2017 BMW 530e PHEV – 1.9 l/100km, Wireless Charging From 2018 Onwards

The plug-in hybrid variant of the
all-new G30 BMW 5 Series
 is now officially available in Europe. The 530e iPerformance pairs a turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor becoming the sixth BMW iPerformance plug-in hybrid model worldwide.
As seen in the
330e
 and 740e launched earlier, the 530e features BMW’s current-generation B48 2.0-litre engine here tuned to produce 184hp and 320Nm. Together with the 113hp and 250Nm electric motor mounted inside the ZF 8HP automatic gearbox, the overall powertrain setup offers combined peak outputs of 252hp and 420Nm.
Supplying electricity to the 530e’s motor is a 9.2 kWh lithium-ion traction battery neatly embedded under its boot floor. Luggage capacity, as a result, is inevitably reduced from 530 litres in the
conventional petrol model
 to 410 litres in the 530e.
All-electric operation is limited to a range of 50km or a top speed of 140 km/h. Charging time is less than five hours from a domestic power socket, and under three hours if hooked to BMW’s i Wallbox with a rated 3.7kW charging capacity.
From 2018 onwards, BMW will offer wireless charging as an optional extra, thus eliminating the need for cables at home. The system charges the vehicle through alternating magnetic fields between two coils – one located underside of the vehicle and the other inside a base pad placed on the ground. Charging time, according to BMW, is around three and a half hours.
In other key performance figures, the 530e has a claimed top speed of 235 km/h and able to dispatch the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.2 seconds. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle is rated 1.9 litres/100km and carbon dioxide emissions at 44 g/km –better even than the 330e, which clocks in at 2.1 litres/100km and 49 g/km.

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Comparatively, the conventional
530i petrol model
 with 252hp and 350Nm matches the 530e’s 0-100km/h time but has a higher top speed of 250 km/h. Fuel consumption for the 530i is rated at 5.8 litres/100km and CO
2
 at 132 g/km. According to BMW, the 530e’s global warming potential is rated as 15 percent lower than 530i.
Will the 530e see the light of day in Malaysia? Success of the 330e and
X5 xDrive40e
 to date, as well as the recent launch of the 740Le would certainly point in that direction, but there might be quite a wait for it.
According to BMW Group Malaysia’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Sashi Ambi, BMW has yet to begin exploring local-assembly operations outside of Germany for the time being.
“Business case for local assembly outside from its main production plants has not even begun. Then there is the Hybrid assembly discussion with the Malaysian government so it will be a long time before anything can happen,” he said.
He cites the
recently-launched 740L
e as an example, which came over a year after the
regular model’s
 domestic
launch in Malaysia
.


2017 New BMW 4 Series World Debut – Sharper, Sleeker and Smarter

First introduced in 2013, the first generation (F32) 4 Series range, which replaced (E92) 3 Series Coupe and Convertible lineup has undergone its mid-life facelift - now boasting sharpened driving dynamics, enhanced standard equipment and crisper connectivity features. The changes apply across the Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe models.
What’s New
Design
At the front, the new 4 Series receives Restyled LED headlights take the place of the outgoing cars’ xenon units. All models in the range are now equipped with LED front fog lamps as standard.
At the back, LED tail lamps will also feature for the first time. The indicators now take up a larger area of the lights, with the inner section of each rear light also being used for the indicator function for the first time
Visually, the front features subtly reworked nose, with the air intakes on the lower regions sporting a new design. On the Sport Line and Luxury Line versions, virtually the entire air intake is bordered by trim piece to accentuate the car’s width – the Sport Line trim piece is finished in gloss black, Luxury Line in chrome.
Round the back, the new rear apron is redesigned while positioning of the rear reflectors higher up on the car’s bumper is said to exude an overall wide and low stance.
Moving inside the 4 Series, there are several upgraded details such as the surrounds for the air outlets and the control panels in the doors now include electroplated trim inserts. The air conditioning and audio controls in the BMW 4 Series models are now bordered with a chrome trim.
BMW also offers three new upholstery colours and contrast stitching packages; and four new choices for the interior trim strips.
Four trim lines are on offer now – Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport variants, but there’s greater flexibility to mix-and-match elements of each package now.
There are four new wheel rim designs – complimenting each of the new trim lines, exclusively for the 4 Series model alone. Sunset Orange and Snapper Rocks Blue are two new colours for the 4 Series range as well.
Drive
BMW have revised the suspension setup for the new car, the Coupe, and Gran Coupe both come with stiffer suspension matched to advanced damping technology and an upgraded steering set-up which is claimed to reduce body roll and improve high speed stability. The suspension is improved across the range, this includes the standard suspension, M Sport suspension as well as the Adaptive suspension.
Engine & Gearbox
There are three petrol engine and three diesel engine on offer. Power output remains the same, 4 Series Gran Coupe gains the 418d diesel mill that outputs 150hp.
The list of petrol engines include:
420i - 184hp, 141–127g/km CO2
430i - 252hp, 151–129g/km CO2
440i - 326hp, 179–154g/km CO2
The list of diesel engines include:
418d - 150hp, 118–107g/km CO2 (4 Series Gran Coupe only)
420d - 190hp, 119–106g/km CO2
425d - 224hp, 129–121g/km CO2
430d - 258hp, 134–129g/km CO2
Quoted power figures are identical for xDrive (AWD) models; CO2 figures defer depending on drivetrain and body style, figures quoted are for 4 Series Coupe (RWD) model.
Globally, the 4 Series Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe is offered with a six-speed manual of eight-speed automatic. However, as history will tell us, only the automatic transmission will make it locally.
All petrol models in the new BMW 4 Series - excluding the BMW 420i Convertible, 420d Coupe / Gran Coupe and BMW 430d Coupe / Gran Coupe diesel models, can be specified with the optional BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system instead of rear-wheel drive.
Equipment
The optional Navigation system Professional for the new BMW 4 Series now features an interface with large tile-style control pads, the tiles are customisable and display a constantly updated version of the linked menu content.
The BMW 4 Series can now be optionally fitted with the Multifunctional Instrument Display, giving the driver different options for displays depending on the selected driving mode.
The BMW M4
The BMW M4 Coupe and BMW M4 Convertible now come as standard with the adaptive full-LED headlights. M4s will also feature the updated version of the Navigation system Professional and other new ConnectedDrive features.


Proton Announces Airbag Recall For Perdana

In relation to recall announcements made by Honda Motor Company regarding the passenger airbag inflator on the Honda Accord, Proton is announcing a service fix to replace the passenger airbag inflator for all current generation Proton Perdana models.
This is a precautionary measure as the model is based on the Honda Accord and affects cars built from 2012 to the end of August 2018. A notice regarding this issue will be sent to all affected owners. The service fix is part of a global initiative for cars equipped with Takata airbags.
All action taken is in accordance with the latest Defect Information Report (DIR) issued by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) of America that requires the replacement of non-desiccated passenger inflators.
A total of 6,432 units of the Proton Perdana are affected. It's important to note that the recall does not affect any other Proton models as the airbags used are supplied by a different vendor. Stringent controls are in place to ensure customer safety, and while it may be an inconvenience it is a highly important recall as there is risk of fatality.
Customers are advised to call Proton’s Customer Care Hotline, 1-800-888-398 or email to customercare@proton.com for any enquiries and assistance.


2024 Subaru Impreza breaks cover - no sedan, no manual options, but the RS is back!

Subaru has just unveiled the sixth-generation 2024 Impreza at the LA Auto Show and disappointingly, Subaru will no longer produce sedan versions and manual transmission versions of the car, but they will bring back the 2.5 RS model.

As many expected, this new model has a lot in common with Subaru's
latest Crosstrek
, or the XV here in Malaysia. Everything from the front fascia with the hexagonal grille and the bar that connects the two headlights looks similar to the current XV. The body lines and rear also have many similarities, including the C-shaped taillights.

But don't worry, Impreza is still Impreza, so Subaru has ensured that it will be fantastic to drive. The Impreza's chassis is 10 per cent stronger than the previous model, and it is also equipped with an improved symmetrical all-wheel drive system.

Once again and no surprises here, Subaru has chosen a four-cylinder boxer engine for the Impreza, with the 2.0-litre mill kicking out 152hp and 197Nm.

However, the most interesting engine option must be the one in the RS version, which is equipped with a 2.5-litre engine capable of producing 182 hp of power and 241 Nm of torque.

Not only has the Impreza RS received a larger engine but is also equipped with larger brakes,sports-tuned suspension, 18-inch rims, aluminium pedal shifters, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon system and much more.

But no matter which model you choose, only one transmission option is offered, the typical and excellent CVT transmission from Subaru. The Japanese automaker has completely dropped the option to have the car in manual, but the Sport and RS models will be equipped with an 8-speed manual mode system.

Honestly thought, how many of you guys out there wish that this car was here in Malaysia? Should Subaru bring it in?


All-New BMW X5 Currently Undergoing Serious Testing Around The Globe

BMW is currently testing the all-new X5’s endurance as well as its versatility.
The company today revealed a few images of the new Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) undergoing a demanding and varied testing program as part of its series development process.
The prototypes first went through winter testing in Arjeplog, Sweden, followed by gravel tracks in South Africa, and desert dune landscapes of the USA.
They were subjected both to maximum cold and scorching heat, as well as extremely dry mountain terrain and tropical humidity and muddy tracks.
Then, the all-new X5s headed to BMW’s testing grounds in the South of France, on the high-speed circuit in Talladega, US, and of course, the Nürburgring, where the new model’s new features like the Adaptive M Suspension Professional, and the Integral Active Steering were put to the test.
The folks at Munich mentioned that the coming fourth model generation’s all-round talents are better than ever before, thanks to the new suspension and chassis systems which are not only available for the first time in a BMW X model, but are also virtually unique within the competitive field.


Mitsubishi Challenged Toyota And Volkswagen To A Drag Race

Mitsubishi claims that the new Triton has the
best-in-class performance, turning circle and many class leading attributes
. It should be noted that the European market Triton uses a different, 2.4-litre aluminium block
4N15 diesel engine but this engine is not available in Malaysia
 as it is not compatible with our Euro 2M grade diesel (Euro 5 diesel is only available in some locations in Peninsular Malaysia).
So can a 2.4 litre L200 (Triton) beat a 2.0 litre Amarok and the 'Invincible' 3.0 litre Hilux? We're not sure if this video was
made in collaboration with the main subject car likewise one of our prior video
, but we have one below where we went 'Off The Trails' with the Triton.


New 2018 Honda Odyssey Facelift Launched In Malaysia – Now With Honda Sensing, From RM254,800

Honda Malaysia today announced the introduction of the updated 2018 Odyssey seven-seater MPV, which now comes with Honda Sensing advanced driving assistance system features, as well as a few cosmetic updates.
The updated Odyssey is the third model in Honda Malaysia's portfolio to get Honda Sensing after the CR-V and the Accord.
Unlike the outgoing model which had two variants, the new Odyssey will only be offered in one level: the Honda Odyssey 2.4L EXV – RM254,800 (OTR without insurance)
What's New
The big news with the updated Odyssey is the inclusion of the Honda Sensing, which includes the following features:
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)
However unlike the CR-V, the Odyssey does not come with Low Speed Follow, as the function requires an electric parking brake. The Honda Accord, which also uses a conventional mechanical parking brake, also does not come with Low Speed Follow.
Other features available include:
Multi-view Camera System
Smart Parking Assist System
Blind Spot Information
Cross Traffic Monitoring
Six airbags
From the outside, the updated Odyssey can be differentiated from the pre-facelift model by a tweaked front fascia which comprises a new front grille, new bumper, new LED taillights, LED fog lights, 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, as well as Auto Retractabe Door Mirrors.
Inside, new features include:
Bigger armrest for driver's seat
4-Way passenger power seat
Larger headrests for the Premium Captain Cradle Seats with Ottoman
Ultra-Low Floor Platform
Powering the Odyssey is the same powerplant package as before - the Honda’s Earth Dreams 2.4-litre DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine producing 175 PS and 225 Nm, paired to a CVT-type automatic gearbox.
Imported from Japan, the new Odyssey will be available in three colour options - Platinum White Pearl (new), Premium Twinkle Black Pearl (new), and Super Platinum Metallic.
Open for booking at all 93 Honda dealers nationwide, the Odyssey is offered with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, with a 10,000 km service interval.
Honda Malaysia said that it aims to sell 130 units of the Odyssey this year.


Enjoy Massive Savings When You Buy A New Mitsubishi!

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia is currently offering a special promotion in conjunction with the upcoming Merdeka celebrations.
Customers who book and register a new Mitsubishi Triton from now till the end of August 2018 can enjoy Merdeka bonus and GST rebates of up to RM15,100.
Merdeka promotion for the Triton are detailed below:
As for customers who book and register a new Mitsubishi Outlander, they can enjoy these rebates:
Outlander 2.0: Up to RM11,800
Outlander 2.4: Up to RM12,700
Those who opt for the Mitsubishi ASX can enjoy these rebates:
ASX 2WD: Up to RM14,700
ASX 4WD: Up to RM15,500
Merdeka promotions aside, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia is rewarding customers who service their vehicles at authorized Mitsubishi service centres with an exclusive Thermos when they spend a minimum of RM400, valid from 18 August till 22 September. In addition to that, Mitsubishi owners are also eligible to save up to 25% on genuine Mitsubishi additives.
Last but not least, the company is also hosting exclusive showroom events called ‘New Hope New Ride’ from 28 July till 2 September 2018. Visit the participating dealers below to receive free gifts and refreshments for the entire family.


Interest-free bike loans if BN wins in Terengganu, PAS also the same

The upcoming state elections are just around the corner and parties in Terengganu are gunning for interest-free motorcycle loans should they win.

Which party are we referring to? Barisan Nasional (BN).  And also, PAS. According to
Harian Metro
, Terengganu's UMNO state chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Said, youths in the state will be promised an interest-free motorcycle loan should they win in the state.

An RM5,000 motorcycle loan will be offered where only RM4,500 is required to be paid off while the RM500 balance will be subsidised by BN. As for the mechanics, no other details have been shared just yet.

On the PAS side of things,
Sinar Harian
 reported more or less the same thing, apart from the interest-free motorcycle loans being offered to those with a maximum salary of RM4,000. If PAS wins there, this will be one of their promises to be delivered within the next five years.

Apart from the interest-free motorcycle loans, BN is also gunning for improving the state of education by providing laptops and e-books for fellow students. PAS also has its own plans to get the votes in via its 10 promises under its manifesto to secure the win in 2023.


Toyota issues recall over airbag system woes. Only one Lexus LX 470 affected in Malaysia.

Toyota Motor Corporation announced yesterday that it is organising a global recall campaign for certain Toyota and Lexus models to rectify an airbag system issue.
The company said that the recall is for models which are equipped with side Curtain Shield Airbags (CSA).
As for Malaysia, no Toyotas were affected all units sold here come without with CSAs.
However, TMC has confirmed that only one
Lexus
; which is an
LX470
 is to be recalled and the owner of the vehicle will be contacted on the matter by Lexus Malaysia. Other Lexus models sold by the company are not affected.
According to
Toyota
, the vehicles involved are facing the risk of experiencing unexpected activation of the curtain shield airbags even while the vehicle is stationary, due to improper programing of the airbag system in the airbag control module.
TMC said that it is currently preparing the necessary remedial parts which will be shipped to authorised distributors worldwide, and that a special service campaign will be announced when the parts are available.
Toyota and Lexus owners in Malaysia who require more information on this matter may call the Toyota free-phone at 1800-8-869682.
Looking for a Lexus? Find one now at
Carlist.my


Perodua Gives Away 100 Child Seats For Raya

It's one of those times of year again when numerous families take time out of their lives to
balik kampung
, usually involving a long, arduous trip up and down the highway. For a not unsizeable number of those on the road, they will have the added difficulty of carrying children - be it newborns to a couple of years old - and this means that a child seat is necessary in order to properly secure a child on a journey.
For many, child seats are not easily accessible. They're fairly expensive and require a little bit of understanding in order to mount properly, especially in cars without an ISOFIX system. Add to that the fact that children outgrow child seats quickly and the idea becomes largely unappealing - even though it's the safest way to carry a child in a car. To do their part in ensuring road safety, Perodua distributed 100 GearUp child seats to motorists at three highway rest areas in Peninsular Malaysia.
The toddler seats were gifted to lucky Perodua drivers travelling with children aged roughly between two and six, at Petronas stations at Rawang (PLUS), Bentong (Karak Highway) and Seremban (KL-Seremban Highway) rest areas. Introduced concurrently with the Road Safety Campaign in October, Perodua’s GearUp child seats are available in two models. Both are ISOFIX compatible and satisfy ECE R44 safety standards.
The infant seat, priced at RM622.50 (RM640 in East Malaysia), is suitable for infants weighing up to 13 kg, while the toddler seat, priced at RM736 (RM754.50 in East Malaysia), is designed for children weighing 9-36 kg. All prices are introductory with 0% Goods and Services Tax (GST), valid until 30 June.


Cycle & Carriage to Rejuvenate Mercedes-Benz Dealerships Nationwide

The iconic Mercedes-Benz dealership in Petaling Jaya is officially reopened having been rejuvenated by a RM43 million refurbishment exercise.
A prominent landmark for regular users of the Federal Highway, the Cycle & Carriage-operated CCB Autohaus Petaling Jaya is one of the recognizable Mercedes-Benz outlets in the country, but is now transformed into one of the most modern and up-to-date, in line with the brand’s latest corporate identity.
Formerly distributors of the brand, Cycle & Carriage Bintang’s (CCB) relationship with
Mercedes-Benz
 is deep and long-standing, dating back to 1951. Today, CCB continues to be a minority shareholder of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) and the company remains synonymous among with the Mercedes brand among Malaysians.
“Our history and legacy is intertwined with the Mercedes-Benz brand. We remain ever committed to the growth of the brand and next week we will be introducing our newly-renovated Autohaus in Georgetown,” said CCB Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Wong Kin Foo.
At present, CCB’s presence in Malaysia spreads across 11 locations nationwide with seven 3S Autohauses, two sales-only showrooms, and two service centres. As Mercedes-Benz’s biggest official dealer, CCB accounted for 40 percent of MBM’s total passenger car sales volume last year.
According to Dato’ Wong, firm plans are afoot for further expansion of CCB’s network, starting with the relocation of its existing Jalan Tun Razak showroom to TREC KL followed by the opening of its 12
th
 Autohaus in Cheras by the middle of this year. Additionally, a sum of RM30 million has been allocated over the next two years to upgrade the company’s dealerships in Alor Setar, Bukit Tengah, Juru, Ipoh, Mutiara Damansara, and Johor Bahru.
The newly refurbished PJ Autohaus serves as the template for these to-be-upgraded facilities. Spread across 150,210 sq ft, CCB PJ has enough floor space for 21 display vehicles and work bays to service 40 Mercedes-Benz vehicles at one go. The outlet is staffed by 36 retail personnel and 79 people working in after sales.
Upgraded facilities in the showroom as part of the new Mercedes-Benz CI include i-Showroom digital touchscreens and the new Mercedes-Benz Presentation System II (MPS II) for convenient and informative product browsing by customers. It also features the first of its kind AMG Performance Centre located at its first floor.
Address of the refurbished CCB PJ remains unchanged at:
Lot 19, Jalan 51A/219
(off Federal Highway),
46100 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor D.E.
GPS Navigation:
- Coordinates: 3.087267, 101.625110
- Google Maps:
https://goo.gl/maps/TBARJTkPZ2G2
- Waze:
https://waze.to/lr/hw2838d10s


Spied: 2018 Toyota Yaris Caught In Thailand

Well this is interesting. Spyshots depicting what appears to be a Toyota Yaris were snapped in Thailand. The Toyota Yaris is the hatchback version of the Toyota Vios. These photos were uploaded on the
headlightmag forum
.
From what we can observe, the heavy camouflage conceals most of the car's details, but we can see that this test mule has front bumper-mounted LED daytime running lights, akin to the current Toyota Vios. The shape of the front headlight is also rather large, not like the facelifted Vios' headlights.
Side profile is similar to the outgoing Yaris, suggesting that this isn't an all-new model, rather an updated one. As for the rear end, the heavy masking around the tail lights appear to indicate that Toyota has altered the tail lights, which now seems to blend into the tailgate.
The current generation Toyota Yaris was launched in Thailand back in 2013, making it an appropriate candidate for a facelift. The Toyota Vios also made a debut in 2013, received a major facelift earlier in
January
.
The Yaris nameplate has never quite taken off in Malaysia, so the likelihood of this model even making it to our shores is remote in the extreme.
Photo credit:
headlightmag forum


2022 Perodua Myvi 1.3L G vs 2022 Perodua Axia AV - Save The RM7k Or Is It Money Well Spent?

We duke out the Perodua Axia AV against its bigger brother the Myvi 1.3L G in an attempt to find out what does an additional RM7000 buy you?

Choices, choices
, buying a new car is exciting but at the same time stressful, especially if you're undecided on which one has the best value proposition for your needs.

For some who do not have budget constraints, this is obviously not a problem as they can go for the highest specced vehicle of their choice, but for those who are trying to get the best bang for buck, and save as much as they can, considerations and compromises have to be made.

This is especially true if you wish to
buy a Perodua
 for around the RM40k - RM50k mark because you can either go for a top-spec
Axia
 (1.0 AV at RM41k) or a top-spec 1.3L
Myvi
 (
1.3L G
 at RM48k). Ok, there is a cheaper Myvi under the 1.3L G (1.3L G without PSDA at RM46k), but we prefer cars with extra safety features, which the bottom spec Myvi does not have.

To determine whether the RM7000 savings are worth it, we must first compare its specifications. The best way to have oversight over them both is to put them in a side-by-side comparison table as below:

2022 Perodua Axia AV vs 2022 Perodua Myvi 1.3L G

Index

Axia AV

Myvi 1.3L G

MSRP

RM41k

RM48k

Engine

1.0-Litre

1.3-Litre

Transmission

4-AT

D-CVT

Power (PS)

68

95

Torque (Nm)

91@4,400rpm

121@4,000rpm

Fuel consumption (km/l)

21.6

22.2

Kerb weight (kg)

860

985

Dimensions

LxWxH (mm)

3,645x1,620x1,510

3,895x1,735x1,515

Boot Space (Litres)

260

277

Infotainment

Multimedia system

with navigation 'Smart Link'

USB, Bluetooth, HDMI

Digital Audio With USB

Airbags

2

4

Safety & Driving Assist

ABS with EBD

Stability Control

Traction Control

ASA 2.0

Pedestrian Detection

Pre-collision Warning

Pre-collision Braking

Front Departure Alert

Pedal Misoperation Control

ABS with EBD

Stability Control

Traction Control

PSDA

Pre-collision Warning

Pre-collision Braking

Pedal Misoperation Control

Front Departure Alert

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)

Auto High Beam (AHB)

Obviously, the first question that has to be answered is how much the cars would cost their owners monthly. If we make a general calculation of a typical seven-year loan tenure with a 10% deposit and at 2.5% p.a., the Myvi would cost RM604, and the
Axia
 would cost RM516.

Although the difference of RM88 might not sound like much, with the rise in the cost of living, it can go a long way for some. This is especially true if you clump it up into a yearly figure, as RM1056 can get you many things, including a much-needed holiday.

The second most obvious question that has to be answered is whether you need the extra space? because this is one of the most significant differences between the 2022 Myvi and Axia.

We're not saying the 2022 Axia is cramped because it's relatively spacious for a small car, but the Myvi has bags of room on the inside. For a family with one child, the Axia should suffice, but any more kids than that and the car will feel a bit tight. Likewise, we're not saying it won't fit two kids and the baggage that comes with it, but it is something to consider.

But when it comes to entertainment, the Axia AV wins hands down as it comes with a touch screen multimedia system with navigation, 'Smart Link', USB, Bluetooth and HDMI. The Myvi 1.3L G, on the other hand, has a basic entertainment system with digital audio with USB, and that's about it. With smartphones being the entertainment epicentre of most people's lives these days, you have to ask whether you can live without a basic entertainment system with practically zero connectivity.

Safety-wise, the Myvi 1.3L G does come out on top of the Axia AV, but only just. It has more airbags but the same amount of advanced safety assistance
(ASA)
 features. What the Axia AV does not have is the Myvi G's
driving assist features
 which gives its drivers that bit more protection. While it's great to have these advanced driving assist features, one can live without them as it's the ASA that is most important.

We're not going to touch too much about their outputs because they are both just okay and nothing to shout about. They both have enough power to get you places relatively quickly. However, there is the transmission to consider as the Myvi comes with a D-CVT transmission while the Axia comes with a 4-speed automatic. For those who prefer the conventional automatic feel, where you can feel gear changes then the Axia's 4-speed AT will be better, but for those who are indifferent in this department then the Myvi's
D-CVT
 should be fine. It's not as quiet as the 4-speed AT, but it does give the Myvi great fuel economy.

To sum it up, both cars have their pros and cons over each other, but there's no denying that the Axia AV is a heck of a bargain. Yes, it might not have the Myvi's extra driving assist features, but we feel it is more of a complete car than the Myvi 1.3L G, mainly at what it offers fresh out of the factory. If the Myvi 1.3L G had been equipped with a better infotainment system, then yes it would have earned more brownie points.

It really is a close call but the tipping of the scales really does rely heavily on how much space you need. If space is not needed then go for the Axia as it comes with great features at an extremely affordable price. With the money saved, you can always splurge on other things, or even perhaps put money into the bank, saving it for a rainy day.


Volkswagen Presents New ‘R’ Logo For Performance Models

As part of its ongoing realignment process, Volkswagen today unveiled the new ‘R’ logo for its performance division.

The new logo, which symbolises the performance brand’s fresh start, is more modern, distinct and sleek, and according to Volkswagen, is more suitable for digital media.

Jost Capito, the managing director of Volkswagen R division said, “The new logo for the R models and the R-Line models go hand in hand with the realignment of the Volkswagen R brand. Our entire team is intensely working on the brand and product image and we are looking forward to continuing to roll these out in the coming months.”

The redesigned R-Line badge will be seen for the first time on the Atlas Cross Sport R-Line in North America.

The vehicle, which was presented as a concept car at the New York International Auto Show earlier this year, will celebrate its world premiere this Friday.

Since 2002, Volkswagen R models have been at home on race tracks throughout the world and, in addition to high-performance engines, have offered their owners the combination of everyday usability and stylish understatement.

Along with the Golf R in four generations, the R portfolio includes the Passat R36, the Touareg R50, the Scirocco R and the Golf R Convertible globally.

Looking for a new Volkswagen? Find the best deals
here
.


Hyundai Elantra Facelift Spied Ahead Of Debut

Photos of the facelifted Hyundai Elantra have emerged, allowing us a good look at Hyundai’s updated C-segment sedan prior to its official debut.
Up front we can spot the signature Hyundai cascading grille, though updated with a more angular bottom half. The edges of the front grille are also more pronounced than before. Coupled with the new sharper and wider headlights, Hyundai designers have appeared to have taken a departure from their current trend, hinting at a possible evolution of their design language.
Towards the rear end, the updated Elantra sports a pair of slimmer tail lights and a repositioned number plate holder location. On the pre-facelift Elantra, the number plate holder was located on the bootlid, but the updated model features the number plate holder on the rear bumper. The rear end of the updated Elantra draws inspiration from the facelifted Sonata, though this model is not available here.
Hyundai is also expected to improve the cabin of the Elantra, including possible improvements to cabin materials, a new infotainment system, and possibly a wireless smartphone charger.
The Seoul-based company is expected to introduce the facelifted Elantra before the end of the year.


New Audi A3: Best ever driving dynamics in an A3

When the Geneva Motor Show is just around the corner, you can start to expect more and more news on cars that will make its debut there.

The latest to hop on the bandwagon is the new Audi A3 and according to Audi, the new A3 will come with "better driving dynamics than ever".

But since much of the details given by Audi requires a mechanical engineering degree to understand, we thought we would share the pictures of the beautiful new Audi A3, till meatier details are provided.


Here's Your Last Chance To Win A Volkswagen Beetle

In conjunction with its year-long celebration of its beloved model, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) will be giving away a brand new Volkswagen Beetle in its “Win the Icon” Instagram contest, which runs from 1st October till 30th November 2019.

The contest rides on Volkswagen’s tagline of ‘Better experienced than explained’, and one only needs to test drive a Volkswagen model at any authorized dealership, document the experience in a one-minute video, and caption it creatively to participate.

The “Win the Icon” contest is open to all Malaysians with a valid driver’s license.

Those interested to participate can follow these simple steps:

Test drive any Volkswagen model at authorized dealers

Record a one-minute video of your experience and upload it on Instagram

Complete the slogan “My #BetterExperiencedThanExplained story is…”

Follow and tag @VolkswagenMalaysia in the post

(Please ensure that your Instagram profile is set to public)

The lucky winner will be announced in December and will drive away in a Volkswagen Beetle 1.2TSI.

Designed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1938, over 21.5 million units of the Beetle have been sold globally, making it one of the best-selling cars in the 20th century. After three generations spanning over 65 years, Volkswagen ceased production of the Beetle, in July.


Cool Exterior Design Features In the All-New Porsche 911 (992)

The Porsche 911 will always be an icon. The instantly recognisable teardrop silhouette has been a feature since the first 911 shifted out of Stuttgart in 1963.
The latest iteration of the iconic sportscar was recently unveiled at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. Called the 992-generation, the all-new Porsche 911 has some really good exterior design points that make the new model more outstanding than the 991-generation.
The first item that highlights the 992-generation will be an item found at the rear-end. Designers at Porsche have placed the third brake-light into the intake grille, occupying two vertical slats.
Another cool item would be the door handles. Porsche 911 models have long been fitted with pull-type door handles, with only a quick variation to lift-type door handles in the late 1990s-era 996-generation.
Today, the all-new Porsche 911 features electrical pop-out door handles. This feature creates a tapered and smooth side contour, plus a more high-tech presence.
Peter Varga, Director of Exterior Design, said, ”In my opinion, a modern and beautiful car needs, above all, good proportions. And in this regard, the new 911 has become just a bit better than its predecessor.”
At the
LA 2018 global launch
, Porsche only released information on the 911 Carrera S and 4S. The 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six engine now develops 450 hp and paired with an 8-speed ’PDK’ double clutch-type automatic transmission. Torque meanwhile is 530 Nm, available within a wide range of engine speeds from 2,300 rpm to 5,000 rpm.
Benchmark 0-100 km/h acceleration time for the 911 Carrera S is just 3.7 seconds, while the all-wheel drive 4S a tenth of a second faster.


2022 Perodua Myvi vs 2017 Perodua Myvi - We Pinpoint The Differences

The cat's pretty much out of the bag - Malaysia will be receiving a new 2022 facelift Perodua Myvi soon, as it has been spotted getting ready for a commercial shoot.

The current third-generation Myvi has been around for almost four years now, and it's no surprise that a facelift version is on the way. While there's
nothing wrong
 with the current Myvi as it still looks the part amongst many new cars on the road, a refresh will do it no harm.

With that being said, let's take a look at
what is new
 and see how it differentiates from the 2017 third-generation Myvi.

1. Exterior

The front face of this facelift
third-generation Myvi
 seems to have been given a new design, taking a lot of inspiration from its brothers, the Perodua Aruz and Ativa. The grille section seems to be larger and more profound than before, and there are no more chrome frames around the grille. Instead, this has been replaced with a single chrome strip just under the Perodua badge, which extends to the headlights.

While the headlights seem to appear the same, we believe there are some subtle changes there. If observed, there is now a chrome strip in the housing, which flows nicely with the chrome strip on the grille. It also seems that the halogen position lights are no longer there.

On the other hand, the bumper design also looks like it has been given a sharper and cleaner design, contoured to give the front end a noticeable X shape type design. In addition, the front lip of what we believe is the future AV model is also integrated with a silver skid plate-type finish.

The final noticeable exterior difference of the facelift Myvi compared to the
current one
 comes in the form of its foglights, as it is no longer there and has been replaced with what seems to be a vertical Day Time Running Light (DRL) strip.

As far as we can tell from pictures, there are no more noticeable changes, but it does seem like the rear bumper has had some refresh, especially when it comes to the faux rear vents, which we suppose now will be more cohesive with the front ends vertical DRLs.

Through the picture anyway, the 15" rims on the facelift model seem to be the same ones on the current AV.  The red paint job on the facelift will apparently be a new shade of red called Cranberry Red, available only in the AV variant.

2. Powertrain

The E-AT four-speed automatic, as seen in the current Myvi, has been dropped, and instead, the facelifted 2022 Perodua Myvi will be using a dual-mode
D-CVT
, similar to the Ativa's. In addition, while it was initially thought that only the 1.5-litre Myvis would be getting this transmission, recent updates have suggested that all of them will be getting the new transmission, including the 1.3-litre vehicles.

There are no telltale signs that the
engine will be changed
, so the 2NR-VE 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i four-cylinder with 102 hp/136 Nm and 1.3-litre 1NR-VE with 94 hp/121 Nm will soldier on.

3. Safety

The last but not least upgrade that the Myvi facelift is rumoured to be carrying is in the safety department. Unlike the current Myvi, which only has
ASA 2.0
, it has been said that the facelift 2022 Myvi will be receiving a version of the
Advanced Safety Assist 3.0
 (ASA) system from the
Ativa
, featuring an upgraded autonomous emergency braking system that can detect cyclists at speeds of up to 120 km/h.

However, it has also been said that features such as lane assist, automatic high beams or adaptive cruise control may not be available as it will be exclusive to the Ativa for now.


Time To Change That Wallpaper: Ford GT

Ford recently announced its return to the
Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race
 with a racing version of its new
Ford GT supercar
.
Naturally, this is very exciting news especially for those who have long awaited
Ford’s
 return to endurance racing and their dominance of Le Mans from 1966 to 1969 following
Ferrari’s
 abandonment of a highly anticipated acquisition deal from the Ford Motor Company back then.
The new car gets a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine that produces more than 600hp which is all fine but it’s the way the thing looks that impresses most. Every line, angle, hole, intake, and vent, Ford say is in the pursuit of aerodynamics although we think it is more of a “get out of the way, I’m overtaking you” statement. The racing version is even more expressive (just look at the size of the rear diffuser).
Whichever it is, you’ll want to see this car and its racing version as often as you can so why not make it the first thing you see when you start up your computer? Here, we’ve compiled a few wallpapers of the
Ford
 GT that you can use to do just that
(click to view larger and save):
*All wallpapers are at 1920x1080 resolution
Ford GT


New 2015 Toyota Rush Appears On Toyota Malaysia’s Official Website, From RM97k

It appears UMW
Toyota

Motor
 looks set to introduce the new 2015
Toyota Rush
 following its appearance on Toyota Malaysia’s official website.
[UPDATE] UMW Toyota Motor have
officially launched the new 2015 Toyota Rush
 which you can read about here.
Previously,
UMW Toyota Motor announced its post-GST pricing for Toyota vehicles
 here in Malaysia which coincidentally left out the Toyota Rush. With this facelift model making its way onto Toyota Malaysia's official website, we now understand why they have done so.
Buyer’s Guide:
Three variants are still on offer here with prices listed as below (OTR inclusive of GST and first-year insurance):
Rush 1.5S (AT): RM103,300.00 (Metallic); RM102,530.44 (Non-Metallic)
Rush 1.5G (AT): RM100,300.00 (Metallic); RM99,530.44 (Non-Metallic)
Rush 1.5G (MT): RM98,000 (Metallic); RM97,258.00 (Non-Metallic)
When compared to the previous Rush facelift launched in 2011, the new Rush has received a hike in its pricing.
Already launched in Indonesia earlier, the new Toyota Rush merely see an update to both its exterior and interior styling. Underneath, the mechanicals remains largely the same.
Exterior:
Let’s start with the exterior where new front and rear bumpers are fitted, painted to create a two-tone effect. The front bumper now features a chrome lining that runs across the inverted trapezoidal grille, linking the projector headlamps. Only the 1.5S receives the addition of a LED positioning light.
Similarly, the redesigned fog lamps are reserved for the 1.5S including the power retractable wing mirrors. Elsewhere, you’ll see the clear LED rear combination lights and new design 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/60 series tyres.
Buyers will have a choice of five body colours: Black Metallic, Silver Metallic, Champagne Metallic, White, and Grey Metallic.
Interior:
Inside the seven-seater cabin, the same dark coloured seats can still be found. The second and third row seats are easily configurable into various flexible combinations as well, capable of a 50:50 split fold with one-touch tumble along with reclining and sliding ability.
Moving on to the infotainment unit, a new design 2-DIN head unit is fitted, capable of receiving additional inputs – AUX-jack, USB, and Bluetooth with audio playback sent through a six-speaker setup.
For the driver, there are new instrument graphics as well as a recoloured steering wheel with on-wheel buttons. However, only the 1.5S’ steering wheel and gear knob are wrapped in leather while the other two variants will have to settle for urethane.
Performance:
The Rush’s powertrain remain unchanged here. Under the hood of all three variants is the same 3SZ-VE 1.5-litre in-line four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a four-speed torque convertor automatic transmission. The powerplant produces 109PS at 6,000 rpm and 141Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm.
Safety:
As for safety, all three variants share the same spec sheet. Dual SRS airbags (driver and front passenger), anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), side door beam, and Toyota’s Global Outstanding Assessment (GOA) Body structure comes as standard. ISOFIX mounting points are also available for those who want to install a child seat.

The full specifications list can be seen here (click to view larger):


Porsche, Mazda, Nissan Wins Inaugural ASEAN Car of the Year Award

The Porsche Macan has been declared overall winner at the inaugural 2015 ASEAN Car of the Year (ACOTY) award in Kuala Lumpur yesterday evening. The non-profit event is a joint initiative by motoring journalists from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia – a first of its kind in the region.

The Mazda 2 tooked home the second place honours while the Nissan X-Trail rounded up the top-3 winners.

Nine motoring journalists from Malaysia, six from Thailand, and seven from Indonesia evaluated each vehicle's product appeal while
Opal Auto Mart
, an after-market warranty service provider with a huge database of reliability data for various makes, evaluted each finalist brand's reliability.
Liberty Insurance
 gave scores on depreciation values. Votes from the public on their ownership experience, satisfaction with sales and after-sales were taken into consideration.

Speaking at the awards presentation ceremony at in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, 2015 ACOTY Secretary Mr. Bobby Ang said, “With ASEAN’s growing importance in the global automotive industry landscape, it is important to create a bridge of acknowledgement for this region in the form of an automotive awards program to translate market needs towards the effort of car makers operating in this region.”

The organisersr of ACOTY have also made additional effort to make the judging process transparent, something which is rare even among international level COTY events. A detailed breakdown of the scores for finalists of each award category can be viewed by the public at caroftheyear.asia next week.

Winners of 2015 ASEAN Car of the Year Awards (Overall)

First place: Porsche Macan

Second place: Mazda 2

Third place: Nissan X-Trail

Overall winners of the 2015 ACOTY award, presented by
Motortrader.com.my
's Chips Yap. From left: Tan Keng Meng, Director of Marketing and Product Planning, Edaran Tan Chong Motor, Arnt Bayer, CEO, Porsche Malaysia, and Lee Ai Hoon, Head of Marketing, Bermaz Motor.

2015 Audi R8 LMS Cup champion, Alex Yoong (right) was the emcee for yesterday's event.

Chips Yap, a veteran motoring journalist with over 30 years of experience in the business, was also presented with an industry appreciation award for his contribution to the local motoring industry.

Winners of 2015 ASEAN Car of the Year Awards (Malaysia Category)

Budget Car of the Year – Kia Picanto

Compact Car of the Year – Mazda2

Family Car of the Year – Mazda3

Executive Car of the Year – Honda Accord

Family MPV of the Year – Mazda Biante

Premium MPV of the Year – Honda Odyssey

Crossover of the Year – Honda HR-V

Compact SUV of the Year – Mazda CX-5

Family SUV of the Year – Nissan X-Trail

Pick-up Truck of the Year – Ford Ranger

Coupe of the Year – BMW 2-Series

Premium Compact of the Year – Volvo V40

Premium Family Car of the Year – Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Premium Executive Car of the Year – BMW 5-Series

Premium Flagship of the Year– Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Premium Compact SUV of the Year – Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Premium Mid-size SUV of the Year – Porsche Macan

Premium SUV of the Year – Porsche Cayenne

Premium Coupe of the Year – Audi TT

Performance Car of the Year – Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Grand Tourer of the Year – Porsche Panamera

Driver’s Car of the Year – Volkswagen Golf R


Honda agrees to make Sony EVs a reality....in 2026

Sony Honda Mobility Inc (SHM) is now a real thing, and as that name clearly states, is comprised of two behemoth Japanese brands. However, only Honda is known for anything automotive or related to 'mobility'.

Prior to the surprise unveil of 2020's Vision S concept car, the closest relationship Sony had to cars were their aftermarket branded audio products such as speakers and head units. However, they've now committed
to an EV-led future with Honda
.

This doesn't necessarily mean that
the Vision S 01
 or 02 will become fully realised production models, but a 2026 window was teased as being when the newly formed 50/50 joint venture is expected to bear fruit in the form of a purchaseable EV.

Following the Tesla playbook, Sony Honda Mobility's maiden product will be open to pre-orders in 2025 and is only available online - looks like the dealer network will be sidelined altogehter.

This future EV will be targeted at buyers in the US and Japan and built in Honda's production facilities in North America, at least at first. However, no pricing bracket or expected production volume was indicated at the time of the announcement.

It's unclear how much of the car will be branded either Honda or Sony, but we can probably guess that the former will be primarily responsible for the actual 'car' part - powertrain, battery, platform, body shell, control units - while Sony's contribution will be its software experience and integration with a larger ecosystem of devices, networks, and cloud-based services.

Interestingly, a stat SHM cared enough to mention was their upcoming car's impressive projected onboard computing power that's capable of Level 3 automated drive and Level 2+ driver assistance thanks to a microprocessor array capable of up to 800 TFLOPS (teraflops), or 800 trillion floating point operations per second.

As of late 2022, the only fully electric Honda to come to market is
the little e city car
, a 5-door hatchback that's very well regarded beyond what its global sales numbers might suggest.

Within the last few years, Japanese automaker has also recently inked deals with other automakers such as General Motors to share electric vehicle architectures and powertrain tech with the resulting car, the Prologue, due to be on sale in 2024.

Most disappointingly, this recent announcement did not mention anything about a free PlayStation 6 with every Sony-Honda EV. Sounds like a missed opportunity.


Proton to kick off NEV plans with MHEV followed by PHEV & BEV

Proton
 has showcased its timeline or roadmap in electrifying its offerings, beginning with MHEV followed by PHEV and BEV.

The implementation of this roadmap from Proton does not indicate any specific timing, but the message from the deputy CEO himself gave an interesting impression of Proton's future. A part of that statement went something like "a plan to synergise our EV industrialisation strategy with other brands in the Geely group".

First Proton mild-hybrid coming soon - X90?

The first phase of the Proton NEV roadmap will start with a
mild-hybrid model
 which will be paired with the introduction of the smart X1 EV. The latter is targeted to be officially available in the fourth quarter of 2023, but the brand's first MHEV? We have a feeling that it'll be the new
Proton X90
 and it'll be introduced within the first half of the year.

The seven-seater SUV has been spotted several times being tested on Malaysian roads. Featuring a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid three-cylinder petrol engine, it is said that the upcoming Proton X90 will churn out around 190PS and 300Nm of torque. Proton's deputy CEO did mention that a few things will happen in the next coming months, but the last one which happens to be May sounds about right to launch a brand-new model.

Proton to become a right-hand-drive hub for EVs

The roadmap of Proton's NEV plans is split into three phases - pioneering, EV growth, and lastly, EV RHD hub. New models and powertrains will be introduced within these timelines until the brand reaches its status as a true development and production hub for right-hand-drive EVs in the region.

Considering all the good things of being a part of the Geely group means that Proton will have first dibs when it comes to dealing with brands like Polestar and Zeekr, the one that still remains in our hearts is the imminent arrival of Lynk & Co into Malaysia. Only a few years away from 2025, folks.


2022 Ford Everest Launched - 3 Variants, 2WD Sport, 4WD Trend And Titanium - From RM264k

Sime Darby Auto Connexion, the authorized distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia today announced the introduction of the third generation Ford Everest, an SUV based on the all-new Ford Ranger.

Surprisingly, the new Ford Everest is offered in three variations, a 2WD Sport, 4WD Trend and top-of-the-line 4WD Titanium. Unlike in other markets, no new-gen Everest in Malaysia is equipped with the much coveted V6-Diesel engine. Nonetheless, the top-spec Everest still manages to push out
500Nm
 from its 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine.

One of the highlights of the new Everest according to Ford is how quiet the cabin is, as they had worked really hard to provide this comfort feature to its owner and passengers. Handling has also improved, giving drivers a better overall experience when driving the Everest.

2022 Ford Everest variants and price

Sport 4x2 6AT - RM263,888

Trend 4x4 10AT - RM281,888

Titanium 4x4 10AT - RM308,888

Exterior

Debuting globally in March this year, the third generation Everest features a similar front look to Ford's new pick-up truck, including the unmissable larger radiator grille with a horizontal bar that incorporates the Ford badge and the new "C-clamp" headlamps. The Sport and Trend get LED headlamps while the Titanium features Ford’s latest Matrix LED headlamps with glare-free high beam to provide maximum visibility without dazzling other road users.

Of course, since it's an SUV, the Everest gets its own rear end, which now features a more squared-off design compared to the roundish design of the outgoing model. To provide more interior room, Ford has also extended the wheelbase of the Everest by 50mm compared to the Ranger, and this should benefit third-row occupants who will be occupying the sixth and seventh seats. The track has also increased by 50mm.

The wider track and longer wheelbase enabled designers to create a more progressive and muscular appearance. The roof rails on the Everest are more than just a cosmetic piece of design as they’re engineered with the right mounts to carry bikes, canoes, cargo pod or roof-top tent.

In terms of wheels, the Sport and Titanium come equipped with 20-inch alloys, while the Trend rides on 18-inch alloys.

Interior

Just like the Ranger, the 2022 Everest now features more soft-touch materials within its new cabin, but the highlight of the interior just like its cousin, is, of course, the 12-inch portrait-orientated infotainment touchscreen system (10.1-inch for the Trend and Sport), with the latest version of Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment software that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All models come with eight speakers.

The next-generation Everest Titanium is also fitted with a 360-degree camera with split-view display while the Trend and Sport are equipped with reverse cameras in addition to front and rear sensors.

All versions of the next-gen Ford Everest also come standard with 8-inch (Sport and Trend) or 12-inch(Titanium) digital instrument panels that replace the traditional analogue clusters, four USB charging ports (one of which is windscreen-mounted) and a wireless Qi charger.

The new generation Everest is more spacious than ever with more elbow, leg and shoulder room in the front and back and access to the third-row seats is much easier thanks to second-row seats that slide further forward than before.

Ford has prioritised flexible seating in the next-gen Everest, with power folding seats on the Titanium. The second and third-row seats have been designed to fold flat to allow for long loads to be carried safely.

There are 10 cup holders in total located at the centre console, armrest, dash-mounted ‘pop out’ holders and in the rear. The next-generation Everest also features an electronic parking brake (with an e-Shifter in the Titanium), three 12V sockets, premium black leather seats now with eight-way power-adjustable seats for the driver and front passenger and ebony interior trim. Additionally, the Titanium has a 230V AC power outlet capable of delivering 400W (up from 150W).

Capabilities

The next-gen Ford Everest has a water wading ability of up to 800mm and ground clearance of 200mm. Its increase in wheelbase and track combine to provide better on-road control and off-road articulation as well as improved approach and departure angles. Further tweaks to the damper settings allow for more fun and control in the Everest’s ride, both on- and off-road.

Safety

Much of the Ranger's safety and driving assistance systems are also adapted to the new Everest, including the Evasive Steer Assist, a system that helps drivers avoid potential forward collisions by helping the driver steer with less effort, especially when a collision cannot be avoided by braking alone.

Other useful safety and driving assistance equipment include:

Post-Collision Braking System

Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go (ACC)

Cross Traffic Alert

Reverse Brake Assist (Wildtrak only)

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian detection

There are also regular active safety features such as ABS, EBD, TCS, and ESC.

Powertrain

The Trend and Titanium are powered by Ford's small yet powerful 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine that is mated to Ford’s 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, which delivers
210 PS
 @ 3,500 rpm and peak torque of
500Nm
 @ 1,750-2,000 rpm.

Both variants are also equipped with a part-time 4x4 electronic shift-on-the-fly (ESOF) system, e-Locking Rear Differential and six selectable drive modes: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts and Sand.

The 2WD Everest Sport features the simple 2.0L Single Turbo diesel with a six-speed automatic transmission. It pushes out
170 PS
 @ 3,500 rpm and max torque of
405Nm
 @ 1,750-2,000 rpm. It also offers four selectable drive modes: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery surfaces.

Colours

Available colours include Absolute Black, Aluminium Metallic, Arctic White, Equinox Bronze, Lightning Blue, Meteor Grey and Sedona Orange.

Warranty

The new Ford Everest comes with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty, or up to 100,000 km, whichever comes first.


Samsung’s Safety Truck Aims To Make Overtaking A Safer Affair

If you’ve ever driven on a single carriageway, you’ll know just how difficult and dangerous it is to overtake a slower moving vehicle in front of you. It gets even worse if the vehicle in front of you is a large lorry or truck for example, obstructing your view of what’s on the opposite lane before you perform the overtaking manoeuvre.
In Argentina, road accident statistics paint a grim picture – almost one person dies in a traffic accident every hour with the majority of them involving attempts to overtake on such roads.
Samsung has decided to step in and created a ‘Safety Truck’ that aims to reduce these statistics when motorists attempt to overtake long vehicles as those mentioned.
The ‘Safety Truck’ features a camera mounted at the front which displays real-time video of what’s ahead of the truck to a four-screen display at the back of the truck. In low-light conditions, the cameras can enable its night vision setting as well.
This allows drivers to see what’s ahead even and plan their movement instead of trying to “peak” out on the opposite lane, minimising the danger of a crash.


BMW iPerformance Roadshow Puts PHEV Range On Display – Bangsar Village II, 16-18 June

BMW Malaysia’s range of plug-in hybrid models, consisting of the
330e
,
X5 xDrive40e
,
740Le
, and i8, will be on display from Friday, 16 June, to Sunday, 18 June 2017, at Bangsar Village II, Kuala Lumpur. The roadshow will run from 10:00am to 10:00pm on all three days.
Aside from the cars, the roadshow will also showcase the electric drive technology that underpins BMW’s latest range of all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Over the same weekend, Ingress Auto’s BMW dealerships at Sungai Penchala and Bandar Puteri Puchong will be hosting Supper at BMW on Saturday, 17 June from 8pm till midnight. Special promotions will be on offer at the event – selected models get financing at 1.88% interest whilst others get discount vouchers worth up to RM10,000 valid until 30 June 2017.
Until 31 July 2017, current BMW owners can sign up for free 20-point checks for their vehicles and enjoy 20% discounts on labour for body & paint repairs and oil change. Free alignment and balancing services are thrown in with the purchase of four new tyres.


2015 Porsche 911 GT3 R - A Lightened, Hardened, Track-Ready 911 You Can Own

Porsche has taken the covers off its new 911 GT3 R at a very fitting location: the Nurburgring. Based on the GT3 RS road car, the GT3 R is a lighter and more track-focused machine that develops more than 500 horsepower from its 4.0-litre flat-six engine.
This isn’t the most extreme version of the type 991
Porsche

911
, though, but it is the most extreme version that you can actually buy. The top dog there would be the 911 RSR racer.
To elevate the 911 GT3 R above the
GT3 RS
 road car, Porsche had to make a few key changes. Apart from the uprated powerplant, drive now goes through a six-speed constant-mesh sequential gearbox with pneumatic paddle shifters and a mechanical limited slip differential. The wheelbase itself also differs, being over three inches longer than the previous model to improve weight balance.
Much of the car has either been stripped completely of unnecessary components or replaced with lighter material equivalents. They include a body shell comprising of an aluminium and steel composite, carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) doors, rear wing, wheel arches, and front/rear fairings. Also, the front and wear windscreens have been replaced with plexiglass while the door windows are removable polycarbonate.
For better track operability, the GT3 R comes with a safety fuel cell that holds 120-litres of fuel and comes a safety valve that shuts the fuel supply when the car detects a problem or through driver intervention.
All this go-faster tech doesn’t come cheap, mind you, and you’ll need 429,000 euros (RM1,741,658) for the privilege of owning one. For those who really want to live out their dream of being a racing driver, whoever that may be, this might be considered a bargain. But that's doubtful.


KIA vs KN – Logo baharu Kia buat ramai keliru

Sejak logo baharu
Kia
 dilancarkan, lebih 30 ribu pengguna telah membuat carian ‘kereta KN’ di internet. Adakah logo baharu Kia sukar dibaca?

Pada Januari 2021, Kia telah melancarkan logo baharu yang lebih minimalis dengan menampilkan elemen simetri,
rhythm
dan 'kebangkitan' yang merangkumi keyakinan dan komitmen Kia kepada pelanggan

Logo baharu itu turut dilancarkan dengan slogan baharu iaitu 'pergerakan yang memberi inspirasi', namun berdasarkan data yang dikongsi oleh
Ashwinn (@Shwinnabego)
 di Twitter, slogan yang lebih tepat untuk logo ini mungkin ‘pergerakan yang memberi kekeliruan’.

Logo mengelirukan: KIA vs KN

Sejak logo baharu ini dilancarkan, lebih 30 ribu pengguna telah membuat carian ‘kereta KN’ di internet ekoran logonya yang lebih kelihatan seakan-akan gabungan dua huruf K dan N berbanding Kia.

Jadi adakah penggunaan logo yang mengelirukan ini sesuatu yang bijak? Jika dilihat dari sudut pemasaran, ia dipanggil
false error marketing
di mana kekeliruan akan memberikan lebih banyak perhatian di internet.

Jika carian kereta KN dibuat di internet, laman web rasmi Kia akan muncul di carian pertama. Ini menunjukkan kekeliruan ini memberikan trafik carian organik percuma orang yang mahu tahu tentang jenama dan produknya.

Berdasarkan data yang diperolehi daripada Google Trends, carian kereta KN ini bukan hanya melanda Amerika Syarikat, namun Malaysia turut terkesan di samping Kanada, Australia dan Filipina.

Pengguna Twitter turut berkongsi logo Kia yang sudah disunting agar lebih mudah dilihat dan dibaca sebagai kereta Kia, bukanlah kereta KN.

Pada pendapat anda, adakah penggunaan logo yang mengelirukan ini satu tindakan yang bijak dari Kia atau mereka perlu mengubah semula logonya? Kongsikan dengan kami di ruangan komen!


GIIAS 2015: Extensively Updated Toyota Avanza Makes an Appearance

Fresh from its market debut last week
,
Toyota
has rolled out their new Avanza Veloz MPV at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Motor Show (GIIAS 2015) today. While the
Avanza
’s most obvious change seen on its mid-life cycle update is the new front fascia, with a more prominent grille and a new projector headlight design, the changes go beyond its sheet metal skin.
The engine range has been updated, this time with a pair of Dual VVT-i equipped engines. The entry level 1.3-litre 4-cylinder unit produces 96.5PS and 121Nm of torque, whereas the larger 1.5-litre 4-cylinder unit boasts an output of 104PS and 136Nm of torque. Both engines are tuned to reach their peak torque 200rpm earlier at 4,200rpm, as compared to the previous VVT-i engines.
Inside the Avanza Veloz’s cabin trim gets an update with a new black tone upholstery and a new blue-white colour instrument panel with an ‘Eco’ indicator. Access to the rear seats has also been made easier with a one-touch tumble seat folding mechanism on the middle row, while the second row is fully equipped with three three-point seatbelts.
As previously reported the Avanza Veloz is priced from IDR204.2 million for the 1.3 M/T, and up to IDR226.9 million for the range-topping 1.5 A/T. Considering that Avanza models sold in Malaysia are imported from Indonesia, we can expect the new Avanza to look very similar to this, though its final specification and features might vary.


Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong Visits Carsome Certified Lab

Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong had apparently been hearing a lot about Malaysian automotive start-up CARSOME and their
 huge Certified Lab in Setia Alam
, so he decided to pay it a visit.

There, he was greeted by the company’s top management including CARSOME Co-founder and Group CEO Eric Cheng and Regional Head of Public Affairs Leeroy Ting Kah Sing, which filled him in on the finer details of the facility’s operation as well as the CARSOME’s broader one-stop-shop approach to
 vehicle buying and selling for both used
 and new.

Like many other economic sectors, used car transactions are going through a conversion process by incorporating many elements of the digital economy in their businesses,” Wee said in a statement shared online.

“It is good to see CARSOME, with shareholders including Khazanah Nasional, Penjana Kapital, and MAVCAP, being Malaysia's first unicorn startup, valued at US$ 1 billion in 2021. Today, they are Southeast Asia's largest integrated car e-commerce platform with some 18,000 cars transacted per month,” he added.

“CARSOME has been on a mission to elevate the used car industry and create an end-to-end vehicle ownership ecosystem through data and technology. We look forward to working closely with the Minister of Transport, YB Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong to provide a convenient and trusted way of buying and selling pre-owned cars in Malaysia.

With the Ministry’s support, we want to continuously digitize and innovate the industry further to provide mobility solutions and help customers move forward with peace of mind,” said Cheng.


New Audi A3 Debuts – 2.0 TFSI, Virtual Cockpit And More

After almost four years on the market, Audi AG has given its A3 range a mid-lifecycle update. From the outside, the new facelifted A3 looks quite similar to the pre-facelift model, but the new A3 now comes with a lot more advanced driving aids, a new instrument panel, plus a new range of engines.
The updates apply to all body-type variants, including the Sportback, sedan and convertible.
New engines
The engine line-up now consists of 3 petrol engines and 3 diesel engines. The 1.2 TFSI unit has been replaced with a 1.0 TFSI engine that produces 115 hp and 200 Nm of torque.
The 1.4-litre TFSI now comes with Cyliner-on-Demand technology (COD), which shuts off two of the four cylinders when additional power is not required. The updated engine produces 150 hp and 250 Nm of torque.
The outgoing model’s 1.8 TFSI engine has been replaced with a 2.0 TFSI unit that produces 190 hp and 320 Nm of torque.
The 2.0 TFSI engines are joined by a newly developed seven-speed wet-type dual-clutch S tronic transmission. It replaces the previous six-speed dual clutch transmission. Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel drive technology is available as an option for the 2.0 TFSI model.
The diesel engines available are the 1.6 TDI and 2.0 TDI. The latter is available in two different state of tunes – 150 hp and 184 hp.
New suspension
The new A3’s suspension has been revised and the optional sports suspension now rides 15 mm lower. S line models with sports suspension will now ride 25 mm lower. Electrically powered progressive steering system is also available as an option.
Matrix LED headlights
The standard headlights are Xenon plus units, but LED and Matrix LED headlamps are also available on certain variants.
Virtual Cockpit
As with the Audi TT and Q7, the new A3 will feature Virtual Cockpit – Audi’s signature 12.3-inch full colour TFT screen instrument panel.
On higher variants, the MMI infotainment system’s round rotary/push-button control is now illuminated in white (in higher range variants only). The menu structure in the MMI system has been redesigned, and now mirrors flat hierarchies commonly seen in smartphones.
Driving Aids
The new A3 now features Traffic Jam Assist, which works in conjunction with the Adaptive Cruise Control and Stop&Go feature that allows the vehicle to, during a traffic jam, to automatically drive the vehicle forward while maintaining a safe distance with the vehicle in front.
In sluggish traffic of up to 65 km/h, the traffic jam assist even briefly takes over the steering on well-paved roads. Another new feature for the A3 family is the optional Emergency Assist. This system initiates braking down to a safe stop if, despite warnings, no steering activity by the driver is detected. The new rear cross-traffic assist warns the driver about cross traffic when slowly backing out of a perpendicular parking space, for example.
Exterior Styling
The new A3 is differentiated by its more A4-like styling elements. Most notably the new headlights and tail lights. The front grille is also broader and features sharper contours.
Coming To Malaysia?
The Audi A3 models sold in Malaysia are imported from Ingolstadt, Germany. Not all the features mentioned here are applicable for our market, but key features like engine options are likely to be similar, meaning that the 1.8 TFSI engine will be replaced with a 2.0 TFSI unit, with a new 7-Speed S tronic (wet) dual clutch transmission.


Indonesia Moving To MLFF Tolls By End Of 2023 - Transition Starts Soon

Indonesia transitions to a multi-lane free-flow system - full implementation by 2023. A full two years before Malaysia.

According to a report by Kompas.com,
Indonesia
 is transitioning from traditional toll roads to a multi-lane free-flow system (MLFF).

When will the MLFF roll out start?

The gateless electronic toll collection system, better known as MLFF, will be introduced on toll roads at the end of this year and fully implemented by 2023.

The country's director-general of land transportation, Budi Setiyadi, said he hopes that the contactless cashless payment system can be implemented soon so that motorists have a smoother journey on toll roads.

According to Setiyadi, the matter had been brought up to relevant parties, such as the toll road regulatory agency (BPJT), and hoped that the system, which is currently being tested and on trial, can be implemented within the stipulated time.

"Hopefully, the implementation can be sped up because it had been done quickly in some other countries," he told Kompas.com.

According to the report, BJPT targets the implementation of MLFF in Java and Bali by the end of 2022.

How does MLFF work?

The system, which allows vehicles to pass through the gateless electronic toll system between speeds of 40 and 50km/h, is provided by a Hungarian company, Roatex through the local firm PT Roatex Indonesia Toll Systems.

The implementation of the system is expected to avoid long queues at tolls, shorten travel time, and increase efficiency levels.

According to the report, MLFF uses global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology, allowing transactions through smartphone applications.

Picture credit: KOMPAS.COM

The global positioning system (GPS) will determine the location of the vehicle through satellite tracking, as well as matching maps that will operate through a centralized system.

When the vehicle passes the toll road, the map matching operation will end, and the system will calculate the fare.

While
our neighbours
 are trying to quickly move to a gateless electronic toll system, we are still transitioning to an
RFID system
 and are only expected to
move to an MLFF system
 by 2025.

When will Malaysia move to MLFF?

In September 2021,
it was announced
 that a trial Multi-Lane Free Flow system would be installed at Besraya KM5.5 (Northbound) where it is expected to collect data for three months starting in early 2022.

As stated by the Ministry of Works (MoW) in the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) blueprint, the trial process is an important initiative
to ensure highways are free from congestion
 through better traffic infrastructure.


Tokyo 2015: Mazda Set To Unveil New Sports Car Concept at Tokyo. Is this the Revival of the RX-series?

Mazda’s global sales and marketing managing executive officer certainly
dropped a bombshell at the Frankfurt Motor Show
 when they hinted that they have something waiting in their wings for the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. And now
Mazda
 has released a teaser image of a “new sports car concept” that they will be presenting at the motor show next month (Oct 30th to Nov 8th).
Mazda says that the new concept is suppose to maintain a sense of lineage and authencity, appearing to "condense Mazda's entire history of sports car development into a single model". Aside from that rather stirring statement, there are no hints or additional information as to what exactly is beneath that veil of secrecy, but Mazda will be lining up the concept car alongside the
Koeru Concept SUV
, two racing-spec
Mazda MX-5s
, and the 1967 rotary-powered Cosmo Sport.
With a little Photoshop editing we can see that it adopts a very sensuous body, its long bonnet and curved C-pillar reminds us of the jaw-dropping Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, overhead there is Zagato-like double-bubble roof design, and there is the unmistakable black strip that connects the two taillights, a clear homage to the beautiful third-generation RX-7.
Could this concept herald t
he return of the rotary-powered RX sports car that many have rumoured about
? We will only know for sure when the wraps come off at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. Till then, we can only hope that of all the hopeful concepts that Mazda has made thus far, this will be the one that would be quickly brought to production reality.


Why 2021 Proton Iriz (Active) Still Can't Knock Down The Perodua Myvi?

Last week, Proton launched the
2021 version of the Proton Iriz hatch
, even adding a Proton Iriz Active variant but can it knock down the reigning king of the segment, the Perodua Myvi?

In addition to cosmetic upgrades, it was previously rumoured that the 2021 Proton Iriz would pack in quite a few key enhancements that would narrow its gap to the reigning champion in the segment, the Perodua Myvi.

Disappointingly, that rumour did not prove accurate as the Iriz facelift seemed to have missed the mark entirely in putting any pressure on its closest competitor. Instead, the newer car focuses much too heavily on superficial cosmetics while changing little of what actually held it back in terms of sales and market share.

There are a number of welcome improvements, of course, but none of them address the Iriz’s core weaknesses, yet concerns itself with trivial changes that value-conscious buyers in 2021 might easily dismiss. Unbelievably, the Iriz is doing all this while simultaneously introducing a range-wide price hike with the entry-level 1.3 Standard CVT being some RM1,200 more expensive than last year’s - there is no longer a manual option.

At the top of the heap,
the Iriz Active
, which replaces last year’s 1.6 Premium, is being lobbed for RM54k with the current SST exemption applied, making it slightly more expensive than the Myvi 1.5 AV.

Worst of all, it seems to be shamelessly copying a
gimmick last seen on the Axia Style
, Perodua’s failed experiment from 2019, joining a long list of offenders responsible for mildly repulsive SUV fakery. Sure, this was predated by the Iriz Active concept car from 2014, but even that as well as Axia Style had enough taste to steer clear of fitting fake Allen bolts on the fender extensions.

Underneath it all, though, no matter how much it tries to obscure itself with tacky and unattractive grey cladding and crossover pretentiousness, this is still pretty much the same Iriz that’s been with us for 7 years. It’s still powered by the same Campro-based engines and Punch-sourced CVTs that were paired with it from the start.

There are some positives. Each 2021 Iriz gains larger alloy wheels, a sharper looking front fascia that finally matches up with the Persona, higher-quality interior finishing and materials, LED daytime running lights (Executive), LED headlights (Active), and improved safety credentials with a range-wide 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating under the 2020 testing scheme.

Despite the mid-spec executive also receiving an 8-inch central infotainment touchscreen, the most substantial single upgrade to the 2021 Iriz is only available in the priciest Active variant, that being the more feature-rich media and connectivity suite via
the GKUI system
, adding things like voice command, online music streaming, and online navigation.

The Iriz Standard gets four airbags with the two higher trim lines receiving curtain airbags for a total of six. Every Iriz has the usual assortment of anti-lock brakes, traction control, and stability control, though only the Executive and Active receive a reversing camera.

Proton, so far as their non-Geely derived models are concerned, still has no answer to the widespread availability of Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) in Perodua’s line-up, which has been a big contributing factor to their continued success in every segment they compete in.

Car buyers in 2021, even those in the budget end of the spectrum, now place much more consideration into vehicle safety before making a purchase decision, and Perodua has commendably been a pioneer in significantly lowering the cost barrier to these life-saving features,  which is
even offered in the A-segment Axia
.

Any worry that Perodua might have had at Proton potentially posing any threat to the Myvi must have evaporated pretty rapidly after the 2021 Iriz’s reveal. And remember, the Myvi is still due for a mid-life refresh that’s
likely coming at the end of the year or in early 2022
, improving on a formula that’s worked well since its 2017 debut.

Overall, this facelift feels like a distraction, like Proton is stalling for time. This can’t be their long-term play. They must know that the Iriz’s continued inability to compete on equal terms with the Myvi, despite being what it was primarily conceived to do, won’t be helped by the new Active or the rest of the hatch’s 2021 range.

As previously mentioned, the nameplate itself has been around for 7 years, so too has the car stayed in a relatively stagnant position, making it high time for a completely new successor model to take its place.

However, this comes with its own set of complications due to the Iriz being so closely related to the Persona. Both cars will need to be considered before any major change can be implemented.

All indications point to Proton’s next car being another badge-engineered model plucked from the Geely portfolio, and a sedan at that, as we have previously speculated. More specifically, the newly unveiled Emgrand seems like the
frontrunner candidate to replace the Persona
 as the brand’s next B-segment contender.

However, with no hatchback in the works to carry the Iriz’s torch past this generation, we could be witnessing its final fierce embers before it is extinguished.


2024 Polestar 4 EV launched - up to 544hp & 600km range

Polestar
 has officially introduced its latest electric performance SUV coupé, the
2024 Polestar 4
.

This new trend of SUV coupés is coming in hot and the Polestar 4 is no exception when it comes to the new breed of electric SUVs with enhanced aerodynamics and performance. Speaking of performance, the Polestar 4 is said to be the fastest production car from Polestar to date.

According to Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO, "With Polestar 4 we have taken a fundamentally new approach to SUV coupé design. Rather than simply modifying an existing SUV, giving it a faster roofline and as a result, compromising elements like rear headroom and comfort, we have designed Polestar 4 from the ground up as a new breed of SUV coupé that celebrates rear occupant comfort and experience."

Heavily inspired by the Polestar Precept concept car, the Polestar 4 has no rear window, separated dual blade front lights, a low front end to evoke an even more performance-oriented facade, and more. The same can be said about the rear with its rear aero blades and a rear light bar that's designed to optimise airflow.

Labelled as a D-segment SUV coupé, the Polestar 4 is built on Geely's premium Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) that not only offers a great driving experience but also a very immersive and intimate environment for the rear occupants thanks to features like adjustable ambient lighting and customised driving environment.

Future owners can experience this with specs like the full-length glass roof with optional electrochromic functionality, and this feeling is further intensified as the glass roof stretches beyond the rear occupants' heads as the Polestar 4 comes with no rear window. Fancy, indeed.

Jumping to performance, the 2024 Polestar 4 will be available in a number of different variants. The range-topping version with dual electric motors and a huge 102kW battery pack (Long Range Dual Motor) kicks out 544hp and 686Nm of torque paired with a 560km WLTP range.

This version can also hit 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds. To maximise range, this version also comes with a disconnect clutch to disengage the front motor when it's not needed.

Despite being fast and powerful, Polestar assures everyone that the 4 is just as capable in terms of driving dynamics, sharp steering, and handling responses thanks to features like semi-active suspension and more. Sweet.

The single motor version is said to produce 272hp and 343Nm of torque and with the same 102kW battery pack for the Long Range variant, the Polestar 4 can extend its range to 600km WLTP. For charging, up to 200 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging is included for all versions.

Other highlights include:

Android Automotive OS infotainment system (with built-in Google)

15.4-inch landscape-oriented screen

10.2-inch driver display

Optional Harman Kardon audio system (up to 16 speakers)

Over-the-air (OTA) update capability

Up to nine airbags

SuperVision Advanced Driver Assistance System (12 cameras, one radar & 12 ultrasonic sensors) + more

The 2024 Polestar 4 will be launched in China first following the production plan that'll begin in November 2023 (also in China). Other markets will soon follow in early 2024 with an indicative launch price that starts from USD60,000 or around RM265,000.


First Drive: Volkswagen Arteon R-Line

After many, many months of waiting, the Volkswagen Arteon has finally showed up here. We take the R-Line variant for a short spin and see what it’s like.

Changes in government, tax structure, and an entire pandemic have been massive roadblocks for the Volkswagen Arteon’s local launch, but after a tonne of hard work by the good folks at Volkswagen Passenger Car Malaysia (VPCM), the successor to the Volkswagen CC has arrived. It’s perhaps not the car we thought we would be receiving, but it is very exciting nonetheless.

First, let’s look at where the Arteon came from. The Arteon’s namesake may not exist in Volkswagen’s history, but spiritually the model is derived from the Passat CC – roughly three model generations ago. The Passat CC was a sleeker, larger, better equipped version of the Passsat available at the time, and it came with either a 2.0 TSI powertrain or the ever interesting 3.6-litre VR6 powerplant in the Passat CC R-Line.

The next generation to be made available here was known simply as the Volkswagen CC, and was offered with just a 1.8-litre TSI engine. It wasn’t vastly different from the regular Passats available at the time, save for the fact that it had frameless windows, so perhaps it was a bit of a letdown. The arrival of the Arteon steps things up – perhaps in the right direction as well.

For starters, at the RM 221,065 sticker price you get an impressive level of equipment. The 2.0 TSI engine at the heart of the Arteon R-Line may have a slightly lower output than other 2.0 TSIs in the Volkswagen range at 190 PS and 320 Nm, but paired with a 7-speed wet-clutch DSG you hardly feel the difference in performance.

Our test drive route for the car was the return journey from Janda Baik to Kuala Lumpur, and unfortunately we were met with some pretty incredible precipitation that meant we were barely doing faster than a crawl for most of the journey. Thankfully though, we had spent time going through the same dynamics and handling course that we did with the
Tiguan Allspace R-Line
, and as is characteristic of Volkswagen models the Arteon can execute emergency braking, lane changes, or slaloms without missing a step.

A short blast up to Gohtong Jaya and back also revealed that the Arteon is highly competent in the damp, although one still needs to be a little careful when accelerating out of tighter corners as the immense torque can overload the front wheels. Weight transfer and directional changes are nice and progressive, letting you feed inputs through the steering wheel and pedals without fear of the car suddenly losing grip. It would perhaps have been a little more pleasant with a 4MOTION system, but understandably the percentage of customers who would notice it doesn’t justify bringing the price up for everyone else.

As mentioned earlier, the majority of our time with the Arteon was in bumper to bumper traffic – which gave us a little time to explore the interior and functionality. One thing that really puts a smile on my face is the lift-back style tailgate which allows for extremely easy loading and unloading of cargo, as well as plenty of actual cargo space. It’s such a practical feature, and one that bridges the gap between wagon and sedan, but one that is seldom found with passenger cars today.

The infotainment system is as you would expect with a modern Volkswagen – crisp, clean functionality and responsiveness in an unassuming, minimalist package. With the Dynaudio 11-speaker, 700-watt setup sound is reproduced with good clarity, even above the din of a rainstorm outside. Very rarely do we actually get to test these functions out on a drive as we’re always heading from one location to the next.

The Dynamic Chassis Control system is a welcome addition, especially when paired with drive mode functionality as it lets you flit between comfortable economical drive modes when you want to cruise, and sharper, more responsive settings for spirited driving. There is a noticeable difference in how the car rides between the various suspension settings as well, being noticeably more plush in Comfort mode.

To find out more about the Arteon R-Line, check out our
launch story here
.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Honoured 25 Customer Service Professionals In Skills Competition

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz SEA II Skills Competition, which is in its tenth anniversary this year, is the luxury automaker’s highly-competitive after-sales competition. Started back in 2008 with 133 participants and held every two years to honour and recognize the best technician, service advisor and process specialist, the Skills Competition this year has grown significantly to 631 participants.
This year’s Skills Competition grand finale event which was held at Wisma Mercedes-Benz Malaysia witnessed a total of 25 finalists compete against each other across five categories representing their respective fields of expertise, namely, Qualified Maintenance Technician (QMT), Qualified System Technician (QST), Certified Diagnostic Technician (CDT), Certified Service Advisor (CSA), and Qualified Parts Process Specialist (QPPS).
“The biennial Skills Competition is yet another effort to offer the utmost Care and Best Customer Experience - motivating us to strive for constant improvement, both internally and for our customers. The finalists this year were more competitive than ever, raising the standard of service and technical knowledge in the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia network to new heights. This collaboration with our dealers is part of our long-term strategy to develop talent, technology, production and services as a pioneer and leader in the automotive industry. Congratulations to all winners!” Said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia also honoured their dealership’s latest recruits in the Advanced Modern
 Apprenticeship category
.
The participating dealerships represented in the finals were from service centres across Peninsula Malaysia as well as Singapore. Outstanding finalists were rewarded with a trophy, certificate and cash prizes totalling over RM100,000.
“It gives us great pride to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Skills Competition which also marks the inaugural occasion of it as a regional event. The highly qualified consultants, diagnosticians and technicians from our dealer network are products of our comprehensive training program, benchmarked worldwide and who passionately embody our motto of Lifelong Learning.”
“The level of professionalism, passion and knowledge every participant showed at this year’s skills competition demonstrates the level of service that goes into caring for every Mercedes-Benz vehicle we receive In the Skills Competition, we compete among ourselves to further raise our standards and continue offering the best Care for our valued customers and their Mercedes-Benz automobiles,” said Heinrich Schromm, Vice President, Customer Services, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.
The champion in their respective categories are as listed below:
Certified Diagnosis Technician: Siew Yann Hwang from Hap Seng Star Jalan Ipoh
Qualified System Technician: Wong Yee Yew from Hap Seng Star Balakong
Qualified Maintenance Technician: Seah Kai Khee from Cycle & Carriage Singapore
Qualified Parts Process Specialist: Ernie Ruhaida Abdul Rashid from Cycle & Carriage Bintang Mutiara Damansara
Certified Service Advisor: Kueh Swee Teng from Hap Seng Star Kinrara
Advanced Modern Apprenticeship: Wong Shiong Heng from Minsoon Credit
In a bid to form well-rounded service professionals, the skills competition put in place a host of challenges in the form of theory and practical tests as well as a quiz. Finalists battled to remain calm despite being put under pressure at each stage of the competition. Responses were closely monitored and evaluated by a qualified judging panel comprising experts and management of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.


Toyota Teases Their All-New 2016 Prius Prior To Frankfurt Debut

The fourth-generation of
Toyota
’s iconic hybrid car, the
Prius
, will make its global debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, specifically on 15
th
 September, where the car will take centre stage at the automaker’s booth.
Before that, however, Toyota would like to take the opportunity to tease the car a little to pique our interest. The picture above shows a red line curving in the dark and, from the
leaked shots
 and
video of the car
 that have so far sprung up, seems to obviously represent the tail lamp design.
Besides the touted fuel economy gains and improved driving dynamics, we’re curious to see what new technology Toyota have equipped their all-new Prius with, particularly since they say that it “will challenge what you know about hybrids.”
Toyota will also be hosting an online livestream of their Prius unveil (before the covers get pulled off in Frankfurt) on Tuesday, September 8
th
, 9pm PDT (Pacific Daylight Time), which to us in Malaysia will be 12pm on Wednesday, September 9
th
.
We’ll have all the info laid out for you here once that happens.
Joining the all-new Prius at the Frankfurt show floor will be the
RAV4
 hybrid and the
Toyota C-HR
 Concept hybrid crossover.


Bermaz Already Has 15-20 Bookings For The Kia EV6

It’s no secret that Kia’s local distributors Dinamikjaya Motors, a subsidiary of the Bermaz Auto, are
bringing in the Kia EV6
. With nearly 20 bookings already collected, it might arrive sooner than expected.

During an interview with BFM’s Morning Run, Bermaz Auto CEO Datuk Francis Lee revealed that there have already been between 15-20 bookings for the South Korean automaker’s flagship electric vehicle, indicating that customer interest is high. That's saying something for a car they have yet to even actually tease, officially.

It was speculated in 2021 from shareholder documentation that the EV6 would arrive in showrooms in the second half of 2022, and that's still likely indeed the case. However, Dinamikjaya could be incentivised to expedite its Malaysian debut, particularly
to keep pace with the IONIQ 5
, its sister model from Hyundai, which is being sold through Sime Darby and launched earlier this year.

Datuk Francis said that while a unit of
the Mazda MX-30
, which will be the first EV to be sold by Bermaz, had arrived last December and has been undergoing local testing since, a Kia EV6 for similar purposes has not yet been forthcoming from South Korea despite there being 15 to 20 customers in Malaysia already putting their money down.

The EV6 was recently crowned the European Car of the Year for 2022 as well while the Hyundai IONIQ 5 followed closely in at 3rd place. Besides the accolades, though, both cars have received a bevy of critical praise and should prove to be one of the most popular EVs going forward, and the same goes for Kia’s forthcoming models.

In terms of specifications, the EV6 should follow the IONIQ 5 quite closely since they are very similar cars under the skin. Both share identical battery technology and capacities, electric motors and configuration, as well as a common
dedicated electric vehicle platform: E-GMP
.

However, the EV6 is positioned as the sportier, more dynamic sibling of the two with the highest-spec GT boasting performance
to rival a Porsche Taycan
 - up to 580PS and 740Nm from its dual electric motors for a 0-100km/h sprint in just 3.5 seconds.

So far, the only slightly underwhelming aspect of the EV6 as well as the IONIQ 5 is its seemingly low maximum battery capacity that caps out at 77.4kWh while many other players in the EV space are offering north of 100kW for top-end variants.


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Offers Up Flood Relief Assistance - 30% Off Spare Parts, 50% Off Labour Costs, Free Towing

In the spirit of being together and helping those who were unfortunate enough to be caught up by the recent floods, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has announced a flood relief programme for Mitsubishi owners in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Pahang.

“Our thoughts are with Malaysians impacted by the aftermath of the flash floods tragedy. Our service staff and authorized dealers are ready to assist our Mitsubishi owners with their affected vehicles. We hope that this flood relief program will help ease the burden of our customers going through this difficult time,” said Shinya Ikeda, Chief Executive Officer of MMM.

The company will offer a 30% discount on Mitsubishi genuine spare parts and a 50% discount on labour costs from today until 20 January 2022 for vehicles damaged by flood.

In addition, Mitsubishi Motors will also support owners by offering FREE towing service. All customers need to do is to contact Mitsubishi Assist 24Hrs customer careline (MA24) at 1-800-88-2166 to request this service.

Mitsubishi owners who arrange for their vehicle towing without the assistance of MA24 and insurance coverage are also entitled to rebates worth up to RM300. All customers need to do is lodge a police report and then tow the affected vehicle to the nearest Mitsubishi Motors service centre.

The Mitsubishi flood relief program is offered for vehicles purchased from Mitsubishi Motors authorized dealers. For further information, kindly be in touch with the Customer Careline at 1-800-18-8161.


Even Ken Block Is Going All EV As He Will Be Using An Electric Audi S1 For His Next Gymkhana Series

The next Ken Block Gymkhana series will see an exciting change. It will be called Electrikhana, and Block will use a specially made fully electrified Audi S1 e-tron Quattro Hoonitron as his stunt car.

In addition to modern equipment and actuators, this car also applies the design concept from the Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 Group B racing car.

What makes it even more interesting is that the Hoonitron was developed in just four weeks. Audi's Head of Design, Marc Lichte, said he and his colleagues were very excited when they heard about the project because they were finally able to make a car that combines Audi's iconic model with the future.

"Knowing that we're developing a car for a video with Ken Block that millions of people around the world are going to watch has provided our team with additional motivation," says Marc Lichte. "These new inspirations are also vital for our daily work. The development of this car will encourage us to approach future projects with an even more open and progressive mindset."

The Hoonitron uses two electric motors to produce a four-wheel-drive car and utilises a carbon fibre chassis that complies with FIA safety standards. Audi did not disclose any technical details, but Block said, "turning the tires to 150 km/h from a stop just by using the right foot is a new experience for me."

"The collaboration with Audi is a very special partnership for me. The brand and its passion for motorsport motivated me to get into rallying," says Ken Block.

"That Audi has now developed this car for me and my team, and has joined us in our next project, has made a dream come true for me. The Hoonitron is writing the next chapter in our history and taking our Gymkhana story into the future." added the excited racing driver.