Review: Honda HR-V Hybrid – A+ In All Areas Except One

With a relatively small domestic market that sells around 600,000 cars every year - nearly 50 percent of it going to Perodua and Proton, Malaysia is often left out in getting the newest models.
Our bigger neighbours in Thailand and Indonesia sell in excess of a million cars annually. Thus, local distributors there usually have more leverage in negotiating for better wholesale prices and variants but that limitation doesn’t seem to apply to Honda Malaysia.
Malaysians love Honda and despite our smaller market, Malaysia is one of Honda’s top-10 markets worldwide, by volume. In return, Malaysia became the only market outside of Japan to offically sell the
FD2 Civic Type R
. We are still the only market outside of Japan to sell (and assemble) the Jazz Hybrid, City Hybrid, and lastly, the HR-V Hybrid seen here.
The standard HR-V is already an ideal compact car for many urbanites. Nothing else in its class can match the HR-V’s practical cabin but as keen drivers, we always felt that underneath the sloppy suspension lies a chassis with great potential, one that could certainly handle far more power.
Although Honda also sells a sportier HR-V RS (below) with variable ratio steering, it’s the HR-V Hybrid that offers better performance, thanks to the electrified drivetrain's instantaneous torque delivery.
Specifications for Honda HR-V Hybrid
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder, naturally aspirated
Power: 152 PS (combined, engine and motor)
Torque: 190 Nm (combined, engine and motor)
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Safety: 6 airbags, ISOFIX, ABS with EBD and BA, electronic stability control (VSA), hill start assist, emergency stop signal
Origin: Locally-assembled in Pegoh, Melaka
Price: RM120,800 excluding insurance
Overview
Although the HR-V Hybrid shares the same engine block and hybrid components as the
Jazz Hybrid
 and
City Hybrid
, the HR-V Hybrid makes 13 PS and 20 Nm more.
The reason? The City Hybrid and Jazz Hybrid use port injection, with a valvetrain that operates on the fuel-saving Atkinson combustion cycle. The HR-V Hybrid however, uses direct injection and runs on regular Otto cycle.
Curiously, both 1.5-litre Honda hybrid engines share the same LEB-H1 engine code, despite the vastly different combustion cycles used.
Unlike the City Hybrid and Jazz Hybrid, the HR-V Hybrid has an equal number of airbags (six) as the rest of the non-hybrid variants. The only difference in safety features is the omission of the LaneWatch camera (available only in the V and RS variant).
Having a hybrid battery means that there’s no space for a spare wheel, not even a space saver. Instead, the car comes with a tyre repair kit. Not ideal but personally I have not changed a spare tyre for the last eight years. All the punctures experienced were slow leaks.
The HR-V competes against the Mazda CX-3, Subaru XV, Mitsubishi ASX, and
Toyota C-HR
 but its fiercest rival is without a doubt, the
Proton X70
. Even though the Proton is a larger product that sits one class higher, comparisons with the Honda are inevitable due to the X70’s price range (from RM99,800 – RM123,800).
Exterior
At a glance, the only identifier separating the Hybrid variant from the rest of the HR-V range is the ‘Hybrid’ emblem. The Hybrid is otherwise identical to the E variant, using halogen projector headlamps and LED tail lamps with individual LED elements. The V and RS variants get LED (reflector type) headlamps and tube-type LED tail lamps.
Compared to the previous model, the facelift drops rear fogs lamps, which elicits mixed feelings because it is a step backwards, but we are at the same time glad since there will be less misuse. Many drivers still don’t know what that amber rear fog lamp symbol on the dashboard means.
Interior
Inside, the Hybrid is further differentiated by a new instrument cluster (adds energy flow display) and a shift-by-wire gear knob. The latter frees up additional utility space on the two-tier centre console.
On the right side of the rear seats is a vent that draws cool, air-conditioned air from the cabin to cool the hybrid Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) behind, so it’s essential that this vent is not blocked or wet. As you can tell by now, the IPU requires cool air from the cabin so avoid driving the car without air-conditioning, especially in our climate.
The front seats are half leather (still fabric in the essential areas). Only the V and the RS variants get full leather but between the two, we think the RS’ ivory coloured leather is a bad choice for our sunny climate as it reflects too much sunlight within the cabin.
We love the previous HR-V’s very practical interior but this facelift model sees a downgrade in its infotainment system. All variants get only 4 speakers and although the display screens are now larger, the USB port – which was previously located at the utility area below the centre console bridge – has been moved to the head unit.
Charging your phone now requires a longer cable snaking down from the head unit, looping over the centre console or gear knob. It’s a very poor arrangement that contradicts the otherwise well thought out, practical interior. The user interface and image quality of the head unit is also poor.
The only saving grace is its ultra-practical interior, which is far more usable than even the larger Proton X70. Although the HR- V is smaller, the mechanical bits are laid out better than anyone else, allowing it to offer more usable space than the larger Proton.
The secret is the Ultra Seats, which allows the rear seats to not just fold down, but also up thus allowing you to carry large, tall objects easily. No more fiddling with the backseats or rearranging the boot.
The boot stores up to 404 litres of cargo (seats up), 23 litres less than a non-hybrid variant but it’s still far bigger than any of its in-class rivals (Toyota C-HR: 388 litres, Mazda CX-3: 350 litres, Subaru XV: 310 litres).
Driving Experience
It might not look as sporty as the RS, or even as hip as the Toyota C-HR, but it’s the sedate looking HR-V Hybrid that has best drivetrain.
With ample amount of torque, accelerations are immediate and sustained over a wide rev range, until you run out of battery charge of course.
On paper, the HR-V Hybrid is not as powerful as the 2.0-litre Subaru XV or Mazda CX-3 but out here in real world driving conditions, the HR-V Hybrid impresses enough. The Honda’s
dual-clutch transmission
 helps too.
Unlike combustion engines, hybrids with their electric motors don’t need to be revved to build up torque. As a full-hybrid, the i-DCD Sport Hybrid drivetrain delivers its punch immediately from standing start. Where it impresses most is during in-gear accelerations – which in real-world driving, is more relevant than 0-100 km/h sprints.
The engine also runs a lot quieter than the City Hybrid/Jazz Hybrid, a direct benefit of using regular Otto cycle combustion instead of the fuel-saving Atkinson cycle.
The steering rack is not as sharp as the HR-V RS variant, which benefits from a variable ratio steering but to be honest, the omission doesn’t bother us at all.
A retuned rear suspension has also transformed the HR-V Hybrid’s dynamic behaviour slightly. The previous model’s suspension travel was a tad too short to be matched with its softly sprung setup. It was comfortable enough for most situations but up against the Toyota C-HR’s exceptional balance between comfort and body control, the HR-V was no match.
This revised setup is now a lot better. Lateral movements are now better controlled and the car holds its line better when pushed hard but it’s still nowhere near the Toyota C-HR’s composure.
Comfort
The improved suspension yields not just better handling, but also ride comfort.
Wind and road noise when driving at highway speeds was a common complaint in the previous HR-V. The new model features additional sound proofing materials in the bulkhead, floorpan and boot floor.
There aren’t a lot of long straight roads on our test route in Langkawi to verify how much quieter the improved cabin is but our initial experience is positive.
The front seats have also been improved, with better thigh support, thicker side bolsters and improved cushion material.
Legroom, shoulder room and headroom are also superior to any of its in-class rivals.
The HR-V’s cabin is still the best in its class, even after considering the aforementioned downgrade in infotainment, which we only accept grudgingly. The Mazda CX-3 is too cramped inside and although the Toyota C-HR is very comfortable in front, the rear seats can be claustrophobic.
Fuel Economy
Claimed fuel consumption is 4.4-litre/100 km but of course, the sort of hard driving we subjected the car to meant that it was pointless to track it as we had been swapping drivers and even participated in a gymkhana course.
A more representative real-world driving experience will follow at a later time.
Conclusion
Although it has become all too common on our roads today, the new and improved HR-V is still the wisest buy in the segment, so long as you don’t mind blending in with the crowd.
No other crossover comes close to matching the HR-V’s combination of value and practicality. The hybrid variant is our favourite of the HR-V range.
It might look rather sedate but the deceptively named HR-V Hybrid packs quite a bit of punch, and is certainly sportier to drive than the HR-V RS.
The vehicle itself is warrantied for 5 years (unlimited mileage), while the hybrid battery itself is warrantied for 8 years (unlimited mileage), running in parallel with the vehicle warranty.
However we hope that something can be done about the downgraded infotainment system. It's the weakest link in the otherwise excellent car and moving the USB port from the centre console to the head unit has caused a lot of inconvenience.
Click
here
 to get the best deals for a Honda HR-V.


Beijing 2016: Toyota Launches China-only, Plug-In Hybrid Variants of Corolla Altis

Toyota has announced today that it will be launching two plug-in hybrid variants of the Corolla Altis for the Chinese market in 2018.
The car that we all know as the Toyota Corolla Altis is sold in China under two nameplates – Corolla and Levin. They are both the same car with minor styling differences, each sold under a different Toyota joint venture company in China.
Like many car makers, Toyota has two local joint ventures. FAW-Toyota sells the Corolla while GAC-Toyota sells the Levin. Regular Corolla and Levin models are powered by either a 1.6-litre Dual VVT-I or 1.8-litre Dual VVT-i engine, both are paired to a CVT-type automatic transmission.
Last year, a 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid engine borrowed from the Prius was added to the list of engine options, for the Corolla Hybrid and Levin Hybrid (both are pictured here).
By 2018, a plug-in hybrid powertrain partially developed in China by Toyota Motor (Changshu) Auto Parts Co., Ltd. and Sinogy Toyota Automotive Energy System Co., Ltd. will join the line-up.
Toyota did not reveal any specifications for the upcoming Corolla and Levin Plug-in Hybrid but it’s very likely to be similar to the recently launched in the US Toyota Prius Prime, whose 1.8-litre petrol engine is complemented by an 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, giving it an electric-only driving range of slightly more than 50 km.


2018 All-New Ford Focus Teased  - Global Debut Next Week

Ford has teased has teased its upcoming all-new Ford Focus model in a short but artistic video, just ahead of its global debut on the 10th of April 2018.
The 10-odd second video provides a clear look at the fourth-generation Focus’ headlamp design and LED daytime running light graphics. Another shot highlights the new wheel design, visibly shod in Michelin tyres. The video closes out with a panning view of rear end, which features the “Focus” nameplate emblazoned across the boot section.
The video closes out with the date of the upcoming world debut.
According to
AutoExpress
, the fourth-generation car will likely be based on Ford’s Global C-Car platform which has been adapted suit the company’s latest range of petrol (Ecoboost) and diesel engines. Hybrid and full-electric versions (which is compatible with the C-Car platform) likely be introduced in stages, as part of Ford’s plan to introduce up to 13 electrified models by 2020.
We managed got our hands on
some spyshots
 early last year, which captured the 2018 Focus undergoing winter testing. Despite the test mule’s heavy camouflage, the pictures gave us a glimpse of the new car’s front fascia and rear section of the car, which revealed a new rear door design, with an integrated rear quarter glass.


Toyota Hilux GR Sport Dilancarkan Di Thailand – Versi Low-Rider Curi Tumpuan

Jenama prestasi milik Toyota, Toyota
Racing Development (TRD)
 perlahan-lahan sedang ditukar kepada
Gazoo Racing (GR)
 bagi peringkat global. Malah, pasaran Malaysia juga telah menerima
Vios GR Sport
. Kini tiba giliran Hilux GR Sport pula untuk membuat debutnya di pasaran Thailand.

Menariknya, Toyota Hilux GR Sport ini ditawarkan dalam dua versi, iaitu versi biasa (high-rider) serta versi low-rider yang mempunyai jarak roda yang lebih kecil serta lebih rendah. Sebelum anda mengecam versi lowered, gaya
trak pikap
 yang direndahkan seperti ini memang amat popular di Thailand. Mana taknya, model ini dibangunkan oleh jurutera tempatan Toyota Thailand sendiri.

Seperti biasalah, apa yang baru pada Hilux GR Sport ini? Berikut merupakan antara pembaharuan yang terdapat pada bahagian luaran trak pikap ini;

Versi High-Rider

Diasaskan dari model varian tertinggi Hilux Rocco (
Rogue
 untuk pasaran Malaysia)

Kemasan pelindung badan, bingkai gril dan overfender kini mengikut warna badan

Pelekat grafik badan bertemakan warna hitam-merah seperti
kereta rali Toyota Gazoo Racing

Logo pada gril digantikan dengan skrip ‘TOYOTA’

Perumah lampu kabut yang lebih besar

Sports bar berwarna hitam dengan pencahayaan LED di bahagian belakang

Rim aloi 18-inci

Lencana GR di bahagian hadapan, sisi, dan belakang

Angkup brek hadapan berwarna merah dengan logo GR

Penutup cermin sisi berwarna hitam.

Versi Low-Rider

Diasaskan dari model Hilux Z Edition

Diinspirasikan dari kereta lumba Super GT Gazoo Racing

Kit badan lebih sporty – gril hadapan baharu, skirt sisi, panel seakan diffuser di bampar belakang

Rim aloi 17-inci

Pelekat grafik badan

Angkup brek hadapan berwarna merah dengan logo GR

Penutup cermin sisi berwarna hitam

Lencana GR di bahagian hadapan, sisi, dan belakang

Interior

Kedua-dua versi Hilux GR Sport ini menerima stereng balutan kulit beserta garisan penanda berwarna merah. Bertemakan warna kemasan hitam dan kelabu gelap, kabinnya turut menerima pedal aloi yang lebih sporty serta tempat duduk balutan kulit berwarna hitam dengan kemasan baldu yang disertakan dengan logo GR. Bagaimanapun, versi low-rider tidak menerima butang penghidup enjin dengan logo GR.

Kluster instrumen Hilux GR Sport ini pula menggunakan gabungan meter analog dengan paparan skrin yang lebih menarik. Hilux ini merupakan Hilux pertama yang dilengkapi dengan paddle shifter di belakang sterengnya.

Enjin dan Prestasi

Hilux GR Sport menggunakan enjin turbodiesel 1GD-FTV 2.8 liter yang menjana output maksimum 204 PS dan 500 Nm tork. Meskipun ia merupakan enjin yang sama terdapat pada Hilux Rogue, tetapi bagi versi low-rider, ianya satu peningkatan memandangkan sebelum ini ianya ditawarkan dengan enjin 2GD-FTV 2.4 liter sahaja. Enjin Hilux GR Sport ini dipadankan dengan transmisi automatik 6-kelajuan secara standard. Versi high-rider menerima sistem pacuan 4 roda sebagai standard manakala versi low-rider hanya menerima sistem pacuan roda belakang.

Bagi versi low-rider, sistem suspensinya telah menerima penalaan semula dimana ia kini 23mm lebih rendah berbanding model biasa bagi menambah faktor aerodinamik yang lebih baik pada jentera ini. Gaya seperti ini memang menjadi kegilaan di Thailand.

Ciri Keselamatan

Bagi versi 4x4 atau high-rider, ia menerima ciri bantuan
ADAS
 seperti:

Pre-Collision System (PCS)

Panoramic View Monitor (PVM)

Lane Departure Alert (LDA)

Blind Spot Monitor & Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (BSM, RCTA)

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)

Harga

Harga jualan bagi Toyota Hilux GR Sport di Thailand bermula dari 889,000 Baht (RM113,936) untuk model low-rider, dan 1,299,000 Baht (RM166,483) untuk versi Hi-Rider.


Jeep Showcasing 2015 Model Lineup In Bangsar Shopping Center With March Promotion

Jeep
 has come a long way since manufacturing the iconic military terrestrial runabout during World War II, and throughout the decades hasn’t deviated off their course of offering new on and off-road capable machines.
Jeep's local distributor DRB-Hicom is showing off their range for Malaysia at their roadshow at Bangsar Shopping Center, Kuala Lumpur, where customers can get a feel for and learn about their Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, and Compass models.There are goodies to be given away and even an Instagram booth for selfie enthusiasts.
Jeep also has an ongoing March ‘1-2-3’ promotion that encompasses one year free insurance, two percent interest rate per annum, and three years free service. It runs throughout the month ending 31
st
 March 2015.
You can visit Jeep Malaysia's website at
www.jeep.my
, or look them up on Facebook
HERE
.


Land Rover Discovery Joins Red Cross Austria’s Emergency Response Fleet

A unique Land Rover Discovery has just entered active service with the Red Cross emergency response fleet in Austria.
The Discovery will operate as a mobile nerve centre for disaster emergencies from which Red Cross experts can direct rescue operations.
The vehicle, developed from the original Project Hero concept, is the result of an 18-month collaboration between Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations and the Austrian Red Cross.
The specially designed and engineered Discovery has the latest communications equipment including an advanced eight-rotor drone.
A long-range thermal imaging camera which is fitted to the drone is capable of spotting a person from 440 m, and can identify a vehicle at almost 1,000 m.
The operator can also track objects found using the drone simply by tapping the item on the slide-out main computer touchscreens video feed and obtain precise co-ordinates.
Other bespoke features include four radio antennae, 360-degree lighting, and a unique integrated carbon fibre load space
Based on a 258 PS  3.0-litre TD6 Land Rover Discovery, the Red Cross Discovery allows emergency crews to reach remote disaster zones quickly in all conditions, and also to provide instant updates to improve response times and co-ordinate emergency planning.
Michael van der Sande, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations said, “Our partnership with the Red Cross isn’t just about our vehicles. Since we started collaborating in 1954, our aim has been to help the Red Cross improve its disaster response and ultimately to help save lives. Over the past 18 months our engineers have worked closely with the emergency response team at the Austrian Red Cross, deploying Land Rover’s technology and talent to create a unique solution to the requirements of the Red Cross in the region."
Dr Jemilah Mahmood, IFRC Under Secretary General for Partnerships said, “We are grateful for Land Rover’s generous support over the past six decades. The Discovery Emergency Response Vehicle is yet another result of our strong global partnership that brings together the best expertise of the Red Cross and Land Rover in one unique vehicle, which will make a difference in rescue operations in the harshest conditions.
Land Rover’s close relationship with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) began with the donation of a vehicle to be used as a mobile dispensary in the deserts of Dubai in 1954.
Since then, Land Rover has donated more than 120 vehicles to the IFRC, helping the organisation improve the lives of vulnerable communities across the globe


Giant Blade Slices Into Chinese Driver's Pickup Truck

In this scene which appears to come straight out of the Final Destination film series, a man in China cheated death after a giant circular saw blade crashed right into his car.
Mr. Xiang was driving on the Chongqing-Guizhou Expressway in Central China when he heard a crash in the opposite lane when a truck carrying the cutting equipment lost control and hit something, causing the blades it was carrying to dislodge. The one that hit Mr. Xiang’s moving JMC emerged from the bushes moments later, hurtling towards the pickup.
The 152cm cutting blade ripped through the front-end of the JMC pickup truck and narrowly missed the driver, embedding itself 50cm deep into the front of the pickup truck. Should he had driven faster or if the blade hit the pickup at a slightly different angle, it could have proven fatal.
Most terrifying driving experience in the world? We reckon this is.
Source:
people.cn


Nasim Sdn Bhd Announces Peugeot Protect For Improved Customer Ownership Experience

Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor for Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia has introduced
Peugeot
 Protect, a new initiative to make the customer ownership experience even better.
Peugeot Protect is a five year protection plan for all Peugeot vehicles and is exclusive to new owners. What makes it different?
Well, a standard motor insurance policy will never cover the original purchase price of a car should an unwanted incident like theft, accidents, fire, flood, or natural disasters occur, which results in a total loss of a vehicle.
However,
Peugeot
 Protect, which is backed by Axa and Affin Bank, will address this issue by covering the difference in value between the Peugeot’s purchase price and the decreased value insured by the motor insurance policy.
This ensures that, in the event of a total loss, customers will not need to bear the burden of paying for the uninsured outstanding value of their vehicle. Instead, they will be able to simply replace their lost vehicle with a brand new Peugeot and resume life as usual.
“As the first automotive distributor in Malaysia offering this coverage across the model range, our customers can rest easy knowing their vehicles have this extra layer of security. Peugeot Protect can be utilised anytime within the five year period. It covers the difference between the motor insurance pay-out restoring the original purchase price of the vehicle,” said Dato’ Samson Anand George, Chief Operating Officer of Nasim Sdn Bhd.
During the introductory stage from 1 July to 31 July, 2015, customers who purchase models from the
Peugeot 3008
,
5008
, and
new 508
 range will be entitled to a free Peugeot Protect plan where Nasim Sdn Bhd will cover the cost of premium during this one month special promotion period.


Mercedes-Benz Adds GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC to the Line-up

Mercedes-Benz’s new BMW X5-challenger,
the GLE
, has become the latest model to receive Mercedes-AMG GmbH “diet-AMG” treatment with the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC.
Powering the GLE 450 is the same 367hp/520Nm 3-litre biturbo V6 engine you might otherwise find in the other two “AMG sports models”, the
GLE 450 AMG Coupé
 and C450 AMG. Like its coupé cousin, the GLE 450 also gets Mercedes-Benz’s 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive with a torque split of 40:60 to the front and rear axle.
Despite having an upright body, the GLE 450 gets from 0 to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds, and is capable of a 250km/h top speed, similar figures to that of the Coupé.
As befit its status as the sportier offering in the GLE line-up, the GLE 450 AMG comes with neat design touches such as the two chromed twin tailpipes, black-painted and high-sheen 20-inch 5-spoke alloy rims, and black and silver chrome to ensure that it stands out from the regular GLE. Inside the GLE 450 gets nappa leather flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, while the cabin features AMG carbon-fibre/black piano lacquer trim combined with aluminium trim, and brushed stainless steel sport pedals.
Settings for all sorts of Conditions
The GLE 450 gets five selected drive programmes ‘Individual’, ‘Comfort’, ‘Slippery’, ‘Sport’, and ‘Sport Plus’ for drivers to adjust the vehicle parameters such as throttle response, load development, transmission switch points and shift speeds, chassis, steering, engine sound, and instrumentation.
While ‘Sport’, ‘Sport Plus’, and ‘Comfort’ are in its self, pretty descriptive of the adjustments it would bring, the ‘Slippery’ mode on the other hand optimises the GLE 450’s handling on low friction surfaces such as snow or ice. ‘Individual’ on the other hand allows drivers to store personal preferences in individual setting parameters.
GLE 450 Specific 4MATIC
According to Mercedes-AMG, the standard-fit 4MATIC system has been specifically designed for use in the GLE 450 to suit its performance-oriented use. The system has also been fitted with a specific AMG rear axle transmission with a shorter 3.47:1 ratio.
Set to a rear-biased configuration to deliver improved ‘lateral dynamics’, the 4MATIC works in tandem with the vehicle’s adapted acceleration skid control (ASR), the ESP with Curve Dynamic Assist and its 4ETS all-wheel drive control system.
Sharpened up Chassis and Steering
The GLE 450 comes standard with the AIRMATIC package, which includes air suspension, ADS Plus variable adaptive damping system, and automatic level control. The damping system can be adjusted from one of the five drive programmes, and automatically adjusts the damping forces to each wheel with information on current operating conditions fed from the vehicle’s steering angle sensor, four turning angle sensors, driving speed from the ESP signal, and the brake pedal. Should the ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport Plus’ drive programme be selected, the AIRMATIC system will drop the ride height by 15mm.
Aside from the suspension package, the GLE 450 is specified with the Sport Direct-Steer system, which offers a quicker steering ratio at 17.4:1. Fitted with a smaller sports steering wheel, the steering system is expected to bring heightened and sharper responses to the GLE 450.
Complete with Advanced Safety Features
Though cantered towards a sportier disposition, the GLE 450 AMG isn’t complete without its complement of safety systems as standard. The list of features that comes as standard in the GLE 450 AMG include Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Adaptive Brake, Attention Assist, Pre-Safe, Crosswind Alert, and a Tyre Pressure monitoring system.


2017 Honda Odyssey Facelift Launched In Indonesia

PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) has launched the newly-facelifted 2017 Honda Odyssey for the Indonesian market. The same event also saw the
facelifted 2017 Honda City
 launched at the same time.
This updated version of the fifth-generation Odyssey, originally launched in 2014, is a different vehicle from the
American-market 2017 Odyssey
 that was shown at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year.
Revisions are largely limited to external aesthetics, however, as Honda has opted to carry on with much of the outgoing model’s existing array of features. Distinguishing features include a new black front grille, black fog light garnish, and redesigned 17-inch alloy wheels.
These new items complement existing features that include self-leveling automatic projector headlamps; LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights, and LED third brake light
Inside, the Odyssey’s driver gets 8-way powered seat adjustment with memory together with the following features built into the steering wheel tilt & telescopic adjustment, paddle shifters, and integrated controls for audio and auto cruise.
Infotainment is operated through a 7-inch touchscreen and in it are functions that include GPS navigation and multi-view camera assist. A powered sunroof with anti-pinch lets in some light and climate control is triple zone.
Access to the rear is provided by powered sliding doors with courtesy light. Once inside, middle row occupants can perch themselves in a pair of individual captain’s chairs with manual Ottoman function.
Completing the equipment manifest, the 2017 Odyssey is equipped with a comprehensive array of active and passive safety features as follows:
Cross traffic monitor
6 airbags
ABS, EBD, Brake Assist
ISOFIX
Pedestrian protection
Electronic stability control (VSA)
Hill start assist
Emergency stop signal

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Detroit 2017: Honda To Debut All-New North American-market Only Honda Odyssey

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December 20, 2016

 Powering the Odyssey is Honda’s 2.4-litre Earth Dreams engine with outputs of 175PS and 226Nm. Shared with the Accord, the four-cylinder twin-cam i-VTEC petrol engine is paired here with Honda’s in-house Earth Dreams CVT to send power to the front wheels.
According to our Indonesia-based colleagues from
Otospirit.com
 and
Mobil123.com

(who also provided the on-ground photos accompanying this article), the new 2017 Honda Odyssey is priced at IDR 718 million on-the-road in Jakarta, converting to about RM306k at the present exchange rate of IDR 3,002 to RM1. In Malaysia, the Odyssey is priced at RM255,500 on-the-road with insurance for its sole 2.4 EXV variant.


All-New Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan Boasts World’s Most Slippery Design, Ever

The all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan features the lowest drag of any production vehicle worldwide, coming in with a C
d
 value of 0.22 and a frontal area of 2.19 m
2
, surpassing even the new A-Class hatchback’s 0.25 C
d
.
Engineers at Mercedes-Benz optimized the A-Class Sedan’s by utilizing computer-aided engineering (CAE), multiplicity of computation loops, and measurements in the Sindelfingen wind tunnel. The A-Class Sedan’s impressive aerodynamics are further aided by an extensive sealing concept that includes sealing of the headlight surrounds and an almost complete seal of the underbody, including the engine bay, main floorpan, parts of the rear axle, and the rear diffuser.
Additionally, the front and rear wheel spoilers were carefully optimized to route air around the wheels. Speaking of the wheels, Mercedes-Benz engineers also fine tuned the wheels and tyres to improve aerodynamics.
Pictured here is the China market A-Class L Sedan
Depending on the market, the all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan can be optioned with a two-part shutter grille system that reduces airflow into the engine bay.
Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled the A-Class L Sedan at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show, with a 60 mm longer wheelbase than the regular hatchback. The China-exclusive A-Class L Sedan is powered by a few petrol engines, including a 2.0-litre turbo petrol that does 180 hp.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the A-Class Sedan is set to be introduced towards the end of 2018 with technologies carried over from the A-Class hatchback, including the excellent Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system.


2017 Ford Ranger XL Standard -  "Contractor Spec" Makes Malaysian Debut

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) has announced the introduction of a new variant of the Ford Ranger called the Ranger XL Standard pickup truck.
Priced at RM83,588 OTR without insurance in Peninsular Malaysia and RM89,388 in East Malaysia, the Ranger XL Standard is basically an entry-level ‘workhorse’ version of the T6 Ranger.
This is why the variant comes with unpainted black front grille and bumpers, 16-inch steel wheels, and no sports bars.
Power is supplied by Ford’s four-cylinder 2.2L TDCi diesel engine putting out 125PS and 320Nm of torque, and paired to the engine is a 6-speed manual transmission with 4x4 shift on the fly (ESOF).
Standard features on the Ranger XL Standard includes:
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
Reverse Sensors
Side Steps
Rear Cargo Load Rest
Inner and Outer Truck Bed Tie Downs
These are on top of the dual front airbags, head restraints, and the 3-point safety belts across all five seats.
Available in two colours - Cool White and Meteor Grey – the Ranger XL Standard is able to wade through water up to 800 mm deep, and also comes with 230 mm of ground clearance.


BMW 320i vs Mercedes-Benz C200 vs Volkswagen Arteon

Is the Volkswagen Arteon a worthy competitor to the
BMW
 320i and Mercedes Benz C200?

The
 premium compact executive sedan market
consists mainly of
BMW's 3 Series
and
Mercedes-Benz's C-Class
. While most buyers will not bat an eyelid at something else if they were shopping for a car in this territory, there are some who are bored of these cars and look elsewhere for an alternative.

But where should they look? We say why not try Volkswagen?

But Volkswagen doesn't have a competitor for the 3 Series and C-Class we hear you say, well, they just might actually.

Many would say that traditionally, the C-Class and 3 Series are a segment underneath the
Arteon
, but actually, if you base it on price and 'premium-ness', the Arteon can easily be a member of this group.

So which BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class would the Arteon go up against? Well, since we are basing it on price, it'll have to be the
320i
and the
C200
.

So how does the
Arteon
 stand up against the 320i and C200? To get a better picture, we've prepared a simple comparison table to obtain a clearer picture.

Volkswagen Arteon vs BMW 320i vs Mercedes-Benz C200

Volkswagen Arteon

BMW 320i

Mercedes-Benz C200

MSRP

RM221k w/o SST

RM242k w/o SST

RM250k w/o SST

Engine

2.0-litre Turbo

2.0-litre Turbo

2.0-litre Turbo

Transmission

7-Speed Dual-Clutch

8-Speed ZF

9-speed G-Tronic

Drivetrain

FWD

RWD

RWD

Fuel Economy (claimed)

6 litres/100km

6.3 litres/100km

6.3 litres/100km

Horsepower

187

184

204

Torque (Nm)

320

300

300

0-100 Km/h (Seconds)

7.7

7.1

7.1

Wheels

19

18

18

Suspension

Adaptive

Regular

Adaptive

Airbags

7

6

7

Safety

ABS, EBD, Stability Control,  ISOFIX

ABS, EBD, Stability Control, Autonomous Brake System, Lane Keeping Assist, ISOFIX

ABS, EBD, Stability Control, Blind Spot System, Autonomous Brake System, Collision Warning, ISOFIX

As you can see from the table, the Arteon does have some good merits which allows it to be part of the premium compact executive sedan gang. It pretty much has everything that the 3 Series and C-Class have to offer.

The main difference between the Arteon, C-Class and 3 Series is that the Volkswagen is FWD car and is about RM20k cheaper than the other two. If you ever get the chance to view all three cars, you would notice that the Arteon is a bit more unique and dare we say it, a bit more premium. It just oozes class, and every single bit of the car feels expensive.

Everything from its framless doors, to its clamshell hood, fastback styling and curvaceous body just screams elegance and style. It is a bit low on the safety equipment aspect, but it has most of what you need to keep you safe.

If you think the car is not fun to drive, then perhaps its Electronic Differential Lock (XDS) will tell you otherwise as it lets you push the car to the limit.

Will the Arteon pose a big threat to the big two? Probably not, but if you're the type of person who prefers not to be a sheep, then the Arteon is a viable, daring option.

The facelift Arteon is also due shortly in the Malaysian so maybe it's worth checking that out when it arrives.

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

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Carlist.my.

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CarlistBid.my
.

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Honda Really Went To Town With The 11th-Gen Civic - Things You Might Not Know About The Civic FE

After what seemed like just a short period after its
global debut
, the 11th generation Honda Civic FE has
officially been launched
 for the Malaysian market and is offered in three variants, including E, V, and the Civic lineup's newest member, RS.

But do you really know the advantages of the 11th generation Civic
over its predecessor
? Yes, on the surface, The Civic FE might just look like an exterior, interior overhaul with a little bit of tweaking of the powertrain, but that is not the case as many small yet important things have changed, giving the Civic a whole new
personality and class
.

There are a few things that Honda
has changed
 in the Civic to give it a breath of fresh air. To discuss further the new model's changes, we were given the opportunity by Honda Malaysia to virtually interview the 11th Generation Honda Civic Project Leader, Tomoyuki Yamagami.

The looks - Even the stance was considered

There's no denying it, a car's looks are a subjective matter. Some will like it, and some won't. Our personal opinion is that the Civic FE is a handsome little sedan as we feel like it looks more "flowy", more grown-up, more premium, very European.

Tomoyuki Yamagami said that Honda wanted the FE Civic to be more neutral and more premium. So the way they decided to go about it is to minimise unnecessary lines so that the whole look would flow better. They even used new welding technology such as roof braising to give the car a cleaner look where previously they might have had to cover up the roof gaps with rubber body trim.

Even the vehicle's stance was considered heavily. Using a HEM process, they gave the car a better stance and allowed the tyre placement to move outwards by 6mm, giving the Civic FE a fuller look at the wheel arches.

Responsiveness - Better handling, better powertrain

While the 10th generation Civic's powertrain and driving dynamics can be considered to be relatively responsive, Honda wanted to improve the car's overall responsiveness. Yamagami-san said that they first worked on
improving its body rigidity
 through greater use of structural adhesive and swapping out the front sub-frame and other components for lighter, more rigid items. As a result, the body is now 9.5 times more rigid than its predecessor, giving the car better comfort, but more importantly, better handling.

They then worked on the car's powertrain, improving some hardware and software. Despite re-cycling the 10th generations turbocharged 1.5-litre engine, the Civic FE gets new turbocharger hardware, giving it more performance and responsiveness. Its output has been increased by 9PS, making it 182PS, while the maximum torque is now 240Nm between 1,700 - 4,500 rpm, which is an increase of 20Nm over the previous model.

They also worked on the CVT, which helped increase the transmissions' feel and power transfer. According to the project leader, the CVT in the Civic FE has also been upgraded to make you feel like you are operating a conventional automatic transmission.

NVH - That premium feel

As we mentioned before, comfort has been improved due to body rigidity, but Honda didn't stop there as some additional hardware changes at the engine bay have also helped improve the Civic's NVH. When asked what some of those changes were, Tomoyuki Yamagami said they changed the crankshaft and oil pan to reduce the NVH rate.

They did this by equipping the 11th-Gen Civic with a more rigid crankshaft and a denser oil pan, which minimised vibrations. It might seem trivial, but Honda did try their best to improve the quality of the Civic, and it shows as they have considered all possible avenues without breaking the bank.

Upmarket - Better benchmarks, better car

While Honda had obviously not discounted its natural competitors like the Toyota Corolla Altis and Mazda 3 when creating the 11th Gen Civic, Honda actually looked up to more premium cars when it came time to benchmark the new sedan.

Mr. Yamagami said that they looked towards the Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3 and A4 when setting a benchmark for the Civic. This gave them a higher set of achievements to work towards, which improved the Civic for the best.

Increase in length not done for the obvious reasons

It's pretty well known that the 11th-Gen Civic has grown in size. It is wider by 3mm (1,802mm), longer by 35mm (4,678mm) and lower by 1mm (1,415mm).

This usually translates into a much roomier interior, improving the sedan's overall interior space. However, while the extended wheelbase has improved rear passenger comfort, the Civic FE has mainly benefited from this wheelbase stretch with its driving performance.

According to the Large Project Leader, the elongation of the wheelbase was done to give the Civic a more stable feel during fast highway driving. Since it's a global model, we had to ensure that the Civic would be comfortable and stable at high speeds on highways. So we tested the car in Europe and the Americas to ensure that it could cruise at high speeds all day long.

The car can recognise when the driver is on a spirited drive

Yamagami also informed us that many changes had been made to the CVT system by changing the software to provide better responses for driving. This includes the character of the transmission, as it will change according to what it feels like the driver needs.

Like the
media test drive at the Sepang International Circuit
 recently, the vehicle's system can detect that it is being driven hard and will change the CVT setting to give the car a more optimal driving characteristic relative to what it is being put through.

The change in CVT setting is detected through the ABS sensor and brake usage, where it can recognise that the car is being driven hard.

As we've mentioned before, although the Civic FE might seem like a straightforward upgrade in looks and features, Honda actually went beyond skin deep in their mission to make the Civic a much better car. Even without driving it, you will instantly recognise these significant changes manifesting through its cabin, but the driving experience will really give you a better impression of how these changes have improved the sedan.


A Tale Of Two Motor Shows: What’s With IIMS & GIIAS All Happening At Once?

Just in case you get confused with all the GIIAS and IIMS acronyms, fret not: you haven’t gone dyslexic just yet, nor have your marbles been misplaced. There really is two motor shows going on right now in Indonesia.
One is called (as you are probably more familiar with) the Indonesia International Motor Show, or IIMS 2015. But following a split with Gaikindo (the Indonesian automotive association) earlier this year, you now have the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show, or GIIAS 2015.
What’s probably particularly annoying to automotive journalist in Indonesia right now (including our men on the ground and back at base) is the fact that they’re both happening over the exact same period.
Why the split? Well, the Jakarta Globe reported that a dispute over which grounds the event would be held at was a primary factor – we can’t say for sure if or not this was the only factor, though.
Briefly, Gaikindo didn’t have faith in the conventional venue for the exhibition and its ability to host the largest automotive exhibition in the Southeast Asian region, and insisted on it being held at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition in BSD City, instead.
So, they split, in a soft of “you have yours there, I’ll have mine here” fashion.
Gaikindo secretary general Noergadjito was quoted to say that, “We’re not content with being the largest automotive exhibition in Indonesia or the Southeast Asian region. We want to be the biggest in Asia. We changed the venue because of the increasing demands of the exhibition, which JI Expo is no longer able to satisfy. With a newer venue, we will surely attract more international interest.”
More recently, rumours have been spread that Gaikindo had forbid its participating brands and members from also taking part in the IIMS 2015 show. However, its chairman was quick to squash those rumours.
“We have never prohibited our members from participating in the other on-going exhibition. They are free to participate anywhere they choose.”
The GIIAS show will feature a total of 24 passenger vehicle brands at its events, including the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Toyota, Mazda, Volkswagen and more, with up to 20 new vehicle launches taking place.
Hence, the tale of two motor/ auto shows in Indonesia. Cheerios, and good luck to us all!
Source:
Mobil123


Is This The All-New 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205) Coupe?

We’ll start you off on the right foot by saying, no, it unfortunately isn’t. What it is instead is a very clever photoshop job which looks pretty darn accurate, potentially leaking the all-new
Mercedes-Benz
 model for the world to see before the company gets a chance themselves.
German
Autobild.de
 are the folks responsible for putting a render of the coming all-new
C-Class
 Coupe next to a Ford Mustang, and have been good enough at the job to fool quite a few international media about it. Heck, who could blame anyone for falling for it (us too) with such a good job done here.
We understand that, thanks to Google Translate, the team behind this render actually had the all-new C-Class Coupe next to a
Ford

Mustang
, albeit camouflaged. The digital artists here simply stripped off the camo with their talents.
In short, what they’ve done is slap an S-Class Coupe’s rear end on to the C-Class: you’ll be able to spot this from the slander taillights, slooping roofline and rear bumper. Without anyone seeing a fully uncover rear-end of the new C-Class Coupe, many believe that this render is actually very accurate to what’s really on. We’ll know for sure come the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
For now, do enjoy these photos, and don’t forget to thank Autobild’s sharp designers for the great work.
Check out our Malaysian reports on the all-new C-Class:
2015 Mercedes-Benz C 250 (W205) Exclusive Full Review
CKD 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 200, C 250 Price Revealed, From RM270k


Volvo Once Again Does Something For The Greater Cause - Drops New Car 30 Metres From The Air

Volvo goes to extreme measures to help rescuers understand heavily crashed cars and how to work around them.

Everyone knows
Volvo
 is pedantic about the safety features of their cars but no one would have ever guessed that Volvo would go to such extremes to help gather extensive data with regard to extreme car crashes.

The latest method used by Volvo to do
car crash
 research is to drop a car 30 meters from the air via a crane. It is the most extreme crash test ever executed by Volvo Cars let alone any other manufacturer that we can recall at least, and a crucial one where it helps rescuers to understand what does happen if it ever happened for real.

Extrication specialists often use cars crashed at the Volvo Cars Safety Centre to hone their lifesaving skills.

This approach helped create enough damage to adequately simulate the damage found in the most extreme crash scenarios: think of single-car accidents at very high speed, accidents whereby a car hits a truck at high speed, or accidents whereby a car takes a severe hit from the side.

In such situations, people inside the car are likely to be in a critical condition. Therefore the priority is to get people out of the car and to a hospital as quickly as possible, using hydraulic rescue tools known in the industry as ‘jaws of life’. Extrication specialists often talk about the golden hour: they need to release and get a patient to the hospital within one hour after the accident has happened.

“We have been working closely together with the Swedish rescue services for many years,” says Håkan Gustafson, a senior investigator with the Volvo Cars Traffic Accident Research Team. “That is because we have the same goal: to have safer roads for all. We hope no one ever needs to experience the most severe accidents, but not all accidents can be avoided. So it is vital there are methods to help save lives when the most severe accidents do happen.”

The other reason why Volvo is helping conduct this research with extrication specialists is because usually, rescue workers get their training vehicles from scrapyards. But these cars are often up to two decades old. And in terms of steel strength, safety cage construction and overall durability, there is a vast difference between modern cars and those built fifteen to twenty years ago. And new Volvos are made of some of the hardest steel found in modern cars.

This makes it crucial for rescue workers to constantly update their familiarity with newer car models and review their processes, in order to develop new extrication techniques. In other words, these training sessions can mean the difference between life and death. So at the request of the rescue services, Volvo Cars decided to step things up a notch.

“Normally we only crash cars in the laboratory, but this was the first time we dropped them from a crane,” says Håkan Gustafson. “We knew we would see extreme deformations after the test, and we did this to give the rescue team a real challenge to work with.”

A total of ten Volvos, of different models, were dropped from the crane several times. Before the drop, Volvo Cars safety engineers made exact calculations about how much pressure and force each car needed to be exposed to, in order to reach the desired level of damage.

Apart from the huge respect we give to Volvo for doing this, we couldn't also help but to respect the safety of their cars because if you haven't noticed, the
Volvo cars
 that were involved in this test mostly had their cabins still intact - now that's some safety provided by Swedish metal alright.


Tesla Teases New Model Y, Only Ready In End 2020

Tesla has released a single teaser image accompanying their unveil date of their latest product, the Model Y.
The Model Y is expected to slot beneath their flagship Model X. In a tweet by the Elon Musk, CEO and co-founder of Tesla, the Model Y is set to have a lower range and 10 percent higher pricing than
the Model 3
 sedan it is based on.
Fans of the brand and sources familiar with the matter said the Model Y will share the same dashboard with the 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system and cabin space for just five seats.
Nice Try! Our constant desire to adjust all lighting parameters in teaser images have finally been rewarded!
Tesla has so far only begun plant upgrade works with the schedule to only commence volume production of the Tesla Y by the end of 2020.
This fourth model also completes Musk's initial desire to have a line-up of 'SEXY' vehicles, with the S, 3, X, and now Y. Model 3 could not be named Model E due to protest from Ford Motor Company.
More information on the new all-electric crossover will be available on Friday, 15th March


The PROJECTED Resale Value Of The Proton X50 In The Next Five Years

Resale value is undoubtedly high on the priority list of every Proton X50 owner eagerly awaiting to either buy or be delivered their new car.

Of course, this is just
Proton’s second SUV,
 and its first one, the
X70
, has been around for less than two years.

Hence, at this point, it’s hard to tell if Proton’s new contender will hold as much value as its competitors, for instance, the Honda HR-V – notably the
bestselling B-Segment SUV up till now
 – which has a proven track record of retaining value. Moreover, it’s been around for five years now, so it’s easy to track just how good its resale value is.

Also note, that there are other significant factors which we believe will contribute to stronger used vehicle prices for the X50 in the near future, but more on this later.

But first...

Just to recap, here’s the average price percentage depreciation of a Proton across the last 5-years.

The yearly average depreciation across the four Proton models (Iriz, Exora, Saga, and Persona) for the first 5-years are as follows:

Year 1: 11.2 percent

Year 2: 21.3 percent

Year 3: 31.2 percent

Year 4: 38.9 percent

Year 5: 46.3 percent

Now, if we were to apply those percentages and calculate the reduction, we would end up with the following tentative resale value of the X50 over the next 5-years, by variant:

Click
here
 to enlarge

Now we must reiterate that resale value of any vehicle is based on a variety of factors, and the data we present is based on an average price of the model (some sell for less, some for more) throughout an entire year.

Economics 101 will tell us that the fundamental factor that dictates the price of any product or service is supply and demand - and demand for SUVs is an ever-growing one, so that's good news for X50 owners looking to sell their cars down the line.

In addition to having good demand, the resale value of any car is also determined by the following factors:

vehicle age

vehicle condition

maintenance costs

financing options

service history

model-specific issues or known common faults

model desirability and prestige

All the above factors can positively or adversely affect the overall demand for the vehicle, and hence, what the market is willing to pay for it. Therefore, in the coming years, more of these factors will become known and therefore start to influence buyer sentiment for the X50.

But, how can we post any reliable resale value projection without any historic data?

Well, there is one way of extrapolating the data that we need. We could use the “brand average depreciation” – thereby offering a qualitative assessment on how the Proton X50 could depreciate through its years of service.

If you missed it, we recently compared the depreciation average of Perodua, Proton, Honda, and Toyota to find out which brand commands
the strongest resale value in Malaysia
.

To ensure that the measurement was fair to all four brands, we took a yearly average depreciation across four popular models from each manufacturer, so as to provide a comprehensive measurement across the board, with respect to the type of vehicle, model, price point and popularity.

We then used our in-house developed
iCarData
 suite to measure the successful listing prices of each particular model to measure the depreciation curve across a 5-year period (from 2015 – 2019). By combining the collective depreciation across four models, we obtained a yearly average percentage drop in value from the original selling price.

Having the yearly average price percentage drop of the brand, in this case, Proton, will allow us to extrapolate values from the graph and predict the average selling price of the X50 over the next 5-years. Admittedly, it's far from definitive, but it's still based on accurate data from the past.

Note, however, these are just projections intended to best inform an X50 owner on the eventual rates of depreciation – which are inevitable regardless of how the good car may be. Additionally, for the used car buyer, it offers an estimation of the prices that they can expect to pay a few years down the line if they prefer to buy a used vehicle.

But, we also mentioned that the Proton X50 will likely perform better than other Proton models, here's why...

It's an SUV

Yes, we have covered that it's an SUV, but from our projections, in just 4-5 years, the X50 tentative used prices make it a trendy SUV within the reach of the 'brand new' Perodua Myvi buyer. At prices hovering around the RM55k-RM60k mark, one could hypothetically have an X50 Flagship for the price of the top-spec Myvi. So this will go a long way to ensuring the X50 has continued demand even after a few years.

Proton maintenance costs

Proton has done well in recent years to manage and reduce the costs of maintenance for its vehicles. This along with the comprehensive warranty packages they sell with their cars should be a dominant driver of steady used market prices. A well-priced vehicle with lower maintenance costs goes hand-in-hand to preserve market value in the long run.

Proton Certified Pre-Owned program

Proton's new Certified Pre-Owned program is another initiative of the company to further stabilise the used vehicle values of their car. In the coming years, Proton's Certified Pre-Owned operation will help to stabilise price benchmarks across their vehicle range. This will be good for all their models, and particularly good for the newcomer X50.

Popular models can outperform their brand average

Certain cars that appeal to a large variety of customers tend to outperform their brand averages. If we go back to our Best Resale Value report, we find the Honda HR-V outperforms Honda's overall average over other models such as the Honda City. This is simply because it's a practical SUV that offers loads of value for money. The X50 will most likely outperform other models in its range because it is also a superbly designed SUV with value for money equipment and safety features.

In conclusion, we can surmise that the X50, should be a stout performer on the used vehicle market, as it is currently proving on the new car market.


Ford May Introduce Superheated Version Of Their New Focus RS

We'd defy anyone who drives or even is familiar with the new
Focus
 RS to call it a slow car. But apparently
Ford
’s own opinion is that it isn’t fast as it could be, writes UK's Autocar. Insiders have disclosed that an even more potent limited-run version of the four-wheel drive hot hatch is being considered.
Indeed, the 345hp extracted from its turbocharged 2.3-litre 4-cylinder engine is approaching technical and thermal limits. Any more could risk it being far less reliable that what’s necessary in a production car. Rather, this superheated RS’s gains could come via weight savings and refinements to the chassis and transmission.
Material solutions to the car’s body such as polycarbonate glazing, carbon fibre reinforced plastic panels, forged-aluminium suspension components, carbon ceramic brakes, reduced noise insulation and a stripped-out interior could all amount to a 100kg weight shedding.
Mechanically, an electronically controlled limited-slip front differential could be added and tuned to work with the GKN-supplied rear drive unit, along with a dual-clutch transmission. Ford’s Getrag-supplied Powershift transmission would be an obvious fit, but will need to be altered to handle the RS’s 475Nm of torque.
Barring the added weight of the transmission being too much of a burden, this hotter Focus RS has the potential to be fastest-accelerating hatchback to date, with a 0-100km/h sprint time of under 4.0 seconds within the realm of possibility.
Reportedly, Ford has
Mercedes-Benz
’s
A45 AMG
 (4.2 seconds) and
Audi

RS3
’s sprint time (4.3 seconds) squarely in its crosshairs. And should there be the potential for the new RS to set the new hatchback acceleration benchmark, Ford could be very eager to seize it.


All-New Lexus LS Launched In Malaysia, Priced From RM799,000

The all-new Lexus LS is now available in Malaysia, with prices starting from RM799,000.
Bookings
 of Lexus’ flagship model were opened back in January.
For the Malaysian market, Lexus Malaysia is offering three variants of the
all-new LS
, namely the:
LS 500 Luxury : RM799,000
LS 500 Executive : RM999,000
LS 500h Executive : RM1,459,000
Under the hood of the Lexus LS 500 is a 3.5-litre twin turbocharged V6 paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. According to Lexus, the LS 500 is capable of 415 hp and 600 Nm.
As for the LS 500h, this model features a 3.5-litre V6 paired to the company’s Multi Stage Hybrid system that pushes system output to 354 hp.
Standard equipment includes:
12.3-inch infotainment display
24-inch colour heads-up display - the largest in its class
Lexus Climate Concierge
Automatic quad-zone air-conditioning
Semi Aniline leather seats
12 airbags
Lexus Safety System+ with Front Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Vehicle Sway Warning Function
Blind Spot Monitor
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The more expensive LS 500 Executive variants further add:
23 speakers Mark Levinson surround sound system
Dual 11.6-inch rear seat displays with controls built into the centre rear arm rest
22-way power adjustable Ottoman rear seats
Rear massage seats
Apart from a hybrid powertrain, the LS 500h Executive shares the same specifications as the LS 500 Executive.
For those seeking to add more exclusivity to their car, the Lexus LS can be had with the optional
Kiriko Glass package
 that adds hand-folded pleats and the signature handcrafted Kiriko glass to the door trim, giving the LS an even more upmarket appeal. That said, the Kiriko Glass is an eye-watering RM98,000 tickbox - enough to buy a Honda City. Because the Kiriko Glass and pleated fabric are handcrafted, Lexus can only accomodate to produce 60 units of Kiriko package-equipped LS per month globally.
Buyers of the all-new Lexus LS can choose between 11 exterior colours and 6 interior colours, depending on variant.
The all-new Lexus LS comes fully-imported from Lexus’ production facility in Tahara, Japan and is backed by Lexus Malaysia’s 5-year unlimited mileage warranty.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Launches E300 Cabriolet (A238), From RM 588,888

With the previous generation E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet, the overall size was a little bit middle ground which only served to confuse consumers. Being larger than a C-Class Coupe or Cabriolet but not quite as large as its direct rival in the form of the BMW 6 Series, it was in a niche of its own. This generation of E-Class sees a properly large model being offered, and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has finally brought in the E300 Cabriolet, for the princely sum of RM 588,888 (with insurance at 0% GST, subject to change with SST). It's powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-4 engine producing 245 hp and 370 Nm from 1,300 rpm to 4,000 rpm, with a top speed of 250 km/h.
So what does over half a million Malaysian Ringgit get you? If you want to find out how the fixed roof E-Class Coupe drives and feels, you can check our story
here
 - it's not all too different from the Cabriolet, albeit with the omission of a folding premium-class fabric soft top. The soft top itself comes in dark brown, dark blue, red, or black, and is fully automatic in operation with acoustic and thermal insulation. Opening and closing in just 20 seconds and at speeds of up to 50 km/h, the soft top stows away in a compartment in the boot with a push of a button. Opting for the Cabriolet Comfort package, the driver won't even have to stop to manually operate the boot separator.
On the inside, two high-resolution 12.3-inch displays are front and centre, merged beneath a singular glass cover to create the impression of a widescreen that spans two-thirds of the dashboard. It's an impressive display that's trickled down all the way to the upcoming A-Class as well, and the driver's instrument cluster portion can pick between Classic, Sport, or Progressive styles for the display themes. Touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel or a touchpad with handwriting recognition are used to control the entertainment unit, while the LINGUATRONIC voice control adds a level of hands-free operation.
One of the stand-out features for many of Mercedes-Benz' folding roof products is the AIRSCARF neck-heating system that keeps occupants comfortable when travelling at speed. The rear seat backrests can be folded down for additional cargo area, and are heated to boot. Primary colours for the interior are yacht blue and macchiato beige, but there is optional heat-reflecting leather in five different colours and nine different trim options to choose from. Interior lighting also makes an appearance here, with 64 colours to choose from.
In terms of actual dimensions, the E-Class cabriolet is 123 mm longer, 74 mm wider, and has a wheelbase that's 113 mm longer than the previous model. There's also a 67 mm wider track up front and a 68 mm wider track at the rear, which helps to make it a little more agile in the driving dynamics department. With the larger overall size, occupants are more comfortable as well. As you would expect, the E300 Cabriolet comes with the Dynamic Body Control system that can change damping from Comfort, to Sport, to Sport+. Air suspension is an option, being applied to all four corners and adjustable with the body control system in terms of stiffness.
As for the safety side of things, it's pretty standard as Mercedes-Benz models go. Pyrotechnic belt tensioners and belt force limiters are a little more necessary given the open top nature of the cabriolet, while the PRE-SAFE belt tensioner on the front seats and front airbags for driver and passenger are the usual suspects. An additional kneebag on the driver's side prevents the risk of getting kneecapped in a hard collision, while thorax and pelvis bags for the front occupants are meant for side impact protection. Curtain airbags are integrated into the top edge of the front door panels in order to protect the head, and there are optional side airbags for the rear as well. Roll-over protection comes in the form of two explosive cartridges behind the rear seats which detonate and deploy in the event of a roll-over in order to provide survival space in tandem with the A-pillar.


Out With A Bang: The Proton Iriz GTI Would Have Been The Perfect Goodbye

With this
2021 revision
 being the best chance yet of the Iriz going
out with a bang
, we reckon a sporty outing and a return of our national automaker’s GTI badge would have capped off the life of an underrated car in spectacular style.

Let’s just face facs, the Proton Iriz hasn’t had the easiest or most successful time as the
B-segment rival to Malaysia’s crowning Myvi
. And neither has the 2021 facelift exactly been a shocking turnaround for the Iriz, a car first brought to our attention through a bold advertising campaign attempting to unseat Perodua’s smash-hit hatch.

The Iriz put up an admirable fight against such a worthy opponent, but ultimately the Myvi built on its established position by refining a successful formula, delivering a near-perfect everyday car that fitted the needs - and budgets - of so many Malaysians like a glove while offering unbeatable value.

Still, there was one area where the Iriz reigned supreme:
the drive
.

While it doesn’t bear the
‘Handling by Lotus’
 badge like other more noted Proton hatchbacks, the Iriz is not to be underestimated behind the wheel.

Proton's Last Driver's Car

To anyone who has driven one, you must be familiar with that certain feeling that this car had so much more to give. Free from the constraints of its ageing and occasionally asthmatic engine, its wheezing CVT gearbox, and perhaps some build quality niggles, the Iriz was every bit as fun to chuck around some choice bends as the best Protons.

It’s compact dimensions gave it an almost square footprint on the road, and even when paired with less than adequately grippy tyres (usually Silverstone Kruizer), it was a nicely blended mix of controllable thrills.

Sadly, the Iriz never had the chance to truly explore its sportier side in full, and with the imminent metamorphosis of its sister car, the Persona,
into a badge-engineered Geely model
, the future looks fairly bleak for the Iriz and, in general, homegrown Protons like it.

By contrast, the Iriz Active
 seems like a slightly desperate play to pander to the crossover/SUV trend by clumsily fitting cosmetic additions that,
a) invites comparisons to the Perodua Axia Style
 and
b) does not take advantage of the Iriz as a unique product in the least.

If the Active, a car that nobody seemed to ask for, is the model’s final form, the Iriz is at risk of not only being forgotten, but remembered with a sigh of disappointment.

But what if Proton had instead capitalised on the Iriz’s undisputed strengths? After all, with the age of the Satria Neo and Suprima S long past, it might be Proton’s last chance to flex their chops as experts of the basic hot hatch, and what better canvas to express this than on this already talented chassis.

What if Proton had made an Iriz GTI?

Engine And Powertrain

The first thing to address is that engine and powertrain. Both the 1.3-litre 1.6-litre motors derived from the original CamPro are, in engine terms, a bit of a dinosaur. But like the Iriz itself, we know it can be coaxed into greatness.

Taking its turbocharged permutation
from the Exora
, the CFE engine wouldn’t need to undergo extensive modification to become the beating heart a hotted-up Iriz deserves. Stock internals can remain, but a finely crafted ECU tune should be able to remedy any dips in response and a linear power delivery while also boosting peak power and torque for good measure.

In its base spec, the Campro CFE produces 140PS at 5,000rpm and 205Nm between 2,000-4,000rpm. Taking that up a notch to 155PS and 235Nm, though conservative, should be enough to endow the Iriz with plenty of urge relative to its weight.

Of course, fitting a larger capacity turbocharged four-cylinder into the Iriz’s cramped engine bay might be a bit of a challenge, especially when it comes to cooling efficiency, but tougher constraints have been overcome. Then again, this is exactly why power output is kept relatively tame.

Without question, the Punch-sourced CVT must be thrown into the bin. Not only does that type of transmission have no place in a fun-focused car, but the nature of its operation actively interferes with the connection between driver and engine.

Though the 2021 revision of the Iriz
has gone exclusively automatic
, a nicely spaced 5-speed manual with a short throw shifter would be a perfect fit for the Iriz GTI. You just can’t beat the lighter, simpler, and more analogue solution.

Put together, the Iriz GTI, in the right hands, should be able to shift up to the 100km/h mark from standstill in a brisk 7-and-a-bit seconds; not that it really matters.

Exterior and Design

If there’s one element from the Iriz Active that has been ported over to the GTI, it’s the flared fenders. However, rather than merely being there for cosmetic reasons, they are actually compensating for the car’s extended front and rear track width.

Both axles have been widened to give the Iriz GTI an even broader, more aggressive stance on the road, a modification also made to enhance mechanical grip and high speed stability.

Elsewhere, there’s plenty of visual inspiration taken from the
competiton-spec Iriz R5 rally car
 fielded by UK-based Mellors Elliot Motorsport, previously famed for the Proton Satria Neo Super 2000 from the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Championship.

Much of the exterior trim has been given a shadowy dark treatment, contrasted by gunmetal finishes. Its wheels are 17-inch lightweight alloys wearing sticky Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE004 tyres with much beefier all-round disc brakes hiding behind.

Chassis And Suspension

Rather than source
3rd party hardware
, Proton’s engineers have fashioned a bespoke monotube shock absorber and coil spring suspension system that has been specifically tailored to the Iriz GTI’s unique characteristics to ensure an almost Lotus-like mix of razor sharp handling with comfort and refinement despite the larger wheels and lower profile tyres.

Speaking of low profile, thanks to
its upgraded suspension
, the Iriz GTI sits lower to the ground to bring down its centre of gravity as well as to complete the look of a small but potent little machine.

Besides this, the car’s shell and structure have been strategically reinforced to ensure even higher torsional rigidity while eliminating weight imbalances. Where applicable, thicker anti-sway bars have also been added to minimise roll.

Wrapping Up

Together with these modifications packaged in a factory fresh car Malaysians can buy from showrooms, complete with a warranty and maintenance package, this new GTI would have elevated the Iriz name to a permanent fixture in our country’s automotive lore.

Rather than playing into trends and working a defensive position with relation to the Perodua Myvi, it would have been so refreshing to see Proton going their own way and playing to their unique strengths. And sadly, like its handling prowess, these are strengths that are slowly being eroded away as Geely’s influence becomes more and more pronounced.

We will have to inevitably wave goodbye to the Iriz, and together with it, one of the last ‘old school’ Protons. As bittersweet as it is, it would definitely be much more bearable parting if the automaker left us the Iriz GTI as a fitting and most thoughtful, though heartbreaking, parting gift.

Basically,
everything the Iriz Active isn't
.


Subscription Plans (Leasing) vs Conventional Hire Purchase

Leasing or car subscription plan as most like to call it is a new way to own a car over traditional methods, but is it any good?

Generally, there used to be only three ways you could own a car in Malaysia. You could either buy one through hire-purchase, own one through a cash buy or be given one from friends or family. These days however, there is a fourth way to own a car, and that way is through a
car subscription programme
.

A car subscription programme is essentially a leasing programme. However, most of them just prefer to call it a subscription as it may deviate from the traditional car leasing methodology.

More often than not, these subscription programmes will require you to pay a deposit/security deposit at the very beginning, which will be returned at the end of the agreed tenure. During this tenure, you will be required to pay a monthly subscription fee, and that's about it.

Pesky things such as road tax, insurance and regular servicing are included with the subscription. However, be warned, wear and tear items such as tyres, brake pads, and wiper blades are not covered - but some do offer these as part of the subscription for an extra fee.

Another small detail that most do not realise is that they will also cap the monthly mileage, but it can be changed and expanded for an extra fee, just like the wear and tear items.

Before the pandemic hit us, Renaut Malaysia and Flux were one of the first to offer this type of vehicle subscription programme. Since then, many other companies have offered these types of vehicle ownership programmes (albeit in different designations), including OEMs such as Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and BMW. The list of private companies providing the same services has also grown and includes the likes such as GoCar, SoCar, Avis and Orix.

We guess the burning question that everyone wants to know is whether these types of vehicle ownership programmes are better than the conventional hire-purchase? To find out, we thought we would simulate an example and compare the two.

Note: There are some variables unaccounted for, and the calculations are done in a straightforward manner discounting any promotions or SST waivers. We can only calculate up to three years for some subscription plans as that is the longest they offer, but for hire purchase, we have done a three, five and seven-year calculation.

Renault

Renault Captur (New Car Price RM108k)

Index

Conventional Hire-Purchase

Subscription Programme

Initial Cost

RM10,800(10% Deposit)

RM2,500(Security Deposit)

Subsequent Charges

RM2,886(2.3%IR) x 36 months = RM103,896

RM1,806 (2.3%IR) x 60 months = RM108,360

RM1,343(2.3%IR) x  84 months = RM112,812

RM1,499 x 36(months)= RM53,964

For short term vehicle ownership, the
Renault subscription programme
 is definitely the better option. But if you see from the calculations, the 84 months hire purchase loan makes more sense for those who are looking for longer vehicle ownership as well as those who plan to use the car more than 20,000km a year (20k cap per year under the subscription plan).

Flux

Proton X50 Flagship (New Car Price RM103,300)

Index

Conventional Hire-Purchase

Subscription Programme

Initial Cost

RM10,330(10% Deposit)

RM2129 (starter fee 1.6months of monthly subscription fee)

Subsequent Charges

RM2,761(2.3%IR) x 36 months = RM99,396

RM1,727 (2.3%IR) x 60 months = RM103,620

RM1,284(2.3%IR) x  84 months = RM107,856

RM2095 x 36(months) = RM 75,420

Similar to Renault, the
Flux subscription plan
 makes sense for a short period of vehicle ownership. The Flux starter fee may rise depending on your credit rating where they will require more from you if your credit score is low. Flux's mileage cap is also 15,000km a year but can be upgraded.

Volvo

Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum (New Car Price RM282,211)

Index

Conventional Hire-Purchase

Volvo Car Leasing Programme

Initial Cost

RM28,221 (10% Deposit)

RM28,221 (10% Deposit)

Subsequent Charges

RM7,542(2.3%IR) x 36 months = RM271,512

RM4,720 (2.3%IR) x 60 months = RM283,200 RM103,620

RM3510(2.3%IR) x  84 months = RM294,840

RM4,981 x 36(months) = 179,316

Although
Volvo's leasing programme
 requires you to pay a 10% deposit, it still makes sense for short term vehicle ownership. The main difference between Volvo's programme and the other two above is that you have to fork out a big sum in the beginning.

More
 and
more car manufacturers
 are starting to introduce car leasing programmes in Malaysia as ownership habits changes. People used to hold on to a particular car till the day they die, but these days, cars are like phones, where it is changed every few years.

This is where a subscription plan comes in handy. But if you're the old school type, then stick to the old school ways, cause conventional ownership methods are still best for those who stick to a particular car for a long time.


FA Cup Final Expected To Draw 80,000 Fans @ Bukit Jalil, So Use The LRT!

Fans of local footy action will be flocking to the Bukit Jalil National Stadium this Saturday evening to catch local side Kelantan take on Singapore’s LionsXII in the FA Cup 2015 final match.
With over 80,000 fans expected to flock to the Bukit Jalil stadium at the time, MyRapid has issued a statement requesting those travelling to the match to consider using its LRT services to avoid getting stuck in the expected traffic.
In light of this event, Rapid KL will be on site and monitoring the situation just in case LRT services will need to be extended beyond its normal operating hours, just to accommodate the day’s events, said Rapid KL spokesperson, Mr Mohd Rahimi Ahmad.
The use of the multi-storey parking lots at the Gombak and Ampang stations are recommended, allowing fans the chance to park and move easily. DBKL parking facilities are also available at Bandar Tasek Selatan and Sungai Besi, where LRT stations are located nearby.
For those looking to use the KTM service, Rahimi recommends a stop at Bandar Tasek Selatan, and then a transit to the LRT en route to the Bukit Jalil station.


BMW 128ti: We Known What A 1-Series Is But What Is A ti?

Volkswagen must be feeling the heat cause yet once more, another manufacturer has made a car set to challenge its star pupil, the
Golf GTi
.

This time around, the manufacturer is BMW, and they must mean business because not only will their car be cheaper than
VW's GTi
 (European markets) they have also brought back the ti nameplate which ended its run in the E46 3-series.

Already fighting with the Mercedes A-Class for market share, the Golf GTi will now have another new competitor from the makers of the Ultimate Driving Machine, but what is the 128ti?

The 128ti is a front-wheel drive, 2.0-litre turbocharged 261hp four-door hatchback which is said to be the diet coke version of BMW's stalwart the
M135i
. Even though it's supposed to be the diet M135i, BMW has made sure that it will have a character of its own.

By redesigning the rear suspension, altering the steering, and Torsen diff, it is reported that the car is a tenacious little bull compared to the 80kg heavier M135i. It'll be equipped with a limited-slip differential as standard as well as BMW's current favourite gearbox, the 8-speed auto.

Putting ti at the back end of the 128 is BMW's way of saying that they are trying to get back to its pure driving roots but what does the ti acronym actually mean. Usually, TIs in GTis mean tourer injection but for BMW, their ti means Touring International.

The Touring International moniker was first used in BMW's 02 series cars produced between 1966 and 1977. Arguably one of the most important BMW cars of all time, the ti cars from the 02 series were high-performance versions of the compact executive sedans. The most popular and memorable variant of this car is the legendary 2002ti.

It was never officially used again up until 1993 when BMW manufactured a three-door compact and hatchback version of their e36 3-series, namely the 318ti and 323ti which was officially known as the BMW 3-series Compact. It was made to attract younger buyers who were performance-oriented to BMW. The e36 ti models were great little fun cars to drive, but due to its weird and unusual non-BMW looks, it was a bit like marmite (you either love it or hate it kind of thing).

BMW then decided to give this three-door hatchback vision another go, and they continued to make one through to the E46 series. This time, it was a complete departure from any of their E46 generation cars, featuring a different front and back end, unlike the E36 models which had a similar front end to its sedan brothers. BMW also decided to give the E46 ti (325ti) the biggest engine ever made for a ti model, in the form of a 2.5-litre straight-six plant which produced 190hp and 245Nm of torque.

Although some considered the E36 and E46 ti as BMW's best-kept secret, the sales figures proved otherwise, and BMW decided to drop the ti nameplate altogether along with the 3 series three-door hatchback body. Some even called the E46ti the ugliest BMW ever, but as a person that has owned one, I prefer to call it the most unique BMW car ever.

Through the 128ti, it seems like BMW have not altogether given up on the ti moniker and we can understand why they have brought it back. It symbolises more than just performance. BMW wants to show that they can still produce small little affordable fun cars like they used to and by the looks and reviews of those who have tested the 128ti, it seems like they might just be on to a winner here.

The Golf GTi and
Mercedes A250
 better watch out, cause when BMW is on a mission, it's usually Mission Possible. Perhaps that's why BMW is calling it "The 1".


BMWs Cannot Enjoy Same Fuel Subsidy As Kancil - Azmin Ali

In a bold and rather all-encompassing statement, International Trade and Industry Minister, Azmin Ali said, “Those with BMWs cannot enjoy the same subsidies as those driving Kancils,” as was quoted by Bernama.

The government is apparently planning a targeted fuel subsidy system that will likely see the rich paying more. At the time of print, it is unclear whether the definition of
rich
 will be following the classification of economic tiers in Malaysia - B40, M40 and T20.

Targeted fuel subsidies for B40 but how?

Previously Finance Minister, Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz was quoted,
“Golongan kayangan atau kumpulan T20 lebih banyak menikmati subsidi yang diperuntukkan oleh kerajaan berbanding
B40
.”

This move is to cushion the impact of rising crude oil prices, Azmin was quoted as saying.

He went on to add that the fuel subsidy mechanism will be targeted and meant to benefit the lower-income group.

While this may sound good in theory, its application and mechanism are paramount to its success. Read
here
 for how at present the T20 is benefitting more from our fuel subsidies compared to the B40 income group.

“Those with BMWs cannot enjoy the same subsidies as those driving Kancils,” Bernama quoted Azmin as saying during a press conference at the recent trade and investment mission to the United States.

But what if the BMW is not a modern-era BMW? What if it's an E30, E36, or
E39
? We hope to bring you more clarity on this matter as the story develops.

For the present week, the price of RON97 has gone up a further RM0.02 to RM4.33 per litre while the price for RON95 remains at RM2.05 per litre and Diesel at RM2.15 per litre.

When do we expect the government to announce this new fuel subsidy mechanism, what will it be, how will it be implemented, and ultimately how will it affect middle-class Malaysians are all still question marks at the moment.

My colleague Jim Kem took a stab at proposing some ideas on how the fuel subsidy mechanism could work out here in Malaysia. You can read about it
here
.


Mazda G-Vectoring Control – How It Works

In keeping true to their Jinba Ittai philosophy, Mazda continuously finds methods to improve the driveability of their cars. G-Vectoring Control, or GVC in short, is one of such solutions aimed to improve Mazda’s already excellent handling prowess.
While the name seems to imply some form of torque vectoring at play, similar to what other manufacturers do, in actual fact, Mazda’s solution is far simpler.
Mazda's G-Vectoring Control monitors the steering input by the driver. As the driver turn the steering wheel, GVC controls the engine's torque to intiatiate a shift in vehicle's weight balance to shift forward. This in turn puts load on the front wheels, improving traction.
The end result is that the driver’s confidence is improved as they does not need to constantly make steering corrections, giving the driving a better sense of unity with the car. As the driver does not need to make so much steering corrections, fatigue becomes less of an issue than it was before. Last but not least, GVC also stabilizes the vehicle during an evasive maneuver, giving the occupants better sense of safety.
Currently, Bermaz offers the Mazda 2, 3, 6, CX-3, CX5 and new CX-9 with G-Vectoring Control.


Volkswagen Passat R-Line – One-off Special For Neelofa

Ever imagined the
Volkswagen Passat
 with an added touch of sportiness? Well, Volkswagen just made one for local celebrity Neelofa following her being crowned ‘Most Popular Artiste’ in the recent 29
th

Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian
 (
ABPBH
).
Mechanically standard based on the regular 1.8 TSI variant, Neelofa’s Passat will nevertheless be the only unit in Malaysia sporting its particular appearance.
The popular singer’s Passat R-Line Special comes with unique R-Line fittings, such as front and rear bumper, pedal caps, a black front grille, black rear spoiler, black Volkswagen and Passat emblems, and exhaust covers.
The Passat is due to receive its
full model change
 in Malaysia soon. Neelofa’s new ride is among the last units of the outgoing B7 generation of Volkswagen’s D-segment sedan. Volkswagen Malaysia has, in fact, stopped listing the Passat on its website for sometime now.
Also receiving a free new car was 25-year-old Kelantanese Muhammad Zulhilmi Yusof, who takes home a new
Volkswagen Vento 1.2 TSI
 having won the ABPBH Vote and Win contest.


Do You Need To Replace Your Tyres After Using Sealant As A Quick Fix?

So you've got a puncture, you've plugged it for the time being with a sealant from your tyre repair kit. Question now is, how long can you travel on it and do you need to replace the tyre?

With more and more car manufacturers skipping the spare tyre for the sake of better fuel economy, it's become increasingly crucial to equip your car with a tyre repair kit (if it doesn't already come with one, of course).

While some don't agree on the
ditching
 of the 18 to 20 kilograms of tyre and jack, there's just no way around it as more and more manufacturers are being forced to do so, so they can meet regulatory pressure of squeezing more kilometres per litre of fuel.

This begs the question, if you do end up using the repair kit, how many kilometres can you drive once the
tyre
 is repaired? And is it true that the tyre is no longer usable after being repaired with the tyre repair kit? Let's find out.

A tyre repair kit uses a tyre sealant and an air compressor to repair the hole in the tyre (you don't need this if you have run-flat tyres as they are designed to be driven when flat).

To repair the tyre, it's as easy as
identifying
 whether it is a puncture in the first place, where it is if so, and then connect the bottle of sealant to the air compressor before pumping it into the tyre via the valve.

This sealant should plug the hole, allowing the tyre to retain the air being pumped into it. Be warned, this is not a long term solution as it is more of a temporary fix so that you can reach a mechanic or a tyre shop.

The big question though is how many kilometres can you travel in this search for a mechanic or a
tyre shop?

Well, according to the Automobile Association (AA), generally, you should be able to drive around 80-100 kilometres with speeds of up to 80km/h. However, Holts Auto, famous for its Tyre Weld (temporary puncture repair liquid for emergencies) product, reckons that its liquid formula will allow you to drive for up to 160 kilometres with no mention of speed restrictions.

So now that we have cleared that up, let's move on the question of to do you need to
replace your tyre
 after using a sealant to repair it?

As recommended by the AA, tyres that have been repaired with sealant will almost always
need replacing
, however small the puncture is. The reason for this is because the chemicals used may have affected the integrity of the tyres, so to be safe, the tyres should be replaced.

But this is not always the case, especially when you use a sealant like Holt's Tyreweld. Their sealant is made from a water-based foam, and can easily be wiped from the tyre using paper towels, so a mechanic can find and fix the puncture. This makes it different from other emergency tyre repair products, which can't be removed from the tyre which means you need to buy a new one.

Holts are not the only tyre repair kit manufacturer that uses a water-based foam, so if you want to reuse the tyre, it's best you get one that is water-based, or else, it's pretty much bye-bye to your
old tyres
 and hello to some new ones. Just make sure you get one that is appropriate for your wheel size as they do come specifically depending on tyre size.


Spyshot: Facelifted Proton Saga Caught Again - LED DRLs And New Head Unit Confirmed

It comes as no surprise that Proton’s best-selling model, the Saga, will be updated real soon. Proton themselves have confirmed that an updated Saga is on the way, and numerous spyshots of the updated Saga have surfaced.
From the spyshots we’ve obtained so far, we can confirm that the updated Saga will likely feature the same ‘Ethereal Bow’ front grille, similar to the facelifted Iriz and Persona and revised front and rear bumpers. Thanks to a spy video a reader sent us (thanks Dad), we can also confirm that at least one variant of the updated Saga will get LED daytime running lights, fitted at each end of the front bumper. Wheel designs are also expected to be refreshed.
Apart from the exterior updates, our friends over at
Automachi
 posted an interior photo of what is claimed to be from the updated Saga, featuring a floating-style touchscreen head unit. The floating-style head unit will most likely feature the “Hi Proton” voice command system running on the GKUI software.
As for lower variants of the updated Saga, these variants are expected to feature a simpler-looking floating-style head unit, albeit without the touchscreen display, only with a monochrome display with buttons, as posted by
Funtasticko
.
In addition to the new head units, the meter cluster in the updated Saga now mirrors that of the
updated Exora
, with a segmented LCD multi-info display in the centre of the meter cluster.
Last but certainly not the least, sources familiar with the matter also mentioned that the updated Saga will likely be fitted with a Hyundai PowerTech four-speed automatic, ditching the tried-and-tested Punch-sourced CVT-type automatic.
Find for the best deals for a new Proton
here
.


Five Underrated Used 7-Seaters under RM80,000 for Your Growing Family

Seven-seater SUV and MPV models are available in abundance here in Malaysia, and there are some pretty decent offerings in the used car segment.

If you browse through
Carlist.my
 or
Carsome.my
, the choices are far and wide. A growing family with a couple of kids or more could use that extra seating and space, especially if you travel frequently. Even with a slightly tighter budget, you can still find one that not only offers those, but also styling and comfort.

We're here to help you & below are five underrated used seven-seaters that you can buy below RM80,000.

1) Perodua Aruz - RM56k-RM72k

The Perodua Aruz is a very decent prospect when it comes to a no-frills and no-headache seven-seater SUV. You can still get a brand-new model priced from RM73k to RM78k, but if you're not planning on being on the waiting list, a used unit can solve that issue with ease while helping to save some money in the bank.

Visit the largest listings for used Perodua Aruz
here
. For the most transparent pricing & a complimentary 1-year used car warranty, get your used Perodua Aruz on
Carsome.my
.

2) Honda BR-V - RM55k-RM79k

If you prefer a seven-seater that's a bit more urgent in terms of power, the Honda BR-V should be highly considered. While to fuel tank capacity might be slightly smaller at 42 litres compared to the Perodua Aruz at 45 litres, its 223-litre boot space is slightly larger by 10 litres (also compared to the Aruz) when all the seats are up.

With a 1.5-litre SOHC i-VTEC 2NR-VE engine, the Honda BR-V churns out a healthy 120PS and 145Nm of torque. Mated to a CVT transmission, this particular seven-seater runs smooth and doesn't feel like too big of a car to drive even for beginners. Even a brand-new unit is decently priced between RM91k-RM98k.

Visit the largest listings for used Honda BRV
here
. For the most transparent pricing & a complimentary 1-year used car warranty, get your used Honda BRV on
Carsome.my
.

3) Toyota Avanza - RM46k-RM75k

For the new car segment, the Toyota Avanza was recently replaced with the new Toyota Veloz. This seven-seater has served many folks in its prime, and there are several reasons why they're popular. Being a Toyota, it's relatively bulletproof in terms of ownership even with heavy abuse.

It's probably not the sexiest seven-seater on the market, but with the basics of care and maintenance, the Toyota Avanza will withstand the tests of time. A small budget to kit it up with a decent body kit and slightly larger rims should do the job to drastically improve its overall facade.

Visit the largest listings for used Toyota Avanza
here
. For the most transparent pricing & a complimentary 1-year used car warranty, get your used Toyota Avanza on
Carsome.my
.

4) Nissan Serena - RM65k-RM79k

Ah yes, the Nissan Serena boxy MPV and proud to be one. Being the only one on the list with a hybrid powertrain, the Nissan Serena is able to lug itself around town with ease despite being quite a boxy appearance in public. Then again, we dig it.

A simple search on the Carlist.my used car segment will show you a number of 2016/2017 models that are priced below the RM80,000 mark. Some of them might be slightly older with a fair amount of mileage, but that price point is a steal compared to RM150k brand new. The older ones might miss a few updates here and there, but deep down, it's still a Nissan Serena.

Visit the largest listings for used Nissan Serena
here
. For the most transparent pricing & a complimentary 1-year used car warranty, get your used Nissan Serena on
Carsome.my
.

5) Toyota Sienta - RM54k-RM79k

The Toyota Sienta is arguably the most underrated seven-seater on this list (in our opinion, of course). Looking young and youthful, it wasn't a surprise when it won the award for 'Budget MPV of the Year' at the 2016 ASEAN Car of the Year awards.

Priced close to RM100k when it was brand-new, the Toyota Sienta comes ready with a 1.5-litre 2NR-FE Dual VVT-I engine that produces 107PS and 140Nm of torque. Not the most powerful, but it makes up with features like powered sliding doors, third-row seats that are comfortable for adults, and a host of safety features. It's hard to find any fault with this funky mini MPV.

Visit the largest listings for used Toyota Sienta
here
.

How to use the Carlist.my to Find Your Perfect Car

While the list for today only covers five out of the many, many used seven-seaters available on
Carlist.my
, you may explore other available options using the Carlist.my's advanced search feature to find your perfect used car.

Step 1 - Go to Carlist.my, hover over the Buy drop-down menu & click on the 'Used Cars'

Step 2 - Select your preferred filters (Body Type 'SUV' or 'MPV' and price range in this particular case) OR search for your specific brand/model

Step 3 - Happy hunting!


Attractive Promotions at Renault’s – ‘Motorsports Is in Our DNA’ campaign

To commemorate Renault’s 115 years of passion for motorsports and the full-fledged return to Formula 1 as a works team, TC Euro Cars (TCEC), the sole franchise holder of Renault cars in Malaysia has launched the ‘Renault – Motorsports Is in Our DNA’ promotional campaign.
From today till the 3st August 2016, the campaign offers attractive deals on selected Renault vehicles as well as the chance to win exclusive Renault Sport Formula One™ Team prizes including Grandstand passes and a Renault Garage Visit during the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix.
These are among the interesting promo packages awaiting punters during the campaign period:
•    The Renault Captur urban crossover is up for grabs with monthly instalments from as low as RM888 per month with the Renault Easy Ownership Plan (T&Cs apply). Buyers will also benefit from a free three-year or 60,000km (whichever comes first) maintenance package. The Renault Captur is priced at RM117,200 OTR with GST excluding Insurance.
•    Selected Renault Fluence sedan variants will be offered with a rebate of RM15,000. Renault’s Easy Ownership Plan will also start you off at RM788 monthly instalments. The Fluence range starts off at RM108,888 OTR, GST included sans Insurance.
•    Customers who purchase a vehicle during the campaign period also gain entrance into the Renault Sport Formula One™ Team Experience contest; where three lucky winners will receive two passes each to the Grandstand and Renault Garage Visit at the 2016 F1 Malaysian Grand Prix in October.
•    Additionally, contest participants will also receive a Renault Sport Formula One™ Team Merchandise Pack upon delivery of their new vehicle.
The Renault Captur and Fluence also come with a five-year full manufacturer’s warranty with unlimited mileage. This warranty is fully backed by Renault and not undertaken by any other insurance companies, which means terms and conditions, as well as parts coverage, are consistent from the first year of ownership to the end of the warranty period. The five-year warranty is also transferable to a new owner during the full coverage period.
Renault Fluence customers can also opt for the ‘5inFluence’ package. In addition to the five-year full manufacturer warranty, the ‘5inFluence’ offer owners:
•    Free maintenance for five years or up to 100,000km, whichever comes first
•    One-year genuine parts warranty
•    Complimentary pick-up service for every scheduled servicing
•    A 48-hour Mobility Solution which provides a courtesy car when a customer’s Fluence stays in the service centre for more than 48 hours.