porsche has added a few unique touches to make it at least a little bit period-correct, including silver surrounds around the headlights, as well as rear badging, and unique five-spoke wheels that mimic those of Sally Carrera’s (and the 911s of her era).
Like its exterior, the Sally Special’s cabin also gets a range of bespoke touches, including the trim pieces finished in the same Sallybluemetallic colour, plus the pretty Chalk leather seats with Speed Blue and Chalk cross stitching and Pepita houndstooth inserts – the latter featuring a black, Chalk, and Speed Blue colour combination.
You’ll notice the same colour combination used on pretty much everything else on the inside, including the dashboard itself, alongside the steering wheel’s centre marker, and the manual transmission gear knob.
The Sport Response drive-mode selector on the steering wheel also get an adorable “Kachow Mode” marking, while the “Sally Special” wordmarks on the dashboard and illuminated door sills remind you of the car’s special nature.
RELATED:
The retro-styled Porsche 911 Sport Classic is the most powerful manual 911 you can buy
The Porsche 911 Sally Special one-off will be auctioned on RM Sotheby this Saturday as part of the Monterey Car Week, with proceeds going to two charities – Girls Inc, which supports young women, and UNHCR, an organisation that supports refugees from Ukraine currently affected by the war.
In addition to the car, the successful bidder will also receive a unique chronograph watch co-created with Pixar, featuring the Sallybluemetallic hue on the coloured ring, alongside a bespoke a book on the development and production of the one-off model, plus original drawings by designers Shuichi Yamashita and Bob Pauley.
GALLERY


The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 will delight EPL stars and hip-hop artists

Just when you think you’ve seen the last ultra-bling SUV of the week, here’s one more to jar your senses. EPL footie stars and rap artists who covet exclusivity and opulence on oversized SUVs now have another option in the shape of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS – the first ever SUV in the exclusive sub-brand of Mercedes.
Before you wave it off as just a tarted up Mercedes-Benz GLS, you might want to consider some of its unique selling points. Take for instance the option to have it as a
four-seater
 with two
individual lounge chairs
 at the back with massaging functions, along with complementing silver champagne flutes and fridge, all of which are adorned with high polished chrome, aged wood and specially selected Nappa leather.
The generous serving of chrome on the Maybach GLS’ exterior, particular on its grille, lower intake and those
23-inch alloys
 transforms the regular item into something with a lot more opulence, it’s not out to please everyone’s palate, but a Maybach has always been an acquired taste. And yes, the
two-tone paintwork
 is offered in eight different colour combinations.
But the feature which takes the cake has to be its
powered running boards
 (or side steps); they are made of
anodised aluminium
, illuminates at night and
fully retractable
. Talk about making an entrance during the Grammys, or never having to risk straining your ligaments when travelling to receive FIFA’s Ballon d’Or.
The drivetrain providing thrust to Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 is derived from the
4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with 48V mild hybrid system
 which powers the
GLS 63
, but tuned to waft, befitting a Maybach. Even so, the 2.7-tonne behemoth is capable of covering ground rapidly courtesy of
558 hp, 730 Nm
 and all-wheel drive traction;
idle to 100 km/h takes only 4.9 seconds
.

To ensure that its occupants never spill the champagne, the
E-Active Body Control air suspension
 is able to react in milliseconds to cancel out body roll and is calibrated to soak up road bumps as if they weren’t there. The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 will enter markets by the second half of 2020, expect it to be as pricey as a Bentley Bentayga.

Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 gallery


The Hyundai Bayon arrives to compete with other trendy SUVs in Europe

Hyundai is adding a new compact crossover and the new Bayon is the smallest member of the company’s expanding SUV family in Europe.
The name Bayon was inspired by a vacation hotspot: Bayonne, the capital of the French Basque Country and one of the most beautiful destinations in the south-west of France.
Measuring just 4.18 metres long, 1.775 metres wide and a wheelbase of 2.58 metres, the new Bayon is similar in size to the
Hyundai Kona
 and Toyota
Yaris Cross
. These compact crossovers are popular in Europe where Nissan started the
Juke
, Renault captured the market with the
Captur
, Kia has the
Stonic
, Peugeot with the
2008
 and Volkswagen’s
T-Cross
 joined the segment in 2019.
The ground clearance for this compact crossover is 183 millimetres, which Hyundai says is higher than most other vehicles in the B-segment.
The new Hyundai Bayon is the company’s latest interpretation of Sensuous Sportiness design language that combines emotional values and innovative solutions. The arrow-shaped headlamps and wide grille create a solid stance while the topmost portion is defined by a pair of thin DRLs strips and intake band.

On the side, plenty of lines and indents create a dynamic shoulder line ending with a rather thick D-pillar and pronounced wedged-look at the rear. Hyundai designers also created an arrow-theme for the LED taillamps, connected by a faux light strip on a large black panel to emphasise width.
Compared to the larger
Hyundai Tucson
, the Bayon is leaning on the safe and proven design.
Opening the tailgate reveals a much larger luggage area, 411 litres which is 50 litres more than the Kona. Hyundai has made storing the large solid tonneau cover much simpler by simply sliding it to rest against the seat back.
The interior continues to follow the simple and effective ergonomics found in larger models such as the
new Elantra
. A 10.25-inch driver’s digital cluster can be specified, with a similarly sized display for the touchscreen infotainment.
A basic 8-inch display audio is standard with
wireless
 connection to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone connectivity. A premium Bose sound system can also be selected.
Users can further communicate with their new Bayon via the Hyundai Bluelink smartphone app. Among the useful features are a cloud-based navigation that offers more precise routes for daily driving and on-street parking availability and fee.
Only one regular petrol engine with two states of tune is offered in the new Hyundai Bayon at launch. A turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine equipped with a 48-volt
mild-hybrid
 system has outputs of
100 hp
 and
120 hp
 with both delivering maximum torque of
172 Nm
.
The valvetrain in the latest line of Kappa engines also features Hyundai’s unique Continuously Variable Valve Duration (
CVVD
) technology, which regulates the duration of the valve opening and closing according to driving requirements.
Both outputs can be had with either a six-speed intelligent manual transmission with downshift rev-matching or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
New vehicles these days offer the full range of Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS) suite and the new Hyundai Bayon continues this trend with its
SmartSense
 package. The autonomous emergency braking system in the Bayon even works while coming out of a junction. The Junction Turning function can apply the brakes to prevent a collision with an oncoming car when turning left at an intersection.
Another value-adding safety feature in the Bayon is the Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) that notifies the driver before leaving the vehicle if sensors detect movement in the back seat, making it even safer for children and even pets.

GALLERY


Volvo XC60 is the overall safest car in Euro NCAP tests of 2017

The soon-to-be-launched-in-Malaysia
 Volvo XC60
 has just been named as the car with the best overall performance at the 2017 Euro NCAP Best in Class safety awards.
It scored a near-perfect
 98% in the Adult Occupant
 category and in its “Large Off-Road class”, led by a massive margin in
Safety Assist with a score of 95%
 – 20 percentage higher than the nearest Large Off-Road competitor.
https://assets.autobuzz.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/10190038/205091_The_new_Volvo_XC60_Frontal_crash_test.mp4
“The new XC60 is one of the safest Volvo cars ever made,” said Volvo Cars Safety Centre, Vice President, Malin Ekholm. “It is fully loaded with new technology designed to assist drivers, to help protect vehicle occupants and other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, plus mitigate collision risks.
The XC60 follows after the
XC90
 which was named the best performing large off-roader and the car with the best overall performance in 2015.
“Our vision is that by 2020 no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car,” said Malin Ekholm.
The XC60 also joins the S90 and V90 in making history for Volvo Cars as the
first manufacturer to hold all top three car rankings in Euro NCAP’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) tests
 – AEB City, AEB Inter-Urban and AEB Pedestrian. The three Volvos are
the only cars to have achieved perfect scores
 in all three AEB categories.
The
S90 and V90
 also bagged the Euro NCAP 2017 Best in Class awards, achieving 95% in the Adult Occupant category and 93% in the Safety Assist category.
Aside from the prestigious Euro NCAP award, the XC60 had also been named as Japan’s 2017/18 Car of the Year.


Kia ProCeed teased, 5-door shooting brake to debut in September

In 2017, Kia Motors presented their
Kia Proceed Concept
 at Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) that previews the styling of their next-generation hatchback. Fast forward to today, the Korean carmaker is ready to officially unveil the production version of their concept car on 13 September 2018.
Officially called the Kia ProCeed, the new car is designed, developed and engineered exclusively for the Europe market – just like its predecessors. Kia calls the new ProCeed a “five-door shooting brake”, staying close to the design sketches of the concept car.

In the single teaser image, we see the LED taillamps are connected by a light bar that spans the length of the tailgate. A design very similar to the Sportage and Stinger. If the designers are sticking with the concept car’s design closely, we may see a front end that is essentially a watered-down Stinger, sharp and aggressive are the best adjectives to describe it.
Looking at Kia’s recent models, the Korean carmaker is moving into cars that are not only sharp but also highly desirable. The only downside is that only our European friends will be able to own one of these while the rest of the world can only drool from afar…


Employees saved Audi over 90 mil Euros last year with clever “production hacks”

The
Audi Ideas Program
 encourages all levels of employees at the company to provide feedback on improving processes at their workplace. Even with shortened working hours during the pandemic, employees at Audi manage to achieve savings of over
 94.5 million Euro
 last year through the program.
The limited physical presence at the workplace meanwhile further encouraged employees to submit their suggestions online including improvements from Audi such as “Can processes and consultation be simplified or expedited because employees have closer digital links through working at home?”
A total of
15,628 ideas
 were submitted to the administrators in 2020, and exactly
9,265
 were implemented.
A highlight from the innovative employee’s submission last year was the use of a sensor at the body shop of the
Audi Neckarsulm
 facility. By attaching a magnetic sensor on the robotic arm, the process ensures only one sheet of metal is taken from the drawer.
The magnetic sensor can detect that if multiple sheets were taken, a jet of air is blasted to ensure only one sheet metal is picked up for welding. Taking more than one sheet will lead to production delays and wastage of materials.
The idea has now been implemented not only in Neckarsulm, but also in
Ingolstadt
.
Other innovative ideas from previous years include colour-coded torque wrenches (reduce the chance of mix-up), to setting up a timer system for the ventilation fans (reduce expenditure), usage of a different camera to read existing data-matrix bar code (reduce printing multiple bar codes), to attaching an air-jet nozzle to the soldering head for a clean finish.
The Audi Group has also established ideas programs at its international sites. The employees in
Brussels
, Győr, and
San José Chiapa
 submitted a total of roughly 9,600 ideas in 2020, saving more than around 27.5 million Euro for the company.


Is this the Aston Martin Valkyrie Roadster? To be unveiled at Pebble Beach next week!

The Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach, arguably the most prestigious concours event in the world where the ultra-rich show off their ultra-expensive cars, will officially get underway starting next week. And as a teaser of the events planned during the 2021 Monterey Car Week,
Aston Martin
 has now announced that it will be launching an all-new car, and… yeah that’s pretty much it.
Here’s exactly what they said, from the press release: “a global reveal of an exciting new product which extends the brand’s performance credentials a step further.” No other information was revealed, though they’ve attached a photo alongside the press release, with a darkened car that looks a lot like an
Aston Martin Valkyrie
 – just one without a roof. Is this the Valkyrie Roadster?
How do we know, you ask? Well, looking at the photo closely-er, you’ll see that the headrests (or the rollover protection seat backs) just slightly protrude past the windscreen frame of the car. But there’s an even bigger tell, and that’s the doors.
The original Aston Martin Valkyrie that was unveiled back in 2017 came with the awesome-looking gullwing doors, but the one in the photo has scissor-style doors. There’s no way to mount the gullwing doors if there’s no roof!
Riding shotgun in an Aston Martin Valkyrie looks terrifyingly awesome. Check out the video here!
Not much else was said about the new car, though we don’t expect it to differ wildly to the original, roofed Aston Martin Valkyrie. Powering the F1-inspired Valkyrie is a Cosworth-sourced 6.5-litre V12 hybrid, with
1,014 hp
 and
740 Nm
 on tap.
Aston Martin says the Valkyrie does 0-100 km/h in about
 2.5 seconds
 – we can only imagine how visceral that must feel with no roof, especially with the engine screaming all the way up to 11,000 rpm!
Read about the Valkyrie’s F1-inspired engine in more detail here!
Aside from the yet-unnamed roof-less Valkyrie, Aston Martin will also be debuting its younger brother, the
Valhalla
, for the American continent. All things considered, Pebble Beach probably isn’t a bad place to unveil these multi-million dollar cars, especially when you have a custom-built 11,300 sq. ft. luxury Club House specifically for that purpose.


Facts & Figures: Lexus LC500 Convertible now in Malaysia, from RM1.35 mil

Remember that sexy red Lexus LC500 that GC Mah was trotting around with, in the
AutoBuzz Best Cars of the Year video back in 2018
? Well, it’s back and this time, with its roof chopped off!
The new
LC500 Convertible
 that’s now in Malaysia, from
RM1.35 million
, is the first soft-top Lexus has ever made. It may seem as simple as a coupe with its roof chopped off but with Lexus, things are never that simple. The rear trunk section has been lifted slightly while the integrated rear spoiler has been broadened to give the convertible a wider stance.

PERFORMANCE
Engine: 5.0-litre naturaly aspirated V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel Drive (RWD)
Horspower: 470 hp @ 7,100 rpm
Torque: 570 Nm @ 4,800 rpm
0 to 100 km/h: 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 270 km/h
What was previously a carbon fibre roof has now been replaced with a four-layer fabric roof which tucks under a cleverly integrated tonneau cover once it’s retracted. The roof of the LC500 Convertible takes just
15 seconds to open and 16 seconds to close
 and is capable of operating at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
While it’s common for most convertibles to come with lesser cargo space, in order to make room for the folded roof, the LC500 convertible is an exception.
It offers just
as much luggage room as its coupe brother
 at 172 litres. It’s a result of folding the fabric roof and tucking it between the rear suspension towers. Meanwhile, the hydraulic motors that operate the roof have been fitted in the empty space behind the rear seats.
EXTERIOR
6-pot caliper front brakes, 4-pot caliper rear
21-inch forged wheels
Rear performance dampers
Adaptive Variable Suspension
According to Lexus, most folding roofs are expected to last around 10 years before it needs maintenance work. For the same reason, their engineers have tested the soft-top to its breaking point,
lasting around 18,000 open and close cycles
 before a minor problem occurred. They did not elaborate further though.
Behind the rear seats now is a transparent wind deflector that keeps the cabin quiet enough for conversations at speeds of up to 60 km/h. It may be a small feature but Lexus says it can
reduce airflow around the occupants’ face by about 20%
.
INTERIOR
Head-up display
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
13-speaker 918 watt Mark Levinson sound system
Carbon fibre scuff plates
Heated and ventilated seats
10.3-inch touchscreen display
8-inch colour TFT multi-information display
At higher speeds, there’s a mesh windscreen also behind the rear seat which can be lifted up. This further reduces airflow around the head by about 67% at around 100 km/h. According to Lexus, they’ve tested various mesh patterns before deciding to go with this one. Lexus being Lexus, they’ve also made sure the mesh windscreen matches the luxurious interior.
Acoustic simulations were created to find out where and how the outside noises were entering the cabin. This is so that the amount and location of soundproofing and sound-absorbing material could be calculated.
The storage area for the folding roof behind the rear seats presented a particular challenge, as it was a route for tyre and exhaust noise to enter the cabin.
There was not enough room for soundproofing material to be added, so Lexus looked instead at adapting the trim material itself. By allowing air to pass through the structure and using sound-absorbing material on the reverse, the entire surface of the storage space soaks up noise. Impressive huh?
SAFETY
Six airbags
Front Pre-Collision System
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
Lane Keeping Assist
Automatic High Beam
Blind Spot Monitor
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
GALLERY


Facelifted Audi TT RS looks like a real mean weapon

Audi is ushering the
new year with the updated Audi TT RS, packing dynamic styling upgrades but no power
bump on the 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine.
At the front, the
updated TT RS welcomes wider lateral air intakes with longer front spoiler to
give the car a wide appearance. The Gloss Black Singleframe grille remains a
centre piece at the front that hides away additional radiators for better cooling.
Over to the rear you’ll
find a new fixed rear wing with larger endplates that aids aerodynamics while
the RS-specific rear diffuser is restyled to house the large oval exhaust tailpipe
finish. LED lights are standard fitment but the taillamps can be optioned with
matrix OLED technology with an extensive 3D design.
Changes are less
apparent on the inside, where the 12’ o clock red marker being the only
difference in the facelifted TT RS. There is an optional RS design package
which adds red or blue highlights to the air vent surrounds, seat belts, floor
mats and seats.
The 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder TFSI and 7-speed S-Tronic dual clutch transmission continue to provide
400 hp
 and
480 Nm
of grunt as before, allowing the all-wheel-drive TT RS to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in
3.7 seconds
onwards to a limited top speed of
250 km/h
or optionally
280 km/h
.
The facelifted Audi TT
RS is available in eight different colours with Kyalami Green, Pulse Orange and
Turbo Blue being new additions to the colour palette. Buyers can also order
their TT RS as a Coupe or Roadster.
IMAGE GALLERY
Audi TT RS Coupe Facelift in Turbo Blue
Audi TT RS Roadster Roadster in Nardo Grey


Facts & Figures: Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4L Turbo launched in Malaysia – RM139,900

It is finally here!
Naza Eastern Motors (NEM)
 is the new official distributor for new-generation of Suzuki vehicles in Malaysia and the first model to represent the refreshed brand in Malaysia is the much-loved Suzuki Swift Sport.
Only the six-speed automatic transmission variant is offered here, with the pricing of
RM139,900
, on-the-road, without insurance and benefiting the sales tax exemption.

PERFORMANCE
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder Boosterjet Turbo
Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
Max horsepower: 140 hp @ 5,500 RPM
Max torque: 230 Nm @ 2,500 – 3,500 RPM
0-100 km/h: 8.0 seconds
Top speed: 205 km/h
Fuel consumption: 6.1 l/100km
Lightweight is the key recipe to the third-generation Suzuki Swift Sport. Based on the
new ‘Heartect’ platform
, the new Swift Sport automatic registers an incredibly low kerb weight of just
990 kg
 (20 kg lighter for the manual), a whopping 80 kg less than its predecessor. For reference, a Perodua Myvi 1.3 is 985 kg while a similar-output Proton X50 is 1,325 kg.
The engine of the Suzuki Swift Sport is now turbocharged, losing its high-revving nature that many fans and enthusiasts loved. Displacing 1.4 litres, the four-cylinder engine develops
140 hp
 and
230 Nm
 of torque, which occurs at a rather low engine rpm of 2,500 and only lasts a thousand revolutions before dipping downwards.
Local distributor NEM will be focusing on just the
six-speed automatic
 variant in Malaysia. Compared to the six-speed manual transmission, the ratios in the automatic are well spaced too, in fact, the first three ratios end in similar top speeds (circa 50 km/h, 80 km/h and 120 km/h). Manual selection of the gear ratios can only be done via the steering-wheel mounted shift paddles.
On paper, the six-speed automatic sure looks to deliver the same objective performance as the three-pedal manual with the same 0 to 100 km/h of
8 seconds
.
EXTERIOR
The new-generation Suzuki Swift Sport rides on a 20 mm longer wheelbase. The tread is 40 mm wider both front and rear, helping increase straight-line stability. In keeping with the design focus on performance and emotional connection, the body has been lowered 15mm and widened 40 mm, creating a more grounded, athletic stance.
The Suzuki Swift Sport destined for our market receives a notable difference compared to the ones seen in Europe, Japan and Australia. The tyre and rim combination for Malaysia has been downsized to 16 inches in diameter, similar to the Swift Sport sold in South Africa.
Key exterior features in the Suzuki Swift Sport include:
LED projector headlamps, DRLs and LED taillamps
Swift Sport-specific front and rear bumpers
Weave-effect on front bumper spoiler, side skirts and rear bumper diffuser
Rear spoiler with white lens third brake light
Dual exhaust outlets
16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, 195/50R16 Yokohama Advan tyres
Apart from the signature Champion Yellow, other colours available are Burning Red Metallic, Speedy Blue Metallic and Pearl Pure White.
INTERIOR
The interior of the third-generation Swift Sport now conveys better attributes of sportiness and quality. A stylish black-to-red insert dominates the dashboard and door panels. In front of the driver lies a red-faced tachometer with a 4.2-inch multi-info information display. Standard interior features include:
Sports semi-bucket front seats, fabric
Aluminium sports foot pedals
4.2-inch multi-info display with turbo boost and oil temperature gauge
Automatic air-conditioning
7-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay connectivity
Cruise control
60:40 split-folding rear seat
The boot continues to be relatively small, measuring just 265 litres. A nice touch to the compact interior is the steering column that has both tilt and telescopic adjustments.
SAFETY
The new Suzuki Swift Sport only have safety equipment of six airbags, ESC and hill-hold assist, which are now considered basic, especially for a fully-imported car. Other safety features include a reverse camera, seatbelt reminders for the front passenger, height-adjustable seatbelt anchorage, ISOFIX tethers and a decoupling mechanism for the brake pedal during impact.
PRICING
To recap, the Suzuki Swift Sport that is fully-imported from Japan is currently priced at
RM139,900
 in Malaysia, on the road, without insurance and inclusive of a three-year/100,000 km warranty as standard. Prices are expected to be adjusted in line with the expiry of the sales tax exemption on June 30th 2021.
The new Suzuki Swift Sport is now available for viewing at the flagship Suzuki 3S showroom at Naza Automall, Petaling Jaya, Selangor and is operated by Naza Eastern Motors.
GALLERY


Honda e Prototype: Rear-wheel drive, no wing mirrors, over 200 km range

While the actual unveiling is in a week’s time at the Geneva
motor show, Honda has revealed more on what is arguably its most important product
of the decade, maybe even this century. Enter the fully electric Honda e
Prototype.
Before we dive into the details, it’s worth recapping that the e Prototype was originally
the Urban EV Concept
 that got everyone excited with its cute retro take on the original Civic at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show. And we’ve been craving for more information since.
Despite the name, the e Prototype is ‘95% production ready’, so you’re looking at pretty much the production car.
Well, we know more now. The e Prototype is slightly shorter than a Jazz, it will deliver an electric range of ‘over 200km’ (can be rapid charged up to 80% in 30 minutes like most EVs) but lo and behold, it is also rear-wheel drive, with torque vectoring for good measure!
The e Prototype is has largely kept to the original concept’s minimalist styling and is supposed to be ‘95%’ of the production version. The bodystyle is a five-door hatch that seats four occupants (the rear door handles are flushed and ‘hidden’ on the C-pillar), packing lithium-ion batteries the floor. Instead of wing mirrors, it has side-mounted cameras and cool pop-up front door handles. The side view is projected on LCD displays on each end of dashboard which flank the central touchscreens. Oh, the ‘wood’ on the dash is actually a printed adhesive film while the seat covers are made of recycled polyester.
We count at least five digital displays on the dash; the e Protoype will also come with semi-autonomous driving functions.
The 200 km electric range is admittedly a bit underwhelming, but Honda says the e Prototype is a car that ‘meets the needs of the modern urban environment‘, so it is unlikely to the electric equivalent of the S660 sports car, but does it matter when the ‘want’ is this strong?


Mitsubishi Malaysia issues recalls for CBU models: Lancer range and ASX involved

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has announced the commencement of their
Field Fix Campaign
 – basically a nationwide recall – for the Lancer, Lancer Sportback, Lancer Evolution and ASX manufactured
between 2007
and
 2010
.
The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, one of the CBU models to be recalled
Before you start panicking, let’s be clear about one thing – only the
imported
 (CBU) units of the said models are affected by the recall. For the locally
assembled ASX
 owners, you’re spared.
The purpose of this campaign is to inspect the
V-ribbed belt
 or serpentine belt (not to be confused with timing belt) and
brake booster
 (the latter applies only to the CBU ASX), and if the parts are found to be faulty, it will be replaced
without charge
.
Sample of a
V-Ribbed Belt
 – the one connected to all the pulleys and the alternator outside of the engine
Labour costs incurred will also be borne by the company should replacement be deemed necessary. Affected Mitsubishi owners who have received a
notification letter
 are encouraged to send their cars in for inspection. Are you one of them?


Test drive a Hyundai right from your doorstep with the new ‘Test Drive to You’ campaign

In an effort to embrace the new normal, Sime Darby Auto Hyundai (SDAH) has launched a new ‘Test Drive to You’ campaign, enabling customers to test drive a Hyundai vehicle without stepping foot into a Hyundai showroom.
Hyundai Sime Darby Motors Managing Director, Low Yuan Lung explains: “The ‘Test Drive to You’ campaign is an exclusive personalised service by Sime Darby Auto Hyundai (SDAH) to reach out to our customers wherever they are. We have a total of six SDAH sales outlets in Peninsular Malaysia which are offering this service.
“Interested parties just need to register their interest and SDAH will arrange for a personalised test drive session from the customer’s home,” he added.
As is common protocol these days, SDAH will be enforcing a strict health and safety standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure the safety of its customers and personnel. These include
sanitisation of test drive vehicles
 before and after every test drive session, and
mandatory use of face masks and hand sanitiser
 in the car.
The sales consultant will be conducting a
thermal screening
 prior to the test drive; customers with body temperature exceeding 37.5 degree celcius will not be allowed to proceed with the test drive. Additionally, the sales consultant will also be seated in the rear seat throughout the test drive to maintain
social distancing
.
Customers interested to take advantage of the new test drive campaign can make an arrangement via Hyundai’s website
here
. Currently, the campaign is offered in areas surrounding the
six Hyundai outlets
 included in the campaign – Ara Damansara; Bangsar; Old Klang Road; Ipoh; Prai, Penang ; Skudai, Johor.
In related news, Hyundai has recently updated its
Santa Fe SUV
 with third-row air conditioning. Customers can also take advantage of the brand’s ongoing promotions, which includes cash rebates of up to RM13,000, with the new ‘Test Drive to You’ campaign.


At 19,300 ft, this is the highest Lamborghini Urus in the world!

Automobili Lamborghini is not only having record levels of
sales volumes
 but also plenty of coverage in the media, many of which feature the multi-talented
Lamborghini Urus
.
With more international travelling and borders opening up, Lamborghini India took the opportunity to highlight the immense power, traction and capability of this super SUV by driving up to the highest motorable pass in the world.
Located at the Indian Himalayas in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, the
Umling La Pass
 is a staggering
19,300 ft
 above sea level (5,883 m). For comparison, Genting Highlands is only at 6,000 ft, while Kundasang, the town at the base of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah is slightly higher at 6,200 ft. Even the summit and finishing line of one of the most treacherous hill-climb competitions, the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, is lower at 14,115 ft.
Being fully paved, top Pikes Peaks competitors complete the 20 km drive in 8 minutes. Watch this road-legal Bentley Continental GT and the fantastic scenery during the record run.
As such, the Umling La Pass is one of the most challenging roads to conquer. Ambient temperatures range from -20 degrees to -10 degrees C, while extremely thin air means breathing can be tremendously difficult. Drivers planning to travel here are even advised to gain more information about Acute Mountain Sickness.
Mr. Sharad Agarwal, Head of Lamborghini India said, “This is a proud moment for Lamborghini as the Urus unlocks the pinnacle of high-altitude driving across the Umling La Pass. I would like to congratulate the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and its team on their remarkable achievement. When we reached Umling La Pass, even standing for 30 minutes was extremely difficult, and how the team completed the road in such extreme weather conditions is unimaginable,”
Five records by Lamborghini that many never even heard about or mentioned. Here it is!
The climb to the Umling La Pass took over 87 km, starting from Hanle. Certain stretches of the journey are unpaved and required the use of Terra (off-road) driving mode which the Lamborghini Urus managed with ease.
Performance all the way up to the 19,300-ft pass was largely unrestricted thanks to its twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine dishing out
650 hp
 and
850 Nm
 of torque at sea level. The Urus traverse the majestic road with its amazing bends, corners and scenery not once but twice on October 8th and 9th 2021.
So, what is next for the multi-talented Lamborghini Urus super SUV? Perhaps being fastest on an unpaved road? Oh wait, the Urus is already a
record holder
 for that! As for a singular vehicle model with the most records, it has to be the Porsche Taycan. This
day trip
 alone racked up more records than what was thought possible!
GALLERY


2023 Kia Niro EV launched in Malaysia – RM257k, 460km range, single variant

Dinamikjaya Motors
, the official distributor for Kia in Malaysia today launched the 2023 Kia Niro EV, the second fully-electric vehicle (EV) in its lineup after the Kia EV6. Launched in a single variant only, the Kia Niro EV is fully imported (CBU) from South Korea and fetches a price of
RM256,668
 (OTR without insurance).
Looking to renew your car insurance? Check out
MotorTakaful.com
 by Etiqa for an instant 10% rebate, cashback, and many more if you renew online.

Size-wise, the Kia Niro EV is about the size of a Toyota Corolla Cross. The Kia Niro EV measures 4,420 mm long, 1,825 mm wide, and 1,570 mm tall. Its wheelbase measures 2,720 mm long which is a bit longer than the usual C-segment SUV.
Unmistakably a Kia with its ‘tiger nose’ front end, the Kia Niro sports Dual LED projector headlights up front. What stands out about the Kia Niro EV’s exterior styling would be the unique cladding design which not quite covers the entire car and is matched with the rear quarter panel.
RELATED:
Kia Picanto facelift unveiled with EV9-like front end, retains 5-speed manual
Standard exterior features on the single-variant Kia Niro EV for Malaysia include:
Dual LED Projector Headlamps
LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
Front fog lights
Rear fog lights
Heated side view mirrors
Front Sunroof
Smart-Powered Tailgate
Roof rails
Ventilated disc brakes (front)
Solid disc brakes (rear)
17-inch alloy wheels
Front & rear parking sensors
RELATED:
Kia EV9 specs revealed – over 541km range, V2L, L3 autonomous driving
As for propulsion, the Kia Niro EV gets a single-motor setup that drives the front wheels only. The permanent magnet synchronous motor outputs a maximum of
201 hp
and
255 Nm
. The full technical details of the Kia Niro EV are as such:
Drive: Single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD)
Transmission: 1-speed e-shift
Maximum power output:
201 hp
Maximum torque:
255 Nm
0-100 km/h:
7.8 seconds
Top speed:
167 km/h
V2L function of the Kia Niro EV
As for the battery and charging capabilities of the Kia Niro EV, it isn’t quite as advanced as the Kia EV6. Its range is a decent 460 km (WLTP), thanks to a 64.8-kWh battery pack. An interesting thing about the Kia Niro EV is its vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature that supplies up to 3.6kW of power.
Battery capacity:
64.8 kWh
Range (WLTP):
460 km
Max. AC charging rate:
11 kW
AC charging time (11 kW, 10-100%):
6 hr 20 min
Max. DC charging rate:
80 kW
DC charging time (80 kW, 10-80%):
49 min
V2L max. rate:
3.6 kW
RELATED:
Kia Concept EV5 unveiled: Swivelling seats, Polestar-inspired taillights?
Inside, the Kia Niro EV feels quite similar to the Kia EV6 despite not being built on the same platform. The HVAC controls, steering wheel, and gear selector are all quite similar. A twin 10.25-inch display takes centre stage in the cabin, with one functioning as the main head unit and the other as the instrument cluster. Standard interior features of the Kia Niro EV include:
10.25-inch head unit
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
8 speakers
10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
Multi-function steering wheel
Tilt & Telescopic steering adjustment
Seat heating and ventilation
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Rear air-conditioning vents
Wireless mobile phone charger
3 USB-C ports
Metal foot pedals
Power-adjustable 1st-row seats with lumbar adjustment
Leatherette upholstery
For safety, the Kia Niro EV6 is well-equipped with advanced safety technologies. This includes:
High Beam Assist (HBA)
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
Lane Following Assist (LFA)
Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go
Included in the price of the Kia Niro EV is a 5-year/150,00 km manufacturer warranty, and an 8-year/160,000 km high-voltage battery warranty.
RELATED:
All-new 2023 Kia Sorento launched in Malaysia – 6/7-seater SUV from RM211k
GALLERY


These Lamborghini Huracan special editions are inspired by Life, Death, Time and Dream

There seems to be no stopping the Lamborghini Special Edition locomotive. A month ago, there was the
Aventador Ultimae
 to celebrate the brand’s V12 engine. Late last week was the reveal of the
Aventador Roadster Korean Special Series
 and many more models featuring the Aventador.
Just early this week, the brand announced the return of the
Countach
 that can only be purchased by 112 customers. Joining the smaller Lamborghini
Huracan STO
 in a limited-edition series are four Huracan EVO Special Edition called Edicion Vita, Edicion Morte, Edicion Sogno and Edicion Tempo.
In celebration of Lamborghini’s 10-year anniversary in Mexico, the brand has revealed four special edition Huracan EVO models. The commemorative models represent four key themes in Mexican culture, with Vita meaning life, Morte for death, Sogno for dream, and Tempo signifying time.
“Mexico has become an influential force for a growing automotive community in Latin America and we’re proud to celebrate this partnership with Grand Chelem (the distributor),” said Automobili Lamborghini, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, Federico Foschini.
He added that the four special edition models were designed with the brand’s Ad Personam program, presenting the endless possibilities available to clients when configuring their own Lamborghini car.
Apart from distinctive exterior colours, bright paintwork on the 20-inch forged Narvi rims and coordinated interior scheme, all models are fitted with a hexagonal emblem portraying their respective cultural symbols.
The special edition series flagship model is the Edicion Vita, painted with a special shade of Verde Ermes (green) and highlighted by Oro Elios (gold) accents representing life and nature. An emblem of an eagle is used to celebrate freedom and successes in life and perpetuated in a motif that exalts the national values of Mexico and Italy.
Thai national brings new meaning to cashless payment – bought a Lambo with crypto! Find out how much cryptocurrency he needed here
.
For the Death Edition or Edicion Morte, black (or white) is surprisingly not used. Instead, a Blu Astraeus (blue) colour is paired with Bronzo Serse accents. A similar configuration is extended inside the car.
The emblem of a skull is used for the Edicion Morte, where Mexican culture celebrates experiences that prepare them for the journey between life and death.
The most distinctive of the four special edition Huracan EVO models is the Edicion Sogno or Dream Edition. A bright light blue paint called Blu Symi resemble the mythical-like creatures seen in Mexican folk art. A white interior is contrasted with black tones and gold stitching on the seats.
The Lamborghini Huracan Edicion Sogno is commemorated with a plaque of a two-headed dragon, celebrating dreams with a mixture of fantasy and reality that give colour and meaning to life.
Finally, it’s the Huracan EVO in simple matte black (Nero Nemesis) with bronze highlights. The Huracan EVO Time Edition represents the decade-long partnership between Lamborghini and Mexico.
Lamborghini creatively used a snake as a symbol for Time, as it represents the reinvention of oneself by the shedding of skin.
The four special edition Huracan EVO models will be put on display throughout the city’s most admired landmarks to further celebrate Lamborghini Mexico’s 10th anniversary.
Famous US celebrity beautifies her Lamborghini with white fur. Lamb-dashkimi? More here!
To recap, the Lamborghini Huracan EVO is powered by a 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine with outputs of
640

hp
 and
600 Nm
 of torque. The super sportscar feature Lamborghini’s new rear-wheel steering, torque vectoring, 7-speed DCT and all-wheel drive systems – which are all integral to the new Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI).
It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just
2.9 seconds
 while 0-200 km/h stops the stopwatch at 9 seconds flat. The top speed is listed as over 325 km/h.
GALLERY
2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO Edicion Vita

2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO Edicion Morte

2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO Edicion Sogno

2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO Edicion Tempo


2016 Ferrari 488 Challenge unveiled, more power, better aerodynamics

Revealed ahead of the Ferrari World Finals is the sixth and latest model of the private racing series, the Ferrari 488 Challenge. It’s also the first turbocharged and most powerful model ever to participate in the race, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year.
Powering the 488 Challenge is the same
3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8
 engine that’s found in the standard road-going version. It’s capable of producing
661 hp
 and
 760 Nm
 of torque, although the Challenge version features unique engine mapping and shorter gear ratios for optimum racing performance. Torque management is also tweaked for more ideal upshifts during hard accelerations.
Managing all that powertrain hoo-ha is a revised lightning quick F1 dual clutch transmission, now featuring a new set of racing shift strategy. This allows the 488 to accelerate from standstill to maximum engine revolutions in fourth gear, all before hitting the 6.0 second mark. Take some time to digest that – we’re still trying. In all, the engine and transmission are both lighter than the stock version.
Ferrari’s patented Side Slip Control makes its debut here, and works with a multitude of softwares and hardwares to improve turn-in, cornering and acceleration out of corners while ensuring top levels of traction. Three additional
manettino
dials (built to each side of the steering wheel) independently govern braking, traction and the electronic differential.
In its optimum setup, the 488 Challenge accelerates 11.6 percent better out of a corner of a reference band in Monza. Aerodynamics also play an important role here. Co-developed with Ferrari Styling Centre, the 488 Challenge gets a reworked front radiator that improves air flow and reduces drag. The new styling also results in additional vents at the bottom of the bumper, fore of the wheel. Together with a new bonnet, huge rear wing and integrated flaps, total aerodynamic efficiency is up by 9 percent over the preceding 458 Challenge EVO.
As a refresher, the
standard Ferrari 488 GTB is currently on sale in Malaysia for a base price of RM1.07 million
 (before duties and options).
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton launches Rahmah Service Campaign – Free 40-point safety check, RM150 service package

National carmaker
Proton
 today echoed the Government’s initiative to help reduce the cost of living for lower-income groups with the launch of the 2023 Proton Rahmah Service Campaign. The campaign encourages Proton owners to send their vehicles to authorised service centres for a free 40-point safety check and a service package priced at
RM150
.
Present at the launch of the campaign, Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Yang Berhormat Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said, “Vehicle ownership is essential to the daily lives of many Malaysians and the expenses related to it, such as loan repayment, fuel, tolls, and maintenance are major components of a household’s expenses.”
“With the launch of the Rahmah Campaign, Proton owners will be able to get their cars inspected for free and purchase an affordable service package, which will ease their burden and free up funds for the approaching Hari Raya celebration,” added Tengku Zafrul.
The package is essentially an oil change. Part of the service package includes a 25% discount on semi-synthetic oil, a 10% discount on oil filter and gasket, RM20 off for labour, as well as a free 40-point safety inspection. Following the implementation of the Menu Rahmah initiative launched in January 2023, the government is looking to expand it to other sectors that can make a real difference in lowering living costs. Starting today until
May 31, 2023
, customers can enjoy a free 40-point safety check and enjoy a service package priced at just
RM150
.
RELATED:
2023 Proton X90 first drive – decent ride, but hard to hide that 3-cylinder sound
“An inclusive campaign, costs are shared evenly between
Proton Edar
 and our dealers as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities and we hope with it in place, owners are compelled to service their cars at our authorised service centres before starting the journey back during the festive period,” said Proton’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Roslan Abdullah.
The Proton Rahmah Campaign 2023 starts on
April 12
 and runs till
May 31, 2023
. It is targeted to owners of the
Proton Persona
,
Proton Iriz
,
Proton Exora
,
Proton Saga
, as well as previous models including the Proton Inspira, Proton Waja and
Proton Wira
.
RELATED:
Proton X90 now open for bookings at 3S & 4S outlets only, specs revealed


Porsche 911 R costs 7 times more for a used unit, over RM5 mil a pop!

Car prices hardly appreciate like property, unless if the car is “special” or as rare as the
Lamborghini Miura
. Not so for Porsche, as the recent
Porsche 911 R
 now commands an asking price close to £1 million (approximately RM5.4 million) for a used example!
The reason behind this astronomical appreciation, according to high-end car financing company Magnitude Finance, is because all 911 units of the manual GT3 RS have been sold out even before it was launched!
Yep, only 911 units will ever be made, but already there are people willing to pay up to seven times its original pricing. Initially priced at £136,901 (RM740k), a used example can now command a minimum price of £550,000 (RM3 million), while others are ‘desperate’ enough to part as much as £1 million (RM5.4 million) for it!
The 911 R isn’t the only car that’s highly sought after, because the
Cayman GT4
 and
Macan SUV
 have also had their secondhand values appreciate considerably. The Macan’s value is driven by high demand with a waiting list of over eight months, while the limited edition, manual-only Cayman GT4 (original price £64,451) now costs over RM500k for a used example.
The moral of the story here is, if you want to invest in a car, you know where to look.
[Source:
AutoCar UK
]


2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet launched in Malaysia, price from RM359k

There’s a new C-Class in town and it comes with the option of unlimited headroom at a flick of a switch. With the arrival of the A205 C-Class Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) now has a new addition to their C-Class range to complement the existing W205 C-Class Sedan and the C205 C-Class Coupe.
The C-Class Cabriolet made its
world debut
 six months ago with a range of diesel and petrol engines, but for the Malaysian market the C-Class Cabriolet follows the Coupe range with
three variants
: the
C 200
, the
C 250
, and the
C 300
. Retailing from
RM359k
, the C-Class Cabriolet is currently the only mid-size cabriolet on sale here, since BMW stopped selling the
F33 428i Convertible
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz C 200 Cabriolet
Mercedes-Benz C 250 Cabriolet
Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet
Engine
1,991cc; turbocharged 4-cylinder, DOHC
Transmission
9G-Tronic Plus
Max Power
184 hp @ 5,500 rpm
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
245 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
300 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
350 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
370 Nm @ 1,300 – 4,000 rpm
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
8.2 seconds; 235 km/h
6.9 seconds; 244 km/h
6.4 seconds; 250 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM358,888.00
RM388,888.00
RM443,888.00
EXTERIOR
If you love the Coupe, most likely you will fall all over the Cabriolet as well because both of them look identical apart from the roof. The Coupe’s tin top has been lopped off and replaced by a black
 fabric top
. You can also have the roof in dark red, dark brown, or dark blue, but you need tick the option for the
multi-layer acoustic soft top
 which offers better cabin insulation when the roof is up.

Standard on the C-Class Cabriolet are
 15mm lower suspension
 than the sedan,
18-inch wheels
, and
LED headlamps
, but if you upgrade your Cabriolet from C 200 to C 250 you’ll get the
AMG Line exterior
 and
LED Intelligent Light System
 with
Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus
. Meanwhile the
C 300
 gets a bigger set of
19-inch alloys
 along with the items fitted on the C 250.
INTERIOR
We’ve seen the beautiful interior in the
W205 Sedan
, the
X205 GLC
, and the
C205 Coupe
, but this time you can extend the headroom on demand. Opening or closing the
fully automatic roof
 takes
20 seconds
, and this can also be done on the move at
 speeds up to 50 km/h
. Once the roof is down, the
boot space
 also goes down from
360 litres
 to 285 litres.

Different variant gets different upholstery and trim finish. Black piano-lacquer look with longitudinal grain aluminium trim and Artico leather upholstery are featured in the C 200, while and the C 250 gets the same trim but with leather upholstery. The C 300 also gets leather upholstery but it gets the open-pore black ash wood trim instead.
The Audio 20 infotainment system with Garmin Map Pilot as well as the touchpad controller are standard on the C 200 and the C 250, but the C 300 gets DVD player, Comand Online,
Burmester surround sound system
, Air Balance active perfuming system, and an analogue clock.
PERFORMANCE
The engine range follows exactly what the tin-topped siblings offer, but the familiar M274
2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
 is mated to the
9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic
 instead of the seven-speed transmission. Power outputs are
184 hp
 and
300 Nm
 on the
C 200
,
211 hp
 and
350 Nm
 on the
C 250
, and
245 hp
 and
 370 Nm
 on the
C 300
.
The C 200 takes
8.2 seconds
 to get from
0 to 100 km/h
; the C 250 takes
6.9 seconds
 and the C 300 does it in
6.4 seconds
. Fuel consumption range from 7.1 l/100 km in the C 300 to
6.0 l/100km
 in the C 200.
WHAT ELSE?
Pricing starts from
RM358,888
 for the
C 200
 Cabriolet,
RM388,888
 for the
 C 250
 Cabriolet, and
RM443,888
 for the
C 300
 Cabriolet, so there’s about RM50k premium over the
C-Class Coupe
. So which one would you rather have, the Sedan, the Coupe, or the Cabriolet?
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz C 250 Cabriolet

Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet


2015 Ferrari 488 GTB revealed, the 458 Italia replacement with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo

Say goodbye to the
Ferrari 458 Italia
, and say hello to the new
Ferrari 488 GTB
. Ferrari’s mid-engined supercar gets rejuvenated with sharper looks and a new heart, a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged heart, no less. The 488 GTB is the second of the recent Ferraris to receive a
turbocharged powerplant
 after the front-engined California T.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Ferrari 488 GTB
Engine
3,902 cc V8 twin-turbo
Max Power
660 hp @ 8,000 rpm
Max Torque
760 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
0-100 km/h
3.0 seconds
0-200 km/h
8.3 seconds
Top Speed
> 330 km/h
The unveiling of the 488 GTB also celebrates the 40 years anniversary since the launch of Ferrari’s first mid-engine car, which was the Dino. Not only that, the new smaller turbocharged engine somewhat bridges the gap closer to the current Formula 1 that promotes engine downsizing and turbocharging technology.
EXTERIOR
At first sight it looks familiar to the 458 Italia it replaces but upon closer inspection, almost all body panels are new on the 488 GTB. The front bumper intake openings are larger, with two “fangs” in the middle hiding a center deflector to channel air towards the flat underbody.
The door feature a deep scallop inspired by the 308 GTB and cuts upward to the flanks punctured by a huge air intake. The back receives more aero work with a new rear bumper with diffuser that incorporates active flaps, and what
Ferrari
 refers to a “blown” spoiler. All this resulted a
50 percent increase
 in downforce compared to its predecessor.
Apart from that, the LED taillights have been updated, accompanied by a central F1-esque rear foglamps, while the tailpipe count now reduced from three to two.

INTERIOR
Most of the cabin design remains intact, which revolves around the driver. All the controls are angled towards the driver, ensuring everything is within reach. For the 488 GTB, the infotainment screen have been redesigned, and it now features a completely keyless start.
PERFORMANCE
The new engine is around
500 cc less
 than the one in the 458 Italia. Still a V8, it now displaces
3,902 cc
, but it gains
a pair of turbochargers
. It generates
660 hp
 at 8,000 rpm and
760 Nm
 at 3,000 rpm.
That’s 98 hp more than what the 458 Italia offers, and 63 hp more than the 458 Speciale. Sprint time from
0 to 100 km/h
 is
3.0 seconds
, which is similar to the 458 Speciale, and the
top speed
 is claimed to be
more than 330 km/h
.
To ensure a smooth torque delivery, the gearbox features
Variable Torque Management
. The side slip angle control system have evolved to
Side Slip Control 2
 (SSC2), which is said to be more precise and less intrusive than before.
WHAT ELSE?
The 488 GTB is set to debut at the upcoming
Geneva Motor Show
 in March 2015, which is interestingly, where
McLaren
 is tipped to unveil their
675LT
. Over here in Malaysia, with the launch of the
458 Speciale
 and the
California T
 last year, it’s only a matter of time when the 488 GTB is coming to our shores.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Mazda has the most efficient line up in the U.S. for the 5th consecutive year

U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just announced that Mazda has the most fuel-efficient model line up on U.S. roads for the fifth consecutive year. According to the annual Light Duty Fuel Economy Trends report published last week, the average fuel economy of MY2016 Mazda models sold in the U.S has improved compared to the previous year, once again securing their number one position.
The entire MY2016 Mazda line up consumed an average (manufacturer adjusted) of
7.9 litres per 100 km
, 0.64 litres lower than MY2015 models. The Japanese carmaker also recorded the lowest average CO2 emissions of any carmaker at
 187g/km
. To put things into perspective, the overall U.S. market average stands at 9.5L/100 km and CO2 emissions of 223g/km.
Mazda highlights that its strong position as the most efficient line up in the U.S. market was due to the brand’s
SkyActiv
 technologies compromising of lightweight engines, transmissions, chassis and car bodies. These technologies were made available to customers are beneficial in the real world as reflected by the EPA’s report.


New Jaguar XJR pays homage to XJR-9LM racer of yesteryear with Le Mans champion behind the wheel [+Video]

First introduced to the world in 2010, the Jaguar XJ represented the Coventry-based company’s premier limo that’s geared toward taking on German industry heavyweights such as Merc’s S-Class, Bimmer’s 7-Series and Audi’s A8; just to name a few. These solid performers have all received new leases of life today, and five years later, Jaguar has opted to kit the XJ out with a refreshed look and some toys to go with – particular the LED headlamps. However, here’s one oddity.
Caranddriver.com reported that sales performance of the XJ in the North American region recorded some 4,300 units in 2014, which pales in comparison to BMW and Lexus who both sold over twice the amount. That’s nothing, though, because Mercedes-Benz sold six times more S-Classes than the XJ! Now, what does the S-Class have that the XJ doesn’t? Well if the prevailing reason for that sales slump was all about its looks, then it seems that
Jag has come to the rescue
. Not only that, but they brought the facelifted XJR out to play with a Le Mans champion and his car.
Enough about sales figures and performance indexes. This new Jaguar XJR is the company’s flagship battle cruiser with all the bells and whistles chucked in it, including a slightly tweaked
 5.0-litre supercharged V8
 that is producing over
 540
 rampaging British stallions and a pair of trick new
LED headlights
. In keeping with the theme, Jag invited Andy Wallace out to Silverstone for a day out with his old
 Silk Cut Jaguar
 LM racer and to sample the XJR.
At 542 hp, Andy Wallace should not break a sweat driving this uber-luxurious limousine around Silverstone when you consider that his old LM racer was a
 7.0-litre V12
 fire breather that churned out the better part of
750 hp
 while the engine wailed at
 7,200 rpm
 with over
 800 Nm
 of twist to boot. Not only that, but the XJR-9LM tipped the scales at just over
881 kg
 which would give it a
 power-to-weight ratio
 of
851 hp per tonne
 ! No one knew for an absolute certainty how fast these cars really were, but Wallace mentioned that it would do speeds of up to 240mph (
387 km/h
)! Food for thought?
Speaking of the immense speeds of racing, Wallace commented while driving the XJR at night around Silverstone, “it was so
hard to see at night
. We were travelling at around 240mph and it was
 too fast
 to see the road ahead. We used the lights more to
catch glimpses
 of landmarks as they whizzed past, so we knew where we were.

These days, modern road cars have
incredible
 lights. LED technology allows you to see
three times
 the distance we could back then, while
active steer
 and
bend
 also help
target
 the lights to the
places
 you want to see.”
At this juncture, Wallace wishes that the XJR-9LM that he piloted in 1988, had these LED headlights. For the want of proper headlights, he might have
clenched
 the title. As part of the facelift, Jaguar now kits the XJ with its
 LED-headlight technology
 that’s coupled with the unique
 double J-Blade DRL’s
. The LED headlights provide a
colour temperature
 closer to that of
daylight
 than the Bi-Xenon lamps they replace, improving
visibility
 and driver comfort while also delivering a significant improvement in
energy efficiency
. Be sure to check out the video.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW F16 X6 CKD launched in Malaysia, now cheaper by RM50k at RM667k

BMW Group Malaysia has just introduced the F16 X6 at their newly renovated headquarters in Cyberjaya. The X6 in question here is the M-Sport flavoured xDrive35i Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) that will be locally assembled at BMW’s Assembly Facilities plant in Kulim, Kedah.
The completely knocked down (
CKD
)
F16 X6
 represents the marques
ninth
 model to join the portfolio of the company’s
locally assembled vehicles
. BMW Group Malaysia’s CEO, Mr Alan Harris said, “This is a testament indeed to the longstanding commitment that the German brand has here in Malaysia.”
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW X6 xDrive35 M Sport
Engine
2,979cc inline-6 twin-turbo
Transmission
8-speed StepTronic Sport automatic
Max Power
306hp @ 5,800 rpm
Max Torque
400 Nm @ 1,200 rpm
0 – 100 km/h
6.4 seconds
Top Speed
240 km/h
Price
RM 666,888 OTR w/out Insurance
EXTERIOR
The F16 holds true to its predecessor’s
aggressive
 and
bold

look-at-me
presence that should get everyone’s attention as you drive on by. On the front, the SAC means business with its huge imposing signature
kidney grille
. Illuminating the path ahead is a job tasked to the
Adaptive LED
 headlights coupled with a pair of oddly positioned
LED fog lamps
. Both lighting sources are standard here.

Having mentioned that, the F16 is kitted out with
M Sport Pack
which features a pair of
gills
 on each side of the front fender – an aesthetic enhancement courtesy of the
M Aerodynamics
 pack. Because you get the M Sport Pack, the X6 comes with Adaptive M Suspension as standard while riding on 20-inch M double-spoke alloy wheels.
At the back, you’ll notice subtle hints of the
X6’s muse
 in the
LED tail lamps
, and not forgetting to mention the
sleek
,
sloping lines
 of the vehicle. The exhausts pipes are capped with a pair of
chromed-out tips
 on either side.
INTERIOR
The inside of the X6 is really the business end of things. The cockpit benefits from Bimmer’s hallmark
 driver centric

orientation
 with features such as
multi-function instrument display
 panel which, in essence, replaces traditional
gauges
. As part of keeping the driver’s focus etched
on the road
 and not on the toys, the steering wheel incorporates controls for the
voice command
 system,
cruise control
,
 mode selector
 and
call pick up
 and
drop
. Not forgetting also the
 paddle shifters
 for when the roads get tricky, or interesting.

On the centre console, one will notice an array of
buttons
 and
switches
 that host a multitude of commands at your fingertips. Looking around and you will find a tastefully done interior finishing with the better part of it wrapped in fine
Dakota leather
 upholstery. The hides on offer can be suited to all tastes and colours, so feel free, guys.
Keeping all occupants cool and comfy from the blistering heat is a
quad-zone air-conditioning
 system.
Ambient lighting
 really does set the mood as you enter the car. It lends to an organic feel with the positioning of the lights at roughly shoulder height.
PERFORMANCE
The beating heart of the sports activity coupe is a
 straight-six
,
3.0-litre twin-turbo
 mill that benefits from BMW’s
EfficientDynamics
 technology. This tech delivers better performance and considerably improves fuel consumption. The M Sport F16 here pumps out
306 hp
 from between
5,800
 and
 6,400 rpm
, and thanks to the beauty of forced induction, optimal torque figures need not be attained at such high revs but rather the brunt of the
400 Nm
 is readily available from as low as
1,200 rpm
.
The xDrive Bimmer puts its power onto the road via an
eight-speed Steptronic
 sport automatic transmission. With those figures in mind, the F16 X6 will hit the 100 km/h mark from standstill in just
6.4 seconds
 before maxing out at
 240 km/h
. Quite an impressive performance, considering that the X6 tips the scales at slightly over
two tonnes
.
Besides that, the SAC comes with something you’d normally find in high-end sports cars and hyper cars –
Launch Control
. Should you feel the need to catapult yourself from traffic lights, but at the same time want the space and presence of an ‘SUV’, then look no further. Having said that, the X6 does feature an
 ECO-PRO
 mode that enables the coasting function, which BMW claims will help yield a fuel economy figure of
8.6 litres per 100km
.
SAFETY
Courtesy of the
BMW ConnectedDrive
 pack, the X6 features a high-definition
HUD
 (heads-up-display) which means you don’t have to avert your gaze away from the road. Another unique drive assistance system in the locally assembled X6 is
Surround View 360
; a feature granting
all-round visibility
 when parking or manoeuvring in and around tight spaces.
Two active safety features here are
 Lane Departure Warning
 (with
Approach
) and
Pedestrian Warning
 with
auto braking
. Both systems work independently or in tandem that automatically applies braking force when necessary. With BMW Apps that’s readily available, one can get Facebook and Twitter updates on the fly as well. You can even hook up Spotify and enjoy your favourite playlists via the Harmon Kardon stereo system.
WHAT ELSE?
The new, locally-assembled BMW X6 xDrive35i M Sport comes in
Alpine White
,
Flamenco Red
,
Carbon Black
 and
Space Grey
 colours. The F16 retails for
RM666,888
 on-the-road without insurance. It comes bundled together with a
five-year unlimited mileage warranty
 and

Free Scheduled Service
 Program.
IMAGE GALLERY


Audi A9 e-tron full electric flagship confirmed, to rival Tesla Model S

The Tesla Model S is undeniably the benchmark for premium electric powered cars. Its overwhelming public response gives visionary Elon Musk the advantage of monopolising this niche and growing segment, but that will soon change.
Big German and Swedish brands are planning to dethrone the king himself; BMW has its iPerformance division, Mercedes-Benz has a yet-to-be-named electric division and now Audi leading the pack with their e-tron fleet.
According to
 AutoCar UK
, it seems that Audi is ready to take the Model S head on. Audi’s Chairman Rupert Stadler has confirmed that they will be building a four-wheel-drive full electric sedan to directly compete against the Model S.
It is hinted that the new Model S rival will be named Audi A9 e-tron. The A9 e-tron will be a luxury sedan that will sit on par or above the flagship A8. If it makes to production, the A9 e-tron will be able to travel up to
500km
 in a single charge and will come with level four autonomous driving. Level four by definition, means that the car is able to steer and avoid obstacles without requiring driver intervention.
The four door sedan will be equipped with a 95kWh battery pack to drive all four wheels via the e-tron Quattro system. No performance figures have been revealed at this point, but current e-tron models like the R8 e-tron is capable of producing a whopping 920 Nm of twisting force. We can trust the engineers at Audi to deliver something just as crazy if they plan to go head on against the 967 Nm Model S.
IMAGE GALLERY