Hyundai IONIQ 5 named UK Car of the Year 2022

The fully electric Hyundai IONIQ 5,
launched in Malaysia
 just two days ago from RM199k, has just been crowned the UK Car of the Year 2022 after consideration from a panel of 29 judges from Top Gear, Evo, Auto Express, The Independent, and The Telegraph to name a few.
The IONIQ 5 was also voted the Best Family Car as it was noted for making “going electric easy”. The awards also credited the IONIQ 5 for being the future of motoring but is instead today’s reality.
The IONIQ 5 was also recognised at the 2021 News UK Motor Awards; walking away with the Best Designed Car of the 2021 title and Motoring Innovation of the Year Award for its Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature. The V2L feature essentially allows occupants to power electrical appliances, even with the car off, by plugging into a conventional 3-pin socket.
Closer to home, the IONIQ 5 is available in 3 variants; the Lite from RM 199,888, the Plus from RM229,888 and the Max from RM259,888. Its batteries are covered by an 8-year/160,000 km warranty.
The Lite and Plus variants are rear-wheel drive, powered by a single electric motor, while the Max comes with all-wheel drive; with an electric motor in the front and back.
The Lite and Plus come with 170 hp and 350 Nm with 0 to 100 km/h done in just 8.5 seconds, while the more powerful Max variant with 305 hp and 605 Nm, does it in 5.2 seconds. Top speed is limited to 185 km/h for all variants.
The Lite and Plus are fitted with a 58 kWh lithium-ion battery for up to 384 km of driving range, while the Max gets a larger 72.6 kWh battery for up to 430 km. Using a Type 2 AC (11kW) charger, the IONIQ 5 can be charged from 0 to 100% in just 5 hours. With the quicker DC charger, the IONIQ 5 can be charged up to 80% in just 18 minutes.


Facts & Figures: Subaru Forester GT Edition launched in Malaysia

Following the
introduction of the Subaru XV GT Edition launched last year
, TC Subaru, official distributors of Subaru vehicles in Malaysia has now launched the
Subaru Forester GT Edition
 priced at
 RM177,788
 on-the-road excluding insurance.
Like the XV GT Edition, the Forester GT Edition is created in collaboration with engineering company Giken Co. Ltd and is based on the

high spec 2.0-iS EyeSight Forester
 but with some cosmetic and equipment upgrade. Check out our
review of the Subaru Forester here
.
We also
 tested out the Forester’s EyeSight system and its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system
 in a must-watch video.
PERFORMANCE
Engine: FB20 2.0-litre naturally aspirated
 boxer engine
Transmission: Lineartronic CVT
Drivetrain: Symmetrical All-wheel Drive
Horsepower: 156 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 196 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
The Forester GT stands out from the standard Forester with an additional aerokit that includes a
front bumper lip extension
,
side skirts
,
roof spoiler
, and
rear bumper lip extension
. Otherwise, exterior features are as follow:
EXTERIOR
LED headlamps with Auto Levelling
Steering Responsive Headlights
LED daytime running lights
Halogen front fog lamps
LED combination tail lamps
LED rear fog lights
Power folding heated side mirrors
GT Edition 18-inch alloy wheels
As for the inside, the new Forester GT Edition’s cabin comes with a unique two-tone leather upholstery. Notable upgrades compared to the Forester
we drove from Penang to Bangkok
includes a new 8-inch audio system now with
Apple CarPlay
 and
Android Auto
along with a
360-degree view monitor
. Standard equipment/features are as follow:
INTERIOR
8-way power adjustable driver seat with Memory Function
8-way power adjustable front passenger seat
Reclining rear seats
Three USB ports
Dual zone air conditioning
Rear air vents
Keyless entry with Push Start
Multifunction telescopic steering wheel
If you’ve seen our
review
and Vlogs of the Forester, you’d know by now that the Forester’s cabin is one of the most if not the most spacious in its segment; with an abundance of head, knee and leg room. Boot space is rated at
520 litres
.
FEATURES & CONVENIENCES
Bluetooth
6 speakers
Three USB ports
Powered tailgate with Memory Function
12V outlet in boot
SAFETY & DRIVER ASSISTANCE
Seven airbags
EyeSight Driver Assist with Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Sway and Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control
Blind spot monitor
Side view monitor
Subaru Intelligent Drive – Intelligent and Sport Mode
Hill Descent Control
Rear cross traffic alert
Auto Vehicle Hold
Active Torque Vectoring
X-Mode – Snow/Dirt Mode and Deep Snow/Mud Mode
The Forester GT Edition is fully imported from Thailand and is accompanied with a 5-year/100,000 km warranty. For those interested in viewing the new Forester GT Edition, TC Subaru would like to assure customers that it has implemented stringent protocols at all its facilities for the health, safety and peace of mind of customers.
GALLERY


Here’s how the new Mazda 3 turbo could sound like

Cryptic as it may be,
Mazda
 has released a teaser on YouTube that revealed what the new Mazda 3 turbo could sound like along with the figures “7”, “8” and “2020”; suggesting its launch to be on the 8th of July 2020. It could even be 7th of August, we’ll see.
Whether it will be named the Mazda 3 MPS remains to be seen, as the boys in Japan have time and time again reiterated that there are no plans to revive that nameplate. The 2nd generation Mazda 3 MPS was available between 2010 to 2013.

So far, the word is that the new Mazda 3 turbo would inherit the 2.5-litre turbo engine already available in the turbocharged
CX-5
 and
 CX-9
. The engine makes
228 hp
and
420 Nm
 but whether these figures will be seen in the Mazda 3 turbo – only time will tell. Sames goes to the 6-speed automatic transmission paired to the 2.5-litre turbo engine.
Locally, the Mazda 3 is available either with a 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre engine. Both are naturally aspirated and are paired 6-speed automatic transmissions. The 1.5-litre model makes
 118 hp
and
 153 Nm
 while the 2.0-litre model makes
 162 hp
 and
213 Nm
.
Watch our
review of the Mazda 3 here
!
For the latest price list of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia following the Sales Tax Exemption between June 15th to December 31st, click
here
.


Gallery: Volkswagen Polo Beats 1.0 TSI is the hatchback for audiophiles

Besides witnessing the premiere of the new
Subaru Forester e-Boxer at the 2019 Singapore Motor Show
, this little Volkswagen Polo Beats, caught the eye of our editor who is a little of an audiophile himself.
The Polo Beats is essentially a
standard polo
 with a massively upgraded sound system supplied by Beats in the shape of a
300-W seven-speaker Surround Sound System
. You get two tweeters in the A-pillars, four woofers in the doors and a subwoofer beneath the boot floor. An eight-channel amplifier ensures that the sound quality from the 8.0-inch Composition Media touchscreen unit is clearly transmitted through the speakers.
Visually, the Polo Beats is no different from a regular Polo equipped with LED headlamps with LED daytime running light, LED taillamps, modest 16-inch alloy wheels as well as black side mirrors and roof. Only differentiation from a regular Polo is the Beats log attached on the B-pillars.
Inside, the Polo Beats gets a dual upholstery with a Red painted insert on the dashboard, centre console surrounds and doors. Equipment list reads multifunctional steering wheel with paddle shifters, 12.3-inch Active Info Display, Beats logo embroidery on the seats and a sunroof.

Under the hood is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged TSI petrol engine paired to a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h takes
9.5 seconds
 while top speed is quoted to be
 200 km/h
.
In Singapore, the Volkswagen Polo Beats is priced at SGD101k inclusive of COE which converts to over RM306k, yikes.
IMAGE GALLERY
Volkswagen Polo Beats at 2019 Singapore Motor Show


2016 Hari Raya promotions from Mitsubishi, Proton and more!

Raya is around the corner, which means there are massive promotions from car brands! Offering Malaysians who are looking for a brand new ride to
“balik kampung”
! We have compiled a list of promos offered by our automotive brands in Malaysia.
We start with this,
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM)

is offering attractive rebates for three models:
The all-new
Outlander
 is offered with a
 1-Year free service program
 and 5-Years or 100,000 KM warranty package. The all-new Outlander is priced at RM168, 600.
The
Triton VGT Adventure
 is offered with
cash rebates up to RM7,500
 and 3-Years or 100,000km warranty package. The all-new Triton VGT Adventure is priced at RM116, 053.
The
Mitsubishi
ASX
 Compact SUV is offered with
 cash rebates up to RM8, 000
 and 5-Years warranty with unlimited mileage. The Mitsubishi ASX is priced at 105,744.31 for the 2WD-GL variant, RM 115,468.71 for the 2WD variant and RM129,010.43 for the 4WD variant.
Also to note, Mitsubishi owners can enjoy free labour service charge when their service bill reached above RM400 and receive as special collectibles courtesy of exclusive the “
Servis Raya Sama-Sama Ceri
a” promo.
Moving along,
Volkswagen
 is giving away an additional RM2,000
“duit raya”
 on top of cash rebates for the CC, Cross Touran, Golf GTI, and the
Beetle
. The
Polo
 and the updated Golf meanwhile receives the RM2K rebate only. Click here for more info on the
promo
.
On the local front,
Proton
 is offering rebates up to RM3,000 on selected 2016 models including the
Proton Iriz
, and a free
20-point safety inspection
at all authorised service centers. For instance, the Saga can be had with monthly installments as low as RM367 on top of an RM2,000 cash rebate.
Perodua
 meanwhile is offering interesting packages for the
Alza
 and
Myvi
 models. The Alza compact MPV receives cash rebates up to RM2,300, followed by RM3,800 savings for selected Myvi variants. Offer ends by the 5th of July.
If you are looking for a new car, now is the best time. Stay safe on the road and Selamat Hari Raya!


Aston Martin Valkyrie exterior and interior detailed, no rear view mirrors!

We know it has a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio, we know that it will be
powered by a 6.5-litre V12
 and
limited to just 150 units worldwide
 but we’ve not had even a glimpse of what’s inside the Aston Martin-Red Bull (AMRB) hypercar. That is, until now. Enter the Aston Martin Valkyrie.
Pictures of the Valkyrie have long been published, but here are some intricate details of the Valkyrie’s exterior that are just unlike anything else. Aston Martin decided that a traditional wing badge at the nose of the hypercar is deemed “too heavy” and a sticker is not befitting of the Valkyrie’s status. Therefore, the team etched a wing badge that is just
 70 microns thick
, 30 percent thinner than a human hair, into the body work.
The headlamps are designed with the ethos of “bare essentials”, resulting in a headlamp design that celebrates pure functionality, just like on F1 cars. These sleek LED headlamps not only offer greater illumination but is also
30 to 40 percent lighter
 than Aston Martins lightest series production headlamps. The third brake light, mounted on the tip of the Valkyrie’s shark fin is the
world’s smallest high mounted stop light
 measuring at 5.5mm wide and 9.5mm high, to reduce unnecessary weight and drag.
Packaging the interior of the Valkyrie is no easy task due to the hypercar’s unique but highly functional sculpture. AMRB together with project partner, AF Racing, have come up with an interior inspired by Formula One and Le Mans race cars. The
 seats are mounted directly to the carbon tub
 to maximise interior space and occupants are seated with their feet stretched out, like in
F1 cars
. The designers claim that this seating position ensures drivers and passengers are extremely safe, perfectly supported and feel completely one with the car.

Aston Martin also claims that the Valkyrie can fit
two grown adults
 snugly. A four-point harness is used to hold the occupants in place while a six-point harness can be optioned for those who take their seven figure (Sterling Pounds that is) hypercar to the track often.
Notice that there are no wing mirrors protruding from the sleek design? That’s because AMRB have done away with the “aerodynamic disturbance”, replaced with discreetly mounted cameras to feed the rear view to the driver. The large roof mounted air-intake also means that the Valkyrie
does not come with a rear-view mirror
.
Matt Hill, Aston Martin Creative Director of Interiors said of the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s cockpit design said: “It’s been a tremendous challenge to make the interior packaging work. We’ve embraced Red Bull Racing’s Formula One ethos and approached from a different angle than conventional road car design. In this instance, we’ve started from a position where you think something is impossible and work at it until you find a way to make it work.”
IMAGE GALLERY


TMJ seen with rare Ford GT in meeting with Olympic Silver medalist Azizulhasni Awang

It’s no secret by now that the Royal Family of Johor are fanatical enthusiasts of everything with wheels. We’ve seen them make an appearance in the
new Genesis G90 recently
 and spotted a cool
 Lincoln Navigator SUV
through the Crown Prince’s social media post.
Recently, the Crown Prince of Johor was seen with yet another cool ride en route to his meeting with Malaysian Olympic Silver medalist Azizulhasni Awang. This time his highness was seen with an ultra-rare
Ford GT
 but it’s not just any Ford GT.
It sports an exclusive ‘Victory’ livery that consists of Liquid Red, Frozen White, and Lightning Blue. According to Ford, the colour scheme is not available for sale to the public but instead
reserved only for Ford employees
.
Experience what it’s like to be in a Ford GT as it does 340 km/h!
The ‘Victory’ livery mimics
Ford’s 2016/17 race team colours
 that went on to win its category in the 2016 version of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The victory in 2016 was also extra special as it was the 50th anniversary of the first victory by the Ford GT at Le Mans back in 1966. Ford finished the race in 1st, 2nd and 3rd position that year, breaking Ferrari’s long-standing dominance in the sport.
The Ford GT is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 with 647 hp and 746 Nm while the
track-only Ford GT Mk II
 pushes out over 700 hp. There are
only about 1,300 units
of the Ford GT in the world. Each starts from around USD 450,000 (approx. RM1.8 million before tax).
Aston Martin becomes official
s
ponsor

and par
tner of Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club! Read about it here!
GALLERY
Source:
Facebook


Kia Grand Carnival 2.2L CRDi now in Malaysia, CBU, RM154k to RM186k!

First previewed at the
Malaysian Autoshow 2016
, Naza Kia Sdn Bhd has finally launched the Kia Grand Carnival. This eight-seater MPV is available in in three variants – the base D, mid-spec KX, and range-topping EX.
Under the leadership of President and Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, the third-generation Grand Carnival has won numerous awards for its bold design including the 2014 New York Auto Show Best New Car Design and 2015 AUTOBYTEL Minivan of the Year and 2015 Ward’s 10 Best Interior.  The Grand Carnival measures 5,115 mm in length, 1,740 mm in height, 1,985 mm in width and a wheelbase of 3,060 mm. Priced from
RM154k
, the fully imported Grand Carnival offers a great alternative for MPV shoppers.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Kia Grand Carnival 2.2 CRDi D
Kia Grand Carnival 2.2 CRDi KX
Kia Grand Carnival 2.2 CRDi EX
Engine
2,199cc; Common rail direct injection VGT turbodiesel
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Max Power
190 hp @ 3,800 rpm
Max Torque
440 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,750 rpm
 Price (On the road with insurance)
RM153,888
RM165,888
RM185,888
EXTERIOR
Like all other Kia models penned by Peter Schreyer, the Grand Carnival wears the trademark ‘tiger nose’ grille. All three variants wear high levels of exterior trim including
automatic halogen projector headlamps
 with
LED daytime running lights
, front and rear fog lamps, LED combination tail lamps, power folding side mirrors, shark fin antenna and mud guards at the wheel arches.

Only way to tell the EX apart from the other two are the additional gloss black and chrome radiator grille, and roof rack exclusive to the high-spec EX. All variants ride on
 10-spoke

18-inch alloy wheels
 (Silver finish on the D and KX; Machine finish on the EX) shod with 235/60 profile tyres.
INTERIOR
So, what does 2015 Ward’s 10 Best Interior has to offer? For starters, standard features are abundant even for the base D. The two-tone beige interior comes with fabric upholstery, manual driver’s seat with two-way lumbar support, urethane multifunctional steering wheel, cruise control, 4.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with six speakers, 3.5-inch TFT Mono OLED instrument cluster, single zone manual air conditioning, rear air vents and rear sunshade blinds.

Stepping up to the KX variant, the additional RM12k fetches you a two-tone grey interior theme (fabric upholstery still), smart keyless entry and powered sliding doors.
Opt for the range topping EX variant and the Grand Carnival comes with a two-tone beige interior,
leather upholstery
, automatic
tri-zone climate control
, eight-way powered driver seats with four-way lumbar support,
powered tailgate
 and all four auto powered windows with anti-pinch.
PERFORMANCE
Motivating this eight-seater MPV is the tried and tested
2.2-litre CRDi VGT turbodiesel
 pushing out
 190 hp
 and
440 Nm
. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a
six-speed torque converter automatic
 transmission. Fuel tank is a massive 80 litre capacity which is more than sufficient for all your long-distance driving needs.
SAFETY
Naza Kia has always put safety as their top priority as such all variants comes with
six airbags
, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, ESC, hill-start assist, front parking sensors and ISOFIX mounting points as standard.
WHAT ELSE?
The Kia Grand Carnival can be had in three exterior shades – Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl and Titanium Brown. All purchases of the Grand Carnival comes with a
5-Year unlimited mileage warranty
. Besides that, Naza Kia is also offering a new smart financing package to lower monthly repayments as well the Kia Value 5 Plus that guarantees the resale value of the vehicle. For the time being, the Grand Carnival will be
fully imported
 but the company has expressed that they are in the works of introducing a CKD model which may come as early as Q4 of 2017.
IMAGE GALLERY
Kia Grand Carnival 2.2 CRDi EX

Kia Grand Carnival 2.2 CRDi KX

Kia Grand Carnival 2.2 CRDi D


Bespoke Lotus Evora Sport 410 created as tribute to Bond’s Esprit S1

Before Aston Martin became indoctrinated as James Bond’s primary choice of car, there was another, the one who got away. The Lotus Esprit S1 was most fondly remembered when it appeared the 1977 instalment “The Spy Who Loved Me”.
If you do the math right, it’s been exactly 40 years since the movie, and the creation of this one-off Evora Sport 410 is Lotus’ way of celebrating the occasion. Bred from the premium selection of Lotus Exclusive, this Evora gets bits and bobs of the Esprit S1 that was piloted by Roger Moore.
For starters, the exterior is finished in white with unique black contrasting elements. The front bumper is a nod to the said Esprit, whereas the single piece carbon fibre tailgate gives the Evora a more “liftback” appearance. Keen eyes would notice the special wording on the B-pillar. Inside, the “
heritage tartan
” fabric adorns the door cards and seats, with obvious red stitching used across the dashboard.
It’s powered by the same Toyota-sourced
3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine
 that puts out
 410 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque. Based on the standard Evora Sport, 0-100 km/h is done in
 4.0 seconds
 and it has a top speed of
304 km/h
.
Group Lotus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales said, “Lotus was founded on the principle of lightweight engineering and, even today,
nobody does it better
.” Back at home, pricing for the
Evora 400
 starts from RM598k. Apparently, Lotus Malaysia has plans to introduce the hotter
Evora 410
 sometime soon, so stay tuned for that!
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Land Rover Defender 110 set for Malaysian launch on the 21st of October!

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) is set to launch the
all-new Defender
 110 at 11 am on the 21st of October 2021. The company has extended the invite to all Malaysians to join the official digital launch via
Facebook
.
Named the 2021 World Car Design of the Year, the
 all-new Defender
 is built on a completely new platform compared to past models. The new Defender sits on an all-aluminium monocoque body that offers even more rigidity than the ladder frame chassis it was built on before.

As you can tell, the exterior is unrecognisable from the iconic Defenders we’ve been used to but it still retains a few trademarks. They include the side-hinged tailgate and the Alpine light windows on the roof.
JLRM said in their press release that there’ll be two powertrain options available for the Defender 110 when it’s launched; the
P300
 and the
P400 MHEV
.
The P300 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with
300 hp
and
400 Nm
. The P400 MHEV gets a more powerful 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six assisted by a mild hybrid system. Output is rated at
 400 hp
 and
 550 Nm
 – making it more powerful than the already very quick
 GLE 450 AMG Line
.
Both variants are fitted with an 8-speed automatic transmission and comes with permanent all-wheel drive. It’s towing capacity is rated at 3,500 kg.
Aside from that, JLRM also revealed that the Defender 110 will come with features like the Meridien Sound System, a 3D Surround Camera, ClearSight Ground View as first seen in the Velar we reviewed, and air suspension. Unlike most pick-ups which are limited to wading depths of around 700 to 800 mm, the Defender can handle up to 900 mm.
Stay tuned for more!
GALLERY
HyperFocal: 0


Embrace the dark side with the BMW 530i M Sport Dark Shadow Edition

Some people buy cars to stand out from the crowd, but others just want to be as incognito as possible. For those in the latter camp, BMW Malaysia has just unveiled a 36-units-only limited-edition BMW 530i M Sport Dark Shadow Edition that might suit your fancy.
As the name suggests, everything on the Dark Shadow Edition is deliberately made as dark and black as possible. On the outside, all chrome accents have essentially been deleted with the Shadow Line black window finishers, high gloss black kidney grille, blacked-out fender vent trims, as well as blacked-out exhaust tips.
The BMW 530i M Sport Dark Shadow Edition also only comes in one colour – Carbon Black. To cap off the exterior looks, the special edition 530i also gets 20-inch Style 669 M double-spoke alloy wheels, finished in Orbitgrey.
Inside, buyers will get to choose between Black Dakota leather with blue stitching (pictured here), or Cognac Dakota leather with contrast stitching on the upholstery. We figure the swath of blackness would probably fit the overall image of the Dark Shadow Edition better.
The BMW 530i M Sport Dark Shadow Edition is priced at
RM392,800
 on the road, without insurance, which makes it a RM10,000 premium over the standard
BMW 530i M Sport
. If you’re a fan of the all-black look, you’d be glad to know that all these personalisation options cost more than RM37,000 when purchased individually.
Aside from these aesthetic changes, the rest of the car is of course, completely identical to the regular BMW 530i M Sport. Under the hood, you’ll still find the same 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-4 engine paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which sends 252 hp and 350 Nm to the rear wheels. 0-100 km/h is done in 6.2 seconds, onward to a top speed of 250 km/h.
The special-edition BMW 530i variant will be available for booking with a booking fee of RM1,000 starting 4th January 2021, exclusively through BMW Malaysia’s own online shopping platform,
BMW Shop Online
 (available
here
).
With the BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia’s Balloon Financing Plan, the Dark Shadow Edition can be yours with a monthly instalment plan starting from RM4,488 (based on an 80% loan estimate on a five-year tenure). You can check out the financing options through the
BMW Engage platform
.
The BMW 530i M Sport Dark Shadow Edition will also be available for viewing at the following dealerships, if you’re so inclined:
DEALERSHIP
DATE
Auto Bavaria, Ara Damansara
1 – 7 January
Wheelcorp Premium, Setia Alam
8 – 14 January
Quill Automobiles, PJ
15 – 21 January
Ingress Auto, Jalan Damansara
22 – 28 January
Auto Bavaria, Kuala Lumpur
29 January – 4 February
Ingress Auto, Puchong
5 – 11 February
Auto Bavaria, Sungai Besi
12 – 18 February
GALLERY


Ford tests vibrating wristbands for factory staff to keep safe distance

With assembly lines all across the globe halted for about a month now, car companies are eager to resume operations. What Ford is experimenting with, could just be the solution for the short term.
The Blue Oval has offered a small group of employees a watch-like device that vibrates
when they come within six feet of each other
. These devices will also allow supervisors to monitor social distancing among the employees with alerts and reports of clustering in the workplace.
These “watches” are made by Samsung and utilises Bluetooth short-wave to detect promixity among workers. The device will Ford employees the number of interactions they’ve had daily, throughout the week and if they have increased their interactions by the hour!
The respirators built by Ford which utilised seat blowers from the F-150 pick-up.
As factory operations creep its way to status quo, Ford also said thermal-imaging scans will be conducted to detect workers with unusually high body temperatures.
Ford in recent weeks has been at the forefront of this Covid-19 battle as it continues to bog down the USA. The company has pledged to produce over
50,000 ventilators in the 100 days
, in collaboration with GE Healthcare and has adapted a few components used for automotive production to build healthcare equipment and apparels.
They recently announced that medical gowns are being
produced out of airbag material
 and a few weeks ago, they were utilising
seat blowers from the F-150 to build respirators
 for frontliners.


Volvo Car Malaysia to launch one EV per year from 2022 – XC40 Recharge, C40 this year

Volvo Car Malaysia
 has today announced its electrification plans for the nation, kickstarted by the launch of the
fully-electric XC40 Recharge SUV
 which will be locally assembled here in Malaysia.
A key strategy within Volvo’s plans here in Malaysia is to unveil a fully-electric model every year, starting from 2022. In that vein, the company has also teased the arrival of the
C40 coupe SUV
, which will be making its way into Malaysia later this year.
The company is targetting a 75% sales contribution from its pure electric line-up by 2025. By 2030, the company’s entire model line-up in Malaysia will be fully electric.
“By mid-decade, we’re aiming to reduce our overall CO
2
 lifecycle emissions per car by 40 per cent. This means more than simply reducing tailpipe emissions – electrification is not enough. We must reduce CO
2
 emissions across our operations and supply chain,” said Volvo Car Malaysia Managing Director, Charles Frump.
To enable its ambitious plans, Volvo Car Malaysia has also announced its commitment to locally assembling its fully-electric models here at its assembly plant in Shah Alam. With the assembly operations for the XC40 Recharge already begun, Volvo claims that it is the first luxury car brand in Malaysia to offer EVs in CKD form.
Aside from local consumption, these vehicles will also be exported to the neighbouring countries, making Malaysia a main EV hub for Volvo in the entire ASEAN region.


A shot of Bugatti’s ‘espresso’ in its London showroom costs RM267!

H.R Owen Bugatti, dealer of Bugatti vehicles in the UK has launched the Ettore’s Espresso Bar, making its outlet in Mayfair, London, the first Bugatti dealership in the world to have its own espresso bar. Previously entry/access into the dealership was by invitation-only but the dealership has now opened its doors to the public.
The espresso bar’s menu is just as you’d expect from most ordinary cafes but with this being a Bugatti espresso bar, there’s always going to be something a little more extraordinary.
The Bugatti of all coffees as we’d like call it, The Ettore Shot, is an espresso made using a top-end Italian espresso machine, served in a Bugatti Carbon Fibre espresso cup that costs £50 (approx. RM267)!
Fortunately, you’d be getting more than just a cup of espresso as purchasing a shot will also give visitors access to the showroom with Bugatti’s latest hypercars as the backdrop. To complete the full Bugatti experience, the lounge area is also furnished with furniture from the Bugatti Home Collection.
Have you seen a Bugatti pool table? Click here!
GALLERY


This is how the Ferrari F430 was designed

The Ferrari F430 is considered by many to be an instant classic, partly due to its attractive styling that has aged beautifully like fine wine. The timeless design can be attributed mainly to Frank Stephenson, one of the most prolific automobile designers over the last couple decades. Stephenson’s work also include the modern day Mini Cooper, Fiat 500, as well as the design direction behind modern McLaren cars, starting with the P1.
Over the past few weeks, Frank Stephenson started a new video series called ‘How I Designed…’ over on his YouTube channel. In this second episode of the series, Stephenson gives us a deep dive on the thought process and details he took into account to design the timeless icon.
Frank Stephenson admitted that it was not an “easy mission” designing the Ferrari F430, as the brief for that project was to improve upon the 360 – a car that is beautiful in its own right. We’d say he definitely succeeded on that aspect.

Stephenson also talked about some of the more technical details of the design, including the use of “tumblehome”, an industry term for the narrowing profile above the shoulder line of the car which can help give the car a more dynamic stance, as well as the placement of the twin round taillights.
It was also particularly interesting how the design can hinge entirely on one single detail. Take for example the sketch of the front fascia, which to us looked completely unrecognisable until Stephenson draws in the sharknose air vents – inspired by the Ferrari 156 Formula One car.
The element of romance by interpreting olden design elements into modern applications – a sort of “artistic finesse” – is also what Stephenson says is lacking in modern Ferraris, a painful fact that we can’t help to agree.
Fortunately, Ferrari seems to be taking a step in the right direction (in our opinion) with the
all-new Roma
, featuring a design that is a little invokes more elegance and style, instead of just making it look fast and deadly. As Stephenson says it, “You add a little bit on Ferraris to get that sensuality.”


This might be our first look at the production-ready all-new Honda Civic

When Honda showed-off the design of the next-generation Civic last year, they made it very clear that
 it’s still a “prototype”
, which means the actual car might not even look anything like it. But based on the latest leaked photos we’ve obtained here, it seems like the final production-ready model of the all-new Honda Civic doesn’t actually stray too far from it!
These photos here – shared heavily on the Chinese social media website Weibo – are supposedly of the final production model of the all-new Honda Civic over in China, photographed for official government filing purposes.
Three variants are shown in the photos, including an entry-level ‘kosong’ specification with smaller, plainer-looking wheels, as well as one that looks like a sports model, featuring blacked-out details and a “240 Turbo” badge.
Aside from the minor trim differences though, the rest of the car looks virtually identical to the “prototype” that was shown off in November of last year – from the headlights and tail lights, to the small Accord-like kink on the C-pillars.
There does seem to be a slight reprofile of the front upper grille area, possibly for safety regulation purposes, while the lower “air vents” on the front bumper have been filled out with housings for the front fog lamps.
The leaked production model…
Compared to the concept
No images were shared of the interior, but looking at how closely the supposedly production-ready model tracks to the concept, it’s pretty safe to assume that the interior architecture will also mirror the design as shown in the concept drawing below.
According to information shared alongside the photos, the 11th-generation Honda Civic will be offered with two powertrain configurations over in China – a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine making 180 hp and 240 Nm of torque (hence the 240 Turbo badge), and a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre four-banger with 127 hp and 180 Nm of torque.
But of course, powertrain options are more often than not localised to the specific market, so we might not see the same ones being offered here when it’s launched in Malaysia. For now though, what do you think of the looks on the upcoming all-new Honda Civic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
[Editor’s note: These images are upscaled by us from low-res shots, using an AI upscaling software. The slight defects are a result of the upscaling process.]


BMW XM previewed in Malaysia – first-ever plug-in hybrid M car, RM1.4m

Ahead of its official arrival in the Malaysian market, the
BMW XM
 has now made its debut in Malaysia in a preview event today. Scheduled to reach Malaysian shores starting June 2023, the XM will be the first standalone M car since the iconic M1, and – for the first time ever for an M car – powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Despite being priced at
 RM1,398,800
(inclusive of the five-year extended warranty and service package), it has been reported that there are now already more than 10 bookings for the XM here in Malaysia – so here’s a first look at what will soon dominate our roads!
The BMW XM’s design is… controversial to say the least – not just because it has a massive illuminated kidney grille up front on its tall and flat front fascia, but also because it’s now taken the form of an SUV the size of an
X7
. No matter what you think of the its design, though, there’s no denying that the XM has definitely got presence.
As a tribute to the M1, several of its exterior styling touches are inspired by its spiritual predecessor, including the borderless rear windscreen with the two BMW logos etched onto the top corners. But it’s the standard-fit Night Gold accents all throughout the exterior that truly takes the XM’s loud and flamboyant persona to the next level.
Not a fan of the gold accents? You can instead opt for a Shadow Line trim package at no extra cost. However, the M Aerodynamics package, alongside the (gold) 23-inch style 923 M wheels, and Adaptive LED headlights (with high-beam assistant) are all standard equipment on the BMW XM.
The true party piece of the BMW XM, though, is actually on the inside – specifically, the unique M Lounge rear seating quarters. A patterned and illuminated roof, alongside the wraparound lounge seats (with two M-branded pillows) all try to mimic the ambience of a nightclub, but your first impression sitting inside will most definitely be just how comfortable these seats are.
READ MORE:
2023 BMW XM V8 hybrid price revealed for Malaysia – from RM 1.3m
The front cabin of the XM is fairly standard for a BMW M model, with a dashboard design that reminds us of the BMW iX. Although, if you’re planning on getting one of these, we strongly suggest you to opt (
read: pay
) for the Vintage Leather dashboard topper.
Not only does it elevate the entire feel of the cabin to something a little more premium rather than ‘
just another BMW
‘, it also makes your BMW XM truly unique, as the minimally treated leather surface with all of its natural bug bite marks means no two units will ever be the same.
Underneath the bonnet is the first-ever plug-in hybrid M powertrain, made up of a 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbocharged engine, alongside a 145 kW electric motor. Together, they make a total of
653 hp
 and
 800 Nm
, with power sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic M Steptronic transmission and an M Sport differential. Century sprint takes
 4.3 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
270 km/h
thanks to the Driver’s Package that comes as standard on our Malaysian-spec model.
The electric motor is juiced by a 29.5 kWh battery pack, which can be recharged via an on-board 7.4 kW AC charger, taking 4 hours and 15 minutes for a full charge. And just so your neighbours don’t complain every morning when you start your car, the XM can also be driven in fully electric mode at speeds of up to 140 km/h. Fully charged, the XM can travel up to 88 km on electric power alone.
Unlike most of its other competitors, the BMW XM here rides on Adaptive M Suspension steel springs as standard, instead of air suspensions to help with the 2.7 tonne SUV’s handling performances. To stop, the BMW XM employs a set of M Sport brakes, although actual braking performance also utilises regenerative braking that recharges the batteries.
The BMW XM is available in seven exterior colours, including Cape York Green, Carbon Black, Marina Bay Blue, Toronto Red, Mineral White, Black Sapphire and Dravit Grey. Pictured here in its hero launch colour Cape York Green and Marina Bay Blue, the XM will certainly be a very unique addition to our Malaysian roads.
And if you’re wondering how it drives, be sure to check out our
first drive review in Arizona!
GALLERY


The leaked BMW M2 Competition looks as ferocious as its performance

It’s just too bad that, of all things, its pricing has been a major deterrent factor for a better public response locally, based on our observation at least. Or else, these leaked images of the new BMW M2 Competition would’ve sent Malaysian BMW M enthusiasts into a frenzy.
The new M2 Competition, with 3.0-litre twin turbo straight-six pulled out from a BMW M4, will pack
405 hp
 with over
550 Nm
 of torque and if the 7,600 rpm redline is met within the first couple of gears, 0 to 100 km/h will be history in just 4.2 seconds with the M dual clutch transmission.
The Competition pack adds the following to the M2’s exterior – enlarged air inlets, 19-inch M light alloy wheels, M gills and exterior mirrors in high-gloss Black and a M diffuser.
Other standard equipment includes a M sports exhaust which will sing a specific tune according to the driving mode, together with the M suspension.
M enthusiasts could be troubled by the fact that there isn’t even a whisper on a manual gearbox – an ingredient (without debate) that’s essential to the M driving experience.
Currently, the
BMW M2
 retails at
RM 535,800
 (OTR without Insurance) and is coupled with BMW Group Malaysia’s 5-year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with a Free Scheduled Service Programme as well as a 24-month tyre warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY


Peugeot updates its logo – the return of the lion’s head

Peugeot, the oldest continuous car brand, has launched a new logo that is the eleventh update and with that, an accompanying new brand identity. The last update to the brand’s logo was done in 2010.
The new logo still retains the iconic Peugeot lion but now focuses on a roaring lion’s head inside a coat of arms and is created by Peugeot’s Design Lab.

Peugeot first used the lion’s head as a logo back in 1960 with an update five years later. Over two years ago, the company showcased the
Peugeot E-Legend Concept
 that carried the lion’s head logo.
The emblem has been created to acknowledge Peugeot’s evolution as a brand, its innovative and successful model line-up and its continuing transition to electrification, having committed to offering an electrified variant across its entire model line-up by 2025.
Peugeot has slated to have the
all-new 308
 model as the first car to wear the new logo which will make its world premiere later this year.
Dealership signage and overall ambience will also be updated with the new logo and brand identity. With a new brand identity that celebrates the concept of ‘time’ and living in the moment, Peugeot is working to streamline the customer journey, from purchasing their new car to every aspect of driving and owning a vehicle.
The Peugeot brand in Malaysia has recently exchanged distributorship. Since December 2020, a new joint venture between Berjaya Corporation, Bermaz Auto and an undisclosed shareholder was formed to distribute and maintain Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia.
The newly incorporated company is called
Berjaya Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd (BAASB)
. Aside from distributing Peugeot vehicles, BAASB is now also the provider of aftersales services and spare parts for Citroën and DS vehicles in Malaysia.


BMW Malaysia updates 2022 218i Gran Coupe – to come with dual screens from RM204k

BMW Malaysia has given its most accessible sedan, the
 218i Gran Coupe
, a simple but significant change with the upgrade of the BMW Live Cockpit onboard infotainment system.
This is the second model after the
BMW 320i Sport
 to get a full-featured BMW Live Cockpit Professional with the large screens during a model year update.
Similar to other models in the BMW Malaysia line-up (bar the ageing X1 SAV), the new BMW Live Cockpit Professional system has a 10.25-inch digital instrument display (that replaces the
analogue meter cluster
) and the touchscreen infotainment display also measuring 10.25 inches. The audio system still retains six speakers.
The larger screens and crisper graphics also unlock the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, a voice-activated command system that can be brought to life with a “Hey BMW!” or an assigned personalised word. The Intelligent Personal Assistant ensures drivers have convenient and complete control over vehicle settings, navigation and entertainment systems.
The singular upgrade in the interior is perhaps a direct response to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s assault with the new A200 1.3L sedan with MBUX that sees a price revision to RM211k thanks to
local-assembly
.
Same pricing, same sizes, what else do you get? Find out in our comparison between the stylish Mercedes A200 and BMW 218i sedans here!
On the exterior, the new BMW 218i Gran Coupe maintains key specifications such as LED lighting units, BMW M Aerodynamics package with gloss black window surrounds and M Sport 18-inch wheels suspended by M Sport suspension.
Inside, the new BMW 218i Gran Coupe continues to be fitted with sport seats wrapped with Dakota leather, full range of BMW M touchpoints including the steering wheel, foot pedals, door sill plates and paired with the black headlining, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning and ambient lighting.
Watch our VLog on why we like the front-wheel drive BMW 218i here!
Powering the BMW 218i Gran Coupe is the 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with outputs of
140 hp
 and
220 Nm
 of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The 218i takes
8.7 seconds
 to complete the century sprint, onward to a top speed of 213 km/h.
For those who crave for a more powerful BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, unfortunately, there is still no news of the
BMW 220i Gran Coupe
 with a turbocharged 2.0-litre 192 hp engine that was recently made available in Thailand.
With the display upgrades, the locally-assembled BMW 218i Gran Coupe here in Malaysia is now priced starting from
RM204,177
, a RM5,000 increase from before. The price is inclusive of the
SST exemptions
 and a standard two-year unlimited mileage warranty. With the optional five-year warranty and free service package, the price increases to
RM216,367
.
With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the BMW 218i Gran Coupe can be owned with a monthly instalment plan starting from
RM 2,268
 (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure).
GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz introduces the new S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet – with new V8 and V6 engines

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the new S-Class Coupe and S-Class Cabriolet – unmistakable denominations of luxury grand tourers. They will bear the S 560 Coupe and Cabriolet badges with a V8 biturbo engine with an additional S 450 variant housing a V6 power plant.

The S-Class Coupé and Cabriolet’s external silhouette features front aprons with chrome-plated front splitter and large air inlets. Its dynamic looks are enhanced by restyled side skirts and chrome-plated twin tailpipe trims with a V12 look. The new pair also features the new innovative OLED tail lamps with a total of 66 ultra-flat OLED’s that projects a floating effect, forming a unique day and night display.
Inside you get a choice between three new trim lines; high-gloss brown burr walnut wood, satin-finish grey ash wood and flowing lines designo magnolia wood as well as three different upholstery options which include designo Exclusive nappa leather AMG Line Plus porcelain/tizian red, designo Exclusive nappa leather porcelain/tizian red and designo Exclusive nappa leather AMG Line Plus Bengal red/black – a mouth full to read out indeed!

The interior also stands out with
two new 12.3-inch high-resolution
 and brilliant displays that blend into a Widescreen Cockpit. The all-digital cockpit offers three visually very different styles – Classic, Sporty and Progressive. Both the Coupe and Cabriolet comes with the DISTRONIC system and Touch Control Buttons behind the wheel that responds to swiping motions much like the screen of a smartphone.
Now you can even use the voice command feature to dictate the vehicle’s functions such as the air-conditioning, seat heating, ambient lighting with up to 450 individual voice commands. A new Concierge Service plays hosts to a list of personal services from making restaurant reservations to gathering information on various events and obtaining tips on exciting, scenic routes.
There is also an ENERGIZING comfort control system which creates a specific environment utilising the climate control system, heating system and lighting fixtures to tailor to the mood desired. They consists of Freshness, Warmth, Joy, Comfort, Training and Vitality. It also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and wireless charging.
New driving assistance systems include
Active Distance Control DISTRONIC
 and
Active Steering Assist
 which now provides even more support for the driver in steering and maintaining safe distances. Also aiding the driver is the
 AIRMATIC
 semi-active air suspension featuring infinitely variable damping control.
Lastly, the most juicy bit – performance figures. The V8 biturbo engine in both the Coupe and Cabriolet is claimed to be one of the world’s most economical V8 petrol engines and consumes up to
eight percent less
 than its predecessor. A
CAMTRONIC valve-lift adjustment system
 is available only in the Coupe which, under partial load, deactivates four cylinders out of the eight to improve engine efficiency. The output from the new V8 stands at
469 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque with the V6 unit in the S 450 outting out
367 hp
.
IMAGE GALLERY
S 560 Cabriolet

S 560 Coupe


Koenigsegg kicks off the new year with new hypercar teaser

New Year’s celebrations usually involve some sort of fireworks display, and it’s no different for
Koenigsegg
 – except they have a slightly different definition for “fireworks”. Starting off the new year with a bang, Koenigsegg has whipped out a teaser image for a new hypercar on its
social media channels
, ahead of a full reveal sometime later this year.
The shadowy image was accompanied by a caption that read: “Dear 2022, here’s our New Year’s resolution – More ultimate performance through clever engineering and optimal design. Here we go!”
When it comes to darkened images like these, you best bet we tried to brighten up the photo to hopefully pick out a few more details. But unfortunately for this one, there aren’t anything else left for us to see in the shadows.
But still, the teaser image does show off some pretty important features, including the signature Koenigsegg silhouette with a strong belt line, wrap-around windscreen, and a teardrop-shaped canopy.
Uniquely, though, the tail lights at the rear protrude outwards instead of the recessed design as seen on most modern Koenigsegg models, making it somewhat reminiscent of the CCX – the marque’s first model to feature an in-house developed engine.
The front, especially the splitter, looks like a callback to both the CCX and CCR models, while the subtle rear diffuser at the back reminds us of the Agera; a hodgepodge of Koenigsegg’s iconic design elements, but in a good way (we hope!).
RELATED: The Koenigsegg Gemera is a 1,700 hp “family car” for four
But what exactly is this car supposed to be? Well, your guesses are as good as ours. Although, 2022 does mark the 20-year anniversary for the company’s first production model – the CC8S, so we won’t be surprised if the Swedish supercar maker is working on a special anniversary model to celebrate. Take that with a giant pinch of the finest sea salt, though.
Whatever it is, We’ll likely hear more about it from Koenigsegg soon!


Toyota Camry Hybrid CKD: Exclusive first look of the first Japanese D-segment hybrid [+Video]

Rolling off the Toyota assembly plant in Shah Alam today is the
new Toyota Camry
, and as the title reads, a
hybrid variant
 will join the model lineup this time around. Don’t be misled, because the event today wasn’t the launching of the Camry, but rather its line-off ceremony.
The star of the show here is in fact the Camry hybrid, and Toyota claims that the assembly plant is capable of producing up to
7,000 units
 of it in the coming nine months’ time before its eligibility to qualify for the Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) incentive expires. The new line that will facilitate the Camry’s (hybrid variant as well) production costs nearly RM180 million to prepare.

Now, the hybrid variant will be powered by a
2.5-litre
 four cylinder engine paired to an
electric motor
 that produces a
combined output
 of
202 hp
 and
270 Nm
 of torque. Only one transmission choice is available here – a
CVT
automatic, driving the
front wheels
. Its fuel tank is
65 litres
 big, and fuel consumption is
19.16 km per litre
 (claimed). Being a full hybrid, the car is capable of cruising in electric mode, but its exact range remains unknown for now.

Like we mentioned earlier, the new Camry isn’t launched yet, but it’s scheduled to make its official arrival sometime in the first week of April. Toyota also revealed that the Camry will not be priced above the
RM200k mark
, so it’ll be interesting to see how the hybrid will be positioned against some of its closest rivals. While we all look forward to its launch next week, enjoy the photo gallery we’ve prepared just for your viewing pleasure.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid


Lexus Malaysia recalls 255 Lexus NX over potential ABS actuator issue

UMW Toyota Motor
 announced that they have received confirmation from
Toyota Motor Corporation
 on a
special service campaign
 involving approximately
255 units
 of
Lexus NX
 manufactured from November 2014 to March 2015.
In a press statement released by UMW Toyota Motor, the special service campaign involves replacing the
ABS actuator
 on the affected Lexus NX models. The ABS actuator is responsible in controlling the Anti-Lock Braking system (ABS), the Traction Control System (TRAC), and the Vehicle Stability Control System (VSC).
A resin component inside the ABS actuator could be damaged during the press fit assembly due to its improper shape, creating tiny resin particles which could get stuck in the actuator. This is turn may delay the oil pressure control when the ABS is activated, causing a loss of vehicle stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
UMW Toyota Motor will contact all affected customers to replace the ABS actuator free of charge if necessary, while this campaign
only affects the Lexus NX
 and no other Lexus models sold by UMW Toyota Motor.


Looking for a used, less than 5-year old Honda? Check out Honda’s Certified Used Car programme!

Honda Malaysia has launched its new
Honda Certified Used Car (HCUC)
to offer customers a platform to purchase verified, pre-owned Honda vehicles, as announced last week at a media gathering.
The programme is available through six (6) dealerships in different regions:
Selangor – MJN Motors
Selangor – Tiong Nam Motor
Penang – Kah Motor
Johor – Kah Motor
Johor – Yong Ming Motor
Pahang – Chuan Tyre Motor
Honda Malaysia said it would gradually expand the Honda Certified Used Car programme to meet the growing demand for used cars in Malaysia.
“The HCUC programme serves as an additional option for customers to own their preferred Honda vehicles and enjoy the ownership experience. Honda Malaysia is committed to offering products and services of the highest quality, be it new or pre-owned, to provide a feeling of joy,” said Honda Malaysia, CEO and Managing Director, Ms. Madoka Chujo.
The
all-new Honda Civic
.
Through the HCUC programme, all Honda pre-owned vehicles are aged five (5) years and below and has clocked less than 100,000 km.
All vehicles sold have undergone a 288-point inspection, conducted by Honda Certified Inspectors. The inspection covers engine and transmission, functions and undercarriage as well as interior and exterior condition. Honda also assures that these vehicles are fitted with only genuine parts and are free of major accidents and flood damage.
Those who purchase Honda vehicles through the programme are entitled to an additional 1-year extended warranty on top of the vehicle’s existing warranty. The vehicle’s registration process will be handled by HCUC authorised dealers while pre-owned vehicle owners can visit any Honda dealerships for after-sales services.


Mercedes-AMG Petronas becomes first team in F1 history to win seven championships in a row!

They’ve done it again!
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
 wrapped up its 2020 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship at the historic Imola circuit in Italy with four races to spare, following a one-two finish at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last weekend.
Winning a World Constructors’ Championship is always exciting, especially when it’s concluded so early into the season, but this particular one is extra special to the Brackley-based team, as it also marks the
seventh consecutive championship titles
 for the team – surpassing the previous record of six held by Ferrari with the help of one Michael Schumacher from 1999 to 2004.
With the new title, Mercedes also retained the record of being the only team to win a World Championship title in the Hybrid V6 era, which shows just how dominant the Silver Arrows have been ever since the rule change came into effect in 2014.
The history-making Grand Prix was won by none other than six-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who benefitted from a strategy decision that gave him the opportunity to pit under Virtual Safety Car. Teammate and polesitter Valtteri Bottas finished second with a handicapped car due to a significant piece of debris lodged underneath the car, after Max Verstappen suffered a tyre blowout while sitting in second place.
Commenting on the historic achievement, Team Principal Toto Wolff said, “This is an unbelievable moment, this afternoon feels like a culmination of everything. This has been an unusual season in so many ways and it makes me very proud that we’ve been able to achieve this.
“Lots of blood, sweat and tears went into this behind closed doors, a lot of people have made great sacrifices to achieve this, so a massive thank you to everyone in the team, here at the track and back at home in Brixworth and Brackley.”
Indeed, this season is “unusual” to say the least. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 Formula 1 season was forced to run on a shorterned schedule of 17 races instead of a planned 22. Most races were also
run behind closed doors
, while teams are placed under heavy restrictions throughout the season.
Lewis Hamilton embraces team principal Toto Wolff after the race win at Imola.
Lewis Hamilton’s win at Imola also marked his
93rd victory in the sport
, extending his lead over Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 wins – a record he’s just broken in the Portuguese Grand Prix a week ago. Next in line on the leaderboard after Michael Schumacher is Sebastian Vettel with 53 wins; there’s no doubt that Hamilton will hold on to this record for a very, very long time.
The one-two finish at Imola also meant that the 2020 Drivers’ Championship can only be won by a Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver, though it is most likely that Lewis Hamilton will be clinching his Seventh World Championship title – matching Schumacher’s record – as he currently leads his teammate Bottas in the standings with 85 points, with just four races to go.
Despite the Mercedes dominance in the sport, we really think that
you should tune in to Formula 1 again
, especially now that the mid-table teams have truly stepped up their games – third to sixth place on the Constructors’ Championship is only separated by one single point as of now!


This might be the prettiest colour we’ve ever seen on the Toyota Supra

The Toyota Supra RZ Horizon Blue edition is just proof that the Japanese get the all the good stuff – first the
Tomica Toyota Supra toy in McDonalds Happy Meals
, and now this. A little over one year since its introduction, Toyota has now introduced the
updated A91 Supra
 in Japan, offered in this absolutely stunning Horizion Blue shade.
Just like the updated model launched in the U.S. market earlier, the new Supra gets a
 14% boost
 in power to its 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine, now producing
 387 hp
. Torque figures remain identical to its predecessor, but the peak torque band has been widened, with
500 Nm
 of twist now available all the way
up to 5,000 rpm
.
As a result, Toyota says the updated Supra can now do the century sprint in just
3.9 seconds
, compared to 4.1 seconds from before. Aside to the updated powertrain, Toyota has also re-tuned the suspension set-up, along with new braces at the front end to improve stability during high-speed cornering.
The updated Toyota GR Supra is available in seven external colours, including the limited-edition Storm Gray Metallic, limited to
27 units
, and Horizon Blue,
100 units
.
Opting for the Horizon Blue edition will also net you a set of exclusive 19-inch forged aluminium wheel finished in matte black, along with blue stitching on the Alcantara seats, instrument panels, door trims and steering wheel.
It’s probably going to be a little while before the updated A91 Supra makes its appearance on our soil. If you absolutely cannot wait to check it out, you’d be pleased to know that the updated Toyota Supra RZ – in the Horizon Blue paint job no less – is
now available in Gran Turismo Sport.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lexus Mutiara Damansara flagship outlet now operated by dealer

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has announced that the operation of the
Lexus Malaysia flagship outlet
located in Mutiara Damansara has been transferred to its dealer-partner, Hiewa Auto Gallery, effective 1st August 2020.
UMWT says that this move was done to “enhance operational excellence”, and is in line with the company’s announcement in October 2017 to transfer all of its retail operation branch to its dealers and other relevant parties.
The company says that offloading its retail operations will allow it to “increase intensity on high value added upstream activities such as product development, marketing and dealer network support”, while dealers can continue to focus on delivering customer satisfaction.
UMWT President, Ravindran K. said, “I am extremely excited about working even more closely with our dealers to achieve a shared vision for Lexus Malaysia, which is to develop the concept of “Best In Town” that focuses more on one to one customer engagement.
“Although this arrangement signifies an important change for Lexus Malaysia, our customers should rest assured that our service will not be compromised, but gets even better in the future,” he added.
Customers requiring more information can contact Lexus Malaysia through the Lexus Freephone hotline at
1800-22-53987
 or
+603 20535730
.


Six-month loan moratorium under Pemulih aid package – automatic approval

The government has brought back the six-month loan moratorium for individual borrowers. The move was part of the new Pemulih aid package to assist the rakyat in coping with the lockdowns.
The six-month
loan moratorium
 was first offered in March 2020, where borrowers delay loan repayments and specifically with hire purchase loans,
no additional interest
was added into the principal.
The term of the hire purchase is simply extended by six months and the credit scores were also not affected.
Under the Pemulih aid package, the government has relaxed all requirements and conditions, with the loan moratorium opens to all income groups and micro-entrepreneurs.
“There won’t be conditions such as a reduction in salary, loss of job or documents that need to be submitted for the application,” said the Prime Minister. A borrower just needs to apply and the approval will be granted automatically.
Don’t head to your bank’s web portal just yet, as the application for the loan moratorium
only begins from July 7th
.
In the aid package, the government will also be
freezing the prices
of
RON 95
 petrol
,
diesel
 and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) for the rest of the year, which amounts to over RM6 billion in subsidy cost.
The RON 95 petrol and diesel have been capped at RM2.05 and RM 2.15 per litre respectively since February 2021, while the
premium grade RON 97
 and RON 100 follows the pricing trend of global crude oil prices which has been steadily going upwards.


Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 and GLA 250 CKD updated for 2022 in Malaysia – Lane Keep Assist now standard

Alongside the A-Class sedan, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has also given the
GLA SUV
 a slight refresh for 2022, with both the GLA 200 Progressive Line and GLA 250 AMG Line variants receiving several new features and equipment, just four months after the model was
introduced here in Malaysia
.
With the new 2022 update, the Mercedes-Benz GLA is now priced from
 RM241,479
 for the GLA 200 Progressive Line, and
RM271,164
for the GLA 250 AMG Line, making them RM9,000 and RM5,000 dearer compared to when the CKD model was first launched here on our shores.
GLA 200 Progressive Line
The updates on the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA are pretty much in the same vein as the A-Class sedan, with the entry-level GLA 200 Progressive Line adding the 64-colour ambient lighting system, wireless charging pad, Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keep Assist, and Adaptive High Beam Assist to its equipment list.
Active Lane Keeping Assist and Adaptive High Beam is also now available on the GLA 250 AMG Line, although the rest of the range-topping variant’s equipment list remains unchanged from before.
Both variants are unchanged mechanically, with the GLA 200 still retaining the Renault-sourced 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mill with
163 hp
 and
250 Nm
 paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Meanwhile, the GLA 250 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine making
 224 hp
 and
350 Nm
, paired to an eight-speed DCT.
For more details on the locally-assembled Mercedes-Benz GLA’s facts and figures, click here.


Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio sets new lap record at Nurburgring

There is no shortage of blistering quick and ultra high performance SUV’s in today’s extensive automotive market and while Alfa Romeo has has been responsible for producing some of the
most beautiful cars in the world
, it now proves its caliber in building fast SUVs too.
Determined to stamp their mark in what is a lucrative segment in the automotive market, the legacy-drenched Italian automaker claimed the title of the world’s fastest production SUV in the
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
 around the legendary 20.7 km Nurburgring circuit. It set a record lap time of
7 minutes 51.7 seconds
, a new benchmark that is
eight seconds faster
 than the previous production SUV record.
The Quadrifoglio, the first SUV in Alfa Romeo’s long and illustrious history was piloted by Fabio Franca. He was also responsible for setting the track record for the fastest four-door sedan in the world on the same the track with the
Giulia Quadrifoglio
, the model that sits just above the
Giulia Veloce
, with a time of just 7 minutes and 32 seconds.
The beating heart of the Quadrifoglio is 2.9-litre twin turbo V6 delivering
510 hp
 and
 600 Nm
 paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, capable of shifting gears within 150 milliseconds in Race mode. Power is delivered to all four corners with the standard Q4 all-wheel drive system.
Aside from producing the most horsepower per litre in its class, the Quadrifoglio also features extensive lightweight materials to deliver perfect 50:50 weight distribution, segment-leading torsional rigidity and the most direct steering available.
It also features a four-mode Alfa DNA Pro selector with Race mode, a torque vectoring differential, Quadrifoglio-tuned adaptive suspension and a cylinder deactivation system. Optional upgrades include carbon fibre Sparco racing seats and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lotus celebrates 20th anniversary of the Exige with special edition

Lotus
 has revealed a special edition model – the Exige Sport 410 20th Anniversary – to celebrate 20 years of the Exige and is priced at £79,900 (approx.RM426k).
The special edition Lotus Exige is available in
three bespoke colours
 namely Chrome Orange, Laser Blue and Calypso Red. These three were first introduced on the Exige Series 1 two decades ago. There are also Saffron Yellow, Norfolk Mustard Yellow, Motorsport Black and Arctic Silver to choose from.
In paying tribute to the original Series 1 Exige, the
Exige Sport 410
 comes with body-coloured roof, side air intake pods and a rear wing. Like the first ever Lotus Exige revealed in the year 2000, it also features a black “shark fin” stone chip protector in front of the rear wheels.
Every unit of the Lotus Exige also comes with a special edition plaque and a “20” logo on the seats and both ends of the rear wing. Alcantara trims dominate the interior while the seats have been stitched to mimic the design of the original car.
Standard items in the Exige includes ultra light forged alloy wheels, an Alcantara steering wheel while its front splitter, hood panel and rear tail gate are made of carbon fibre. Like the standard Lotus Exige 410 Sport, the special edition model also comes with Nitron 3-way adjustable dampers.
The special edition Exige 410 Sport adopts a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine from the standard car with
416 hp
 and
420 Nm
. It’s paired to a close ratio 6-speed manual transmission with an open-gate shifter design. 0 to 100 km/h is completed in just 3.4 seconds, with a top speed rated of 290 km/h.
Lotus Elise “Classic Heritage Edition”
Optional items for the 20th anniversary model includes carbon fibre sill trims, a lightweight lithium-ion battery and a titanium lightweight exhaust system. Recently, Lotus also revealed the
Elise “Classic Heritage Edition”
 to pay tribute to the success of its former race cars.
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How do you like the looks of this new Hyundai Veloster?

Hyundai has yet again released a
teaser
 of their all-new 2018 Hyundai Veloster – this time in a series of images of its silhouette and at first glance, it’s getting us rather excited. We’re just hoping it wouldn’t drive like the previous model.
While its exterior shots do not offer much of a surprise, as had been revealed generously
in Hyundai’s previous video
, what was also released was a rendering of the Veloster’s interior which sports a very clean and minimalist design approach – with only three main dials for the controls on a dash with a floating-design that revolves around the driver.
Word is that there will be
two different variants
 – a naturally-aspirated model alongside a more potent Veloster N – fettered by Hyundai’s in-house tuner. The standard Veloster should come with a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine while its more eager sibling will house a 2.0-litre engine expected to nudge the
300 hp
 mark.
The standard Veloster is said to be looking to rival the likes of VW’s Golf GTI and Ford’s Focus ST while the higher performance Veloster N is set to give the FK8 Honda Civic Type R and VW Golf R a run for its money.
We can hear you chuckling.
IMAGE GALLERY


Don’t get scammed! Perodua urges customers to only deal with authorised dealers

With the
 Perodua Ativa
 getting off to a strong start in demand since launch, some bad players have taken the opportunity to make a quick buck. Perodua has discovered at least two of such scams since the launch of the new compact SUV, and has released an announcement urging its customers to only deal with its authorised sales advisors.
“We have discovered at least two fraudulent rebate offers online for the newly-launched Perodua Ativa, which is not our practice,” Perodua President and CEO Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, adding that the promotions did not originate from Perodua or any of its outlets nationwide.
According to Dato’ Zainal, these scammers have posed as Perodua sales advisors before and lured potential victims into placing their new car purchase deposits into personal bank accounts.
As a safeguard to their customers and the general public, the company came up with a list of don’ts when you’re buying a car, to prevent your hard-earned money from falling into the wrong hands.
Firstly, don’t react immediately to offers, whether online or in print, without confirming its details with authorised sales or service advisor, or
our the company’s official online platforms. For Perodua, this includes their official website linked
here
, as well as their Facebook and Instagram pages.
Also, make sure to never give away your personal details such as bank account numbers, home address, and IC number without making sure the person you are speaking with is an authorised sales advisor or Perodua personnel. A full up-to-date list of Perodua authorised sales and service outlets can be found on the company’s website, alongside their contact details.
Most importantly, never make any form of payments, including deposits and booking fees, into personal bank accounts – no matter what the sales advisor tries to tell you. All payments must be made to company accounts only.
If you ever do encounter any of the above, or are just unsure, contact Perodua’s Customer Experience Centre at 1-800-88-6600 during office hours, or send them an enquiry via the contact form on their official website, linked
here
.
The Perodua Ativa was launched here just a little more than a week ago, and have already received over 8,000 bookings for the compact SUV to date. Be sure to check out our
 walk around video
 if you want a closer look at the Ativa, and also our
detailed look at the ASA 3.0 system
on board the new compact SUV to see what’s new.
Still wondering which variant is best for you? We also made a
detailed variant comparison
to hopefully help you choose one!


Nissan to resume production of domestic vehicles in Japan

Nissan has announced that it plans to resume production of vehicles for its domestic market after recently
halting production at five of its local plants
.
This follows after Japan’s transport ministry approval of the changes to the improper final-inspection procedures that forced a major recall involving more than a million vehicles.
The
Nissan Leaf
 which is
due for Malaysia
 in 2018 – pictured is the
Nismo Edition
with sports exhaust and suspension.
The suspended domestic production halted a daily production average of 1,000 vehicles per day after it was discovered that uncertified technicians have been signing off on final inspections – a severe breach of ministry guidelines – taking place between January 2014 to September 2017.
The second largest Japanese automaker said it would resume production at its plants after sorting out the inconsistencies with the ministry. The Japan Transport Ministry requires certified inspectors to sign off on vehicles sold domestically – a procedure not require for export-bound vehicles.
Source:
Autonews


2022 Volvo V60 pricing revealed for Malaysia – RM287k for Recharge T8 PHEV!

Fans of estates or wagons, rejoice! The Volvo V60 has just been quietly introduced in Malaysia by Volvo Car Malaysia.
The company has just updated their Instagram page (link
here
), in which last week, flashes of a new plug-in hybrid product were teased. The link brings us to the official website and with that, the Volvo V60 is priced from
RM286,909.59.
Only one variant is available on sale and that is the V60 Recharge T8 Inscription. Key features highlighted are the Inscription Grille with chrome frame, bright finished roof rails, 19-inch rims in black with diamond-cut polishing, full LED headlamps with active high beam and active bending lights as well as a panoramic moonroof.
On the Volvo V60, the taillamps also follow the vertical design of the rear pillar, similar to the V90 and XC60 designs. With the Inscription package, it exudes a more luxurious charm than the sporty gloss black highlights on the
S60 in R Design
 treatment.
Inside, the Volvo V60 Recharge T8 Inscription has a choice of Driftwood Decor inlays with black upholstery or Linear Lime Decor inlays with brown upholstery, paired with Orrefors Crystal gear lever and a non-sport steering wheel with Unideco inlay.
A digital instrument cluster in 12.3-inch size greets the driver with key visuals being displayed on the head-up display (HUD). The infotainment system is similar to the S60 R Design sedan variant, which consists of a Sensus Connect 9-inch portrait-oriented display, a 600-Watt Harman Kardon Premium Sound Audio System with 14 speakers and smartphone connectivity.
Moving to the biggest unique feature of the V60, is the bootspace. In its most conservative setting with the rear seats up and tonneau cover in place, there is some
529 litres
 of space and expandable to over 1,400 litres with the seats folded down.
The Google-powered connectivity system in the
recently updated Volvo XC60
 is not available in the V-series model range yet. Powering the V60 Recharge T8 is the similar
407 hp/640 Nm
 plug-in hybrid system found in the S60 sedan variant.
Drive is transferred to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission, with an electric range quoted to be 49 km. The 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time is
4.6 seconds
, just 0.2 seconds slower than the sedan.
At the safety front, the Volvo V60 Recharge T8 Inscription does not bring any surprises with a fully-loaded Intellisafe suite consisting of key assistance features such as Pilot Assist, City Safety autonomous braking with steering support, blind spot information with steer assist and many more.
As mentioned earlier, the specification sheet list the price of the new Volvo V60 Recharge T8 Inscription at
RM286,909.59.
The price is set to increase to RM305,888 once the sales tax exemption period ends which is scheduled for the end of June 2022. The V60 is currently just RM4.3k dearer than the S60 sedan and will increase to RM10k once the full prices are reinstated.
Volvo Car Malaysia earlier announced their sales performance of 2021 as the
best for the company
, continuing six years of consecutive sales growth for the marque here in Malaysia.
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The interior of the upcoming Kia Grand Carnival looks even posher than the Toyota Alphard!

Kia is giving us the slow drip treatment for its upcoming “Grand Utility Vehicle”. After the reveal of its
exterior late last month
, the Korean carmaker has now given us a first look at the interior of the upcoming
Kia Grand Carnival
.
Compared to the
current-generation Kia Grand Carnival
, the interior of the fourth-generation MPV is a world of difference. Starting from the very top, a large floating panel consisting of dual 12.3-inch displays sits atop the dashboard, making up the instrument cluster and infotainment display.
Air conditioning vents, joined by horizontal slats that runs across the entire width of the car, splits the dashboard into a two-stepped layout for a clean appearance – display panels on top, everything else below. The entire dashboard is also wrapped-around by a third layer on top that starts from the top shelf of the door panels, with black surrounds lower down to give it a three-dimensional look.
Touch-sensitive buttons with haptic feedback are used for the shortcut keys around the infotainment display, as well as the air-conditioning control panel below. Further down on the centre console, there is a rotary gear selector that seems to be plucked directly from the
all-new Kia Sorento
, along with the steering wheel.
Kia has confirmed that the fourth-generation Grand Carnival will retain its seven-, nine-, and
11-seater configurations
 from before. Thanks to the bigger dimensions (10 mm wider and 40 mm longer), along with the elongated wheelbase (+30 mm), occupant space in both three- and four-row configurations have been increased.
Specifically, Kia has also increased the rear overhang by 30 mm, giving the last row of passengers some increased comfort, as well as the best-in-class luggage space according to Kia.
On the seven-seater configuration, the all-new Grand Carnival will also come equipped with ‘captain’s chairs’ for the second-row occupants, promising “business-class” seating comfort for long journeys thanks to its adjustable backrests, armrests, as well as legrests.
The fourth-generation Kia Grand Carnival is due to go on sale in Korea “later in the third quarter of 2020”, followed by a staggered launch in other international market. But before that, expect more information to be released.


Honda debuts the new Sports EV Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show

Not long after
teasing us with an illustration of its silhouette
, Honda has debuted the Sports EV Concept we’ve all been eagerly-awaiting. While there is already the
FK8 Honda Civic Type R
 to keep our bloods flowing, it’s been a noticeable while since Honda released a coupe with a long swooping front and short rear end.
Whether it will be the successor to the highly-rated and beloved S2000 from more than a decade ago or a means of revival for the S600 of old, remains to be seen. One thing we know for sure is that it should be built on the same EV platform of the
Honda Urban EV Concept
 – equipped with Artificial Intelligence.
Honda seeks to promote one-ness between driver and car through the Sports EV Concept, which will be powered by a highly-responsive electric power unit in a easy to handle, compact body. It’s also been indicated that the Sports EV Concept will be constructed with a lower centre of gravity to offer exciting maneuverability.
Elsewhere the Sports EV Concept will features a striking silhouette, alluring front and back ends with clean and subtle body figures. If the old VW Scirocco, which will be discontinued, was likened to a storm trooper, the Sports EV Concept would be its befitting weapon.
With the “Honda Automated Network Assistant” using Honda’s AI technology, the Sports EV Concept aims to create communication that promotes unity between car and driver.
Source:
Honda
IMAGE GALLERY

 Honda Sports EV Concept

 Honda Sports EV Concept

 Honda Sports EV Concept


This Chinese copy of a classic BMW is actually quite charming

Chinese Low Speed Electric Vehicle (LSEV) company, Suzhou Eagle EV Manufacturing company has just rip the copyright rule book again with their version of BMW’s classic Isetta.
Named the EG6330K, it is able to accomodate four passengers with a
driving range of up to 120 km
. Top speed is claimed to be 60 km/h with power coming from a 72V electric motor that produces
less than 10 hp
.
Stopping power is courtesy of front disc brakes while the EG6330K’s road holding capabilities is safeguarded by MacPherson independent suspension in the front, while a torsion beam semi-independent suspension sits on the rear axle.
It’s got four foors, air conditioning, sofa-like seats and comes with a mere 20-litres of bootspace. The EG6330K reportedly cost around USD 4,000 (RM 15k). Suzhou Eagle claims that the EG6330K has gone through 350 hours of testing, with a total mileage of 9680 km at its test facility.


2022 Honda Civic Type R continues development at Suzuka Circuit, set for debut next year

After it was
first unveiled
 with the awesome model lineage camouflage back in October, the 2022 Honda Civic Type R based on the 11th generation
Honda Civic hatchback
 has been brought back to Japan after a stint at the Nurburgring for further development work and more.
The team has based themselves at Suzuka Circuit, the Honda-owned, highly-technical world-renowned figure-of-eight track. Apart from additional testing and validation work, the team could be setting their sights to beating the existing lap record time of
2:23.99
 published back in July 2020 with the time-attack prepared
FK8 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition
.
As usual, nothing else has been shared on the development of the 2022 Honda Civic Type R, which is said to be Honda’s final internal combustion engine model in Europe. While the model has its dynamism polished and sharpened in Europe, which the technical team in Offenbach, Germany has done a particularly great job with the current generation, the next-generation hot-hatch could be manufactured in the USA.
REVIEW: FK8 Honda Civic Type R vs. its predecessor
Honda has closed and sold the Swindon plant in the UK which made generations of Civic Type R hatchbacks (EP3, FN2, FK2 and FK8) and with that, production of the upcoming Type R is looking to be in the US. Honda USA for the first time is now building the Civic hatchback in Indiana after a USD50 million investment.
While Honda has been actively pushing the introduction of their
hybrid e:HEV
 technology in mainstream models, the upcoming Civic Type R is expected to continue with the proven 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO engine. Outputs are expected to remain the same, in the region of
320 hp
 and
400 Nm
 and paired with a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission.
However, Honda seems to have gone to the Michelin camp for tyres, as the development model is shown to be fitted with Pilot Sport 4 S tyres, replacing the Continental Sport Contact 6 that was fitted in the 2017 model.
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UMWT expands fuel pump recall to another 10,350 Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia

UMW Toyota today announced an expansion to the
fuel pump recall Special Service Campaign
, this time involving another 10,350 Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia.
Based on information received from Toyota Motor Corporation, the recall exercise will involve 9,500 units of Toyota vehicles, and 850 units of Lexus vehicles, manufactured from
July 2017 to July 2019
, and distributed by UMW Toyota.
Toyota models involved in the recall:-
– Alphard
– Vellfire
– Camry
– Corolla
– Fortuner
– Innova
– C-HR
– Harrier
Lexus models involved in the recall:-
– ES250
– GS200t/GS350
– IS200t
– LC500
– LS500
– LX570
– NX300
– RX300/RX350
Similar to the
 previous recall
 which involved 13,500 vehicles, the models listed above may be equipped with a potentially faulty fuel pump which may stop operating, resulting in warning lights and messages being displayed on the instrument panel, as well as loss of engine power, which may be dangerous during unfortunate circumstances.
The defective fuel pump is manufactured by Denso, which has caused a global recall exercise involving more than 5.84 million vehicles worldwide, from various manufacturers. In Malaysia, Toyota,
Honda
, and
Mazda
 have issued recalls for various models in their line-ups due to the fuel pump issues.
Owners of vehicles involved in this recall exercise will be officially notified by UMW Toyota, and the replacement work for the fuel pump unit will be done at no charge. However, UMW Toyota says that the replacement work should depend on the car models.
For further information, customers of affected cars may contact any authorised Toyota service centre, or call the Toyota toll-free hotline at
1800-8-TOYOTA (869682)
.


Watching the Ferrari 812 Superfast approach its top speed is just simply hypnotic

The
Ferrari 812 Superfast
 was by far the most exciting, technologically-advanced and well, the fastest thing on wheels we got to lay our hands on last year. It was a car that needed no approval from the driver – it turns the table around and judges the driver instead.
This is also a car with
 800 hp
 and more than
700 Nm
 of torque from a naturally-aspirated engine – just let that sink in for a bit. GC Mah got to experience the full extent of the 812 Superfast’s fury more than a year ago in Ferrari’s backyard, Fiorano, and he still hasn’t stopped talking about it – we’ve never been so frightened to bring up all things Ferrari.
In this video, you’ll witness first hand what we (vaguely) got to experience while filming our
2019 Driver’s Cars of the Year video
 and why it was featured as the halo car among
 our selected line up of the best driver’s cars
.
Notice how relentless the acceleration is from the 6.5-litre V12 engine, up from 6.2-litres in its predecessor, the Ferrari F12; the glorious melody when it strikes the 8,500 rpm speed limiter and how seamless gear changes are with the 7-speed dual clutch transmission.
0 to 100 km/h is done in just
2.9 seconds
, with the
200 km/h mark surpassed in under eight seconds
 and by then, if your ears haven’t started to bleed, your heart rate would’ve exceeded 300 bpm.
As you’d expect, a car so deeply rooted with the legacy of performance, stemmed from the royalty of motorsports (Formula 1), doesn’t come cheap. For such engineering magnificence, you’re looking at a whopping RM1.388 million price tag and that’s even before you start factoring in the taxes, duties and options.
What a set of wheels to have though, as a mantle in your diamond-encrusted garage.
IMAGE GALLERY


The Indonesian 2022 Daihatsu Sirion is built in Malaysia, but gets more features than the Myvi!

Following the launch of the
2022 Perodua Myvi facelift
here in Malaysia a couple of months back, the updated crowd-favourite hatchback has now also made its way to Indonesia, rebadged – just like before – as the Daihatsu Sirion.
The Sirion will be assembled here in Rawang, and brought into Indonesia as a fully-imported model (CBU). But interestingly, it also comes with more features than the Myvi that we get here in Malaysia!
More specifically, the Daihatsu Sirion gets a touchscreen infotainment display on its dashboard,
with

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
 connectivity – something that we sorely miss on the Myvi!
While we understand that different nations prioritise different features, it’s still odd to see such a highly-requested feature being offered in one and not the other, even though they’re built on the same assembly line. Could this mean that the feature might be offered on future Perodua models? Only time will tell!
Another unique feature on the 2022 Daihatsu Sirion facelift in Indonesia is the addition of a built-in air purifier in its air conditioning system. In the post-covid world where we’re all more aware of airborne bacteria and viruses, an air filter is definitely a welcome addition to any car, and we hope that future Perodua models will also come with it built-in too.
RELATED: All-new Daihatsu Xenia unveiled in Indonesia – is this the next Perodua Alza?
Aside from these additions, however, the rest of the 2022 Daihatsu Sirion mostly mirrors the styling features and equipment offered on the Perodua Myvi, with the two variants – X CVT and R CVT – mostly following the 1.5 X and H offerings of Malaysia’s favourite hatchback. Well, except for the LED daytime-running lights up front.
Despite the Sirion going one-up on the infotainment system front, it loses out to the Myvi in terms of active safety systems – with none on offer across both variants. Here in Malaysia, the
Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) system
is already offered on the entry-level 1.3 G variant, albeit as an extra-charge option.
Both variants of the 2022 Daihatsu Sirion facelift in Indonesia are powered by the 1.3-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four engine, making
95 hp
 and
120 Nm
of torque. Power is sent exclusively to the front wheels via the new D-CVT gearbox.
Pricing for the Daihatsu Sirion starts from IDR 227.6 million (approx. RM69k) for the X CVT variant, moving up to IDR 236.8 million (approx. RM72k) for the range-topping R CVT variant.
In comparison, the range-topping Perodua Myvi 1.5 AV here in Malaysia is priced at RM58,800. While it’s not a straight apple-to-apple comparison given that both countries have a different tax structure, the Perodua Myvi is still significantly more affordable than the Sirion – even with the full suite of ADAS system, and a more powerful engine. You win some, you lose some, I guess.


Honda CR-V Hybrid confirmed for Europe, 2.0L with single-speed gearbox!

The
fifth-generation Honda CR-V
 is becoming a
common sighting on Malaysian roads
, but our friends in Europe have yet to seen one in the metal. After what seems to be forever, Honda is set to preview the European specification of the all-new CR-V at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Europe-bound CR-Vs will be available with two powertrains – a
1.5-litre four-cylinder VTEC Turbo
 as well as a
2.0-litre i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) hybrid system
; marking Honda’s first-ever electrified SUV available in Europe. Honda has expressed that they will
not
 be offering
diesel variants
 of the CR-V for Europe.
The
1.5-litre VTEC Turbo mill
, can be mated to either a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) or six-speed manual transmission to output
190 hp
 and
243 Nm
 of torque. On CVT equipped variants, like our local-spec CR-V, the blown mill is good for 0 to 100 km/h in
8.8 seconds
 (
9.2 seconds
 for 4WD) onwards to an acclaimed top speed of
 200 km/h
.
The
CR-V i-MMD hybrid
 was
first unveiled in Shanghai
 early this year, spotting a
2.0-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC
 Atkinson Cycle naturally aspirated mill paired to
an electric motor
 producing a total output of
212 hp
. Drive is sent to the axles via a
single fixed-gear ratio
, in other words a single-speed gearbox. This combination creates a direct connection between the powerplant and moving components, enabling a
smooth torque transfer
. The only other hybrid vehicle that features a single-ratio gearbox we can think of is the
Koenigsegg Regera megacar
. Talk about bragging rights.
This advanced i-MMD hybrid system features
three driving modes
: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive. In EV Drive, the car drives on solely electric to deliver zero-emissions driving. Hybrid Drive summons the gasoline engine to supply additional propulsion force to the wheels and charge the battery pack in the most efficient way possible. Engine drive on the other hand only uses the combustion engine to drive the wheels to conserve battery charge but should the driver demand
maximum power
, the electric motor will come to live to give “
on-demand peak power boost
”.
European customers will have to wait till 2018 for the official launch of the all-new fifth-generation Honda CR-V along with the full specification and prices. Closer to home, Honda Malaysia has
four variants of the CR-V on sale
 including the 2.0L naturally aspirated and 1.5 VTEC Turbo.


All-new BMW X2 Sports Activity Coupe breaks cover, sportier & sleeker X1

We’ve seen the
concept
, we’ve seen it in
full cameo;
 finally we have BMW’s latest SUV in its full glory, the BMW X2. Targeted at “young and young-at-heart” demographics, the X2 prides itself with exciting looks and
uncharted levels of driving pleasure
.
Compared to the
X1
 which it was based on, the two share the same wheelbase of 2,670 mm but the X2 gets a leaner profile overall – 4,360 mm in length, 1,824 mm in width and 1,526 mm in height. While the X2 sits between the X1 and X3, it is also the entry model to BMWs Sports Activity Coupe (SAC).
Much like the
Concept X2
, the production car gets a very muscular stance and unique design that separates itself from the other models. BMW has gone all out to create a design that emphasises the X2’s as a standalone model and it really shows. New design cues debuted on the X2 include the
flipped kidney grille
 – now slimmer from top and wider at bottom,
BMW logo on the C-pillars
 – reminiscence of legendary BMW models such as the 2000 CS and 3.0 CSL and
extremely slim window graphics
 – which gives an illusion of a coupe design without an overly tilted rear roofline.

The X2 is available in three different trims; Basic, M Sport and M Sport X. Each dressed in different bumper designs, trim finishes and equipment levels. Regardless of trim levels, the X2 will come with LED taillamps and twin tailpipes. M Sport and M Sport X variants gets the option for M-Specific aesthetics as well as M Suspension which lowers the car by 10 mm.
Inside, the X2 is standard issue BMW. Choices of upholstery ranges from Micro Hexagon Fabric with Alcantara combination to Dakota Leather with contrast stitching. BMW’s latest 8.8-inch iDrive infotainment system, full-colour Heads-Up Display and panoramic sunroof are among the plethora of options available. Boot space is rated at
470 litres
 as compared to the 505 litres on the X1.

At launch the X2 is available with three engine choices: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol with
192 hp
/
280 Nm
and two 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel each putting out
190 hp
/
400 Nm
 and
231 hp
/
450 Nm
. All three powerplants are paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The sDrive20i petrol gets drive sent to the front-wheels while the diesel models are equipped with xDrive all-wheel drive.
BMW will introduce more variants to the line up including a three-cylinder sDrive18i, four-cylinder xDrive20i, sDrive18d and xDrive18d. All engine choices are available with a seven-speed dual-clutch box and promises ultimate driving pleasure the brand is renowned for.
BMWs latest drive assistance systems available with the X2 includes Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assistant, Collision Warning, Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function, Active Cruise Control system with Stop & Go function and Traffic Jam Assistant.
Market debut of the all-new BMW X2 will only happen in March 2018 starting with Europe. Locally, BMW Malaysia has the
X4
 and
X6
 on sale. No harm in completing the full SAC range with the X2 yes?
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BMW X2 xDrive20d M Sport X

BMW X2 sDrive20i M Sport


Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival brings Toyota Vios Challenge to Malaysia

In an effort to invigorate the motorsports scene in Malaysia and elevate the sporty image of the Toyota Vios, UMW Toyota has just launched the Toyota Vios Challenge one make race and it will be the feature event at the upcoming Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival.
Banking on Toyota’s rich heritage in the world of motorsports, in particularly with the World Rally Championship (WRC), the
Toyota Vios Challenge
 in Malaysia is akin to the popular Toyota One Make Race available in Thailand and the Philippines. President of UMW Toyota, Mr. Ravindran Kurusamy explained that the Toyota Vios Challenge will be able to effectively demonstrate the dynamic capabilities of the Vios.
The race will see
30 drivers
 in identical race-prepped Toyota Vios competing against each other on
street tracks
 designed by TRD Japan and AAM. All racing venues will be inscribed according to
FIA regulations and safety standards
. Therefore, there will be no compromise on safety.
To join the race, you would have to fork out
RM90,000
 for the race-prepped Vios, parts, engineering and testing, one set of FIA-approved racing suit, and six sessions of racing school training for novice drivers.
Specially prepared by
Wing Hin Motorsports
, a highly-respected Toyota dealer and one of the top racing outfits in Malaysia, the base car is a
Vios 1.5 J MT
 that’s fitted with
 TRD specific parts
 including – TRD Aerodynamic kit, TRD exhaust system, TRD clutch system and LSD, TRD suspension system, TRD brake pads, TRD tower bar and lower brace bars, roll cage, Enkei rims and Toyo Tyres. UMW Toyota estimates an increased output of 10 percent over the stock
106 hp
 figures. That may not seem like much but that is because UMW did not want to alter the dynamics of the Vios too radically.
The
TGR Racing Festival
 will happen in Penang, Johor, and twice in Kuala Lumpur. There will be a total of
four Vios Challenge races
 and will be the feature event at the TGR Racing Festival. The race season is expected to happen between August 2017 to March 2018. Dates and locations will be announced in due course.
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The new Mercedes-AMG SL all stripped and laid bare, no sections of carbon fibre in sight

The flagship Mercedes-Benz SL roadster is due to be replaced this year and the automaker is sharing key technical details of the convertible.
Now marketed under the
Mercedes-AMG
 banner, plenty of high technology materials and construction is used to deliver the brand’s performance credentials.
The bodyshell of the upcoming Mercedes-AMG SL consists of the combination of an aluminium space frame with a self-supporting structure, a solution that traces back to the original Mercedes-Benz SL in 1952.
The body-in-weight, as pictured above without the bonnet, doors and other items weigh in at just
270 kg
. Constructed of a multi-material mix of aluminium, steel, magnesium and fibre composites, the all-new bodyshell has torsional stiffness that is
18% stronger
 than the previous generation, while 50% higher transverse and 40% higher longitudinal rigidity than the
AMG GT Roadster
.
Upcoming Mercedes-AMG SL
The spaceframe of the 1952 Mercedes-Benz SL
A mixture of glass and carbon composite materials are used for the front module bridge, a relatively small quantity, unlike the
BMW 8 Series
 that has the large centre tunnel brace in carbon fibre composite.
A big bowl-shaped section can be found at the boot area of the bodyshell, perfect to house the new AMG high-performance battery pack of the upcoming
Mercedes-AMG Performance Hybrid
 system.
Compared to its predecessor, the
R231 Mercedes-Benz SL
, the bodyshell was made almost entirely of aluminium, while the boot lid was a composite made of steel and plastic.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-bodyshell
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL
The entire vehicle concept of the new Mercedes-AMG SL is geared towards the lowest possible centre of gravity. This applies both to the low connection points for the powertrain and axles and to the lowest possible arrangement of the rigidity-relevant bodyshell structure.
The all-new Mercedes-AMG SL will revert to the use of a high-quality retractable soft-top after a few generations of using folding metal roofs. The brand’s 4Matic variable
all-wheel drive system
 will also be made available in this new model.
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