Proton X70 to Come with N95 Cabin Filter as Standard

Those who dropped by Proton’s website a couple of days ago would have noticed a very interesting announcement saying that
the X70
will soon be coming with N95 Cabin Filter system.

Yes, you saw that right. This is in line with Geely Auto’s announcement back in February that all of its future vehicles will be equipped with the company’s G-Clean Intelligent Air Purification System (IAPS), a new system that is able to automatically filter out harmful particulates from the vehicles internal air environment.

Developed in just 20 days after the COVID-19 virus affected large areas of China back in February, the IAPS system uses an active carbon chemical filter that filters out hazardous pollutants, unpleasant odours and unhealthy gases. The system also comprises a negative ion generator that disinfects and purifies the air that is being circulated in the cabin.

Since March, Geely has already fitted the new IAPS system in 150 Geely Jiaji MPVs that were provided to frontliners who are battling the coronavirus epidemic across China.

Geely also announced back in February that it will be investing about 370 million RMB into the development of healthier vehicles. While the introduction of technology like the IASP is one of Geely’s short term solutions, the company said that its long term goal is to offer high level air quality protection at affordable prices.

In order to do so, Geely said that it will be partnering with leading medical agencies and material companies to develop clean materials for interior and exterior parts such as buttons and grab handles for instance, which may carry bacteria and viruses.

That being said, details are still limited on when exactly the Proton X70 will come equipped with the N95 filtration system, whether it will be available in both CBU and CKD variants, or if there will be a change in price once the feature is available. So watch this space for more updates on this.


Malaysia Was The First Country Outside Of Germany To Assemble An S-Class, 35 Years Ago

Thirty five years ago on this day 26-June in 1983, in the pre-Internet era, a telex message from Daimler-Benz’s headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany was sent to Cycle and Carriage Bintang’s head office in Kuala Lumpur saying, “Wunderbar Malaysia, congratulations from Germany.”
The occasion of the celebration? Malaysia had just become the first country outside of Germany to assemble Mercedes-Benz’s flagship S-Class. This was the legendary W126 generation model. The first Malaysia-assembled S-Class was not just any model, but a 3.8-litre V8 powered 380 SE. The V8 engine produced 204 hp at 5,250 rpm and 315 Nm at 3,250 rpm. It was impressive figures at a time when a Ferrari 308 GTB quattrovalvole made 237 hp and 260 Nm.
Apart from the 380 SE, the 280 SE (2.8-litre inline six-cylinder) was also assembled at the same plant.
To mark the momentous occasion, Cycle and Carriage Bintang (CCB) took out a full page advertorial on The New Straits Times. At the following pages, Ford Malaysia also took out another ad congratulating CCB. The reason behind that was because the plant that assembled the W126, the Associated Motor Industries Malaysia (AMIM) plant in Shah Alam, was also the same plant that assembled Ford vehicles.
Ford was unabashed in jumping in to share the limelight with Mercedes-Benz because it wanted to tell the public that the plant that was entrusted to make the best car in the world would certainly produce very highly quality Fords as well.
The assembly work done for the W126 was quite extensive as it involved welding and painting of body panels, so it was a full-scale local assembly work.
The first Malaysia-assembled W126 was sold to one Datuk Ong Kian Seng, owner of Leong Moh Sawmills in Kepong, who had already owned a fleet of Mercedes-Benz lorries and three Mercedes-Benz passenger cars.
Later, CCB moved its vehicle assembly operations out of AMIM, and split its range of locally-assembled models between its own plant in Petaling Jaya (which has since been torn down) and the Oriental Holdings’ plant in Tampoi, Johor.
By 2003, CCB’s role as distributor and franchise holder for Mercedes-Benz vehicles had been taken over by the newly formed DaimlerChrysler Malaysia (later known as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia) and since 2004, the company’s local-assembly operations have been carried out at the DRB-Hicom plant in Pekan, Pahang. It now makes not just the S-Class, but also 43-series AMG models like the Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan.
The AMIM plant has since been shut down. The facility still exists, but it is left idle and the unoccupied property is now owned by Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad. Ford no longer makes any cars in Malaysia.
Today, the W126 is a highly coveted modern classic. Some say it is the best car Mercedes-Benz has ever made, and that no S-Class model ever since have been able to match the W126’s supreme levels of reliability and comfort. Even after more than 30 years, many of these cars continue to run reliably, and parts are easy to source. They aren’t too expensive to buy too as well maintained examples can be had for around RM15,000 but expect to pay twice as much for concourse-level examples. Our friend Chris Wee from piston.my is a proud owner of a 280 SE.


5 Reasons The ORA GOOD CAT Was Our 2022 Most Anticipated EV

Now that we’ve experienced the ORA GOOD CAT a number of times, impressing us enough to clinch Carlist’s Most Anticipated EV of the Year award, what has left the strongest impression? Join us as we unpack our 5 favourite things about this 5-door dynamo.

The ORA GOOD CAT needs little introduction as even many months prior to its official Malaysian debut, it was making headlines as a highly awaited newcomer into the country’s fledgling EV scene.

Back then, the potential for Great Wall Motor (GWM) to offer our market some much needed zest was quite apparent with its stylish exterior, equally charismatic cabin, and a laundry list of the latest equipment and specifications we could have asked for.

Fast forward to its launch date in late November 2022, it officially premiered with a groundbreaking start price of just RM139,800 - making it the most attainable fully electric car on sale in Malaysia. Better yet, it offered buyers a range of up to 500km on a single charge, putting to rest the most prevalent qualm about EV adoption.

Thanks to an initial media preview drive and more than ample alone time with the GOOD CAT, it was clear the car was set to get the public excited. On paper, it lived up to the hype, and behind the wheel it exceeded expectations. Let us tell you why:

#1 - Futuristic Looks Strikes A Great Balance

There are probably dozens of adjectives to describe the way this car looks, but for us it boils down to the fact that so many people react positively wherever we drove it. It gets stares, smiles, even a fair few gaping jaws and extended necks trying to catch a longer glimpse.

It’s got that mix of curves and lines that make it appealing to a lot of people, ourselves included. Look a little closer and you begin to appreciate the two-tone body finish, subtly integrated daytime running lights, unique rear light signature, and surprisingly sporty angles, even the 18-wheels are reminiscent of classic 911s - fun fact, the GOOD CAT was penned by former Porsche designer Emmanuel Derta.

#2 - It’s Shockingly Fun To Drive

We had the pleasure of piloting the ORA GOOD CAT in 500 Ultra guise, which meant it housed a 63kWh battery within its chassis. The upside of this very low centre of gravity is how planted it felt whenever we turned a corner. Aided by direct steering and its relatively compact dimensions, the car felt playful but never out of step.

There is no waiting involved in driving the ORA GOOD CAT either as the instant response from its 134PS/210Nm electric motor made every input immediately realised. Keeping up with traffic was never a problem, but made the other cars around town seem sluggish by contrast.

#3 - Interior Full Of Character

Despite it looking like it boasts only modest dimensions, the ORA GOOD CAT is exceptionally spacious. Step inside and you’re greeted by a two-tone cabin that’s matched to the exterior colour combo, giving it a charm and visual consistency missing from so many cars on the market today.

The materials feel premium and of a high quality build, but aren’t distracting or overdone. Topping off the literal airiness is a panoramic glass roof that bathes the interior with natural light or, at the push of a button, creates a calm and cosy space with the shade cover extended.

It’s a meaningful step up in terms of luxury and creature comforts that puts many other cars in this price category to shame, not to mention its credentials as a stylish zero emissions package.

#4 - Tech For Days

Everyone loves as many gadgets and gizmos as they can get their hands on these days but the ORA GOOD CAT does a clever job of putting all the technical bits out of sight so you’re left to enjoy the car and the journeys it takes you on at leisure.

However, it’s not hard to spot the combined wide-panel of a 10.25-inch infotainment display and 7-inch digital instrument cluster to remind you how future-facing this car is. Everything is easily accessible by touch panel or steering wheel controls while keeping overall button clutter at a minimum.

The ORA GOOD CAT doesn’t skip a beat with a lively 6-speaker stereo system, Qi wireless charger and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity. Safety kit is also comprehensive across the range with a 360-degree surround camera and intelligent active safety system that includes Autonomous Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

#5 - The EV Of Today For A Better Tomorrow

The bottom line that separates the ORA GOOD CAT from its peers is the sheer combination of appealing elements - its eye-catching aesthetic, high equipment levels, spirited dynamics, spacious and plush cabin, 500km endurance on a single charge, its 8-year/180,000km battery warranty - yet they are all underscored by an unbeatable value proposition.

As the most attainable fully electric car on sale in Malaysia, the ORA GOOD CAT stands the best chance yet at getting the average buyer to take long hard look at making the switch away from internal combustion, making this car the most impactful factor yet at moving the needle on widespread EV adoption, which will in turn spur even more innovation and progress toward a cleaner and greener future.

Perhaps more than any of its industry peers, the ORA GOOD CAT poses the most convincing case so far to fit into the lives, budgets and needs of more Malaysians than has ever been seen for an EV. That gets us excited.

Like we’ve said before, we couldn’t wait for this one.

Our Most Anticipated EV of 2022

 Those are just some of the reasons why we’ve become fond of the ORA GOOD CAT and why it

 was declared our Most Anticipated EV for 2022, even winning an award by Carlist.my as

 testament to that.

Of course, our words can only do so much as the best way to experience the car is to do so in person for yourself. You can find out more about the ORA GOOD CAT, find the nearest authorised dealer, and book a test drive directly from Great Wall Motor Malaysia at
www.gwm.com.my
.


The Porsche 911 GT3 Is Getting A Bigger Brother

What's better than the already awesome
2022 Porsche 911 GT3
? A Porsche 911 GT3 RS. And yes, it's going to be launched soon.

Getting ready for its official global launch on 17 August 2022, the new top-of-the-line Porsche 911 is going to be quite a show. Developed and inspired by the
911 RSR
 and
911 GT3 R GT race cars
, the new 911 GT3 RS is most likely going to be
extraordinary
.

500PS of six-cylinder goodness

According to Andreas Preuninger, Director GT Model Line, "The new 911 GT3 RS is even more optimised for track use than its predecessors. The spontaneously responsive, high-revving four-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine with approximately 500 PS has proven ideal for use at trackdays and club sport events."

"That's why we focused primarily on aerodynamics and chassis questions in the development of the new 911 GT3 RS," added Preuninger.

The current-gen Porsche 911 GT3 is able to hit 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds before punching to its top speed of 320km/h. The six-cylinder banger in this one is already a masterpiece, and we're guessing that the RS will turn things up all the way to 11.

Priced from RM1.7 million (excluding options and taxes) when it was launched back in November last year (that was with the tax exemption), you can opt to have either a seven-speed PDK or six-speed manual. Either way, you're a winner with this one. The RS? Champion, bro.


SPOTTED: Rare Ferrari Rolls Into Malaysia, Can You Tell What It Is?

We got these images sent in to us by former Carlist.my writer now turned businessman, Lingkesh, of a very rare
Ferrari
 supercar on a trailer near Subang Jaya.
Can you tell what it is yet? Do take a closer look before the next paragraph where we reveal what it is.
Got it? That’s right: it’s one of the very few Ferrari
458
 Speciale ‘Aperta’ models, limited to just 499 examples ever produced by the Italian supercar maker.
The additional ‘Aperta’ in the name translates from Italian to English to mean “open,” which refers to the car’s convertible top nature. The car is also often referred to as the 458 Speciale ‘A.’
It’s hard to see the all-important open top from these angles, but the tell-tale signs are clear. Apart from trusting our man’s knowledge of cars and his word of this being the Aperta, the easiest item that identifies the car is its wheels: as seen above, the stock Speciale Aperta’s wheels are a five-spoke twin-blade type, unlike the regular Speciale which has its blades much closer together.
Secondly, take a look at the badging just next to the rear right taillight: only the Aperta has such a badge. And, of course, the dual-exhaust system reserved just for the Speciale models, unlike the regular 458’s tri-exhaust arrangement.
Powering this monster of a drop-top is a naturally-aspirated 4.5-litre V8 beast, pushing out an identical 597hp and 540Nm of torque to the coupe Speciale. 0-100km/h is done in 3.0 seconds with the wind in your face, and laps the Fiorano race track (Ferrari’s proving grounds) in the same time as its coupe sibling.
The aluminium hard top? Well, that takes just 14 seconds to close or open.
To whomever this Ferrari is headed to, well done. And please, you know where to find us should you need someone to run in that V8. No charge.
And, if you want to be like Mr Ferrari 458 owner here, you know where to start looking:
Listings for Ferrari 458s in Malaysia
Listings for Ferraris in Malaysia
Ferraris from as low as RM200k?
Here’s more on the 458 Speciale Aperta:


iCarData: The Best Time To Buy/Sell - Honda City V i-VTEC (2017)

One of the most popular cars on our market, either new or pre-owned, is the
Honda City
 - it represents the mass-market entry-level sedan in the B-segment, and has long been a staple for many consumers over the last two decades. The product has evolved somewhat in its design and positioning, growing more technologically complex and refined - more so perhaps than its contemporary rivals.

Over the years, there have been various different additions and subtractions from the variant line-up of the Honda City. There have been times when hybrid models were offered in different methods of operation, and also special edition models that have shown up from time to time. One of the most enduring model variants has been the V, which represents the “best” of what the Honda City has to offer, short of the RS model that now sits as the jewel of the range.

Hence the specific variant of the
Honda City
 that we’re looking at today is the V spec model, and in particular one that would have been purchased back in 2017. Things may be a little tricky here as 2017 was a facelift launch year for the
fourth-generation model
, and residual value may change depending on whether you have a pre- or post-facelift unit. The official price at launch was RM92,000, on-the-road without insurance.

Here’s the breakdown:

Vehicle variant: Honda City V i-VTEC 2017

The
Honda City V i-VTEC
 was one of the most popular non-national vehicles sold of its time, based on the fact that it had strong residual value and came with competitive specifications as the range-topper. For this comparison, the depreciation is calculated based on the list price of RM92,000, with first-year advertised pricing being the first year of depreciation.

2017 Honda City V i-VTEC (RM 92,000)

Year

Car Age

(Years)

Avg Advertised

Price (RM)

Retained Value

Percentage

Depreciation

Percentage

Cumulative

Depreciation Sum (RM)

2017

Launch

Year

72,747.38

79%

21%

19,252.63

2018

1

71,170.11

77%

23%

20,829.89

2019

2

65,699.73

71%

29%

26,300.27

2020

3

61,581.24

67%

33%

30,418.76

2021

4

61,796.08

67%

33%

30,203.92

2022

5

63,402.09

69%

31%

28,597.91

As often is the case with buying pre-owned cars, you can avoid big hits in depreciation with the trade-off being that you don’t get that brand-new car smell. That being said, you can be even more clever with the age of the car you choose as depreciation doesn’t tend to be as linear as you’d expect.

In the graph below, you can see that there is a relatively large hit in the first year of ownership as represented by a 21% depreciation, or RM19,000, and change - characteristic of all new-car sales as the moment you drive it off the showroom floor it plummets in value.

From there, however, you can see that the depreciation is somewhat stabilized as an affirmation of the incredible residual value of the Honda City, let alone the V variant. In the first five years of ownership, the value drops by just under 33%, which may sound rough but in real ringgit terms it comes to RM30,203.92 in depreciation - or RM16 a day over five years.

It is after the five-year mark where we see an interesting bit of data - the residual value for the Honda City V actually bounces back up slightly by RM2,700 or so. This has been influenced by a few factors, namely a really hefty slowdown in new car production as well as long waiting times for new car deliveries. The used-car market has seen a huge improvement in residual values across the board as a result.

With that in mind, if you purchase a four- or five-year-old Honda City V and sell it now, you could even recover your initial purchase cost and then some - maybe even enough to cover the cost of initial maintenance and repairs. That being said, we cannot expect this upwards trend in pricing to continue as the Honda City V doesn’t have the kind of strong intrinsic value that classic cars have leading to their appreciation.

Even without the long waiting times and slow new car production, you would expect the depreciation of the Honda City V to level out after the fifth or sixth year, especially as they are known to be reliable and long-lasting products with relatively low cost of ownership and maintenance. Cars like these tend to be evergreen in that sense, providing reliable transportation to fresh graduates and retirees alike, and being fuss-free in nature and design.

For some great deals on a used Honda City V i-VTEC with a
1 year warranty
& no hidden fees, check out
Carsome
. If you're not happy with your purchase, bring your car back within 5 days to get a full refund. More info
here
.

If you're looking to sell your car, we have a solution for you too. Trade-in your car with
carsome.my
 and get up to an RM1,500 discount voucher for your next upgrade


Review: All-New Hyundai Santa Fe – Revolutionary Design And Driving Experience

The Hyundai Santa Fe was one of the earliest large SUV that entered the market. As the product was designed around the SUV boom-period in North America, the Santa Fe had its size as its advantage.
Designed as a seven-seater since the second generation in 2006, the Santa Fe has now evolved to become one of the company’s most important product, landing itself as Hyundai’s second best seller in the USA market last year with over 133,000 units.
Closer to home, the Hyundai Santa Fe has earned many fans. The SUV offered more space compared to the well-known Japanese competitors, as well as a turbocharged diesel mill that offered plenty of performance.
With the arrival of newer Japanese SUVs that now stretched longer to include a third-row seating, Hyundai revolutionized the Santa Fe in both design and driving experience to stay ahead of the crowded SUV landscape.
Prior to the official launch of the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe in Malaysia, Hyundai Motor Co. together with Malaysian Hyundai Sime Darby-Motors (HSDM) arranged a regional media test drive around Subic Bay, the Philippines.
As such, the specifications and features will differ from the Malaysian units offered by HSDM.
Specifications of the Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4 GDI 2WD
Engine: 2.4-litre, in-line 4-cylinder, direct injection, petrol
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drive: Front-wheel drive
Max Power: 188 PS @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque: 241 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Specifications of the Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDI AWD
Engine: 2.2-litre, in-line 4-cylinder, turbocharged, diesel
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drive: HTRAC Variable torque-split all-wheel drive
Max Power: 200 PS @ 3,800 rpm
Max Torque: 441 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,750 rpm
Overview
The fourth generation Santa-Fe, codenamed TM, has grown in all dimensions except height. Gaining 70 mm in length, with much of the addition could be seen in the longer wheelbase (+65 mm). This has certainly improved access to the third row as well as better comfort for all occupants.
Compared to other 3-row SUV models, the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe has close similarities to its Korean cousin, the Sorento, in both dimensions as well as powertrain configurations.
The all-new Santa is comfortably larger than the rivals from Nissan, Mitsubishi, Peugeot and even Toyota. The Fortuner with its ladder-frame based chassis translates to its taller height (and ground clearance).
Thanks a larger footprint, the Hyundai is also more spacious for all occupants, which we will elaborate further in the section below.
Exterior
Hyundai is certainly making its mark with their new design language. The tall cascading grille and split-head lamp arrangement design is Hyundai’s new identity for its SUV line-up. There are plenty of details to absorb at the front.
The DRLs are positioned at the extreme edges of the bonnet, making the all-new Santa Fe immediately recognizable. LED head lamps with dynamic bending function in the middle cluster of lamps don’t look out of place, in fact, the designers have handsomely created a characteristic and unique look.
A longer roof plus larger rear quarter windows provide more light to occupants in the third row, plus creating the distinctive top half styling of the SUV.
The LED tail lamps also display impressive graphics that looks premium and not seen in other brands.
Other key features include 19-inch wheels, a power-operated tailgate, and a large panoramic moonroof.
Apart from identification emblems, different designs of exhaust tips are tell-tale signs to the engine type: the petrol variant has a single, rectangular design while the diesel variant has a double-outlet design.
Interior
The interior takes a more traditional approach to design but injected with a high sense of quality. The double-wave dashboard features plenty of soft-touch vinyl-covering, with switches all well laid-out. The design at both ends flows seamlessly onto the door panels, creating a feeling of encirclement.
An organic-diamond pattern can be found on the dashboard tray and door panels. In the latter, they also double-up as audio speaker grille/covers.
Hyundai also paid special attention to the pillar-covers; they aren’t your ordinary textured finish in light grey. Hyundai has applied a nice ‘polished-stone’ finish, further creating the crafted-quality feel in the interior.
The driver receives driving information from the digital TFT instrument panel measuring seven inches in size. The display theme changes according to the selected drive modes, which consists of Sport, Eco, and Smart/Normal modes.
Hyundai has improved access to the usable third row by including clever designs to the interior trim as well as seat mechanism. Recessed grip ‘handles’ are integrated into the rear side trim panels, providing the occupant with additional support going into or getting out of the third row.
The second-row seat meanwhile features a one-touch switch that will tilt the backrest and slide the bench forward. Apart from the traditional placement on the top of the backrest, one more switch is placed on the seat bench for better access.
This tilt-and-slide mechanism is common among SUVs with third-row seating, however, Toyota outscores the rivals thanks to its one-touch tumble mechanism, which allows for unobstructed passage for occupants to access the third-row seating.
Passengers at the third row also have access to an air conditioning system. Space here is certainly better than the Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander. The headroom certainly felt class-leading thanks to the extension of the roof. Legroom is better than average too for yours truly who is at an average height of 5’ 6”.
Driving Experience
The roads around the Subic Bay offers a great example of how the targeted consumers will be using their Santa Fe. Smooth highways, twisty back roads, as well ascending and descending on paved roads of below average quality provides plenty of information on how the Santa Fe has evolved.
We started the first leg of the journey the petrol variant with a rather familiar powertrain driving the front wheels through a six-speed conventional automatic transmission.
The petrol engine with over 180 horsepower felt about right while overtaking large lorries and buses on the highway. The transmission drops to a lower gear (or two) smoothly and the engine delivers power predictably. Nothing outstanding, just like any modern sub-190-horsepower four cylinder engine that is smooth and linear in power delivery.
Engine and tyre noise meanwhile are very well insulated at highway speeds, and the cabin atmosphere itself felt really serene. Wind noise was non-existent too.
An outstanding feature in the new Santa Fe is the Rear View Monitor which also operates at highway speed. Yes, the driver can simply turn on the rear view camera at highway speed for much better visibility of the rear, reducing blind spots while changing lanes or making an exit off the highway.
On the handling department, the new Santa Fe maintains a really good ride comfort characteristics, keeping the body roll in check, yet soaking the plentiful of potholes on a poorly paved road ascending to the hill-top memorial.
The speed of the steering wheel ratio matched the suspension really well, to the point that the 7-seater felt sporty negotiating the series of hairpins both ways to our first driver change point.
On our return leg, we swapped our petrol variant to the highlight of the all-new Santa Fe- the 2.2-litre CRDI turbo diesel paired with an 8-speed automatic and HTRAC all-wheel drive.
It was raining quite heavily when we moved from our lunch venue to the next driver change location. The above-mentioned powertrain variant (diesel with AWD) was such a surprise to drive in these challenging conditions on the twisty back roads. Maximum torque of 441 Nm arrives under 1,800 rpm and the variable torque-splitting all-wheel drive system delivered the traction brilliantly.
The chassis and powertrain were clearly set up to provide the driver with plenty of confidence. Electronic stability control only intervened at the most excessive input to throttle and steering angle.
On the return drive back to the starting point, the added insulation meant the diesel mill sounded more muted than the outgoing model.
Conclusion
The Hyundai Santa Fe’s triumph card has always been its size that is bigger than the Japanese rivals. Experience behind the wheel has also been elevated to a more ‘European’ flavour since the previous generation.
We hope the local distributor will equip the Malaysian-bound Santa Fe with equally high features as seen in these Filipino demo-units. During the preview at KLIMS 2018, we notice many niceties were missing (panoramic moonroof, rear door sunshades, surround view camera, head-up display etc.)
Update:
The all-new Hyundai Santa Fe has been
launched in Malaysia
 with an introductory price of RM169.888.
The great experience behind the wheel and high comfort levels in the second and third-row seats are a tall order to substantiate the estimated pricing, given that it will be priced the highest compared to its competitors, but not significantly higher in equipment levels.


VIDEO: Watch 51-Year Old Rally Legend Tommi Mäkinen Go Flat Out In Toyota 86 Rally Car

The man you’re looking at here is Tommi Mäkinen and if you are a fan of the rallying, you’ll know just what a legend he is, and if you don’t, you just might end up being a fan.
The Finnish rally driver has retired since the end of the 2003 season and recently turned 51 years of age last month. However, don’t for a second think that he has lost his edge as you can see in this video.
See,
Toyota
 is gunning for a return to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2017 under the Toyota GAZOO Racing banner and Mäkinen is the man in charge of doing just that as its team principal.
From the way he’s putting this
Toyota 86
 rally car through its paces around a rally course, we might think that he was the team’s driver as well. With 24 WRC rallies and four drivers’ titles under his belt across an 18-year career, it looks like his skills aren’t diminished by time either as he effortlessly guides the 86 on the gravel roads in Finland.
Mäkinen will be in charge of preparing a WRC-spec
Toyota Yaris
 for its debut come 2017. We’re pretty sure Akio Toyoda, Toyota President, who is serving as team chairman for GAZOO Racing, is absolutely convinced of the Swede’s knowledge and skill as you can see from this photo of them together in a race car.


Falling Ringgit: Slight Increase In Prices Of Toyota And Lexus Models In 2016

As expected, more and more car companies are making adjustments to the prices of their models as a direct result of the falling Ringgit, which has since lost almost 20 percent of its value year-to-date. UMW Toyota has just announced today it will be increasing the prices of its cars by 4 to 16 percent across the range, effective January 2016.
Datuk Ismet Suki, President of UMW Toyota Motor stressed that the increase is still not sufficient to cover the losses due to forex.
“We have tried our level best to keep the price increase as minimal as possible although with the increase of our vehicle price, we could only recover partially, not 100% from the impact we have been absorbing. If the Ringgit continues to slide in the near future, we may need to review our pricing structure again,” he said.
He also explained that the unpopular move is inevitable as the company has been absorbing the additional cost over the past months
“Year-to-date, the Ringgit has depreciated by almost 20% to the US dollar, thus increasing cost of operations for UMW Toyota. The company has weighed all possible options, but has no choice but to pass on some cost to the consumers to offset rising input costs due to the strengthening of the US dollar against the Malaysian currency,” UMW Toyota said in a statement to the press released today.
Datuk Ismet Suki, President of UMW Toyota Motor said “Since the beginning of this year, the fluctuation of the Ringgit has impacted our business as some of our parts and components are imported, resulting in an increase in overall cost of production. We have implemented cost-efficiency measures and reviewed our operations across the supply chain to mitigate the weaker Ringgit.”
“The company would have implemented necessary measures to minimise forex losses impact and address the fluctuation of Ringgit if it dropped gradually. Unfortunately, the sudden and huge fluctuation of Ringgit within a short period, has given great impact to our operations. Hence, the company will have to increase the prices of Toyota and Lexus vehicles effective January 2016. The increase is inevitable as there is no clear indication on when the Ringgit will rebound,” he explains.
The company has yet to announce the new prices for Toyota and Lexus models for 2016 but said they will be made available in due course. The new prices will take effect from January 2016 onwards.
The move comes after
Hyundai Malaysia quietly raised the prices
 of three of its models.
BMW Group Malaysia has also warned
 that price hikes in 2016 is likely if the Ringgit doesn't recover.
Related links:
Falling Ringgit: Three More Brands Expected To Raise Prices Soon
Falling Ringgit: Hyundai Raised Prices Of Santa Fe, Elantra and Veloster
BMW Group Malaysia: Price Hike Possible If Ringgit Continues To Weaken
Ringgit Hits RM4.33 To The Dollar, Lowest In 17 Years - Hike In Car Prices Imminent?
Will Car Prices Increase Following The Sharp Devaluation Of Our Ringgit?


Polestar Opens First Production Centre in China

Polestar, previously the performance sub-brand of Volvo, has announced the confirmation of its World Manufacturing Identifier (WMI) code which now cements the brand as a standalone car company. The WMI refers to the first three characters of a car's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) number which uniquely identifies the manufacturer and origin of the vehicle.
The news also coincides with the scheduled opening of the Polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, China which starts production of the company’s first model, the
Polestar 1
.
The 600 bhp, 1000 Nm hybrid sports car will be the most premium new energy vehicle to be manufactured in China, the world’s largest EV market.
The facility’s location in Chengdu – the heart of China’s most technologically advanced and environment-friendly manufacturing base – is also integral to Polestar’s brand values of "pure, progressive, and performance"
The Chengdu production centre is designed by renowned design company, Snøhetta, and incorporates a customer experience centre, test track, and a glazed atrium offering a panoramic view over the factory floor.
The Polestar Production Centre is claimed to be one of the most environmentally responsible car factories in China. In keeping with these ambitions, the facility was conceived with the goal of achieving Gold status in the globally-recognised LEED ratings (prescribes a holistic approach to sustainable facility design), which is expected to be conferred later this year.
Five hundred Polestar 1 cars are planned to be built per year in the new Chengdu facility, with a total of 1,500 planned over a three-year production cycle. Construction of Polestar 1 in Chengdu will be followed by the production of
Polestar 2
 in Luqiao, China, in early 2020. Reservations for Polestar 1 and 2 can be made at the Polestar website.


Spyshots: All-New D20N Perodua Myvi Leaked, Expected To Unveil at MAI Autoshow

By now there's a lot of news surrounding the up-and-coming D20N Perodua Myvi, which is expected to being unveiled at the upcoming MAI Autoshow from the 9th to 12th of November. What we have here is a spy shot of the Myvi in question, which has been circulating on social media for a bit.
You can already see design cues that match that of the Perodua Bezza and Axia, indicating it is in fact an all-new product- but what it will look like in its entirety remains to be seen. This is an incredibly important product for the Malaysian market, building on the already great reputation the Myvi has as an everyday car for the every-man.
As we explained in an earlier article, production for the D20N Perodua Myvi was expected to start last month, ahead of the official launch. It will sit on the same platform as the Daihatsu Boon (pictured above), but with localized elements and features to suit local tastes.


BMW Malaysia Launches The i4 M50 - RM431k

As we mentioned earlier, BMW Malaysia is celebrating BMW M's 50th anniversary, and as part of the celebration, they have launched five new M cars, including the hotly anticipated first-ever fully electric M car, the i4 M50.

2022 BMW i4 M50 launched in Malaysia

The BMW i4 M50 is the first M-badged electric vehicle to come out of Munich. According to BMW, it sets the foundation for the future of sporty BMW EVs – one that is both sustainable and responsible without disregarding the emotional driving experience that many have come to love in a BMW M.

Exterior and Interior of the 2022 i4 M50

In conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of BMW M, the i4 M50 will arrive with the BMW M 50 Years emblem as standard. The car's sporty character can be seen through the standard equipment, including the M Aerodynamics package, M rear spoiler in body colour, and black rear diffuser insert.

On the inside, the BMW i4 M50 is furnished with M interior trim with Carbon Fibre trim finishing, M Anthracite Headliner, and features as such M Sport seats at the front, M seat belts, instrument panel in Sensatec, and electrical glass roof. The BMW IconicSounds Electric also provides for a particularly emotive experience by recreating the sporty “M” engine sound.

Performance and range of the 2022 i4 M50

The i4 M50 is equipped with two BMW M eDrive motors – one for each axle. This configuration allows for a dynamic all-wheel drive experience, with an impressive output of 400 kW (544 hp) and maximum torque of 795 Nm in Sport Boost mode. A century sprint in the EV can be achieved in just 3.9 seconds, while top speed is capped at 225 km/h.

With an energy consumption of 24 – 19 kWh/100 km, the electric range is measured at 510 kilometres (based on the WLTP cycle). The first ever EV M Car is also compatible with both AC and DC charging. It can be fully charged in just 8 hours and 15 minutes with an 11kW AC charger or juiced up from 10% to 80% in just 31 minutes with a 200kW DC charger.

Safety wise, the EV comes with advanced safety systems, including acoustic protection for pedestrians, active protection for pedestrians (drivers are warned when pedestrians are detected), driving assistant professional, parking assistant plus and active protection.

The BMW i4 M50 will be available in Mineral White, Black Sapphire, M Brooklyn Grey, M Portimao Blue and Sanremo Green. In addition, interior upholstery is available in Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue Contrast Stitching and Leather Vernasca in Cognac.

Price and Pre-Booking 2022 i4 M50

BMW i4 M50 Pricing with Monthly Instalment Plan through BMW Straight Line Financing

Model

Monthly Instalment Plan*

Recommended Retail Pricing**

BMW i4 M50

From RM4,928

RM430,800.00

*Based on estimates of an 80% loan on a seven-year tenure

**With BMW Service & Repair Inclusive and SST (on the road, without insurance)

The i4 M50 is now available for pre-booking on the BMW Shop Online platform via
shop.bmw.com.my
 at a fee of RM 5,000.

Owners of the cars will receive the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which includes:

BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme

BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline

The BMW Group Loyalty + Mobile App - BMW Privileges Card

BMW Service Online

Owners of the BMW i4 M50 can also enjoy a battery warranty of up to 8 years or 160,000km, whichever comes first.


Surprise! Here’s The Proton X50 - It’s As Real As It Gets.

And boom goes the dynamite. With the dust settled, here’s the Proton X50 in all its glory!

Probably the worst kept new car secret in the Malaysian automotive scene and one that was heavily rumoured to enter our market pretty much as soon as the X70 was introduced.

With a launch earmarked soon, Proton has thankfully taken to social media to silence the swell of chatter around their new compact crossover following
some teasers
 and semi-hidden cameo appearances. There was also a
key fob that leaked
, in case you missed it.

This is actually the first time that Proton has even confirmed its existence in any official capacity. Prior to this, it was merely assumed that the model would be called the X50. There was also an online contingent that appeared to be convinced that it would be called the SX11, matching the internal designation given by Geely to the Binyue (also called Coolray in some markets) upon which the X50 is based. Hah. Wrong.

Before we start dissecting these images, it’s important to first set some expectations. Proton has not revealed the majority of details on the X50 apart from how it looks. For now, we get these 2 photos (the only official ones, we checked) of the exterior and one wide shot of the cabin facing the dashboard and windscreen, but that’s as far as it goes.

Starting with the body, we see very little changed between its Geely-badged B-segment counterpart. The X50 sits on Geely’s BMA platform, aptly standing for B-segment Modular Architecture. In fact, the only obvious alterations are concentrated at the front, which has seen a swapping out for Proton’s Infinite Weave grille and newest logo design.

Everything else, literally, from the two tone scheme to the wheels, look to be taken wholesale from the Binyue/Coolray. Specifically, the Binyue Sport variant. This theme of Geely-Proton uniformity carries over into the X50’s interior where we have a rather tastefully presented red on black combination with satin-finished silver accents. Hopefully, it's one of several colour combos.

We’ve no doubt that this mix of materials is reserved for higher-end variants, though we are curious whether that snazzy freestanding infotainment display will be standard across the range. We also spy rear air conditioning vents, rear USB charging points, and an electronic parking brake (as is the norm).

The steering wheel is also identical to that of the Binyue and many will already recognise that petite gear selector, denoting the X50’s 7-speed dual-clutch shared with
the 2020 X70
, driving the front wheels. You can read
some of our impressions
 of the new transmission and how it compares to the 6-speed torque converter automatic it replaced,
here
.

However unconfirmed, it’s almost certain that a 1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine will be making its Malaysian debut with the X50. If its tune is also unchanged from other markets, we can expect around 177hp and 255Nm, which is pretty strong for a B-segment SUV and easily deflates the 2020 Honda City’s biggest bragging point. Can’t wait to test the claimed 7.9 second 0-100km/h sprint time too.

We also expect the X50 to inherit the majority (if not all) of the passive and safety features offered in the X70. Highlights to look forward to in the range-topping variant include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring. However, it’s a toss up as to whether the 360-degree camera and Adaptive Cruise Control makes the cut or is reserved for the larger SUV.

Proton, if you’re listening, we’d love it if you also throw in the ventilated seats from the X70 as well. Thanks, you’re the best!

Of course, we’ll have more on the X50 as the news comes in. My guess would be that you won’t have to wait for long until something else drops - our OG national automaker has gotten pretty savvy with keeping us on the hook for more.


AutoGen PLUS Extended Warranty Program Launched - From RM298

eAutoGen Capital has unveiled its latest product called the AutoGen PLUS
extended warranty program
.

In partnership with the Federation of Motor & Credit Companies Associations of Malaysia (FMCCAM), the AutoGen PLUS extended warranty program offers an extra cushion for
aged and used cars
 when it comes to breakdowns and repairs pertaining to the engine and transmission.

Low coverage rates from RM298 per annum

The AutoGen PLUS extended warranty program starts at a very affordable rate of RM298 per annum for national and Japanese cars up to 10 years old or within the 200,000km range. For Chinese and Korean car brands, it's RM528, followed by RM1,088 for Continentals, and RM1,688 for luxury Continentals.

Each successful payment covers a timeframe of 12 months or 30,000km from the activation date. These figures are indeed reasonable considering the fact that if something happens to your car's engine or transmission, AutoGen PLUS will offer a yearly repair limit from RM7,500 to RM20,000.

Access to over 200 panel workshops nationwide

Both current and future car owners (especially those who are looking for one in the used car market) may opt for this extended coverage for better ease of mind if you ever find yourselves with a potentially huge repair bill for your vehicle's engine and/or transmission.

Over 200 panel workshops are available under the AutoGen PLUS program which also offers periodic maintenance as well as repair works. To be eligible for this extended warranty program, the cars must undergo a short diagnostic test and inspection by appointed inspectors.

This is to help add more peace of mind for buyers and even used car dealers as it offers yet another level of protection from any unnecessary risks or pre-existing issues related to the vehicle in question.

FMCCAM to offer better transparency in the used car market

FMCCAM will also play a vital role in ensuring that the used car market within Malaysia is not only viable but also offer greater levels of confidence for interested buyers. With its extensive network of over 4,000 car dealers across the country, it will work closely with eAutoGen Capital to offer better and trusted deals when it comes to used cars.

More plans are in the pipeline as eAutoGen also inked a strategic collaboration agreement with a number of high-profile companies related to the aged and used car businesses here in Malaysia. These companies are none other than Berjaya Sompo Insurance, Maybank, PG Mall, Revenue Harvest, and,
CARSOME
.


Feri hubungkan 15,000 Penduduk Sesak Sempena Raya – Jambatan Sedang Dibina

Sambutan Hari Raya Aidilfitri baru-baru ini menyaksikan perkhidmatan feri menyeberangi Sungai Kelantan yang menghubungkan bandar Kuala Krai dengan empat buah kampung sesak dengan kepulangan anak perantau.

Perkhidmatan feri menyeberangi Sungai Kelantan itu menghubungkan bandar Kuala Krai dengan empat buah kampung iaitu:

Kampung Pasir Kelang Baru

Pasir Kelang Lama

Buyung

Kampung Ladang Taku

Kenapa Kena Naik Feri?

Feri di Pengkalan feri Pasir Kelang menjadi nadi utama kepada sekitar 15,000 penduduk kerana ia satu-satunya pengangkutan yang menuju ke empat buah kampung yang disebutkan.

Feri menjadi pilihan utama memandangkan jalan darat melalui laluan berbukit mengambil masa lebih dua jam berbanding menggunakan feri hanya antara lima hingga 10 minit.

Feri milik Koperasi Kampung Pasir Kelang Berhad terpaksa bekerja keras untuk menampung permintaan pelanggan yang meningkat sempena sambutan Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2022.

Selepas dua tahun, jeti pangkalan feri di Kampung Pasir Kelang kembali meriah dan sibuk dengan kepulangan anak-anak perantau.

Feri terbabit mampu membawa enam buah kereta, beberapa biji motosikal dan penumpang lain bagi setiap perjalanan ketika menyeberangi Sungai Kelantan.

Kepulangan perantau pada minggu lalu menyebabkan deretan kenderaan hampir satu kilometer menunggu giliran sebelum dapat menaiki feri untuk menyeberangi Sungai Kelantan.

Jambatan Rentas Sungai Kelantan Sedang Dibina

Tidak lama lagi, orang kampung terlibat sudah boleh memandu kereta untuk pulang ke kampung tanpa menggunakan laluan darat yang mengambil masa 2 jam lebih.

Menurut laporan Bernama, projek pembinaan jambatan antara Kampung Pasir Era ke Pasir Kelang yang merentangi Sungai Kelantan sedang dalam pembinaan dan
dijangka mengambil masa dua tahun enam bulan untuk disiapkan.

*Kredit foto: Bernama


Mitsubishi Malaysia Launches First Digital Showroom

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of
Mitsubishi vehicle
s
 locally has launched the brand’s first online showroom to better meet customer needs and provide them with a more immersive online experience when surveying the latest Mitsubishi models.

With the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affecting the movement of customers, MMM developed its online showroom as a means to better reach its customers and convert the fundamental processes from a traditional to a digital car-purchasing journey

The Mitsubishi online showroom virtualises the following four processes of the purchasing experience:

360’ Virtual Showroom -
 The online showroom offers a 360-degree view function of the
car’s exterior and interior
, as well as allows customers to zoom in and out to gain a better perspective of the model. The online showroom also comes with a gallery which showcases more images of the vehicles at various angles.

Test Drive 2U
 – As the name suggests, MMM brings your chosen Mitsubishi to you. The online showroom allows for prospective buyers to fill in relevant details before an authorised dealer organises a test drive right to your doorstep.

Booking Assist –
  Once customers are ready to take the next step, they can fill out a Booking Request via the online showroom. An MMM dealer then contacts the customer to assist with the booking, loan application, and insurance application.

Trade-in Assist  –
 MMM has a special trade-in promotion for Mitsubishi customers who trade in their car via the Mitsubishi online showroom. Through the Trade-In Assist feature, customers can plan their (existing) car inspection, handover, transfer of ownership and the collection of the sold car to be tailored for the customer’s convenience.

Alongside, Mitsubishi also introduced its Mitsubishi Connect mobile app as a further feature of the digital experience. The app allows owners to schedule services, keep track of vehicle maintenance history, and get service reminders before their next scheduled service.

Click
here
 to check out Mitsubishi’s new online showroom.


Tan Chong Motors Launches Its Own Vaccine Programme Under PIKAS

Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad brings the vaccination programme to its employees under PIKAS.

Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad is the latest company to launch its own COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for its employees, joining the nationwide efforts to make the
National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme
 (PICK) a success.

“In our shared fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of our colleagues, customers and surrounding communities remain our top priority. The Group has been regularly communicating the importance to maintain and observe health and safety protocols to avoid any resurgence of the virus. With this vaccination programme, we hope to achieve a fully vaccinated workforce by the end of September and hence protecting them so that they can return to work safely when permitted,” said Mr Daniel Ho, Group Chief Executive Officer of Tan Chong Motor

Holdings Berhad.

The group has taken the opportunity to bring the vaccines closer to their company and staff members by engaging various vaccination programmes, including the Public-Private Partnership COVID-19 Industry Immunisation Programme (PIKAS), a vaccination programme by MITI for employees in the manufacturing sector.

So far, 70 percent of all Tan Chong employees nationwide have either had the vaccine (either 1 or 2 doses) or confirmed appointments. This Tan Chong COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will ensure that the rest of its employees and family members are inoculated, as it is an essential step towards achieving COVID-19 herd immunity and national economic recovery.

This effort to vaccinate those associated with the Tan Chong Group complements the new immunisation target set by the government, where all adults in Malaysia are to be fully immunised by October 2021.  Despite the challenges, the Group remains committed to building resilience and overcoming adversity in collaboration with our stakeholders.

This programme will be rolled out from the beginning of August 2021 via local clinics or at Tan Chong’s premises.


Father sleeps in cramped Proton Satria to be close to his son in hospital

Father sleeps in his Satria at the Ipoh hospital parking lot to be close to his son, who has recently been diagnosed with brain tumour.

They say a father may only be a dad for a little while, but he is forever a son's hero - and if you think these are just some fictitious words printed on a card, 40 year-old Adi Saifullizam Abdul Sani has just proven why most sons will consider their father as their hero.

Picture credit: Sinar Harian

Adi has been seen sleeping in a Satria in the parking lot of Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB), to accompany his youngest son, who is being treated at the hospital.

His 8 year old son, Muhammad Afeef Mikhail,  has been receiving treatment at the hospital since undergoing surgery to take cell samples after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

According to myMetro, the father of three said Muhammad Afeef is now stable after the surgery but still needs to be treated and monitored at the HRPB Pediatric Ward. His son is accompanied by his wife, Aminah Othman, who stays by his son's side in the hospital.

Picture credit: Sinar Harian

He said that the decision to spend the night in the hospital parking lot was taken because he wanted to be close to his children and wife, in addition to several other constraints, including finances and the difficulty of finding a parking lot. He also wanted to be nearby if the doctor ever calls.

Adi works as a factory operator in Bidor, while Aminah is just a full-time housewife. He also took unpaid leave to be with his wife, who has been by the side of his son.

If you feel like you want to help out, you can contact Adi Saifullizam at 013-7922812.


Spyshot: 2017 Proton Preve Refinement Sighted, Launch Imminent?

Currently in Proton’s lineup, the Preve and Suprima S remains the company’s only models yet to receive the new TCU update and three-point engine mount configuration. The rest of the lineup, including the Iriz and Exora has received improvements to the transmission.
A couple of months back, we
spotted this Suprima S prototype
 heading up Genting Highlands. That particular test mule was shod in a new set of dual-tone wheels. Our friends over at Funtasticko also posted some updates about the new Preve, wearing identical looking wheels.
Courtesy of one anonymous reader, we were sent photos of the updated Proton Preve at a holding yard, hinting that a launch is imminent.
From the photos, we can see that Proton has applied the same updates as the Iriz and Exora with a blacked out front grille from the Suprima S, black side mirrors and roof plus Proton’s new corporate emblem.
Curiously, these units are not wearing the new dual tone alloy wheels we saw elsewhere.
Our friends at
Funtasticko
 also shared photos of the new Preve's interior. It appears that the new Preve will be updated with a new finishing on the dashboard that features an interlocking mesh-like design. The touchscreen headunit also appears to be new.
Last year, we also
reported
 that the Preve will be turbo-only affair, as Proton wants to drop IAFM variants of its C-segment saloon. We expect the new Preve's NVH to be largely improved over its predecessor, as we enjoyed the improvements done on the
Iriz
 and
Persona
.


Geng Kereta Mewah Kantoi Rentas Daerah/Negeri – Lotus Evora, Ferrari 458, Porsche 911, Nissan 180sx Antara Ditahan

Dikala ada yang masih takut-takut untuk keluar rumah, ada pula geng kereta mewah kantoi rentas daerah/ negeri.

Ada yang di antara kita masih takut untuk keluar
makan di kedai
 meskipun telah menerima dua dos suntikan vaksin dan diberikan kebenaran oleh kerajaan, namun ada segelintir manusia yang masih berdegil dan tidak menghiraukan larangan
rentas daerah dan negeri
.

Pada hujung minggu lalu, pihak polis dari Bahagian Siasatan dan Penguatkuasa Trafik telah mengadakan
Sekatan Jalan Raya (SJR)
 di dua lokasi berbeza, iaitu Jalan Sungai Tua - Ulu Yam dan Jalan Batang Kali - Genting Highlands.

Hasilnya, polis telah menahan sebanyak 75 buah kereta, 22 buah motosikal dan dua buah lori di mana 19 kompaun telah dikeluarkan kerana merentas daerah/ negeri tanpa kebenaran dan sebanyak 19
saman telah dikeluarkan
 di atas pelbagai kesalahan trafik.

Kalau dilihat daripada beberapa keping gambar yang disebarkan oleh Polis Daerah Hulu Selangor di media sosial milik mereka, antara kereta yang ditahan merupakan kereta sport mewah kepunyaan geng-geng kayangan. Ada
Lotus Evora
,
Ferrari 458
 yang diubah suai ala-ala
LaFerrari
,
Porsche 911
 dan Nissan 180sx.

Jadi benarlah bahawa duit dan harta yang bertimbun masih tidak mampu untuk membeli otak yang sihat berfungsi. Nampaknya kebijaksanaan dan kebolehan berfikir itu bukanlah untuk semua orang. Bak kata komen netizen, yang kaya tidak semestinya pintar, yang kayap tidak semestinya dungu.

Walau bagaimanapun, penahanan ini tidak begitu mengejutkan sesetengah pihak, terutama yang sering menggunakan kedua-dua
jalan
 tersebut. Menurut perkongsian netizen, Jalan Sungai Tua – Ulu Yam dan Batang Kali – Genting Highlands ini sering dijadikan trak lumba haram oleh golongan
kereta sport mewah
 pada setiap pagi hujung minggu dari jam 6.30 pagi hingga 9.00 pagi bagi mengelakkan aktiviti tersebut dihidu oleh pihak berkuasa.

Di saat kes positif harian COVID-19 yang masih tinggi serta Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur yang masih berada pada
Fasa 1 Pelan Pemulihan Negara (PPN)
, ramai yang sedang menunggu Selangor dan KL untuk beralih ke Fasa 2 bagi meneruskan kehidupan dan perniagaan seperti biasa.

Sesetengah daripada anda mungkin tidak terkesan dari segi ekonomi, sebab tu bebas nak pergi konvoi rentas negeri/ daerah. Tetapi tahukah anda ada sesetengah manusia yang langsung tidak mempunyai duit untuk makan kerana lama sangat tidak bekerja akibat COVID-19? Tindakan anda mungkin akan mengeruhkan keadaan, tambah-tambah sekiranya kluster baharu tercipta akibat daripada perbuatan pentingkan diri ini.

Diharapkan pihak polis akan terus memantau dua laluan hangat ini memandangkan ia sering dijadikan laluan untuk berlumba. Kalau nak diikutkan, aktiviti rentas negeri atau daerah itu tidaklah terlalu besar salahnya jika nak dibandingkan dengan aktiviti lumba haram yang membahayakan nyawa pengguna jalan raya lain.

Menurut info yang dikongsikan oleh akaun media sosial Polis Daerah Hulu Selangor, nilai kompaun yang dikeluarkan atas kesalahan rentas negeri tanpa kebenaran adalah sebanyak RM5,000.

Diharapkan kesalahan menggunakan jalan raya sebagai trek lumba akan dikenakan kompaun dan hukuman yang lebih berat memandangkan golongan kayangan seperti ini tidak mempunyai masalah untuk membayar kompaun dan kemungkinan akan mengulangi kesalahan tersebut.

Ingatlah, jalan raya bukan tempat untuk berlumba ataupun menguji tahap maksimum sesebuah kereta. Orang lain pun bayar
cukai jalan
 juga jadi janganlah mementingkan diri hanya kerana anda memandu kereta mewah. Berhati-hati di jalan raya!

*Kredit foto: Polis Daerah Hulu Selangor


Proton Jual 11,873 Unit Kenderaan Pada Februari 2021 – Capai 27.1% Pegangan Pasaran

Proton
 mengakhiri bulan Februari di tangga kedua pengeluar kereta di Malaysia setelah menjual sebanyak 11,873 unit kenderaan (pasaran tempatan dan  eksport) kepada pelanggan dalam bulan Februari 2021. Jumlah tersebut mencecah hampir dua kali ganda daripada 5,964 unit kenderaan mereka yang terjual pada
Januari 2021
.

Berbanding dengan bulan Februari tahun 2020, jumlah jualan Proton bagi bulan Februari 2021 meningkat sebanyak 19.9%. Walau bagaimanapun, jumlah kumulatif dua bulan pertama 2021 masih kurang sebanyak 643 unit atau 3.5% berbanding dengan tahun lepas.

Dengan peningkatan unit jualan pada bulan lepas, Proton telah mencapai pegangan pasaran sebanyak 27.1%, yang juga merupakan tahap tertinggi semenjak September 2013.

Model

Jumlah Yang Dijual

Prestasi Jualan Bagi Bulan Februari 2021

Saga

4,217

▪ Jumlah kedua tertinggi sedan segmen-A

Persona

1,818

▪ Jumlah tertinggi sedan segmen-B

Exora

361

▪ Jumlah tertinggi MPV segmen-C

Iriz

650

▪ Jumlah ketiga tertinggi hatchback segmen-B

X70

1,475

▪ Jumlah tertinggi SUV segmen-C

X50

3,345

▪ Jumlah tertinggi SUV segmen-B dan SUV secara keseluruhan

Jumlah

*11,873

* angka jualan model lain yang tak tersenarai telah ditambah ke jumlah jualan keseluruhan

Berdasarkan jadual diatas,
Proton Saga
 kekal menjadi model paling laris keluaran Proton pada Februari lalu dengan jualan sebanyak 4,217 unit. Model
sedan
 segmen A ini menarik perhatian pembeli dengan kombinasi ciri praktikal, rupa bentuk menarik dan kadar nilai wang yang tinggi. Ia juga menerima gelaran model pertama Proton dijual di Kenya apabila kenderaan yang dipasang siap di sana oleh rakan perniagaan PROTON, Simba Corporation, dilancarkan pada 25 Februari lalu.

Di tempat kedua merupakan SUV paling popular keluaran Proton iaitu
X50
 yang telah menerima lebih 30,000 tempahan sebelum akhir tahun lalu. Sebanyak 3,345 unit X50 telah dihantar pada bulan lalu menjadikan sebanyak 8,141 unit kini berada di tangan pembeli dan kadar bekalan semakin mendekati jumlah permintaan.

Pencapaian tersebut membolehkan Proton X50  diberi gelaran
SUV
 paling laris bagi segmennya dan secara keseluruhan. Apabila jualan sebanyak 1,475 unit
Proton X70
 (jumlah tertinggi bagi SUV segmen-C) ditambah ke jumlah kumulatif, Proton berjaya menjual sebanyak 4,820 unit SUV pada bulan Februari. Ianya merupakan keputusan terbaik yang pernah dicapai dalam sejarah pasaran automotif negara.

Model Proton lain juga menunjuk prestasi yang baik. Antaranya,
Proton Persona
 berjaya menyandang gelaran sedan segmen-B terlaris setelah 1,818 unit dijual, mengalahkan saingan dari model-model yang lebih baru.
Proton Exora
 pula  kekal di tangga teratas bagi MPV segmen-C manakala
Proton Iriz
 di tempat ketiga bagi hatchback segmen-B.

Tahukah anda, markah kualiti Proton kini hampir setanding dengan rakan kongsi mereka,
Geely
? Rangkaian pengedaran juga banyak berubah sehingga Proton mempunyai jumlah fasiliti 3S/4S yang tertinggi dan telah berjaya mengubah tumpuan daripada perniagaan yang ditumpukan kepada pengguna kepada perniagaan borong.

Proton juga akan memberi lebih tumpuan kepada pemulihan rantaian nilai lepas jualan supaya pelanggan dapat menikmati pengalaman jenama premium selepas membeli kenderaan mereka pada tahun ini.


Mercedes-AMG CLA 45S 4Matic+ Launched - 421hp Four-Door Coupe

AMG's baby 'coupe' unleashed on Malaysia

Mercedes-Benz
 Malaysia is starting off June 2020 full of flair with the launch of a trio of high performance AMG models. Along with our focus here, the CLA 45S 4Matic+, MBM also took the wraps off the new A 35 4Matic and the more capable A 45S 4Matic+ for their respective Malaysian premiere.

These three cars represent the smallest and most compact rung of the AMG family, within which only the Shooting Brake body style of the CLA is missing. This sedan (or
four-door coupe
) version, however, slides in at RM448,888. Interestingly, that’s about RM11,000 lower than the similarly specified A 45S 4Matic+ hatch, which is sold here as exclusive Edition 1 examples.

Of course, hailing from Affalterbach, performance is this car’s main attraction. At centre stage we have a new but equally hand built M139 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, turbocharged to a shocking 421hp which is reached at 6,750rpm. Peak torque, meanwhile, stands at 500Nm between 5,000 and 5,250rpm.

Undeniably, this is supercar-levels of power and performance from an engine UNDER 2,000cc. This isn’t some tuner special either; this has a warranty and everything. It’s still seriously impressive even if you halve its cylinder count and displacement - generating 208hp from each cubic litre.

When this new range-topping CLA was first announced in 2019 alongside its 5-door twin, the A 45S, Mercedes-AMG claimed this engine to be the most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder in series production, and since then nothing has managed to dethrone it.

The transversely-mounted motor is placed in a rather cramped engine bay, which is unsurprising given how much cooling is required to keep it in check in our climate. It’s also mounted in a reversed orientation, meaning the exhaust manifold and turbocharger are situated behind the block, allowing for a shorter and freer breathing intake system as well as better airflow overall to accommodate its secondary radiator.

Power is sent through an 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT dual-clutch transmission before the 4Matic+ system distributes it between all four of its 19-inch AMG forged cross-spoke wheels. Thanks to its AWD system and massive power, the CLA 45S can dash to 100km/h from rest in just 4 seconds flat. Top speed is 270km/h.

In order to reliably extract that kind of power, this new CLA 45’s engine has been fortified with some next-level innovation, inheriting the proprietary anti-friction Nanoslide coating technology that now lines most of the high stress internal components such as the cylinders and pistons, purported to be almost twice as resistant to wear as cast-iron liners.

Inside, the car mixes luxury with sporty touches. Nappa leather can only be found on the steering wheel, though it’s forced to share surface area with the gripper DINAMICA microfibre material. AMG Performance seats are also accented similarly with contrasting red side stripes and red seatbelts.

Other standard features include Mercedes-Benz’s excellent ambient interior lighting, a 360-degree camera system, wireless smartphone charging pad, Multibeam LED headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, and of course the MBUX infotainment and vehicle management system, which is presented via a combination digital instrument cluster and multimedia control screen measuring 10.25-inches each.

This is supplemented by the included AMG Track Pace performance data logger, in-built LTE connectivity for Mercedes me services, the inclusion of both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, as well as a premium Burmester surround sound system.

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45S 4Matic+ can also be had through Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s Agility Financing with monthly instalments starting from RM5,355. The AMGPro Financing plan is also available and adds the comprehensive Star Protect Plus insurance, which includes unlimited mileage breakdown and accident towing and tyre and rims replacement among other protections, starting from RM5,588 a month.


2017 Honda CR-V: Why It Works Best As A Five-Seater

Prior to today’s launch of the all-new fifth generation Honda CR-V, Carlist.my sat down with one Mr. Daiga Ito, the Project Leader for the all-new Honda CR-V to better understand the development story behind Honda’s latest SUV.
Our time with Ito-san was especially important because Ito’s specialty is in vehicle packaging. Like all Honda models, interior space is the CR-V’s forte. Ito’s work in arranging mechanical/electrical components around the CR-V’s cabin as if it’s an elaborate game of Tetris is the one of the reasons why the CR-V can boast of having the most spacious cabin in its class.
The most obvious question that we had to ask if of course, what was the rationale behind the decision to introduce the Malaysian market CR-V exclusively as a five-seater. In case you don’t already know, our neighbours in Thailand and Indonesia are getting their CR-Vs with seven seats - actually it’s a 5+2, with the additional two seats meant only for short trips.
At a glance, it might appear as if Malaysian consumers are shortchanged, or that Honda Malaysia might have shot itself in the foot by not matching the Nissan X-Trail, which comes with a 5+2 seater layout.
Ito clarified that all over the world, the CR-V’s identity is of a five-seater crossover-like SUV, one that offers the utility of an SUV without compromising on traits that buyers trading up from a family sedan are already used to - ease of handling, comfort and good fuel economy.
“The base development is on a five-seater, but of course during development of the packaging we did take into consideration for a seven-seater,” said Ito.
In other words, the CR-V is designed first and foremost as a five-seater. At the same time, concessions were made to the roofline and wheelbase to allow for the option of adding a third row seat, as surveys in countries like Thailand and Indonesia have suggested that there is a need to offer a third row seat.
Honda distributors in Thailand and Indonesia have elected to take up the seven-seat option but Malaysia declined, choosing instead to offer Honda Sensing, an Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) active safety feature that supports the driver in avoiding collisions. If necessary, Honda Sensing is capable of automatically braking the vehicle or steering the vehicle out of trouble, should the driver failed to respond despite repeated warnings. Malaysia is the only country in the region to offer Honda Sensing in the all-new CR-V. More on Honda Sensing
here
.
Also, Honda Malaysia’s own surveys show that owners of this class of SUVs don’t use the third row seat, simply because it is too small to be of any practical use. Privately, Honda understands that the X-Trail has temporarily overtaken the CR-V on the sales charts simply because the outgoing CR-V is an aging product and is due for a replacement, a situation which this all-new model will address.
The old CR-V was the only model within Honda’s line-up that is not the best-seller in its segment, a blemish which Honda expects this all-new CR-V to clean up. While Honda Malaysia didn’t put it that way, they did suggest that the CR-V will dominate the market with just five seats, and that the additional safety provided by Honda Sensing will be better appreciated over 5+2 seats.
Besides, Ito also added that having the third row seat will reduce boot space by at least 300 litres, even if you fold the third row seats under the cabin floor. In contrast, the five-seater model offers a boot space of over 1,000 litres if the second row seat are folded down. Leave the seats up, boot space is still a very usable 520 litres.
The images below will give you an indication of how much space there is left if one is to squeeze two more seats into the boot.
We should also point that in places like Indonesia and Thailand, the unique market conditions there meant that there is a strategic advantage in adding a third row seat for the all-new CR-V. Indonesia is predominantly a MPV-dominated market while in Thailand, the dominant SUVs tend to be seven seaters that are based on pick-up trucks – models like the Toyota Fortuner. Thus there is an expectation for large vehicles to offer seven seats, but at the same time, consumers there are also less picky about having sedan-like handling dynamics and safety features.
Ito added that the all-new CR-V’s wheelbase has been lengthened by 40 mm, while the redesigned cabin has allowed Honda to push the first row seats 20 mm forward. In total, this has allowed Honda to increase legroom in the second row by at least 60 mm. At the same time, the rear seat has also been lengthend by 90 mm, thus greatly improving comfort for long distance journeys.
So there you go, if you are looking for a seven-seater SUV, we suggest that you look to the Mitsubishi Outlander instead, or the Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe, as these are full-size seven-seater SUVs with third row seats that you can actually use.
Of course, Honda Malaysia won't rule out the possibilty of introducing a 7-seater variant  in the future, should the market show sufficient demand for it.
More on the 2017 Honda CR-V
2017 All-New Honda CR-V Launched, Priced From RM143k
2017 Honda CR-V: No 4WD For The Highest Specs Variant, Why?
2017 Honda CR-V: What is Honda Sensing?


2015 Infiniti Q70 Facelift Launched In Malaysia: 3 Variants From RM295k

Infiniti
 Malaysia has just launched its new, facelifted 2015
Infiniti Q70
 here, updating its flagship sedan with a new look to better take the fight to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series and the Lexus GS.
Three variants were introduced at launch, and here’s how they shape up alongside their OTR with insurance and GST price tags:
Q70 V6 2.5: RM295,000 (+RM35,000 for Sport Package)
Q70 V6 3.7: RM375,000 (+RM25,000 for Sport Package)
Q70 V6 3.5 HYBRID: RM420,000 (+RM25,000 for Sport Package)
Buyer’s Guide:
All 2015 Q70 facelifts here are directly imported from Japan. At the heart of what’s new, the new Q70 largely introduces an exterior makeover, in order to keep itself looking as refreshed as its smaller sibling, the Q50.
So What’s New?
EXTERIOR:
 As mentioned, it’s all about the new look. The front-end of the vehicle has been bestowed a set of “sinister” LED headlights, which flank a new signature double-arch chrome grille, an updated sport bumper, which themselves feature integrated LED fog lamps.
Around the rear, there are new LED combination taillights, a new trunk lid shape with a strip of chrome with the Infiniti name running across, and a new rear bumper design with new details around the large dual-exhaust with polished tips.
There are also new-design 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, but you can optionally spec them up to 20s’ if you please.
Up top, the new Q70 comes equipped with a power sliding tinted glass moonroof, which is operable at the touch of a button. You also get power-folding heated wing mirrors with integrated LED turn signals amongst other minor updates.
INTERIOR:
 Not much new to report of where interior matters, but there’s still a heft of goodies brought forward from the pre-facelift model.
On top of the luxuriously hand-crafted  white ash silver-powdered wood trim and “quilted leather appointment,” the new Q70 features 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, with two-way power lumbar support as standard.
The Intelligent Key feature links a key fob to a driver’s preferred settings for the last-used climate control and audio, and also the driver’s seat, steering wheel and wing mirror positions.
Not so visible to the naked eye, Infiniti has beefed up its Q70’s cabin quietness with better sound dampening materials.
FEATURES & EQUIPMENT:
 Speaking of sound dampening, just like the Q50, the updated Q70 now also features an Active Noise Control (ANC) feature that generates a “cancelling” sound from the four door speakers (and optional subwoofer) to wash out unpleasant engine noises. It monitors the engine noises by using two microphones located in the ceiling of the vehicle.
For those who do spec their vehicles with it, there’s a 10-speaker BOSE Premium Sound System that promises an immersive audio experience. For your infotainment, there’s an eight-inch high-res colour touchscreen display head unit, that’s also linked to a Music Box feature that’s equipped with 9.3GB of space to store your personal tunes.
PERFORMANCE:
 The three variants of the Q70 each offer individual powertrain options. Here’s a clearer look at what’s on offer – keep in mind that all Q70s come with a seven-speed torque converter automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC), which itself features Downshift Rev Matching technology.
2.5L V6:
 The base model Q70 makes 218hp and 253Nm of torque from its naturally-aspirated six-cylinder 2.5-litre engine with Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS). 0-100km/h is sorted in 8.5 seconds.
3.7L V6:
 A notch higher, and you open up the gates to Infiniti’s big 3.7-litre V6, equipped with Variable Valve Event & Lift (VVEL) technology. Combining the use of hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake side, promises to give drivers the response and performance they need. Power and torque outputs equate to 320hp and 360Nm of torque which is enough to perform the car’s century sprint in 6.2 seconds.
3.5L Hybrid:
 At the top of the food chain resides the Q70 with a one-motor, two-clutch parallel hybrid powertrain, otherwise known as the Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid. The powertrain consists of a 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine combined with an electric motor for a total system output of 360hp and 350Nm of torque. That’s enough to propel the range-topping Q70 from 0-100km/h in under 6.0 seconds.
SAFETY:
 All Q70 variants come loaded with six airbags as standard, Pre-Crash front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, Active Front Head Restraints system and more. Needless to say, the brand’s Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control is also offered as standard.
Other Information:
Five body colours are available for the Infiniti Q70, and included amongst them is a new Hermosa Blue. The rest are Liquid Platinum, Graphite Shadow, Pearl White, and Malbec Black.


All-New 10th Generation Honda Accord Goes On Sale in USA

Following its preview in July, the all-new tenth generation Honda Accord is now available for sale in the USA. As the US-market Accord is produced domestically at Honda’s plant in Ohio, other overseas markets including Japan is not expected to launch the all-new Accord until mid- or late-2018.
For now, only the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo variant is available (paired to a CVT-type automatic). The 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo variant (paired to a 10-speed torque converter automatic) will only join the Accord line-up in 2018, followed by the Hybrid variant.
Prices start from USD 23,570 for the base model Accord LX, stretching to USD 33,800 for the Touring variant. Note that these prices are only for the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo variant.
Compared to its predecessor, the all-new Accord features a longer wheelbase, wider but slightly shorter and lower body. While the two turbocharged petrol engines are new for the Accord range, the two-motor 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain for the Hybrid variant is mostly similar to the previous model, save for some minor updates (details to be revealed next year).
The all-new Honda Accord enters the market at a particularly challenging time as more consumers increasingly prefer SUVs over D-segment sedans (also known as the mid-size sedans in USA). While the segment as a whole have been shrinking, the Accord is solidifying position, holding firm to the title as America’s best-selling mid-size sedan for five straight years.
In the overall market, the Accord is America’s second best-selling car, bettered only by the Honda Civic.
More on the all-new tenth generation Honda Accord
here
.


Oh No! Lamborghini Aventador LP 720-4 50° Anniversario Burns To The Ground In Dubai

Nooo! This is a devastating sight for any car fan, more so for
Lamborghini
 fans as reports from Dubai indicate that a
Lamborghini Aventador
 LP 750-4 Superveloce has gone up in flames, possibly making it one of the first on Earth succumb to a fiery death.
[UPDATE] Though it appears to be an Aventador SV as many reports claim, the supercar may indeed be a Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50th Anniversario. In fact, both cars share almost the same identical front spoiler with the chief difference being the spoiler lip, which is painted on the SV but is black on the
Anniversario.
The incident apparently took place on a stretch of road near the Dubai Marina with a Russian personality posting on her Instagram user account
victoria.vikki
a photo of the supercar with smoke billowing from the rear of the car. Apparently, she had just picked up the car as a rental merely 30 minutes earlier and escaped unharmed.

Making its debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show in March
, the Aventador SV features a 6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine with 740hp and 690Nm of torque on tap. On top of that, the Lamborghini will only be created in limited numbers with only 600 examples worldwide.


Mazda 6 and CX-5 Gains Mobile Start Feature In The U.S.

Mazda
 North American Operations (MNAO) has announced the launch of Mazda Mobile Start, its remote engine start system operated via smartphone for the 2016
Mazda 6
 and 2016
Mazda CX-5
 (automatic transmission) sold there.
With Mazda Mobile Start, owners have the ability to control many of the car’s settings remotely through their smartphone to make things a little bit more convenient.
As the name implies, owners will be able to start and stop their engine from virtually anywhere using the app (available on iOS and Android) installed on their smartphone. The app also features a timer to show how long the car has been running and how much longer it will run. Once the vehicle is started using the app, the settings last used on the climate control system and defroster will activate to help ensure the car will be heated or cooled when ready to go.
The system also allows owners to check the door lock status of their cars, and can remotely lock or unlock the doors. For increased security, the panic alarm can also be activated.
Next up is Carfinder which uses the smartphone camera and GPS technology to help owners find their car with the built in map features, particularly useful in large open air parking lots.
The Mazda Mobile Start system costs $500 (RM1,892) and comes with a complimentary one-year subscription to the Mazda Mobile Start app with annual renewal priced at $65 (RM246). Additional models will can be specified with this system later this year.


Ford Charity Drive For Joy: Spreading The Christmas Cheer

Ford and local distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) have kicked off the Ford Charity Drive for Joy campaign. From today till 21 December 2016, Ford and SDAC will donate RM5.00 to a charity home for every test drive taken in a Ford vehicle at participating showrooms.
Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, managing director of Sime Darby Auto Connexion comments, “The Ford Charity Drive for Joy campaign invites customers to experience our world class Ford vehicles and share the spirit of giving during this festive season. As an organisation within the community, we are honoured to be extending our support to those in need around the community that we live and work.”
To further spread the festive cheer, participants can also walk away with an exclusive Ford reindeer antlers and nose ornament for their vehicle.
Customers can choose to test drive any Ford vehicle at any of the participating showrooms listed below and write a kind wish on a greeting card to the charity home.
Date
Showroom
9 December
Airmas Auto, Jelutong (Penang)
10 December
SDAC, Juru (Penang)
11 December
SDAC, PJ
13 December
SDAC, PJ2
14 December
Trio Mantap, Ampang
Trio Mantap, Cheras
15 December
Capital Intertrade, Penchala
2020 Motor Trading, Seri Kembangan
17 December
SDAC PJ2
18 December
SDAC PJ
21 December
SDAC PJ2


Mitsubishi ASX Orange Edition – Only 180 Units at RM133k

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM)
 has officially introduced the ASX Orange Edition, a limited 180-unit-only enhanced version of the ASX 4WD model wearing a distinctive orange-coloured theme.
Finished in white paint, the ASX Orange features sharp orange contrast finishing at its front undercover, rear undercover, large rear spoiler, and side decal stickers. Its 17-inch factory alloy wheels are covered in a matte black finish.
The orange accents continue inside, with contrast stitching on the leather seats and carpet mats. Other interior touches include scuff plates and carbon fibre door trim and dash panel inserts.
One notable functional enhancement applied to the ASX Orange is its 360-degree All Round Monitor providing a birds-eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings by stitching the images of four external cameras mounted around the body.
Priced at RM132,900.19, the ASX Orange costs about RM3k more than a regular ASX 4WD; but in conjunction with MMM’s ongoing Raya campaigns, customers stand to receive rebates of up to RM8,000 for units of the ASX Orange booked and registered before 31 July 2016 – effectively making it RM5,000 cheaper than the regular model.
To know more about the Mitsubishi ASX, click
this link
 to read our review.


2017 Mercedes-Benz E350e Launched In Thailand

Mercedes-Benz Thailand has launched its latest plug-in hybrid model yesterday evening – the Mercedes-Benz E350e.
Like its smaller sibling, the Mercedes-Benz C350e, the E350e is powered by a petrol-electric hybrid combination of a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and an electric motor that’s driven by a lithium-ion traction battery.
The other two plug-in hybrid models on Mercedes-Benz Thailand’s line-up are the S500e and GLE500e. The 500e series plug-in hybrid cars have a larger 3.0-litre V6 engine.
The E350e will also debut Mercedes-Benz’s EQ (short for Electric Intelligence) sub-brand in Thailand. The EQ sub-brand will be progressively rolled out to different markets, and will encompass all its new plug-in hybrid models.
In Thailand, the E350e is available in three variants – Avantgarde, Exclusive and AMG Dynamic.
The model has a claimed fuel consumption of between 2.1- to 2.5-litre/100 km. Of course, real world fuel consumption will differ significantly. Being a plug-in hybrid, the E350e can be driven in electric power for up to 33 km, allowing it to complete the relatively short European test cycle with minimal use of fuel.
Casual observers might note that the E350e and C350e have the same 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine (same 211 hp and 350 Nm) and therefore conclude that they both have the same powertrain, but they are not the same.
The E350e, being a newer model, benefits from Daimler’s third generation hybrid transmission. It’s a development of the 9G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission that integrates the torque converter, clutch and electric motor. The C350e uses an older 7G-Tronic transmission.
Jointly developed by Bosch, the E350e’s electric motor produces 65 kW and 440 Nm, which is 5 kW and 100 Nm more than the C350e.
This allows the E350e to produce a combined system output of 286 hp and 550 Nm, which is 7 hp more than the C350e’s 279 hp. However, rather counter-intuitively, it is the C350e that has a higher total system torque, 50 Nm more than the E350e, at 600 Nm.
Prices in Thailand are as below:
E350e Avantgarde - 3,490,000 Baht
E350e Exclusive - 3,790,000 Baht
E350e AMG Dynamic - 4,090,000 Baht
Like the C350e and S500e, the E350e is assembled in Thailand by Mercedes-Benz Thailand’s local partner Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Co (TAAP)’s plant in Samut Prakan.
Closer to home, we do expect Mercedes-Benz Malaysia to introduce the E350e later this year, also locally-assembled, with an estimated price of less than RM400,000.
Currently, prices for the E-Class range in Malaysia ranges from RM349,463 for the E200 Avantgarde to RM383,888 for the E250 Exclusive, all locally-assembled. There’s also the fully-imported E300 AMG priced at RM459,463.
Images below are supplied by our Thai sister-site
AutoSpinn.com


China Primed For Pick-Up Truck Boom, Gov Relaxes Ban On Pick-Ups In Urban Areas

Come 1-October 2016, four Chinese provinces - Liaoning, Henan, Hebei and Yunnan – will lift the decades old ban on pick-up trucks entering city centres, reports Bloomberg. Although the ban is still active in major cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, the move is expected to pave the way for the so-called ‘urban truck culture’ to take hold in China.
Ford has since announced that it will be introducing its iconic F-150 Raptor in China next year.
In China, pick-up trucks are classified as commercial vehicles. To ease traffic congestion and air pollution in urban areas, pick-up trucks are banned from entering certain ring roads or highways in urban areas.
The move to relax the ban in the four provinces is yet another counter-measure by the Chinese government to deftly balance the impact of a slowing economy and worsening traffic congestion.
China is facing its slowest economic growth in 25 years, and although the automotive industry still appears healthy, much of the 8.1 percent growth recorded in the first half of 2016 is attributed to heavy discounting by dealers, and a temporary tax cut for passenger vehicles with engine capacities below 1,600cc. The tax cut will expire by 31-December 2016.
The report by Bloomberg also pointed out that Hebei and Henan are home to Great Wall, China’s leading domestic 4x4 brand, and Nissan’s local joint venture for commercial vehicles Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile.
Traffic in Chinese megacities is some of the worst in the world, as are its air quality. As of June, China is home to 184 million motor vehicles, up 18 percent from last year. Seven Chinese cities - Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Guiyang, Henan, and Shenzhen – limit the total number of vehicles registered each year, and license plates are distributed via a lottery system.


Mercedes-AMG Unveils Sedan Version Of A35 4MATIC

With enthusiasts awaiting the return of the Mercedes-AMG A45 hatchback, it's a little refreshing to see the performance arm of the German brand unveiling a sedan version of their A35 4MATIC hatch. It's a more practical proposition and would be far more appealing in markets such as ours where boot space is valued over compact exterior dimensions. The overall wheelbase of the car is similar, as is the width and height, with the only difference being the overall length.
The powertrain is also identical to the hatchback variant, being a turbocharged 2.0-litre four cylinder engine that pushes a good 306 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Power is channelled through a the seven-speed AMG Speedshift DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission to all four wheels, courtesy of the 4MATIC system. It takes just 4.8 seconds to hit 100 km/h from a standstill, which is mighty quick in comparison to the all-wheel drive hot hatches of today.
Optional packages come in the form of the AMG Aerodynamics Package that adds little aerodynamic bits like a larger spoiler lip and lateral spoilers as well as a larger diffuser, as well as a Night Package that changes a lot of design elements to black pieces for a more aggressive look. What this in turn means is that the A35 4MATIC sedan comes generously equipped, quite nearly identically to its hatchback sister.
The chassis of the A35 4MATIC sedan is stronger compared to its non-AMG counterparts, as you would expect. This keeps toe and camber values more consistent when really throwing it around - something often overlooked when you consider how much chassis flex even well-built cars are undergoing during hard cornering. There are underbody braces as well to increase overall torsional rigidity.
AMG Ride Control comes as standard, which is essentially an adjustable damping system that allows for three different levels of stiffness. It's par for the course for luxury cars, and definitely lends a level of flexibility to the A35 4MATIC sedan that makes it more usable in a larger variety of situations. The steering rack is also variable in nature and response depending on what mod you've selected, giving you a quicker steering ratio as and when you need it.
Round all of it off with the AMG Track Pace data logging system, and you have a car that's functional both on track and off. The A35 4MATIC sedan is poised to be a car that will happily do the school run on the daily, but allow you to find the limits of grip at a sunny track day. The real question is whether you should get this milder variant, or wait for the A45 models to wow the world with some expectedly insane power figures.


Proton Says The X50 Can Travel Up To 15.6 km per Litre

As details trickle in regarding the upcoming Proton X50, we get a glimpse of the kind of fuel consumption that this compact SUV will have.

One of the great benefits of a
turbocharged engine
 is fuel consumption, or lack thereof. That’s part of the reason why manufacturers have made a big shift away from naturally aspirated engines where they can, in favour of smaller engines with a turbocharger strapped to them. The 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engines in the X50 are an example of this – a decade ago they would probably be packaged with naturally aspirated 2.0-litre mills.

What Proton has revealed is that the X50 will return a fuel consumption of 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres for the
1.5 TGDi model
, and 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres for the regular 1.5 T. That works out to 15.6 km/litre and 15.4 km/litre respectively, and we’re guessing this is based on the combined cycle that the X70’s fuel consumption is based on.

For reference, the
X70
 scores a fuel consumption of 7.6 litres per 100 kilometers, which is expected as the larger SUV naturally carries more weight and runs a larger 1.8-litre TGDi engine. What is surprising is that the Geely Binyue on which the X50 is based returns a more frugal 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres, though that is probably based on a slightly different driving cycle as that is a China-exclusive model.

With a 45 litre fuel tank capacity (if we assume the specs are the same as the
Binyue
), the X50 will have an expected range of 702 kilometres for the 1.5 TGDI, or 693 kilometres for the 1.5 T. Not a whole lot of difference than what we expected as direct injection is supposed to help with efficiency, but it pays to remember that the 1.5 TGDi has a 27 horsepower bump over the 150 horses of the 1.5T.


Proton Iriz RX Didedahkan – Iriz Paling Berkuasa Di Dunia, 600 Kuasa Kuda

Proton Iriz
 paling berkuasa di dunia telah dipertontonkan untuk digunakan dalam perlumbaan
rallycross
oleh pasukan RX Racing!

Pasukan RX Racing bakal mempertaruhkan jentera baharu, Proton Iriz RX untuk digunakan oleh bekas juara British 2007, O'Donovan dalam Kejohanan Rallycross UK British Kejuaraan Trofi 5 Negara Trofi dan Kejohanan Rallycross Eropah FIA pada tahun ini.

Proton Iriz RX

Jentera ini dibina berasaskan jentera rali
Proton Iriz R5
 yang telah melakukan debut sulungnya ketika Goodwood Festival of Speed pada tahun 2017 dan telah memenangi pelbagai kejohanan rali kebangsaan.

Projek menghasilkan Proton Iriz RX adalah merupakan kerjasama antara Tony Bardy Motorsport (TBM) dan Mellors Elliot Motorsport (MEM) yang dibina oleh bengkel MEM di Derbyshire.

Walaupun kereta ini menggunakan platform berkonsepkan rali, namun Iriz RX telah dibina bermula dengan kerangka kosong sebuah Iriz sehinggalah lengkap menjadi jentera khusus untuk kegunaan
rallycross
.

Perincian teknikal jentera ini masih belum diumumkan, namun berdasarkan spesifikasi yang ditetapkan oleh FIA, kereta yang bertanding perlu:

Menggunakan enjin 2.0 liter turbo

Mampu menghasilkan sekitar 600 hp

Transmisi sequential enam-kelajuan

AWD

Berat sekitar 1,300 kg

Exterior

Bahagian luarannya mendedahkah bahagian lekuk-lekuk aerodinamik seakan-akan Iriz R5 terutama pada bahagian bampar dan panel wide body pada bahagian tayar.

Ruang udara lebih banyak pada bahagian gril serta perumah lampu kabus

Overfender belakang sedikit lebar

Spoiler dua tingkat karbon

Ruang udara di pintu belakang dan but belakang bagi menyejukkan enjin

Kereta itu telah menjalankan ujian awal, dan akan membuat penampilan pertamanya secara umum pada sesi media dan hari ujian 5 Nations BRX pada 14 April di Lydden Hill.