SPAD Chairman Dismisses Yesterday’s Taxi Drivers Rally As Noise Makers, Police To Make Arrests

Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar is cited as one, if not the main reason for the
protest gathering of taxi drivers
 at Padang Merbok yesterday. The SPAD Chairman has been criticised for not looking after the interests of the local taxi industry, with some outspoken taxi associations calling for his prompt resignation.
However, in response to yesterday’s rally, he described the participants as “a small group that makes noise,” writes Bernama. He then said that the illegal gathering would not incite change or meet the organiser’s demands, and insisted he would not resign from pressure from the disgruntled taxi drivers and shed his responsibility to the people.
"If everybody listens to the small group, then everybody will have to resign. This has become a new trend in our country," he told reporters.
While there are many voices when it comes to the woes of the local taxi industry, yesterday’s protest called for a revamp of the entire Land Public Transport Commission and swift cancellation of any attempt to regulate ride sharing services such as Uber or GrabCar, which are viewed as a threat to their profession and livelihood.
In the meantime, Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Datuk Law Hong Soon said PDRM has earmarked the event’s organiser and are would not hesitate to take stern action against those involved.
"The existing laws clearly state that the organiser has to get approval of the owner of the place to carry out any activities there.
"We will take necessary action in accordance with the existing laws given that so far the organiser still fails to get approval from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall to hold the gathering there," he told reporters after opening the triage room and counter at Pantai Police Station, here.
Police personnel have been dispatched to the gathering yesterday to contain the situation as well as monitor its dispersal. On the matter of the gathering being a possible disruptor to the ongoing 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Law said it had no effect as the rally was only limited to the Padang Merbok area.
After initially gathering there, the participants marched in unison to the Parliament building to hand over two memoranda, each to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.


Here's How Tesla’s “Million-Mile” Battery Could Change the EV Game Forever

When it comes to getting an electrified vehicle, the biggest concerns are always the lifespan of the battery pack, the cost of replacing the battery cells when its time (usually about 8 years), and also the pure electric driving range, which determine how much money is going to leave your bank account, and how often the car needs to be charged on a daily basis.

Imagine having to travel long distance – You will have to come up with a very detailed plan for your journey, and check if there are charging stations along your route, and then decide where and when to charge.

This is because most PHEV and electric cars in the market right now come with a pure EV driving range that is quite limited. In case you’re wondering, the electric car with the longest driving range in the world right now is the Tesla Model S which can cover about 600km which may take us to Penang and back from KL, but in bigger countries, that distance is nothing phenomenal.

Simply put in Malaysian lingo – its “scared battery cannot tahan” and “scared battery very expensive”.

However, all that is about to change in the near future as Comtemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL), the world's largest EV battery maker which currently supplies Tesla, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo, and Daimler with EV batteries, has developed a battery that can last for 16 years, and power a vehicle for 2 million kilometres.

The company’s CEO Zeng Yuqun even told Bloomberg recently that "If someone places an order, we are ready to produce it".

Also, according to CATL, this long-lasting “super-battery” only costs 10% over the current batteries the company already makes, which means that cars that come equipped with this battery will not be asking for an additional arm or leg.

Although it remains unknown if there have been any new orders for the battery, it is expected to be fitted in the Tesla Model 3 which is being made in China, as CATL has a two-year contract to supply Tesla starting this month.

So, if this “million-mile” battery really comes into effect and does what CATL claims it can do, it will not only redefine the whole EV industry, it will also redefine our acceptance of electrified vehicles as an option here in Malaysia.

Just to put things into perspective, a 2 million kilometre range is almost 10 times longer than the lengthiest battery warranty programs in the world at the moment. On top of that, a 16-year lifespan means that the batteries will probably never “kong” while the car is under your ownership.

That being said, if electric cars came with batteries that can last 16 years with a 2 million km range, would you consider buying one? If money is not an issue lah...


Geely To Send Satellite To Space

Traditionally, when companies build cars, they tend to ground themselves by evolving and perfecting their bread and butter. None of them, except for perhaps Tesla, have probably ever thought of designing and building an out of this world machine to help them with this effort, until now, cause China's largest private automaker, Geely wants to build satelites to keep all of its cars connected.

Geely Group, which owns Swedish brand Volvo Cars, Malaysia's Proton and has a stake in Mercedes Benz's owner, Daimler said that it would invest $325m to build a new development centre and factory to manufacture satellites this year.

The move by Li Shufu, owner and founder of Geely drew a close comparison to Elon Musk.

The new Geely centre will design, build and test low-orbit communication satellites, which will then help improve geolocation of vehicles and to support their connected functions, Geely said.

With that being said, Financial Times recently reported that Blaine Curcio, founder of Orbital Gateway Consulting, a firm focusing on the business of space and satellite telecommunications thinks that Geely's attempt to send up a satellite in an already crowded orbital space will be difficult.

"Mr Li also faces an uphill struggle to break into a crowded private space market. Geely may find it difficult to get a constellation of satellites launched in the near term as precedence is likely to be given to state-owned space giants. Groups such as the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation were far ahead of Geely in the race to get satellites into orbit, not to mention the degree to which they are also far ahead in terms of the political capital to do very hard things such as this" Mr Curcio added.


Goodyear Turns 120, Continues To Innovate

Established in 1898, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, one of the most prominent tire brands in the world and also in Malaysia, celebrates its 120th anniversary this year.
From racetracks to Modular Equipment Transporters on the moon, Goodyear’s products are found in a multitude of exciting and compelling human achievements.
In 1839, Charles Goodyear discovered a revolutionary invention that changed people’s everyday lives, the vulcanization of rubber. His namesake company has claimed many firsts, including tires on the first mass-produced car of the Ford Model T (1908); first pneumatic aviation tires (1909); first tires on the moon with NASA astronauts (1971).
After introducing the first aviation tires, Goodyear expanded to create fruitful and innovative products such as the first retreadable aircraft tires in 1927. By the 1980s, Goodyear launched the first FAA-approved radial tires for commercial aircraft.
The brand was also making waves in the motorsports arena at the same time. For instance, Goodyear won its 368th Formula 1 Grand Prix race in 1998, the most of any other tire manufacturer. Besides that, Goodyear has also been a fixture in NASCAR racing for more than 60 years.
In Malaysia, Goodyear has been in operation since 1972 through the establishment of its own manufacturing plant in Shah Alam, Selangor. The company is one of the largest provider of Original Equipment (OE) tires to key manufacturers and assemblers in Malaysia that are Proton, Perodua, Honda, Mazda, and Hyundai.
With a vast range of products, Goodyear tires are found in SUVs, hatchbacks and large sedans. The much-loved new Myvi 1.5 and Proton Persona/Iriz are equipped with the Assurance Triplemax, a tire that is designed to deliver better fuel efficiency and reduced braking distance in the wet. The
 Wrangler
Triplemax
, which is designed for sport-utility vehicles, is also fitted at the factory for the previous generation Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V 2.0.
Honda Malaysia is one of Goodyear’s largest OE customer in Malaysia, as the latest CR-V 2.0 variant continues to be fitted with Goodyear’s
Efficientgrip Performance SUV
 tire. This premium tire focuses on providing the quietest ride together with strong braking and cornering capabilities.
Honda Jazz and City models have the GT3 and Excellence tires fitted, while the Accord is fitted with the Excellence tires on the 2.0 variant.
Meanwhile, the
Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
 tires are well known among keen drivers who want maximum performance in all aspects, yet still, deliver comfort that is expected from a premium tire. The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 is the preferred premium OE tire at a global level, fitted on many German beauties such as Mercedes-Benz E Class (W213), BMW 5 Series (G30), Porsche Cayenne/Boxster 718-series, and the Jaguar XF.
In recent times, Goodyear has established its first commercial use of a new soybean oil-based rubber compound. By employing soybean oil in tires, Goodyear found a new approach to keep the rubber compound pliable in changing temperatures, a key performance achievement in maintaining and enhancing the vehicle’s grip on the road surface..
Besides soy, Goodyear also began using silica derived from rice husk ash to enhance traction and treadwear in selected consumer tires.  Rice husk ash is an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective alternative to the chemical compound.
Technology wise, the company’s latest creation includes sensor-equipped intelligent tires which can continuously measure and record vital data that allows fleet operators to manage tire services.
Real-time data is displayed into Goodyear’s proprietary algorithm, which enables fleet managers to monitor tire wear, temperature and pressure in real time.  In 2018, Goodyear’s prototype was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.
This year’s Geneva Motor Show also saw the company unveiling the Goodyear Eagle-360 concept tire, a spherical-shaped design concept tire that allows the car to move in all directions.
Speaking in conjunction with the big occasion, Ryan Patterson, the president of Goodyear Asia Pacific said, “With 120 years of achievements, we have generations of momentum propelling us forward to continue innovating in the decades to come. We’re celebrating our legacy of innovation at a time when the industry is evolving faster than at any time since the invention of the automobile.”


Mercedes-Benz Thailand Now Locally-Assembles AMG 53-Series Model, Starts With CLS 53

Late last week, Mercedes-Benz Thailand announced the local-assembly programme of their flagship four-door coupe, the Mercedes-Benz CLS.
Joining the
new CLS 300d
 at the assembly lines of the Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant (TAAP) is the all-new 3-litre inline six-cylinder engine that carries the AMG 53 designation.
This advanced technology engine not only features a small electrically-driven turbocharger but is paired with an EQ Boost integrated starter/generator that is part of the vehicle's 48-volt mild hybrid system.
The EQ Boost hardware that supplies an additional 22 hp and 250 Nm of torque accelerates the four-door coupe from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds.
The price of the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 is now THB 5.35 million, a massive THB 1.74 million cheaper than the model fully-imported from Germany.
Another AMG 53-series model was also introduced by Mercedes-Benz Thailand. The Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupe is however fully-imported from Germany and thus carry a heftier price tag of THB 6.99 million.
Other high-performance models that are locally-assembled at the Samut Prakan plant include the
Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe
,
Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe
, and GLE 500e PHEV.
With this additional model getting being locally-assembled, Mercedes-Benz Thailand now only imports niche models such as the Mercedes-AMG 45-series (A, CLA, and GLA), E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet models, SLC convertibles, and V 250d MPV.
In Malaysia, the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 is sourced from Sindelfingen, Germany and is priced from RM878,888.


Proton Hits Highest Market Share In 77 Months

If you study sales, the true measure of a brand’s strength is in its market share. This figure is one that remains more stable regardless of absolute sales – even through ups and downs in the economy. For Proton, February marked their first month in 77 that had a market share which exceeded that of August 2013 at 23.8%.

It’s no surprise that Proton is gaining momentum, especially with how they have been on a product offensive like no other company. Every model gets a facelift and a revamp, and the X70 is of course a large contributor to Proton’s sales figures being a runaway hit in its size segment.

What exactly are those figures? The Proton Persona retook the B-segment with 2,653 units moved through February, with 1,973 X70s finding new homes and 3,934 Sagas contributing to Proton’s strong sales figures. The Exora maintained a segment lead as well, and the Iriz sales remain commendable in the more competitive hatchback segment.

“February was a strong sales month for PROTON despite the Total Industry Volume (TIV) shrinking compared to January. By being able to maintain our sales growth our market share is now at its highest point in 77 months. Bookings for the 2020 Proton X70 have also been strong so we feel encouraged about our plans for the rest of the year,” said Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON.


If your primary objective is fuel efficiency, then what are your options in Malaysia for the most fuel-efficient cars that you can buy today?

5 Super Fuel-Efficient Cars You Could Buy In Malaysia Today

Fuel economy is at the heart of every car purchase decision in today’s day and age. Regardless if you’re buying an A-segment hatch, or an executive sedan worth hundreds of thousands, just how far you can go on a
single tank of petrol will influence your purchase decision
 and just how you use your car.

Contrary to popular belief, making a fuel-efficient car doesn’t just mean a small engine that sips fuel – it draws down to the overall design principles of the car itself. It influences the materials that are used in the construction (to keep weight down), the type of combustion cycle and transmission the car uses, even the tyre type (to reduce rolling resistance) to eke out every last meter of distance for every drop of fuel that is burnt.

Current technology also allows
manufacturers to take very different routes to achieve their desired requirements
 while still offering performance depending on the model and segment of the vehicle – par the course: petrol, diesel, and hybrids provide different routes and strategies. Of course, hybrids largely take the cake – their intelligent ability to reduce energy usage and recoup lost energy (while braking) and channel that back towards moving the vehicle means there is less workload on the engine, and therefore less fuel burnt.

However, other cars may not be hybrids but still offer outstanding efficiency and reduced trips to the pumps. The following are five of the most fuel-efficient cars on sale in Malaysia today. Do note that we have aimed to offer choices at different market segments, notwithstanding, many other cars may also offer excellent fuel economy besides the ones we have covered.

1. Mazda CX-5 2.2 GLS Skyactiv-D (2WD): 5.9 litres/100km

Despite their technical ingenuity, Mazda has only
recently joined the hybrid and electric race
 – simply because they still believe there is room for efficiency improvement with the internal combustion engine, and their latest-generation
Skyactiv-G (petrol) and Skyactiv-D (diesel) are the best highlights
 of this. The turbodiesel CX-5 2.2 GLS takes the crown as Mazda’s most efficient SUV, and indeed one of the most high-tech and fuel-efficient diesel powerplants on sale today. With a claimed 5.9-litres/100km, it’s about as frugal as one gets for a car of its size. But don’t be fooled by its efficiency claims – it’s also a monstrously torquey engine with plenty of power to boot.

2. Perodua Axia 1.0E (MT): 4.4 litres/100km

The Perodua Myvi might be Malaysia’s sweetheart, but the Axia is Perodua’s most efficient vehicle. The most efficient version, the
base-spec 1.0E
 which features Perodua’s ultra-efficient 1.0-litre (1KR-VE VVT-i) engine, outputs 67hp and 91Nm and is claimed to deliver 22.5km of travel per litre of fuel when paired to 5-speed manual transmission. The automatic 1.0G offers slightly less at 21.6km/litre (4.62 litres/100km). The Axia’s featherweight of just 825 kg also contributes to its superb fuel economy and further proves the fact that
simple internal combustion engines still can play a big part
 in offering fuel-efficient mobility, especially at the lowest price points of the market.

3. Honda City RS e:HEV: 3.8 litres/100km

The
2021 Honda City RS
 is the second generation of the City to offer a hybrid variant in its lineup. The latest model takes it up a notch with Honda’s Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain, which features an electric motor aiding a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine for a peak output of 108PS and 253Nm. Despite Honda playing up claims of torque numbers rivalling that of 2.5-litre engines, the hybrid City RS has
not forgotten its principles of fuel-efficiency
 (something even its
predecessor delivered in spades
), Honda claims the City RS is capable of 3.8 litres/100km, making it amongst the most efficient cars you could drive on the roads today.

4. Volvo S60 T8: 2.0 litres/100km

Efficiency is always a good thing, but you truly have something special when you couple that to supercar rivalling performance. The
Volvo S60 T8 does just this
, combining superb fuel economy of 2.0 litre/100km with a supercar rivalling 4.4 seconds 0-100km/h acceleration time. Under the hood lies a 2.0-litre turbo- and supercharged engine with (87hp/240Nm) electric motor for a total of 407hp and 640Nm of torque. When you couple this to its
price tag of just under RM300k
 (for the recently launched CKD version), it also offers amazing value for money in terms of the tech you’re getting.

5. BMW i8 Roadster eDrive (Roadster): 2.0 litres/100km

Supercars are increasingly embracing hybrid technology as part of their powertrain strategy – even Ferrari and Lamborghini offer hybrids now, but one car started it all,
the BMW i8
. It’s hard to believe that the BMW i8 is already seven years old, but as production of BMW's halo car
comes to an end
, you can still get your hands on one of the most fuel-efficient cars on our market with a claimed fuel economy of 2.0 litres/100km. The i8 is powered by a tiny 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with a lone electric motor at the front (143hp/250Nm) outputs peak power of 374hp – good for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.6 seconds.

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Mazda CX-8 Previewed For Malaysia - CKD, Exports In Plan

Back in March 2018, we
reported
 that Bermaz Motor was planning to locally assemble the Mazda CX-8 at its Kulim plant by mid-2019. The plan appears to be on track and the company is displaying two units - one petrol-powered and the other diesel-powered - at its showroom in Glenmarie.
At a glance, the
Mazda CX-8
 looks nearly identical to the Japan-made CX-9 (from RM287k). Both models come with three row seats so what's the difference between the two?
The similarity is because the CX-9, Mazda's flagship for its overseas market, is not available in Japan, where cars are also taxed based on their body size. Thus, the slightly smaller CX-8 was created, a scaled down CX-9 aimed for the Japanese market. Measuring 4,900 mm long, the CX-8 is just 175 mm shorter than the CX-9. It’s also 129 narrower and 17 mm lower than the CX-9. Despite being smaller, it is the CX-8 that has more headroom, but of course, legroom is slightly tighter than the longer CX-9.
However, Mazda distributors outside of Japan noted that there is a big gap between the CX-5 and CX-9, and with the SUV segment growing fast nearly everywhere, Mazda distributors in many countries have expressed interests in having the CX-8 for their local markets.
As its official launch is still quite some time away, prices and specifications have yet to be confirmed. Keep in mind that the two units seen here are Japanese market models and are not representative of the models that will be launched here later.
Bermaz Motor also confirmed that the CX-8 will, just like the CX-5, be exported to regional markets.
While the Japanese market Mazda CX-8 models are fitted exclusively with the company’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel, locally-assembled models have the option of an additional naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre petrol engine. The diesel outputs 188 hp and 450 Nm, while the petrol engine outputs 192 hp and 257 Nm (identical to the CX-5 2.5-litre). Both engines are mated to Mazda’s six-speed automatic transmission, sending drive to either the front wheels or all-four wheels, depending on specifications.
As for seating arrangement, Bermaz will be offering the new CX-8 with the option of six or seven seats, depending on variant. Preliminary specifications also indicate that the CX-8 could have the option of fabric or leather seats.
The Mazda CX-5 tops out at RM178k, while the much bigger CX-9 has a starting price of RM287k. Logically, it is quite obvious that the CX-8 will be priced in between both models.


Trafik Sesak 150 Kilometer Dari Rawang Ke Gopeng

Malang tidak berbau bagi anda yang terperangkap di dalam aliran trafik sepanjang 150 kilometer dari Rawang ke Gopeng pada 1 Mei, 2022.

Tidak perlu disangkal lagi, kalau dah traffic jam sepanjang
150 kilometer
 dari Rawang ke Gopeng memang team balik kampung beraya lah tu.

*Image credit: nst.com.my

Setelah dua tahun terperuk di rumah masing-masing tanpa sinar ataupun kegembiraan menyambut Hari Raya Aidilfitri, sudah tentu peluang tahun ini menyambutnya bersama keluarga dan sahabat di kampung dinanti-nantikan, tapi bagi anda yang tersangkut di dalam trafik pada 1 Mei di Lebuhraya Utara Selatan apa pula perasaan anda?

*Kredit grafik: Bernama

Peningkatan trafik pada 1 Mei lepas itu juga susulan
tol percuma dan diskaun tol
 yang diumumkan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Jurucakap PLUS ketika dihubungi Bernama memaklumkan keadaan trafik dari Slim River ke Sungkai adalah antara laluan paling terjejas dan para pengguna dinasihatkan untuk merancang perjalanan dengan sebaiknya.

Jangan lupa yang tol percuma juga akan diadakan pada 7 dan 8 Mei jadi pandai-pandailah rancang perjalanan pulang anda nanti terutama sekali bagi anda yang berada di kawasan Slim River dan Sungkai.

*Kredit infografik: PLUS Malaysia

Ada tak di antara anda yang menggunakan
pelan perjalanan seperti yang dicadangkan oleh PLUS
? Berkesan tak?

*Cover image credit: nst.com.my


PLUS expects 2 million cars to travel daily during CNY

Chinese New Year is just around the corner and
PLUS Malaysia Berhad
 expects around 2 million vehicles to travel on their
North-South Expressway (NSE)
 daily.

Those from the Klang Valley who are planning to travel to
Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, and Johor
 between 19-22 January 2023 are strongly advised to
start their journey before 9.00 am
 to avoid massive congestion.

Other states to travel between 12 pm-4 pm

As for those who are planning to travel to closer destinations apart from the states that are listed to start their journeys before 9.00 am, you may do so between 12 pm to 4 pm which will help to avoid converging and more unwanted congestion.

According to PLUS COO, Datuk Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi, "The advisory is based on PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) analysis on previous festive season data and traffic patterns on the NSE. As such, the Travel Time Advisory (TTA) is also aimed at circumventing vehicles heading towards various destinations from converging at selected hot spot locations on the highway which can contribute to traffic congestion."

TTA schedule recommended for both outbound & return journeys

Datuk Zakaria also added that "Our analysis also indicates that higher TTA adoption rate contributes to smoother journey on the highway. As such, we strongly advised the public to plan their journey based on the TTA schedule not only for the outbound journey from the Klang Valley before the Chinese New Year but also for their return journey to Klang Valley after their holiday."

As always, do remember to check and service your vehicles before the journey as well as other things like ensuring enough balance in your Touch n' Go cards and e-wallets to ensure a smoother and less stressful journey.

It's also a good time to check on your insurance provider as well as taking notes on all the important numbers like towing assistance or roadside repair services just in case. For more simple car care tips and maintenance checks,
CLICK HERE
.


Geely, Renault Group and Saudi Aramco sign pact to make future ICE engines

Although a lot of manufacturers are moving towards carbon-free vehicles, Geely, Renault and Aramco are still adamant that there is space for vehicles with ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) engines.

The new venture will apparently help Saudi Aramco grow in an industry that is undergoing a shift towards a battery-powered future.

Renault and Geely, however, will retain equal equity stakes in the new project to develop internal combustion and hybrid powertrain technologies.

Although this venture might sound like a step backwards, Saudi Aramco's contribution for the project will help towards building more efficient and greener engines, as Aramco will support in terms of research, development of synthetic fuel and next-generation hydrogen technology.

All three parties believe there will still be demand for the combustion engine and plug-in hybrid cars for the foreseeable future, especially in developing countries.

Under the cooperation, the new venture will have a total of 17 powertrain factories in 3 countries.

According to Free Malaysia Today, they aim to produce more than 5 million units of ICE engines, hybrids and plug-in hybrids to be marketed to more than 130 countries, and a portfolio capable of covering up to 80% of the internal combustion engine market globally.


2023 Toyota Innova Zenix lands in Malaysia - RM165,000 to RM202,000

UMW Toyota has elevated its Innova offering here in Malaysia with the arrival of the all-new
2023 Toyota Innova Zenix
.

The new crossover model which made its appearance in Indonesia late last year is a completely reworked model compared to the current-gen Innova here in Malaysia, which is now referred to as the Innova CG (Current Generation) for the X and G variants.

The Innova Zenix is built on the very impressive Toyota Global New Architecture (TNGA) platform which is a big enhancement thanks to its monocoque construction that offers better agility, space, and overall driveability.

Two variants of the Innova Zenix will accompany the current Innova CG offerings here in Malaysia - Innova Zenix 2.0 V and the Innova Zenix 2.0 HEV. In other words, you can opt between the ICE-powered Innova Zenix or the more 'premium' hybrid variant.

For the Innova Zenix 2.0 V, a 2.0-litre Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine (M20A-FKS) kicks out 174PS and 205Nm of torque.  As for the hybrid model, the 2.0-litre Dynamic Force engine (M20A-FXS) produces 152PS and 188Nm of torque but with the addition of the electric motor, the combined power output for the Innova Zenix HEV is at 186PS.

The transmission also differs between the two variants where the 2.0 V is mated to a 10-speed Direct Shift CVT with Sequential Shiftmatic whereas the HEV variant comes with an E-CVT transmission unit.

Going towards the design, the dimensions of the Innova Zenix and Innova CG are more or less the same but with a different theme of 'Premium and Tough'. This can be seen via its more SUV-like front end thanks to the trapezium radiator grille, sleek headlights with Auto High Beam, more muscular side profile, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Step inside the Innova Zenix and the driver will be welcomed with a more spacious interior setup that is furnished with a combination multi-info display that features a seven-inch TFT screen, and 10.1-inch centre touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired), Automatic Air-Conditioning, and more.

The second row is where the biggest differences can be seen between the Innova Zenix V and Innova Zenix HEV. For the hybrid model, it comes with a couple of comfortable captain seats as well as a panoramic sunroof that are not available in the Innova Zenix V.

Despite the more spacious interior to fit all three rows (550mm wider with an extended 86mm floor length), the Innova Zenix is actually 170kg lighter than the Innova CG thanks to the TNGA platform. The result is an improved power-to-weight ratio as well as better fuel efficiency.

If safety is a priority, you'll be glad to know that the Innova Zenix is the first model in the Toyota line-up to feature the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0). These include enhanced safety features for its active safety offerings like:

Pre-Collision System (PCS)

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)

Auto High Beam (AHB)

Lane Departure Alert (LDA)

Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)

Road Sign Assist (RSA) + more

UMW Toyota will be selling the all-new 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix 2.0 V at RM165,000 and RM202,000 for the Innova Zenix 2.0 HEV. Customers can opt between five colourways - Metallic Gray, Attitude Black (with mica finish), Avantgarde Bronze, Silver, and Platinum White Pearl.

Each unit comes with a five-year manufacturer's warranty with unlimited mileage. For the Innova Zenix HEV, the hybrid battery pack as well as the Inverter and Power Management Control ECU come with a separate warranty of eight years (also with unlimited mileage).


New Lights Plus 7-Speed DCT- New MINI Now Flies Illuminated Union Jacks

MINI Malaysia continues to update their product line-up this year, with the launch of the 2018 MINI Cooper S hatchback, available in both 3-door and 5-door form as well as the MINI John Cooper Works hatch.
Fully-imported from Plant Oxford, UK, the new MINI Cooper S hatchback features subtle changes to the styling, while featuring a new technical change that is the dual-clutch automatic transmission.
MINI Cooper S 3-door: RM 226,888
MINI Cooper S 5-door: RM 236,888
MINI Cooper John Cooper Works: RM 283,888
What’s new
Changes to the new MINI hatchback are rather mild. The most obvious update is located at the rear end of the car.
The tail lamps now have a very distinct Union Jack (the flag of United Kingdom, where MINI originates) graphics.
The round head lamps meanwhile are bi-LED types, and the daytime running lights and turn indicators form a complete ring when illuminated. The
new MINI logo
 can also be found on the bonnet, steering wheel and tailgate trim.
The features in the interior of the new MINI include an updated fuel gauge graphic, an illuminated dashboard trim panel with the stylized Union Jack motif, reverse camera, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display.
The shift lever is now a shorter, more modern looking knob (shift-by-wire) with the standard fitment of the new Steptronic dual-clutch sports automatic transmission.
The award-winning ‘MINI Yours Customised’ which allow retrofit components such as side scuttles (the fender indicator trim), dashboard trim panel, LED Door Sills Finishers and LED Door Projector to be produced according to the customer’s personally designed specifications.
The MINI Yours Customised Services can be designed and ordered at
www.yours-customised.mini
, choosing between various colours, patterns, surfaces and icons as well as adding their own text to the design.
Engine and Transmission
Engine performance remains the same as before, powered by a ‘TwinPower Turbo’ 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that develops 192 hp and 280 Nm of torque. A lighter engine decorative cover made from carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) is also fitted to reduce overall weight.
Making its debut in a MINI is the new automatic 7-speed Steptronic Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT). The powertrain combination sprints the hatchback from rest to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, with the 5-door form requiring a tenth of a second longer. Fuel consumption figures maintain at 5.5 litres/100km for the 3 door and 5.6 litres/100km for the 5 door.
The new dual-clutch sports automatic transmission, with the wet clutches being cooled by oil, is also equipped with a dual-mass flywheel with an integrated centrifugal pendulum that allows for a smoother low-speed driving as well as ‘crawling’ in start-stop traffic.
The John Cooper Works, being the highest performance MINI Hatchback, is equipped with a different powertrain. The turbocharged 2-litre engine output is now 231 hp and 320 Nm of torque, enabling the car to hit 100 km/h from standstill in 6.1 seconds. With more power and an 8-speed Steptronic Sports Automatic, the top speed of the John Cooper Works is 246 km/h.
Variants and Standard Features
Both forms of the new MINI hatchback continue to have similar specifications level, with few subtle changes.
MINI COOPER S 3 Door
17-inch alloy wheels – Cosmos design in gloss black
Comfort access hands-free entry
Sports suspension
Sports seats in leather
Anthracite headliner
6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with MINI Connected App
Reverse camera
LED headlights
LED MINI Logo door projection
Ambient lighting with illuminated ‘Union Jack’ dashboard trim
MINI COOPER S 5 Door
John Cooper Works Aerodynamics Kit
John Cooper Works rear spoiler
John Cooper Works 17-inch wheels – Track spoke in black
John Cooper Works door sills
Black chequered interior surface, replacing illuminated 'Union Jack' trim
MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS Hatch
18-inch alloy wheels John Cooper Works Cup Spoke 2-tone
Red-painted brake calipers
John Cooper Works bonnet stripes
Optional panoramic moonroof
Adaptive suspension
John Cooper Works Racing seats with Dinamica Leather
Stainless steel foot pedals
8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with MINI Connected App
Wireless charging station for smartphones
Head-up display
Harman Kardon Hi-Fi system featuring 12 speakers
Carlist.my team have sampled the new transmission at a recent drive event.
Read more about it here
.
Anything else?
The new MINI 3 Door comes in seven colours – Solaris Orange, Starlight Blue and Thunder Grey are newly developed, continued with Chili Red, Pepper White, White Silver and British Racing Green. All are paired with Black Roof. Alternatively, Chili Red can also be paired with White Roof.
The new MINI 5 Door shares the same five colours with the 3 Door but Solaris Orange is not available and Thunder Grey is replaced with Emerald Grey.
Similar to the existing MINI range, the new MINI hatchback is backed by MINI Malaysia’s 4 years unlimited mileage warranty that includes a limited free scheduled service as well as a 5-Year Roadside Assistance programme.
The MINI Full Circle flexible financing program is also available on the new MINI hatchback. Users will have the option to return the car with no further obligations, trade-in for a new MINI, take ownership of the car with a full settlement, or simply extend the loan tenure.
The new MINI 3 Door starts from RM2,595 per month, while the 5 Door from RM 2,710 per month through the MINI Balloon Financing program.


Porsche Builds A 911 Turbo That Went Out Of Production 20 Years Ago

Rather curiously, we think we're seeing a trend. If you've been keeping up with automotive news, you'll be used to the swathe of electric concept cars and production vehicles being unveiled at any opportunity. While there seems to be genuine interest on the part of all involved - from journalists, to marketing divisions, to engineers - one can't help but notice that certain companies are looking to rebuild or revive their models from years past.
Jaguar, for example, is splitting duties between revamping their iconic E-Type with electric motors, while simultaneously running restoration programs for owners looking for a factory fresh car. In that same light, while Porsche is pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle technology with their Mission E, they've also decided to do something a little unorthodox: produce a fresh 911 Turbo from 20 years back, with all new parts and components.
It's from the 993 generation, the last of the air-cooled Porsches, and this particular 911 Turbo uses a blend of original parts and modern-day production techniques for what is arguably the best of both worlds. Now, while this may be proof that Porsche can very well recreate classics in a factory-fresh condition, this is by no means an indication that they'll do so in volume and be selling to the public. Many of these cars will no longer meet emissions or crash safety standards, and that's not something Porsche is willing to go through again.
The specific car itself references the 2018 911 Turbo Exclusive Series, finished in black wheels with Golden Yellow details as well as Golden Yellow design accents on the interior. The 911 Turbo S side intakes were an optional extra for the 911 Turbo of the time, hence the additional ducting on this recreated classic. With 450 hp on tap, this 911 Turbo will make its debut at Laguna Seca on the 27th of September, 2018, before being auctioned off at RM Sotheby's it Atlanta as a track car.
Over the course of one and a half years, the engineers at Porsche Classic took an original 993 Turbo chassis and sourced the thousands of original parts necessary to create, well, a full car. The powertrain itself is the original unit, and the chassis number follows on from the last 993 Turbo to roll off the assembly line. Perhaps the only particularly unique element of this car is its hollow aluminium wheels, which pair nicely with the 993's aluminium chassis - a first for the 911 range.


Tokyo 2015:  Toyota Auto Body Creates An Outrageous Convertible Alphard

In the weird world of vehicular customizations, there are some pockets that are actually supported by the manufacturer, with license to go bananas with their ideas. Career envy, anyone? And now, our man on the ground has spied upon a most unusual
Toyota

Alphard
 while visiting Toyota Auto Body.
Toyota Auto Body is a manufacturing subsidiary of the Toyota Motor Corporation, one that specializes in body engineering, for better or worse. And for this doctored Alphard, which they have called the Alphard Hecule Concept, they’ve gone to town – saying they’ve merged the feel of a marine cruiser and the cabin of a yacht’s deck; there is wood flooring, after all.
Click through the gallery at your leisure, but do indulge in the accompanying descriptive words by Toyota Auto Body themselves. For example, they really want this Hercule to be viewed upon much like a luxury boat. The perfect way to drive to a yacht harbor in southern Europe while sipping champagne with your friends while enjoying the pleasant sea breeze allowed in by the retractable roof.
Its all very atmospherical. We suppose, then, that when the time comes that yachts are owned by many more of the population, this Alphard Hercule Concept will be as popular as the standard MPV is.
Until then, let’s just look at it and imagine.


Mazda Announces Year-End Sales Carnival

Bermaz Motor, the authorised distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia has announced that it is organising a nationwide ‘Mazda Festive’ year-end sales carnival from 9 to 31 December 2017.
The carnival, which will take place at all Mazda showrooms nationwide, will offer customers with exclusive deals, lucky draws, and even instant gifts for those who book any Mazda vehicles.
Demo units of the Mazda2 and Mazda CX-5 will also be available for sale, with prices starting from RM 65,000 and RM 110,000 respectively.
That being said, those who purchase a Mazda now will enjoy 5 years/100,00km manufacturing warranty and also 3 Years/60,000km free maintenance.
The three-year free scheduled maintenance according to manufacturer’s standards means that customers will not need to pay for anything; not even labour, parts, and lubricants.
The 5-years manufacturing warranty and 3-years free maintenance applies to all models except for the BT-50 pick-up.


Top 5 Petrolhead Series On Netflix To Help Get Through The Lockdown Period

Netflix and chill: The top 5 petrolhead series to keep you occupied and off the road this lockdown 3.0!

For almost every Malaysian, the current nationwide
Lockdown 3.0
 between 1-14 June 2021 will mean that we are mostly limited to the confines of our home, as there is an enforcement of travel restrictions for inter-district and inter-state travel.

This is a big bummer for car enthusiasts as we feel like our wings have been cut off. With no horsepower and road to help with our mechanical addiction, perhaps it's best to look to Netflix to help fill the void.

No matter what your interests are, Netflix has the show to keep you preoccupied during this lockdown. With that being said, here are some of the best car-junkie programmes currently available on Netflix, that delivers that high-octane thrill or greasy satisfying restoration urge.

Fastest Cars

Those who dream of building a sleeper and beating factory standard fast cars at the traffic light should definitely tune in to Fastest Cars. The drivers of exotic supercars put their street cred on the line against deceptively fast sleeper cars built and modified by true gearheads. Can the build not bought ethos persevere? You'll have to check Fastest Cars to find out.

Car Masters: Rust to Riches

Car Masters Rust to Riches gives you an inside look at the famous Gotham Garage, wherein every episode, these modification experts transform an old rust bucket into a one-of-a-kind piece of automotive art. With the final products giving such builders like Chip Foose a run for his money, Gotham Garage definitely creates some of the most stunning resto-mods out there.

Rust Valley Restorers

Love seeing neglected old cars brought back to their former glory? Then Rust Valley Restorers is for you. What makes Rust Valley Restorer different from other restoration programs is the personality of Canadian, Mike Hall and his crew. Also, unlike other restoration shows where celebrities are the main target, this one focuses on the average Joe customers with average Joe budgets.

Formula 1: Drive to Survive

For motorsports and Formula 1 enthusiasts, this series is a deep dive and an immersive journey behind the scenes of recent Formula One. It significantly exposes drivers, managers and team owners who live life in the fast lane — both on and off the track — during each cutthroat season of Formula 1 racing.

Hyperdrive

More of a gymkhana fan? Then this reality competition about street racing where the skills of elite drivers in staged scenarios and obstacle courses will be on display is the one for you. Although this is only a one-season ten-episode show, it's still definitely worth watching, especially when elite street racers from around the world test their limits in supercharged custom cars on the biggest, baddest automotive obstacle course ever built. The obstacle courses are really quite something!

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.

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Carlist.my.

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Toyota Supra Mk.4 Is Auctioned For USD 121,000, Internet Erupts In Disbelief

It's no secret that the Japanese legends of the 1990s are appreciating in value these days, sometimes at a ridiculous rate - especially if you have a showroom stock unit with low mileage. Cars like the Nissan GT-R, Mazda RX-7, and Toyota Supra are all seeing big price bumps as they also approach the right age for import in some age-restricted countries.
That being said, it's not like we're not used to crazy prices on classic cars. Ferraris and Jaguars fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars, but what about the Toyota Supra? It seems that one was just auctioned off for a staggering USD 121,000 (just shy of RM 500,000).
Yes, that is a ridiculous amount of money - although the car in question had just over 7,000 miles on the clock, or just over 12,000 kilometers, and was a six-speed manual unit. There are very few Toyota Supras in the world that can match this kind of condition and will command such a high price - but it is a sign of the times.
But what can you get for USD 121,000? Well, if you're looking at the lower end of things you could buy four or five Toyota GT86s or Mazda MX-5s. You could quite nearly buy two brand new BMW M3s. You could even buy a Porsche 911 with enough money left over for a few options. Here are a couple of our favourite models with base pricing under USD 121,000:
Lotus Evora 400 (USD 89,900)
Yes, a lightweight British sports car with a modest (by American standards) supercharged 3.5-litre V6 and 400 hp costs only three quarters of the going price of this auctioned Toyota Supra.
Dodge Viper (USD 87,895)
One of the most iconic American cars, the picture of excess, with a truck-derived engine up front and little else behind. Easily as exciting, and just as fun on a track or off it.
Nissan GT-R (USD 99,900)
While not as worshipped as its predecessors, the R35 generation of the GT-R has proven itself in all kinds of motorsport, from drag racing to circuit racing around the world. It also holds plenty of street cred in the modern car scene.
Mercedes-AMG GT (USD 112,700)
If you're willing to go all the way up to this theoretical USD 121,000 limit, you could even get yourself an AMG GT Coupe. Yes, the flagship model in the AMG range - while not the GT R, it still has plenty of performance and drop dead gorgeous looks.
Audi RS7 (USD 113,900)
If you need something to move a family of four with ludicrous speed, you could even afford yourself an RS7. High performance, high refinement, and high practicality - the trifecta for a one-car-does-all solution. And still cheaper than this Supra.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06(USD 80,590)
While the last on our list isn't the most powerful nor the most expensive, it's still a car that commands attention and has plenty of racing pedigree, with an engine that has large amounts of head room if you're looking for even more power. There's no replacement for displacement.


Ops Warta Sees A Mere 38,000 Warrants Settled On First Day

Ops Warta is underway, leaving police the rather daunting task of tackling the 1.59 million outstanding arrest warrants for traffic offenders. The offenders themselves should be even more concerned, as a total of 69 individuals have been arrested nationwide under this operation so far.
Federal Traffic police chief SAC Datuk Mohd Fuad Abdul Latiff said “You can run but you can’t hide from us,” according to report by The Sun Daily. Despite there being 69 individual offenders arrested, a mere 38,000 warrants have been settled since the operation
kicked off
.
In terms of location for those placed
under arrest
, those from Penang came in at 36, followed by Malacca at 24, Selangor and Sabah had three each, finally one each from Perak, Perlis, and Kuala Lumpur.
During the two week grace period given by the PDRM for guilty parties to come forward, only 260,000 summonses were handled, leaving the total number still very high which Mohd Fuad found “disappointing”.
Since Monday, a total of 44 individuals had voluntarily turned up to settle their warrants at nearby police stations with most being from Sarawak (39 people), Sabah (three), and Terengganu (two).
Mohd Fuad is perplexed as to why the remaining offenders are refusing to settle their summons, especially given that multiple warnings have been issued. Although they have not resorted to knocking on the doors of offenders’ place of residence and are concentrating on apprehending them through roadblocks. However, given the amount of warrants that have yet to be settled, that method remains in the periphery.
He said, “All those arrested cooperated with us before they were taken to court. Thus, no handcuff was used so far.”
Mohd Nadzri Hussain, KL Traffic police ACP, said that despite this, the public should take traffic offences seriously and come forward with any outstanding summonses voluntarily before they are caught at a roadblock or through other means.


Spyshots: 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Reveals Its Shape And Cabin

Having fully renewed the full range of
E-Class
 bodystyles from
sedan
 to
estate
,
coupe
, and convertible, Mercedes-Benz now turns its attention to the E-Class’ four-door coupe derivative, the
next-generation CLS
 that will be built off the
W213
 platform.
Spy photographers have caught hold of a camouflaged prototype which, whilst heavily disguised, reveals substantial details on the new car’s appearance.
We also get one clear shot of an unmasked interior, which is effectively the same dashboard as seen in the E-Class, with base analog instruments and the E-Class Coupe’s jet turbine-inspired air-con vents.
Up front, we get to see the outlines of the narrow-slit LED headlights. The grille’s actual shape remains obscured, but we can see it follows the same cues as seen in Merc’s coupe models, namely a single horizontal slat flanking out of the large central star surrounded by the trademark fine diamond mesh. Bumper remains heavily covered though.
The familiar silhouette from preceding two generations of the CLS – arguably the model’s selling point – remains preserved. The side mirrors, in accordance to Mercedes coupe design protocol, pops up from the door panel rather than from the base of the A-pillar.
Astern, we also see the outlines of the tail light cluster, revealing to us another interpretation of Merc’s coupe family look of narrow-slit tail lamps with bumper-mounted number plates.
Despite Mercedes’ newly adopted naming practice, the CLS is expected to retain its name and not be re-designated as the CLE in recognition of its proximity in positioning with the E-Class. We reckon that’s wise, since everybody knows what a CLS is, and there is no need to spend precious marketing dollars to promote a new name.
Pictures:
 Car Pix


SPIED: Honda FL5 Civic Type R 'sudah sampai' Malaysia?

Ever since the
Honda FL5 Civic Type R
 was globally launched back in July last year, Malaysians have been wondering when it'll arrive here.

It seems that a few units have been spotted onboard a trailer being transported somewhere here in Malaysia. Its arrival is not really surprising considering the fact that it was recently launched in Thailand.

The price tag, however, had quite the opposite effect - 3,990,000 baht or around RM516,000. In other words, you need to cough up over half a million Ringgit to own the FL5 Civic Type R in Thailand. Hopefully, the price tag won't be as dramatic here in Malaysia.

The FL5 was labelled as the most powerful Type R ever thanks to its KC20C1 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 330PS and 420Nm of torque. The result? A car that has set the record for the fastest production street-legal front-drive car around Nurburgring Nordschleife.

The fact that the FL5 Civic Type R also came with enhanced bodywork, aerodynamics, sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres, optimised six-speed manual transmission,  upgraded shift gate pattern, helical-type LSD, lighter flywheel, and rev-match system do indeed help to carry Honda's Type R badge to newer heights.

Looking at the timeline, our best-educated guess in terms of its official launch would be somewhere within the final quarter of 2023. The FL5 is indeed an interesting car, but what about the price tag? Stay tuned for more updates.


Modenas Lancar Ninja 250, Ninja 250 ABS, Z250 ABS – Harga Bermula RM18,900

Kawasaki
kembali ke pasaran Malaysia di bawah
Modenas
secara rasminya setelah melancarkan 3 model iaitu Ninja 250, Ninja 250 ABS serta Z250 ABS.

Berikutan peningkatan pemilikan saham Kawasaki Motors Ltd (KMC) dalam Modenas, semua model motosikal Kawasaki 650cc ke bawah akan dijenamakan semula dibawah Modenas.

Harga yang ditawarkan bagi setiap model:

Modenas Ninja 250: RM18,900

Modenas Ninja 250 ABS: RM20,500

Modenas Z250 ABS: RM19,500

Modenas Ninja 250

Ninja 250 yang dilancarkan ini merupakan model sama yang dilancarkan oleh Kawasaki Motors pada 2018. Bezanya, Ninja 250 di bawah Modenas ini dipasang di Malaysia dan harganya sedikit murah berbanding RM23,071 ketika dilancarkan 4 tahun lalu.

Modenas Ninja 250 ABS

Merujuk kepada namanya, Ninja 250 ABS ini hadir dengan ciri
ABS
yang tersedia melalui cakera 286 mm di hadapan dan 193 mm di belakang. Itu sahaja perbezaan antara Ninja 250 dengan Ninja 250 ABS. Motor ini  mencatat berat sebanyak 167 kg.

Modenas Z250 ABS

Z250 pula berkongsi asas yang sama dengan Ninja 250, bezanya, Ninja 250 merupakan versi motosikal
sport
manakala Z250 merupakan versi
naked
. Perbezaan dapat dilihat pada panel badan, lampu serta meternya. Berat Z250 dan Ninja 250 adalah sama pada 165 kg.

Enjin Dan Suspensi

Ketiga-tiga model ini menggunakan enjin 2 silinder DOHC 249cc yang menghasilkan 37 hp dan 23 Nm tork dan dipadankan dengan transmisi 6 kelajuan dengan klac jenis
assist & slipper.

Untuk bahagian suspensi, ketiga-tiga motosikal ini menggunakan fork teleskopik di hadapan dan monoshock di belakang. Semua model ini hadir dengan rim bersaiz 17 inci bersama tayar bersaiz 110/70 di hadapan dan 140/70 di belakang.

Kelengkapan Lain

Lampu hadapan LED

Lampu belakang LED

Tangki bahan api 14 liter

Tinggi tempat duduk 795 mm

Warna

Ninja 250:
Metallic Carbon Grey
 dan
Metallic Matte Graphite

Ninja 250 ABS:
Metallic Matte Graphite Grey

Z250 ABS:
Metallic Spark Black
 dan
Candy Cardinal Red

Ketiga-tiga model motosikal ini akan berada di semua wakil pengedar sah Kawasaki mulai 1 Ogos 2022.


BMW Intensive Driving Experience 2017: Moving Up The Ladder

Oversteer. The one word that separates beginner and advanced drivers.
To a lot of casual drivers, oversteering is unheard of. In fact, I dare say not many drivers have actually experienced an oversteering car first hand. But I had.
A couple of years back, I got into a nasty accident because the car I owned back then oversteered. Being a relatively new driver, I panicked and didn’t know how to respond to the tail sliding out.
Fast forward a couple of years, the phobia of my car’s rear end sliding out came to an end as I attended my first-ever BMW Driver Training.
The course is designed to suit drivers of all ages and experience levels, from newbies to the seasoned.
Building on my earlier experience at Advanced Level, I was recently invited by BMW Malaysia to further my training at Intensive level. Globally, BMW offers even more advanced levels, but Intensive is the highest available in our country.
Back to my oversteering experience.
Part of the BMW Driver Training exercise required us to be able to feel the BMW 420i’s rear end sliding out and counter-steer, effectively preventing what happened to me a couple of years ago. Granted, it took me a couple of tries before I got used to counter-steering, as it took careful throttle and steering input to not cause the 420i to spin out.
Compared to the one-day Advanced syllabus, the Intensive course takes place over two days. That meant more runs to sharpen my skills. While it is easy to correct an understeering car by easing off the throttle, managing an oversteering car, as I mentioned earlier, takes a bit of time getting used to. Those additional runs proved extremely useful in helping me finetune my steering and throttle inputs which, the instructors told me, were often excessive.
Overall, this exercise is a good chance to experience oversteer in a controlled and safe environment, as opposed to trying to slide in a car park or open roads. The driving instructors are more than willing to assist participants with managing the cars.
If I had attended this driving course prior to my aforementioned crash, the skills picked up could have helped me escape it altogether; then again, it would have been a wiser choice to avoid driving fast in the rain in the first place. Besides, most modern cars are fitted with Electronic Stability Control, or ESC, which prevents the car from understeering and oversteering in most cases.
Oversteer aside, another crucial lesson I learnt from this driving course is line of vision.
During every session, our driving instructors constantly reminded us about our line of vision. Doesn’t matter if we were on track or on the gymkhana course, line of vision is always critical. Here’s why.
In the double lane change exercise that we went through, line of vision was required to exit the course safely. More than often, drivers would be fixated at the obstacles or a first entry point of the course, instead of looking for a safe exit path. Similarly in the oversteer exercise, line of vision is also needed to steer the BMW safely into the designated spot.
On track, line of vision is just as crucial, as we as drivers need to constantly look ahead for upcoming corner entry points and braking points.
The mistake many drivers make while driving is not looking far ahead enough, instead they focus on what is directly in front of them.
By doing so, reaction time of these drivers are severely reduced, as opposed to drivers that look much further ahead, thus able to anticipate whatever that is incoming.
While the first BMW Driver Training was an eye opener for me, the second one was far by a more insightful and valuable driver training course for anyone looking to further sharpen their driving skills.
Now, if you would excuse me, I need to find ways to shave off precious seconds off my gymkhana lap time.


Toyota Opens New 2S Outlet In Klang

A car brand in Malaysia is really only as good as its service network. Recently, a new Toyota 2S centre located at Klang, Selangor was opened in an effort to improve their network in the area. Operated by PS Otomobil (Bukit Tinggi) Sdn Bhd, the centre offers aftersales services to Toyota customers and owners in Pandamaran, Bukit Tinggi, Bandar Botanik, and other nearby areas.
The service centre is equipped with 19 service bays with trained personnel to ensure that customers’ vehicles are promptly attended to. It is also equipped with diagnostic equipment and the necessary Special Service Tools to maintain Toyota vehicles. While waiting for their vehicles to be serviced, customers can relax in the lounge which has amenities for their comfort and convenience.
Commending PS Otomobil (Bukit Tinggi) Sdn Bhd on their commitment to provide Toyota customers with high quality aftersales services, UMW Toyota Motor’s President, Ravindran K. said, “PS Otomobil (Bukit Tinggi) Sdn Bhd has been our business partner since 2015 and has provided good services to customers. We are delighted to see that with the growth in their business, they have made the decision to upgrade their facilities to enhance their aftersales services."
PS Otomobil (Bukit Tinggi) Sdn Bhd is located at PT 7420 Jalan Kim Chuan, Pandamaran, 42000 Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan. For enquiries, please call 03-3323 9398 (Sales) or 03-3385 2381 / 010-396 0468 (Service). Information on Toyota vehicles and the locations of outlets nationwide can be found at
toyota.com.my
.
To find the best deals on Toyota models, click
here
.


Apparently Malaysia Can't Afford Fuel Subsidies Anymore

Last week, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz expressed his intention to
review the fuel subsidies
 currently in place due to the sharply rising global price of crude oil, which recently has exceeded US$120 per barrel (RM503.16), stimulated by the
ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict
.

A recurring concern of many lately has been the price of fuel, or more specifically how much the price of crude oil has to rise until the Malaysian government is seemingly no longer willing to offer the Rakyat the heavily subsidised RON95 at RM2.05/litre that
has been the norm for the past year
.

The magic figure, in Ringgit, might be somewhere
around the region of RM28 billion
 as that’s how much Tengku Zafrul stated that the government may be having to fork out in 2022 to maintain the subsidised prices for petrol, diesel, and liquified petroleum gas (LPG).

In early March 2022, should the subsidies not be in place,
RON95
 would have reached RM3.70/litre
, an RM1.65/litre increase that would have to have been compensated for. While it remains at RM2.15/litre,
diesel
 has an actual cost of RM4/litre
 if not for subsidies.

Unsustainable But Still Workable?

He added that these will
cost the government about RM2.5 billion a month
, a more than tenfold increase from the RM200 million that was needed to cover subsidies in January 2021. For reference, Malaysia spent
RM11 billion in overall fuel subsidies last year
.

In reviewing the current programme, the government is looking into a more tiered system where lower-income citizens will be given a more heavily subsidised price while high-income individuals will have to pay more for fuel due to fewer subsidies.

This is in contrast to the current reality at petrol stations where the subsidised
fuel prices are enjoyed by all regardless of income level.

“Therefore, the government will review the fuel subsidy mechanism to implement a more targeted and focused aid and subsidy to the vulnerable and those really in need,” Tengku Zafrul told the Dewan Rakyat during the Minister’s Question Time on Thursday (Mar 10), according to
The Star
.

The minister also mentioned that because the government could not borrow against these operating expenses (such as subsidies), they must be offset by increased revenue and cost-cutting, making a targeted subsidy programme
the most obvious way forward. Or so the minister claims.

This large gulf in the retail price of fuel at petrol stations compared to the market price will, he added, likely result in an increased risk of ‘subsidy leakage’ caused by petroleum products being smuggled into neighbouring countries
where pump prices are higher
.

'Targeted Aid' - The Best Solution?

All that being said, there was no mention to address the eventuality that the prices of many everyday items will also climb if the retail price of fuel is increased and how this will impact the B40 and M40 categories that the government purportedly wants to provide targeted aid to.

By the way, similar efforts have been
attempted and abandoned.
 Some were
trying to disqualify luxury cars
, others
only focusing on B40 individuals
 somehow. It's messy.

There are a torrent of other questions this raises as a target subsidy programme can be somewhat ineffective at best or completely exploitable at worst if implemented poorly.

Perhaps it might be a more feasible option to
have MyKad holders verified at the petrol stations
 before being allowed to purchase subsidised fuel. This is done frequently at bordertowns with Thailand and Singapore (at least before the pandemic)
to prevent non-citizens from piggybacking off lower fuel prices here
, so why can't it be done throughout the country?

Even then, to encourage more conservative use of that fuel, a certain monthly limit/quota can be imposed beyond which said MyKad holder has to pay a higher rate or a rate much closer to market price. Simply targeting Malaysians based on income level is
not an accurate indicator
 of their lifestyle, level of disposable income or specific financial situation.

This would discourage many motorists from unnecessarily using the fuel they have in their tank and might even
encourage more conservative driving
, less speeding, using more
fuel-efficient (or zero emissions EVs) cars
, not leaving their vehicle idling for long periods when stationary just to use the air-conditioning, utilising more tolled highways to minimise driving distance, and not embarking on
spur-of-the-moment meandering interstate road trips
.

For most of us that spend most of our fuel on essential transportation such as commuting to work,
 a monthly quota between 80-100 litres of subsidised fuel would be a reasonable amount
 to expect us to not exceed.

There will also have to be
numerous and very specific protections in place
 to not burden business owners and operators to ensure that the higher cost of fuel isn’t something that will be too burdensome when it is inevitably passed on to the end consumer - the Rakyat. Inflation could run rampant (more than it already is) and the cost of living could soar.

Is that worth more than RM28 billion?

Hangat-Hangat Tahi Ayam?

Again, simply having a blanket dividing line between those who receive ‘targeted aid’ and those who do not, in terms of increased fuel prices is
a simplistic solution to a very complex problem
, especially if the B40/M40/T20 categories are used. In this case, since higher fuel prices will potentially impact every sector of the economy, it is the very definition of
‘trickle up economics’
.

All this might be moot if, as it has in the past, the price of crude oil starts to decrease after a periodical spike. In the last 10 years, we saw crude hit a similar high of USD105/barrel in late 2013 before sharply decreasing to around USD44/barrel in January 2015 and its decade-lowest in April 2020 when it was priced at around USD15/barrel.

Mind you, those peaks and valleys were all unmotivated by anything like the Russia-Ukraine conflict in terms of geopolitical tensions. Unless the government presents a convincing case to why they believe
fuel prices will remain high over the long term
,
who's to say that this is all more or less temporary?


Is This The Most Recognisable Name In The Automotive World?

What does a Japanese portable audio cassette player and an American brand that specialises in off-road vehicles, have in common? “None, and that’s a ludicrous question to ask” you may reply.

It is a chalk and cheese comparison, they are two different kinds of products from two different ends of the world. But both share one notable distinction that has rarely been repeated, and that is to be found in its name. In the 1970s Japanese electronics giant Sony was developing a portable audio cassette player that was small enough to fit into a pocket. It seems hopelessly quaint but back in those days it was a revolutionary idea, considering that such devices were the size of suitcases. The device became such a global success that its very name has come to epitomise the entire genre. Its name was the Walkman, and ever since then people have often associated any portable cassette player, regardless of its manufacturer, as a “Walkman”.
Few iconic names and brands have ever achieved such a level of name recognition before. And one such name to have achieved such stature is Jeep. Back in the early 1990s, before the rise of the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) genre, people would often coin the name “Jeep” whenever they are referring to a close bodied, off-road vehicle with an elevated ride; even though the correct term to refer to the genre back then are “four-by-fours”. Even until now, the use of the snappy “Jeep” name to describe an SUV or 4x4, is still prevalent amongst older audiences.It is like people calling your car and every car in the world a 'Daimler'.  And if you were to go out and buy a brand new SUV, any SUV for that matter, no matter its size or who made it, you will find it written in the documentation from our Road Transport Department that it is officially classifed as a “Jip”, “J-I-P”, the Malay transliteration of its name “Jeep”.
Like the Walkman, long before Jeep became the brand that it is today, the gestation of the first vehicle that would set the template of future Jeeps to come was borne from the strife of World War 2. With the United States military being steadily drawn into the conflict plaguing Europe and Japan, the US Army recognised the need for a small, quick, and simple reconnaissance vehicle that could navigate the worst war-torn battlefields. In 1940 the US Army solicited bids from 135 automakers to build them such a vehicle.
Whilst most auto manufacturer would take years to engineer a vehicle, Willys-Overland was reported to have developed the first prototype of what would eventually become the Jeep in a remarkable 75 days. With minor engineering alterations, Willys-Overland was awarded the contract to put their finalised creation, internally known as the MB, into production and an icon was born.
Nicknamed the “Jeep”, a slurred pronunciation of its official description in the US Army as a “General Purpose” vehicle or “GP”, the MB was amazingly versatile. On top of being used as a reconnaissance transport as it was originally built for, it was used to perform all sorts of jobs for servicemen. From battlefield transportation, to long range desert patrol, snow ploughing, telephone cable laying, fire fighting, field ambulances, and even tractors, the Jeep could do it all.
General George C. Marshall, US Army Chief of Staff during World War 2, described the Jeep as “America’s greatest contribution to modern warfare”. For its proven reliability, robustness, and dependability on the theatre of war, it is of little surprise that the Jeep became the vehicle that defined the genre of small off-road vehicles. In 1950s the trademark was granted to Willys-Overland for the use of the cheeky “Jeep” nickname, which signified the beginning of the Jeep name we know today.
At the end of World War 2, Willys-Overland quickly produced civilian versions of the MB that were suited for agricultural usage as well as recreational use, with little modifications done. Today the instantly recognisable flared fenders, round-headlights, and seven-slot grille of the original MB can still be seen worn on the all-new Wrangler®. Available in three distinct variants in Malaysia, the five-door RM288,889 Unlimited Sport and RM328,889 Unlimited Sahara, which is complemented by the three-door RM338,889 Rubicon
®
, the Wrangler
®
 is the purest expression of the Jeep go-anywhere-versatility ethos.
For the Unlimited range, Jeep has fitted it with a Command-Trac
®
 4WD system with a Dana 44
®
 heavy-duty front and rear axle, giving it Jeep’s legendary off-road capabilities that allows it to traverse mud, sand, and rocks easily.  On the other hand for those seeking a more focused off-road machine for the dedicated adventurer, the Rubicon comes with a Rock-Trac
®
 4WD system, Tru-Lock
®
 front and rear locking differentials, heavy-duty suspension setup, and toughen body panels all around. All Wranglers come with a 3.6-litre Pentastar
®
 V6 producing 284PS and 347Nm of torque to conquer any terrain, and mated to a robust five-speed automatic transmission. All variants are fitted with a removable “Freedom Top” hardtop so that you can always have the option of enjoying the “one with nature” experience wherever you go. Though for all its ready-to-rumble outdoors appearance, Wrangler
®
 drivers will never be too far away from creature comforts as it comes with a full-ensemble of safety systems as well as a well-equipped multimedia system.
Though never really appearing in the theatre of war, the Wrangler
®
 got it chance in the spotlight as the vehicle of choice for the lead character of the 1980s hit television show MacGyver. Best remembered for the show’s protagonist’s display of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and adaptability in adverse situations, MacGyver was the perfect fit for such an off-road icon like the Wrangler
®
.
That being said, the MB and its direct descendant, the Wrangler
®
 isn’t entirely responsible for the Jeep’s widespread recognition in popular conscience. While the Wrangler
®
 continued to carry Jeep’s iconic face and established its name and connection to its role in history, it is only a part of the story. For the other part we have to fast forward to 1962, where Jeep introduced the Wagoneer
®
, a large four-wheel drive vehicle that came fitted with all the trappings and luxuries that one would find in passenger car of those days.
The Wagoneer
®
 appeared onto the market during a time when off-road vehicles were still rugged and often crude machines used for agricultural usage or utilitarian purposes. They were built more for your tools rather than for your family. But the Wagoneer
®
 marked the change that turned the evolution of the four-wheel drive genre around. Today the Wagoneer
®
 is widely regarded as the father of all luxury 4x4 SUVs we see today, and it is the progenitor of the Grand Cherokee® SUV of today.
To many Malaysians, the Grand Cherokee
®
 might be the most familiar name from the Jeep brand. Our infatuation with the luxury SUV genre in Malaysia can be traced back to the 1985 Grand Cherokee
®
, which became one of our country’s first encounters with what we deem today as a luxury off-road vehicle. Its slab-sided straight and clean design extruded authority and robustness that won the hearts of many. The Grand Cherokee
®
 needed no further introductions. Everyone immediately recognised its image of luxury, style, and comfort, it was an icon of off-road luxury, and it is a Jeep.
That timeless shape has been carried forward to the latest interpretation of the Grand Cherokee
®
 marque, which is available today from Jeep Malaysia at RM468,889 in the posh-Overland specification. The Grand Cherokee
®
’s authoritative shape is further enhanced with its broad and muscular body, chrome appointments, and eye-catching LED daytime running lights that adhere to the Grand Cherokee
®
’s iconic looks. With the Grand Cherokee
®
 however, Jeep spared no expense in outfitting its cabin with the best of the range, detailed leather trim with contrasting stitching, lashings of open-pore wood trim, and a nine-speaker premium audio sound system from Alpine makes it a suitably sumptuous interior for passengers.
Like the Wrangler
®
 the Grand Cherokee
®
 uses the same 3.6-litre Pentastar
®
 V6 that has been tuned to produce more power at 286PS and 347Nm of torque, only this time around it comes paired with a more sophisticated new 8-speed automatic transmission for improved fuel efficiency. Furthermore being the flagship of the Jeep brand, the Grand Cherokee
®
 is fitted with a Quadra-Drive
®
 II 4WD system to give it peerless mud-plugging capabilities and Jeep’s Quadra-Lift
®
 air suspension with five ride height settings to achieve the optimum ride and comfort.
Being a brand that was built on ingenuity and adaptability, Jeep is a brand that is constantly evolving with the times, and the brand-new Cherokee
®
 and Compass
®
 both represent the brand’s next move into the future. For its size the entry-level RM248,889 Compass is the embodiment of Jeep’s qualities and rugged design in a diminutive size. However with SUVs steadily adopting a smaller footprint, the Compass
®
 is an ideal choice for those who want an SUV that is capable off-road and manageable on the road as well. The Compass
®
 sports a 170PS 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine that produces 220Nm and is fitted to a Freedom Drive™ active full-time 4WD with Selectable Lock to ensure that it lives up to the expectations of the Jeep name.
As bold as its sharp front fascia is, the new RM378,889 Cherokee Trailhawk
®
 sports a 21
st
 century reinterpretation of Jeep’s iconic seven-slat grille, which can trace its identity from today right through history to the first post-World War 2 Jeeps. With its horizontal slender headlights and angular slats, the new Cherokee
®
 is as unorthodox of a Jeep as they come. Beneath its sleek and aggressive lines lies a brand-new downsized 2.4-litre 4-cylinder Multi-Air 'Tigershark
®
' petrol engine that cranks out 174PS and 229Nm of torque and couple to an all-new 9-speed automatic transmission. To further enhance fuel efficiency, the Cherokee Trailhawk
®
’s Jeep Active Drive I 4x4 comes with a feature that allows the rear axle to be disconnected from the powertrain, thus reducing friction losses.  The all-wheel drive system will automatically re-couple the rear axle should situations demand so, or at the request of the driver through the Cherokee’s Selec-Terrain
®
 traction-control system, with up to five customised settings (Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud, and Rock modes) to deliver the ideal on- or off-road performance for any given situation.
Diverse in its roles, appeal, and individualistic identities it may be. From the Wrangler
®
 to the Grand Cherokee
®
, Cherokee
®
, and Compass
®
, each Jeep bears with it the identity that has made its name synonymous with the genre, supreme off-road capability, dependability, and robustness. More than a name, it is a mark of distinction.


2015 Hyundai Santa Cruz Concept: Someone Ordered A Pick-Up Truck Coupe?

Back in January,
Hyundai
 brought the slick Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept to the Detroit Auto Show and it appealed to pretty much every person who saw it there, and now they’ve brought it to the 2015  New York as well, teasing us even further.
Now, come on Hyundai, you know we would love for you to put something that looks this good into production. You know crossovers are the new hotcakes (whatever those were) and would sell accordingly. Hyundai Motor America’s Director of Corporate Planning, Mark Dipko, says, “this new crossover allows them all the expandable utility they need throughout their active week, from work-life professionalism, to social interests, to a whole variety of outdoor pursuits, without the typical compromises they have come to expect from the industry’s current product offerings.”
Sounds great. So what’s the hold up?
We’re sure the main reason the Korean automaker is chose to preview the Santa Cruz in Detroit and again in New York is because, should it enter production (fingers crossed), there would be a big push for it in the American market. But the appeal stretches far beyond the States. Australians, for one, are know to be lovers of a good flatbed and indeed the Ute exists purely for this reason. Thailand, too, has a car market brimmed with pickup trucks and the numbers in Malaysia have been rising steadily.
Unlike most crossovers that combine an SUV with sedan, the Santa Cruz blends a pickup truck with sporty coupe, that added utility with the futuristically stylish body, modern luxuries, and a premium interior, the it could be a knock-out product. Its dimensions are more along the lines of a small CUV than a full-blown pickup, mind you, making city manoeuvrability much easier. And although the possible production version will omit the oversized wheels, we’re hoping the rakish side profile, rear-hinged doors, and wide stance won’t be axed.
A 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine producing 190 hp and 406Nm of torque is found to be powering the Santa Cruz, and although that sounds par for the course in countries like ours, it might need beefier numbers to sway the Aussies and Americans away from their beloved V8s. It also has Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive system.
The fact that Hyundai brought it to New York at all bodes well that the company is at least looking at the Santa Cruz as a potential new addition to their line-up. Again, here’s hoping.


Mazda To Host Mega Sale Carnival from 3rd to 4th September

Next weekend (September 3rd and 4th), Mazda will be holding their Mazda Mega Sale Carnival at their Glenmarie showroom. If you've ever been in the market for a Mazda, this is the best time- there are plenty of great deals and lots of prizes and vouchers up for grabs. Even the Skyactiv-D Mazda CX5 and Mazda 6 will be on display, both of which have
thoroughly impressed us
during our time driving them.
At the Mazda Mega Sale Carnival, customers will stand a chance to win Mazda Bonanza Vouchers worth up to RM10,000. Signing up for any Mazda model will entitle custoemrs to win an instant gift as well. It's an event for the whole family, with games and activities like the Mazda Paper Craft Challenge, face painting, photo booth and clown performances.
The Mazda Anshin Pre-Owned Car Centre will also be present at the Mazda Mega Sale Carnival, with Mazda pre-owned vehicles available from RM 55,XXX.XX onwards. All Mazda owners will enjoy an absolute 3 year  or 60,000 km (whichever comes first) free scheduled maintenance according to the manufacturer’s standards (with the exception of the BT-50 pick up).
Location and contact details are as follows:
Mazda Glenmarie Showroom
Tel : 03-7626 8888
7 Jalan Pelukis U1/46,
Temasya Industrial Park, Section U1
40150 Shah Alam, Selangor
Waze
:
https://waze.to/lr/hw281x6hrp


Jom Beli Kereta Murah di Carlist.my

Tahun baru dah sampai tapi ramai yang masih pening sebab kereta di laman rumah masih lama, bermasalah.

Pasti ramai
member member
yang akan kata “Beli kereta baru lah, apa lagi?”, tetapi kita tahu yang bukan semua orang mampu beli sebuah kereta baru yang besar dan selesa.

Yang ada dalam pasaran pun, kalau kita lihat segmen bawah RM100,000 pun, berapa banyak kereta baru yang betul betul
syok?

Ya, kereta terpakai memang ada banyak tetapi kalau dah teringin nak pakai
MPV
atau kereta dari Eropah, nak buat cam mana?

Haa… Jangan bimbang… Jom pergi
ushar
bahagian
Kereta Murah
 kat Carlist.my.

Cakap sahaja nak kereta apa – Nak MPV?
Nak SUV
? Nak
 Mercedes-Benz
? Semuanya ada, tak tipu!

Tak percaya jugak?

Tengok
Honda Civic FD 1.8 ni
… tak sampai pun RM50,000. Kalau nak beli kereta baru dengan
bajet
 sama, Myvi pun tak dapat.

Untuk yang dah berkerja keras berpuluh tahun, bermimpi nak pakai Mercedes-Benz macam bos tu, tak semestinya ada beratus ribu ringgit dalam akaun bank kalau nak beli kereta Jerman. RM50,000 dah cukup.
E-Class
 lagi tu.

Selain dua,tiga kereta ni, memang banyak lagi lah yang korang boleh cari… Semuanya murah murah belaka.

Jadi, kalau ada saudara mara atau kawan kawan yang asyik duk merungut pasal harga kereta mahal, suruh je diorang datang tengok segmen Kereta Murah kat
Carlist.my

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.

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Carlist.my.

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.

Get your latest
new car promotion
 here also.


Perodua Ativa D55L vs Proton X50 – SUV Mana Pilihan Anda?

Persaingan serta perbandingan antara
Perodua Ativa
 dan
Proton X50
 ini semestinya sudah dijangkakan dari awal lagi, namun adakah kedua-dua kereta ini layak dibandingkan?

Selepas tempahan Perodua Ativa dibuka, ramai yang tertanya-tanya sama ada Perodua Ativa ni bakal menjadi pesaing kepada Proton X50 atau tidak. Adakah kedua-dua
SUV
 ini datang dari segmen yang sama? Jom kita bandingkan!

Untuk perbandingan kali ini, saya akan membandingkan Perodua Ativa varian AV serta Proton X50 varian 1.5 TGDI Flagship.

Harga

Yang palling penting, tanda harga semestinya menjadi salah satu keutamaan bagi pembeli kereta. Betul tak? Dari segi harga, Perodua Ativa varian AV berharga RM73,400. Manakala bagi X50 varian 1.5 TGDI Flagship, harganya ialah RM103,300. Kedua-dua harga yang ditunjukkan merupakan harga atas jalan tanpa insurans dan dengan pengecualian SST. Kalau nak bandingkan harga, memang jelas Ativa  jauh lebih murah berbanding X50. Tapi seperti yang kita tahu, ianya bukanlah perbandingan yang adil kerana perbezaan harga ini menjadi penentu target market mereka. Tapi kalau harga menjadi keutamaan anda, Ativa lah pemenangnya!

Prestasi dan Enjin

Perodua Ativa D55L

Enjin: 1.0L Turbo DOHC 3 Silinder

Transmisi: CVT

Kuasa: 98PS/ 6,000 rpm

Tork: 140Nm/ 4,000 rpm

0-100 km/h: Tidak diketahui

Penggunaan Bahan Api: 5.3L/100km

Proton X50

Enjin: 1.5L Turbo DOHC 3 Silinder

Transmisi: DCT 7 Kelajuan

Kuasa: 177PS/ 6,000 rpm

Tork: 255Nm/ 4,000 rpm

0-100 km/h: 7.9 Saat

Penggunaan Bahan Api: 6.4L/100km

Dari segi enjin, kedua-dua model mempunyai enjin turbo 3 silinder. Sebelum ini, ramai tertanya-tanya mengapa Proton X50 tidak menggunakan 4 silinder pada enjinnya. Kini giliran Perodua Ativa pula untuk mengikut jejak langkah Proton. Meskipun kedengaran sama, namun prestasi enjin kedua-dua model ini amatlah berbeza. Proton X50 mempunyai kapasiti enjin lebih besar dengan 1.5L turbo berbanding 1.0L turbo pada Ativa. Enjin Ativa ini sama seperti enjin
Axia
 dan
Bezza
, bezanya cuma enjin Ativa kini hadir dengan turbo.

Enjin X50 dibangunkan bersama oleh
Geely dan Volvo
 manakala enjin turbo terbaru keluaran Perodua ini merupakan enjin yang dibangunkan oleh Daihatsu serta Toyota. Yang mana lebih baik? Hanya masa dapat menentukan jawapan kepada soalan ini.

Pengalaman pemanduan bagi kedua-dua model ini turut berbeza oleh kerana Perodua Ativa menggunakan
D-CVT
 berbanding X50 yang menggunakan transmisi
dual-clutch
. Jika dilihat di atas kertas, memanglah transmisi dual-clutch lebih baik. Tapi kita tak boleh buat keputusan terlalu awal kerana transmisi D-CVT yang ada pada Ativa tidak dapat dipastikan lagi pemanduannya. Kena tunggu pandu uji dahulu la nampaknya.

Dimensi

Proton X50

Panjang: 4,330 mm

Lebar: 1,800 mm

Tinggi: 1,609 mm

Jarak tayar: 2,600 mm

Berat: 1,370 kg

Ruang But: 330 liter

Perodua Ativa

Panjang: 3,995 mm

Lebar: 1,695 mm

Tinggi: 1,620 mm

Jarak tayar: 2,525 mm

Berat: 970 kg

Ruang But: 369 liter

Dari segi saiz, Perodua Ativa tenyata jauh lebih kecil berbanding Proton X50. Meskipun Ativa dipasarkan di Malaysia sebagai SUV kompak segmen B, namun di sesetengah pasaran lain, Daihatsu Rocky dikenali sebagai SUV segmen A. Seperti yang anda tahu, Perodua Ativa ini dibina berdasarkan model Daihatsu Rocky dan Toyota Raize jadi terdapat sedikit kekeliruan di sini. Berdasarkan saiz kereta, Proton X50 lebih tepat untuk digambarkan sebagai SUV segmen B yang sebenar. Tetapi, saiz tidak menggambarkan ruang dalam. Meskipun Ativa sedikit kecil berbanding X50, namun Ativa mempunyai ruang but yang lebih besar berbanding X50. Meskipun ada yang berpendapat bahawa saiz tidak penting, terdapat juga mereka yang amat mementingkan saiz terutama mereka yang sudah berkeluarga. Proton X50 lebih menyerlah dengan saiz yang lebih besar.

Selain itu, saiz Ativa yang lebih kecil semestinya memberikan kelebihan pada kadar penjimatan bahan apinya. Perodua Ativa lebih menjimatkan minyak dengan 5.3 liter per 100km, berbanding X50 dengan 6.4 liter per 100km. Dalam ekonomi sekarang ni, siapa yang taknak kereta yang jimat minyak kan? Tapi sama ada benar atau tidak kadar penggunaan minyak api juga bergantung kepada cara pemanduan anda.

Keselamatan

Perodua Ativa mencuri perhatian umum apabila hadir dengan ciri keselamatan yang tip-top dengan harga yang lebih mampu milik berbanding X50. Dengan kehadiran AEB, pengesan motosikal, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning dan lane departure prevention serta lain-lain ini memang berbaloi untuk harga dibawah RM80,000. Walaupun X50 pun turut ada ciri keselamatan yang sama, anda kini tidak lagi perlu berbelanja atas RM100,000 untuk mendapatkan ciri keselamatan tersebut.

Walau bagaimana pun, Proton X50 mempunyai ciri tambahan seperti Auto Park Assist. Daihatsu Rocky turut mempunyai ciri ini namun ia tidak dinyatakan oleh Perodua dalam teaser Ativa ini. Tapi adakah ianya berguna bagi anda? Adakah anda masih memerlukan bantuan untuk masuk di kawasan parkir? Proton X50 juga hadir dengan kamera 360 darjah. Sejujurnya, ciri ini lebih berguna daripada Auto Park Assist. Tapi kedua-duanya tiada pada Perodua Ativa.

Ciri-ciri lain

Paparan Infotainment terapung bersaiz 9 inci pada Perodua Ativa tidaklah kelihatan begitu menarik berbanding Proton X50. Berdasarkan pandangan saya, ianya tidak hadir dengan kepadanan Apple CarPlay dan Android Auto. Tapi apa-apapun, kita nantikan pelancarannya kelak. Kalau ada Apple CarPlay dan Android Auto pada Ativa, memang cun lah! Kalau X50 tak perlu cakap lah. Paparan Infotainment bersaiz 10.25 inci mereka turut disokong dengan sistem kawalan suara ‘Hi Proton’ memang lebih superior berbanding Ativa buat masa ini.

Warna ditawarkan

Proton X50:

Perodua Ativa:

Kesimpulan

Kesimpulannya, kedua-dua model ini bukanlah rival yang sebenar. Ativa dan X50 ini boleh dianggap sebagai kereta yang sama liga tapi berlainan kelas. Namun kehadiran Perodua Ativa semestinya bakal menarik lebih ramai peminat SUV di negara ini. Ini secara tidak langsung bakal memberikan tamparan pada Proton X50. Sekiranya anda salah sorang daripada mereka, penting untuk anda membuat perbandingan yang lebih teliti. Lain orang, lain pendapat.

Perbandingan yang lebih tepat sukar untuk dibuat ekoran Perodua Ativa masih lagi belum dilancarkan sepenuhnya. Bahagian luaran penuh Perodua Ativa pun kita belum tengok lagi. Setakat ini Perodua hanya mengeluarkan teaser sahaja untuk kereta terbabit. Walaupun kita tahu badannya diambil daripada Daihatsu Rocky, namun pasti bakal ada sedikit perubahan seperti gril depan model tersebut.

Seeloknya, anda perlu pandu uji kedua-dua kereta ini terlebih dahulu. Meskipun ramalan saya mengatakan kawalan pemanduan dan prestasi Proton X50 tetap terbaik, tapi mungkin Perodua Ativa bakal mengejutkan saya. Sekiranya anda gemarkan rupa kereta yang lebih sporty dan dinamik, Proton X50 ternyata lebih menawan dengan saiz yang lebih besar. Dari segi keselamatan, Proton X50 dan Perodua Ativa kedua-duanya hadir dengan ADAS level 2 tapi disebabkan perbezaan pada tanda harga, sistem
ADAS
 yang diberikan oleh Proton X50 lebih baik berbanding Ativa. Tapi jika anda inginkan kenderaan dengan teknologi ADAS Level 2 yang lebih mampu milik, pilihlah Perodua Ativa.

Anda rasa bagaimana? Yang manakah lebih sesuai dengan citarasa anda?

For more latest car news, reviews, car buying guides and videos visit us at Carlist.my
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.

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Carlist.my.

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.


Tokyo 2017: Mazda Showcases Vision Coupe

When Mazda revealed the RX-VISION Concept a little under a year ago, it stirred the masses as it heralded a possible return of the rotary-powered sports car from Mazda. Unfortunately news of rotary engine development at Mazda has been a lot of maybe-but-not-really, and it's safe to say that until Mazda confirms the return of the RX line, we shouldn't hold our breaths.
But this new Vision Coupe concept is something incredibly exciting, because it isn't too far away from something that could be production ready in a couple of years. While it may not be immediately obvious from the rather narrow door seams, the Vision Coupe is a four-door coupe form- and more interesting is the fact that it's rear-wheel drive.
Mazda held a short design forum to showcase the Vision Coupe ahead of its global debut at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. While it was originally meant to be shown at the Tokyo National Museum as part of a fairly extensive exhibition, the typhoon and inclement weather forced Mazda to reschedule and shifted location to one of their more elegant showrooms in Tokyo.
We were given a short run-down of the design process behind the concept- a lot of talk of metal work and negative space- but we got an overall sense that the designers at Mazda had really poured their heart and soul into this concept. Inspiration came from nature, as much as it did from intricate copper pots and Japanese flower arrangements.
The concept was highly restricted, and we weren't allowed to open the doors to peer into the rather intricately designed interior. What is important to take away from this gorgeous concept is that it marks the evolution of the KODO design philosophy- meaning that whether or not you see the Vision Coupe making it to production, you will see many Mazda products adopting these design cues.
In many ways, it's similar to Kia's Stinger model in that the Vision Coupe would be an extremely premium model for Mazda should it get to a production-ready state. It would definitively be a Mazda model, but it would also sit apart from the regular range in many aspects- a true halo model that the brand desperately needs.


Apply for a FWD Takaful Protection Plan And Stand a Chance to Win a New Nissan X-Trail

FWD Takaful Berhad, previously known as HSBC Amanah Takaful (Malaysia) is offering Malaysians a chance to win a new Nissan X-Trail by applying for any one of its Takaful protection plans during its ‘Celebrate living with a Nissan X-Trail’ campaign running from 1 February 2020 to 31 May 2020.

Salim Majid Zain, Chief Executive Officer of FWD Takaful said, “At FWD Takaful, we want people to always celebrate living. As such, we’re excited to launch the “Celebrate Living with a Nissan X-Trail!” campaign with our partner Nissan, to empower more Malaysians to live their lives to the fullest and provide a rewarding experience for protecting their families.”

Other prizes up for grabs include iPhone 11s and JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speakers.

For more details on how to participate, follow the official social media pages @fwd.takaful (Facebook) and @fwdtakaful (Instagram) or visit fwd.com.my.

Alternatively, you can email contact.my@fwd.com or call 1300 13 7988.

Terms and conditions apply.


LRT Kelana Jaya Alami Gangguan Ketika Waktu Puncak – Kali Ketiga Dalam Bulan Ini

Perkhidmatan Transit Aliran Ringan (LRT) Laluan Kelana Jaya
 mengalami gangguan pada waktu puncak baru-baru ini menyebabkan ramai pengguna terkandas.

Kalau diikutkan, ini merupakan kali ketiga LRT Kelana Jaya mengalami gangguan pada bulan ini. Gangguan itu menyebabkan tren bergerak perlahan dan berhenti lebih lama di stesen sehingga menyebabkan pengguna yang terjejas berang dan kecewa.

LRT Kelana Jaya Alami Gangguan Ketika Waktu Puncak

Menerusi kenyataan
Rapid KL
 di media sosial, perkhidmatan tren Laluan Kelana Jaya telah mengalami kelewatan dan meminta pengguna mengikuti perkembangan dari semasa ke semasa.

Pada jam 5.59 petang hari kejadian, Rapid KL memaklumkan sebuah tren perkhidmatan itu mengalami masalah teknikal di stesen Ampang Park.

Pada sekitar jam 6.16 petang hari kejadian, Rapid KL memaklumkan perkhidmatan tren sedang diselaraskan selain menjanjikan jadual perjalanan akan kembali normal dalam masa terdekat. Dalam sekitar 15 minit berikutnya, Rapid KL memaklumkan perkhidmatannya kembali pulih.

"Kami mohon maaf atas kesulitan. Terima kasih atas kesabaran anda," ujar Rapid KL.

Memandangkan gangguan ini berlaku ketika
waktu puncak
 dan ini bukan kali pertama LRT Kelana Jaya mengalami gangguan, ramai pengguna LRT yang terkandas menzahirkan rasa tidak puas hati mereka terhadap isu yang berlaku melalui sosial media.

Pengguna turut berkongsi beberapa gambar dan video di beberapa stesen LRT yang sesak dengan orang ramai yang menunggu tren masing-masing antaranya di Stesen LRT KLCC, Abdullah Hukum dan Masjid Jamek.

Rosak Kali Ketiga Dalam Bulan Ini

Pada awal September lalu, LRT Kelana Jaya dilaporkan mengalami masalah teknikal di Stesen Universiti, mengakibatkan ramai penumpang terkandas dan terpaksa berjalan kaki keluar dari tren menuju ke platform.

Baru-baru ini, pengguna LRT laluan Kelana Jaya sekali lagi diduga dengan gangguan teknikal pada jam 9 malam sehingga memaksa perkhidmatan tren beroperasi menggunakan satu trek sahaja di antara Stesen Pasar Seni dan Abdullah Hukum.

Pada bulan Mei lalu, sudah ada 3 kali juga berlaku gangguan teknikal terhadap perkhidmatan tren tersebut seperti:

Insiden Brek Kecemasan Di Dalam LRT Kerana Masalah Teknikal – 2 Mei 2022

Tren ‘gagal’ beroperasi di stesen LRT Taman Jaya menuju ke arah Putra Heights – 10 Mei 2022

Tren rosak di KL Sentral, LRT Sesak – 20 Mei 2022

Gangguan akibat masalah bekalan kuasa punca – 24 Mei 2022

*Kredit foto: Berita Harian

Adakah rosak 3 kali dalam sebulan ini merupakan KPI baharu Rapid KL? Jika mahukan lebih ramai rakyat memanfaatkan pengangkutan awam, sistemnya perlulah mantap. Barulah orang ramai boleh pertimbangkan untuk guna pengangkutan awam untuk bergerak ke tempat kerja dan membantu mengurangkan kesesakan lalu lintas.


New BMW (G11/G12) 7 Series PHEV Variants Introduced – More Power, Better EV Range

Following the introduction of the
facelifted 7 Series
, BMW has now formally introduced the plug-in variants – namely the 745e, 745Le and 745Le xDrive – which boast better electric range and crucially more power.
Under the hood lies a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six that pumps out 286 bhp and 450 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm. The engine is aided by a synchronous electric motor integrated into the transmission which adds another 113 hp and 265 Nm of torque. The nett maximum output (when in Sport mode) is 394 hp and 600 Nm of torque.
Note too, that the
pre-facelift 7 Series
 PHEVs were powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The combined power output of the pre-facelift model stood at 322 hp and 500 Nm of torque.
The engine is mated to an eight-speed transmission which drives the rear wheels in the 745e and 745Le, or to all four wheels through a BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system in the 745Le xDrive.
The new BMW 745e accelerates in 5.2 seconds from zero to 100 km/h, while the new BMW 745Le takes 5.3 seconds. Meanwhile, the new BMW 745Le xDrive reaches the 100 km/h mark in 5.1 seconds. The top speed in all three variants is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
Much of the boost in power and range comes from the new 12.0 kWh high-voltage battery which resides under the rear seat. A full charge requires 4.4 hours using a 16 Amp/230 V power outlet.
In Hybrid mode, the new BMW 745e, BMW 745Le, and the BMW 745Le xDrive can travel at speeds of up to 110 km/h – 20 km/h faster than the pre-facelift model. In Electric mode – all three variants can reach speeds of 140 km/h; the 745e, 745Le, and 745Le XDrive are capable of covering up to 58 km, 55 km, and 54 km respectively in electric mode.
A new Battery Control mode – in addition to the Electric, Hybrid, Sport, and Adaptive modes – will reserve a pre-determined charge state of the battery which is predetermined by the driver. All information is beamed onto a newly designed instrument panel which is claimed to be easier to read thanks to a simplified layout and use of colour indicators to indicate various drivetrain information.
Visually, the 745s will optionally be offered with the Pure Excellence and the M Sports packages along with the full range of optional equipment items. The 745s progressively goes on sale starting Q2 of 2019, depending on the market.