Feature: Mazda SkyActiv ASEAN Convoy – 1,370km Road Trip from Bangkok to Hanoi

The recent referendum vote by the people of Britain in favour of #Brexit has brought much global attention on the European Union. Formalized in 1992, one of the EU’s most notable features is free movement across borders of member states.
A European motorist can, for example, hit the road from Munich, Germany to Milan, Italy, passing through Austria and Switzerland along the way as seamlessly as we take the PLUS Highway from KL to Penang. At Vaalserberg, off the German border town of Aachen, it is actually possible for one person to simultaneously stand on Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
ASEAN, on the other hand, does not permit such porous movement of people between its member countries, so driving between countries in this part of the world is still a less than straight forward affair.
Therefore, when recently asked if I was interested to go on a road trip from Bangkok, Thailand, to Hanoi, Vietnam, crossing through Laos in the process, I was naturally intrigued and needed little persuasion to respond positively to the invitation.
Together with other media representatives from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, we were placed in the first of three groups that would take a bunch of SkyActiv-powered
Mazda
 vehicles on a 4,000km roundtrip across ASEAN. The next two groups would then have driven the cars back to Bangkok passing through Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and Cambodia’s Sihanoukville along the way.
Google Maps screen capture of route. Click to enlarge.
Day 1 – 730km; Bangkok to Nakhon Phanom
An early morning started off with a grand flag off near the royal grounds of Thailand’s national palace in front of the King Rama V Statue. Distance-wise, we covered more than half of the trip’s total mileage in this one day, but the journey was largely uneventful.
After clearing the congestion of Bangkok’s rush hour traffic, it was a smooth untroubled drive to the border town of Nakhon Phanom where we spent a night before crossing over the Mekong River into Laos the next morning.
There was a stretch of winding mountain roads toward the end of the day in which I had the opportunity to pilot our CX-5 Diesel test car (read
review here
) around some corners, but for the most part, we were driving on straight and well-paved tar roads.
Day 2 – 340km; Nakhon Pranom, Thailand to Vinh, Vietnam, via Laos
Three countries in one day – breakfast in Thailand, lunch in Laos, and dinner in Vietnam. Owing to the uncertain diesel quality in the latter two countries, the CX-5 test car which I drove on the previous day was sent back to Bangkok, and I found myself starting the day behind the wheel of a petrol-powered
Mazda3 2.0
.
The border crossing into Laos proceeded smoothly, but the first few kilometres driving on the wrong side of the road in the wrong side of the car proved to be a challenging acclimatization process. Because our vantage point was little different than a pedestrian, watching for oncoming traffic on single carriage ways proved to be a major challenge. Indeed, overtaking required teamwork, with the co-driver having to help sight for oncoming vehicles on the opposite lane.
It wasn’t just cars and motorcycles we had to watch out for. For the rest of the trip after leaving Thailand, we found ourselves on alert to everything from pedestrians to tractors to even livestock sharing the roads with us. On these roads, even 80 km/h felt fast.
The most scenic route of the adventure really kicked off following our lunch stop in Laos, which took place some 20km short of our border crossing into Vietnam. Against the backdrop of breath-taking luscious greenery accentuated by clear-flowing rivers and rising mountain ranges, we were faced with a satisfyingly rewarding stretch of curved roads in which the dynamic talents of the Mazda3 could be fully enjoyed.
It was one of those roads which I wished I could split myself into two – to drive and to capture the beautiful surroundings on camera. As things worked out, I was driving on this leg, so you’ll just have to take my word for it on the scenery’s majesty.
Nature’s treat for our eyes continued well after we crossed into Vietnam as did the challenge of negotiating the bends of mountain roads, which we also shared with the stream of heavy vehicles that help facilitate the trading route between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Besides pulling far more weight than their engines were designed for, these lorries also required wide berths to negotiate every turn; passing them proved exceptionally challenging. They are a courteous bunch though, helpfully indicating us to pass when oncoming traffic is clear.
We passed through a couple of small towns before arriving at our second night’s stop at the town of Vinh, the birthplace of Vietnam’s famed and revered leader, the late Ho Chi Minh. As we passed these small towns, we were given a gentle introduction to Vietnam’s infamous swarming motorcycles coming at us from all directions.
As our convoy eased into our hotel’s parking lot, I noticed that despite the vehicle’s obvious exertions along the way, our
Mazda3
 test car recorded a commendable fuel consumption average of 7.7 litres/100km on its trip computer.
Day 3 – 300km; Vinh to Hanoi
Swapped into a
CX-3
 from the previous day’s Mazda3, much of the third day’s journey was covered on dual carriage highways similar to our own PLUS Highway. Other than swathes of heavy rain at certain points of the journey, the day was relatively uneventful, until we entered Hanoi.
Home to nearly 8 million people with no fewer than an estimated 5 million motorcycles on the road, Hanoi’s roads are simply flooded with vehicles coming from all directions all jostling to get to where they want; many of them not thinking twice to bend a few rules as they see fit. You would therefore imagine that it is a very toxic and hostile driving environment.
Yet, strangely, it is not. Yes, you see outrageous things like pedestrians crossing a busy road at walking pace, a motorcycle dashing right across you, or even a car coming straight at you from the opposite direction; but drive with an open mind and patient attitude, one can discern noticeable order in the midst of all that apparent chaos.
It is noteworthy that despite the seemingly overwhelming congestion, traffic is never at a standstill in Hanoi. Vehicles may move slowly, but they are always moving; and although rules are mostly taken with a lackadaisical attitude, there is evident give-and-take among all road users. Usage of the horn is liberal but only, you’d suspect, to warn each other of proximity rather than as an expression of anger. Compared to the ego-fuelled movements we often see among Malaysian drivers, it’s quite refreshing.
Vietnamese motorists are not averse to squeezing through tight gaps, but they also let people through; the key to navigate through this seeming disorder, whether you’re on foot or holding a steering wheel, is to be firm, steady, and predictable in your movements.
Personally, I found Vietnamese traffic quite manageable, although the sheer volume of vehicles makes effective convoy management tricky. A momentary lapse in concentration on the convoy leader’s part in forgetting to relay navigational instructions in English over the walkie-talkies actually resulted in some cars missing a turning on the way to the hotel. Not being given the hotel’s specific address, we were unable to navigate ourselves there, resulting in a moment’s wait as the convoy organizers scrambled across town shepherding us lost cars to our destination.
True to its well-earned reputation of parsimony, my
CX-3
 test car of the day recorded a highly impressive 7.1 litre/100km reading on its trip computer. This is despite being put through stop-go urban traffic and having to run most of the day’s 300km journey on RON 92 petrol – the highest available grade at our fuel stop.
Thoughts and Reflections
Driving across three countries; it’s not something that we regularly do, and most certainly not with passenger cars like the Mazda2 or Mazda3. The diesel CX-5 that was turned back to Bangkok aside, all other vehicles of the convoy arrived at Hanoi without experiencing any undue difficulty.
The vehicles were also impressively efficient, returning fuel consumption numbers that most rivals can only achieve on steady highway cruising. It thus proves Mazda's case that SkyActiv Technologies do indeed deliver on their promise of real world fuel efficiency.
The second and third days of driving through Laos and Vietnam were particularly memorable, both for the sheer breath-taking beauty of the unmolested landscapes of these countries, as well as the challenges of dealing with unpredictable traffic whilst driving in the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the road. Our final stop at Hanoi was itself a remarkable place, its people full of life and energy; its hustle-and-bustle particularly invigourating.
This trip was one of those adventures that those of us who were present will regard with fond memories and enthusiastically reminisce later in our golden years.


Jangan Percaya Iklan Bantuan Lesen Percuma – JPJ

Awas! Jangan tertipu dengan iklan bantuan
lesen memandu
percuma yang sedar tersebar buat masa ini.

Menerusi hantaran Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia (JPJ) di Facebook, pihak itu telah menerima laporan berkaitan iklan
Bantuan Lesen Memandu Percuma
 Buat Semua Golongan, melalui aplikasi Whatsapp.

Bantuan Lesen Percuma Bagi Semua Golongan

Menurut JPJ, kandungan iklan berita palsu itu telah menyalahgunakan gambar YAB Perdana Menteri Malaysia dengan mempromosikan lesen memandu percuma yang boleh didaftarkan melalui pautan
https://www.motif.my/bantuan-lesen/
.

Walau bagaimanapun, tiada kenyataan dikeluarkan lagi mengenai cara membuat permohonan bantuan ini di pautan berkenaan. Namun pautan itu menyatakan sebarang info akan dikemaskini dari semasa ke semasa.

JPJ menegaskan bahawa iklan tersebut adalah palsu serta memandang serius terhadap penipuan sindiket lesen terbang ini

Siasatan lanjut akan dilakukan termasuk membuat laporan kepada pihak Polis DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM) serta Suruhanjaya Komunikasi & Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM).

Awas Berita Palsu

Bukan itu sahaja, orang ramai turut dipelawa untuk menyertai ‘group whatsapp’ di pautan
https://www.portalmalaysia.com/whatsappgroupbantuan
, untuk memperdaya lebih ramai mangsa.

Dalam hal ini, JPJ menasihatkan orang ramai agar tidak mudah percaya dan terpengaruh, serta menghubungi pejabat JPJ yang berdekatan bagi mendapatkan maklumat yang lebih tepat dan sahih.


85 Ferrari LaFerraris Recalled In The United States

The Ferrari LaFerrari may cost well over a million dollars (RM3,743,200+) but that doesn’t exclude it from recalls as the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have just issued not one, but two recall campaigns for 85 of Ferrari’s flagship hypercar.
Under the recall, 85 examples of the LaFerrari will be called back by
Ferrari
 North America with the first campaign revolving around the L32 seats supplied by Lear for the passenger seat and as an optional equipment for the driver seat. The statement says that during a crash, the headrests of the L32 seats may not “absorb the required amount of energy”, and therefore fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."
The second recall campaign involves the car’s tyre pressure monitoring system which will display the incorrect message in the event of a tyre puncture. Currently, it displays "Low Tyre Pressure-Max speed 50 mph" instead of the correct message "Low Tyre Pressure-Do not proceed." As such, it fails the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
These recalls aren’t the first to be issued though. In March, owners were offered the chance to have their fuel tanks replaced due to a possible incorrect adhesion of a layer of paint on the fuel tank which Ferrari insists did not constituted a recall.
We reckon American owners would quickly get their exotic cars checked out and the issue resolved so they can get back to experiencing the full fury of the 950hp 6.3-litre V12 KERS-assisted drivetrain.


New Hyundai Tucson Arriving End-October – From RM123,888

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has opened their order books for the facelifted Hyundai Tucson, which is slated to be launched by the end of this month.
HSDM will be launching two variants of the facelifted Tucson: the 1.6L Turbo and the 2.0L Elegance. The turbocharged 1.6-litre (T-GDI) power plant produces 177 PS and 265 Nm of torque between 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm while the naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre (Nu MPi) produces 155 PS and 192 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The selling price is expected to start from RM123,888.
It remains to be seen if HSDM will continue to offer a facelifted version of the 2.0-litre turbodiesel variant which was
first introduced
 late last year.
The facelifted Tucson sports a new cascading grille design, which is flanked by reshaped headlights at the front, while at the rear, the Tucson features a new bumper and a restyled tailgate. Other exterior upgrades include new 17-inch rims as well as LED front lamp and rear lamps (on the Turbo variant). HSDM has assured that customers can expect major upgrades on the interior as well.
Mr. Dennis Ho, Managing Director of Sime Darby Motors added, “The Tucson is more appealing than before with the new makeover and it remains one of the popular Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in Malaysia. We expect a good response for this version as it fulfils every aspect of customers’ expectations of an SUV. It’s visually appealing, safe, powerful, packed with advanced features and offers comfort to both the driver and passengers,”
The facelifted Tucson will be offered with a 3-year/ 50,000 km free service package and a 5-year/ 300,000km warranty.


Daihatsu Rocky & Toyota Raize e-Smart Hybrid Lancar Di Jepun - Perodua Ativa Hibrid Selepas Ini?

Kembar Perodua Ativa,
Daihatsu Rocky
 dan
Toyota Raize
 telah dilancarkan di Jepun dengan trenkuasa e-Smart Hybrid dari jenis
range extender
.

Rocky dan Raize menggunakan enjin tiga silinder 1.2 liter WA-VEX yang bertindak sebagai generator atau
range extender
 dengan kuasa 82 PS dan 105 Nm tork, yang digunakan khusus untuk mengecas bateri
lithium-ion
 4.3 Ah. Bateri ini seterusnya akan menghantar kuasa elektrik kepada motor elektrik yang menghasilkan 106 PS dan 170 Nm tork untuk menggerakkan keseluruhan jentera.

Petrol yang digunakan untuk mengecas bateri sahaja membuatkan varian
hibrid
 ini mempunyai pembakaran bahan api yang lebih cekap iaitu 28km bagi setiap liter petrol (3.6l/100km) mengikut kitaran WLTP.

Sistem ini menawarkan pengalaman pemanduan menyamai sebuah kenderaan elektrik (
EV
) disebabkan tork 170Nm responsif ini dijana dari 0 RPM. Penebat bunyi yang diletakkan pada bonet dan di bawah pelindung enjin juga menjadikan bunyi enjin lebih senyap.

Sebagai tambahan, varian hibrid ini juga didatangkan dengan ciri Smart Pedal yang membenarkan pemanduan satu pedal, dengan mod Normal dan Eco untuk melaras maklum balas
pedal minyak
. Pembeli juga diberi pilihan untuk menambah pembekal kuasa 1,500 watt untuk mengecas peranti elektronik atau alat elektrik lain ketika waktu kecemasan.

Bagi Rocky Hybrid, gril honeycomb khas serta lencana e-Smart pada fender hadapan dan pintu but belakang membezakan model ini dengan model biasa. Tidak seperti Rocky, Raize Hybrid tidak mempunyai sebarang beza penampilan berbanding model standard, kecuali lencana Hybrid Synergy Drive di belakang.

Peningkatan lain yang diberi adalah penggunaan brek parkir elektronik dengan fungsi Autohold, yang juga membenarkan tambahan fungsi
stop and go
 untuk Adaptive Cruise Control yang menjadikan pemanduan di dalam kesesakan trafik lebih menyenangkan.

Rocky dan Raize kini dilengkapi kamera dengan sistem pengesanan pejalan kaki waktu malam untuk Autonomous Emergency Braking dan tambahan jumlah tanda jalan yang boleh dibaca. Walau bagaimanapun, Raize masih tidak dilengkapi dengan fungsi Cornering Trace Assist yang terdapat pada Rocky, bertujuan memberikan amaran untuk membrek roda sekiranya ia mengesan
understeer
 ketika memandu.

Selain daripada model hibrid, satu lagi pilihan enjin adalah WA-VE NA 1.2 liter yang
pertama kali diperkenalkan di Indonesia
 awal tahun lalu untuk menggantikan enjin tiga silinder turbo 1.0 liter 1KR-VET pada model pacuan roda hadapan (2WD) Rocky dan Raize. Enjin turbo itu kini hanya ditawarkan pada model pacuan semua roda sahaja (4WD).

Kelebihan pertukaran enjin ini adalah penjimatan bahan api, di mana enjin tiga silinder NA 1.2 liter ini mampu memberikan catatan WLTP 20.7 km/l (4.8 l/100 km), iaitu 10 peratus lebih baik berbanding enjin 1.0 liter turbo tersebut.

Di Jepun, harga untuk Rocky yang dipertingkat ini bermula dari 1,667,000 yen (RM60,700) untuk model asas varian L 1.2 liter, sementara model e-Smart Hybrid ditawarkan dalam dua versi, iaitu X HEV dan Premium G HEV, dengan harga masing-masing 2,116,000 (RM77,000) dan 2,347,000 yen (RM85,400).

Raize pula dijual pada harga yang lebih tinggi berbanding Rocky, bermula dengan 1,707,000 yen (RM62,300) untuk varian asas 1.2 liter X, manakala varian G dan Z untuk e-Smart Hybrid dijual pada harga masing-masing 2,163,000 (RM79,000) dan 2,328,000 yen (RM85,000).

Apabila Rocky dan Raize dah
upgrade
, adakah kembarnya Perodua Ativa akan mengikut jejak langkah untuk versi e-Smart Hybrid ini? Mungkin juga, kerana Perodua pernah
ditemui melakukan ujian di dalam negara
 menggunakan varian Rocky Hybrid pada Oktober lalu.

Sama-sama kita nantikan, okay!


2021 Honda City Hatchback RS Revealed In Indonesia, Malaysia Same-Same Spec?

As is the norm, Malaysia isn’t the first to host the launch of a new model for the region. In the case of the Honda City Hatchback, it’s Indonesia that has beaten us to it after the car was formally unveiled for the
first time in Thailand
 back in November.

With its main function to offer a five-door alternative to the
newest four-door City sedan
, this body style essentially serves as a
replacement for the Honda Jazz
 as that model - in its 4th-generation form - steps into a bigger role as the automaker’s more upmarket compact electrified hatch with global reach and production now exclusive to Japan (and China).

Though official pricing has yet to be revealed, the City Hatchback’s Indonesian debut solely in RS trim proves that the rollout to supersede the Jazz is indeed in full swing, and with only Malaysia remaining as the final major ASEAN market, we can only expect that Honda Malaysia is
prepping for a local launch
 as well.

Where the Thai and Indonesian-spec City Hatchback primarily differ is in their powertrain where buyers in the latter country are also denied the turbocharged 1.0-litre 3-cylinder motor. Instead, all variants there will be powered by the more familiar L15B1 1.5-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC four-cylinder, producing the same 121PS and 145Nm as found here in the City S, E, and V sedan.

In every other aspect, the Indonesian City Hatchback RS is specified identically to the model sold in Thailand with the characteristic dark accents peppered over the exterior. Its 16-inch alloys are given a gloss black finish, as are mirror caps, door handles, front grille, fog lamp element, and rear faux-diffuser.

Inside, the City Hatchback RS presents
Indonesian
 buyers with the same red/black motif through dual-tone seats, red accents around the instrument cluster dials, and red contrast stitching along the door panel, steering wheel, and dashboard, the centrepiece of which is the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment screen.

Given the engine parity, it’s likely that the City hatch will make its Malaysian debut with the same 1.5-litre petrol motor, though mated exclusively with Honda’s CVT whereas Indonesian buyers can also choose to have a 6-speed manual gearbox. Lucky them.

That said, unless Honda Malaysia chooses to offer their impressive
hybrid i-MMD
 e:HEV powertrain in two body styles simultaneously from launch, the Hatchback will likely not appear in local showrooms in the sportier RS trim to visually match Thai and Indonesian versions - yet.

Basically, should the City Hatchback make its way onto Malaysian shores soon, it should mirror the mechanical specifications of the Indonesian version but more closely resemble the variant breakdown and equipment levels found in Thailand (minus the RS, which might be reserved for the sedan here).

The
City Hatchback RS in Indonesia
 is fitted with 6 airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist, rear parking sensors, Hill Start Assist, ISOFIX tether points, and seatbelt reminders for front occupants. Despite being a top-spec variant,
neither Honda Sensing
 nor LaneWatch is available there.

The car can be had in six exterior colours: Phoenix Orange Pearl, Rallye Red, Crystal Black Pearl, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl. Buyers can also opt for the Modulo Accessories pack for that bodykit look.

Would you rather have the City Hatchback in Malaysia or are you already starting to miss the Jazz even before it’s gone?

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

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Carlist.my.

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CarlistBid.my
.

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 website now.


Jaguar Future-Type Concept – Fully-Charged EV and On-Demand

Jaguar’s Future-Type concept car is the company’s answer to the personal mobility of future generations – where customers can summon a fully-charged and autonomous vehicle, on-demand.
The Future-Type gives us a glimpse of the future where the car is part of a larger world of autonomous, connected, electric and shared mobility (ACES).
At the heart of the concept is the world’s first intelligent and connected steering wheel dubbed Sayer, after Jaguar’s famed designer, Malcolm Sayer.
The
Sayer steering wheel
 is a voice-activated Artificial Intelligence (AI) steering wheel that will be able to carry out hundreds of tasks. The Sayer system can summon your car, play music, book you a table for dinner and keep track of your membership of the on-demand service.
With Sayer, customers have the option of sole ownership or sharing the car with others in the community, meaning that you need only fully own the steering wheel, not the car itself. However, if a user prefers to drive the vehicle, Sayer can hand back control to the driver, as the Concept car retains a steering wheel.
Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar adds, “Future-Type offers an insight into the potential for driving and car ownership in the future. It’s part of our vision for how a luxury car brand could continue to be desirable, in a more digital and autonomous age. Our Future-Type Concept is an advanced research project looking at how we can ensure an on-demand Jaguar will appeal to customers in 2040 and beyond.”
Also unique is the Future-Type’s seating arrangement – which offers optimised seating based on the journey. A 2+1 ‘Social Seating’ setup is also offered to enable better face-to-face interaction.
In the connected world of tomorrow, Jaguars envisions a fleet of fully-charged Future-Types available for customer’s on-demand which will communicate with other cars and use co-operative driving technologies.
Collaborative communication between cars also allows shorter distances between vehicles and make lane changing and exiting from junctions safer and more efficient. The narrow width of the Future-Type also means less parking space is needed when the vehicles are idle.
Ian Callum adds, “In a future age of on-demand services and car sharing, our research shows there will still be a place for luxury and premium experiences – and enjoying the drive."


The 6.5-metre Long Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Pulllman Guard is Equal Parts Luxury and Security

It's 5.6 tonnes when you load it up. Even unloaded, it sits at a hefty 5.1 tonnes. It's the Mercedes-Mayback S 600 Pullman Guard, and it is the latest in the line of Mercedes Guard models, and it's designed to take a beating. Other companies may purport to provide security vehicles, but few are quite as extensive as Mercedes' own in house security division. They've had over 80 years of experience with developing these special models, and those who have worked in the program say that these vehicles are bought back at end of use so that they may not fall into the wrong hands.
While the point of this vehicle is luxury, Mercedes is ultimately more proud that it meets the latest and greatest protection standards. VR4 is more of basic protection against armed robbers and the like, with ballistic resistance up to a large calibre hand gun. This S 600 Pullman Guard sits at VR9, which is the highest level of protection and means it can take assault rifle fire and shrapnel from explosives, with a reinforced floor for IED resistance and the like.
With protection comes inconvenience. The doors are much heavier, the windows are much thicker, and the rear window has been completely replaced with a steel bulkhead (because lets face it, nobody wants to get shot in the back). But Mercedes has novel solutions to maintain a level of convenience: the windows are hydraulically actuated and the doors are assisted with electric motors to reduce the effort required. A lot of the reinforcement is done from the factory itself, meaning they can be better integrated in the structure of the car.
As for the Pullman specifically, the name itself has been important for the Mercedes brand and goes back a long way. It sits over 1 metre longer than a regular S Class and can fit 4 occupants at the rear, facing each other. This in turn means it has the largest amount of legroom in class- perfect for diplomats and dignitaries. With that over-5-tonne kerb weight, the S 600 Pullman Guard comes equipped with a 6-litre turbocharged V12 putting out 530 hp. Top speed is limited to 160 km/h, for obvious safety reasons.
The rest of the luxuries you would expect with a Mercedes-Maybach model are present as well. An electrically raised partition separates the driver's compartment from the rear, along with an electrically raised screen. Extra headroom means ease of movement within the cabin, and large rear doors allow for easy access to seating. The seats offer a great degree of flexibility for passengers to stretch out, and nearly every surface is finished in high quality leather or some kind of treated wood or metal.
The price for all this? 1.4 Million Euros, after 19% VAT.  It's a car that is equal parts luxury and security, and it's definitely a car of choice for those who require ultimate protection from heavily armed threats and the like. It's still largely geared towards authorities to use in official applications, although we're sure if you ask the right people you could probably source one for personal use. Let's just hope you aren't a dictator hell-bent on taking over the world.


The Funkiest Cars You Could Buy On Carlist.my

There are obvious reasons for popular cars such as the Perodua Myvi, Honda City, and Toyota Avanza. They are superbly designed, extremely well-engineered, offer great value for money, and above all else… are easy to maintain.

For a majority of Malaysian buyers, a car is the second-largest personal expense, and the biggest liability – besides perhaps a personally owned business – they undertake, so it makes perfect sense to buy something that simply gets the job done.

Move up a scale, with bigger spending capacity; other aspects – such as design, technology, safety, and performance become further criteria that influence buying decisions. It’s important to note, vehicles in this segment encompass everything from the Honda Accord to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

You could argue that an S-Class is exclusive, but Mercedes-Benz Malaysia sells roughly a thousand of them every year, so yes there is exclusivity, but you’re still one of quite a few.

But, if you move up yet another stage – then ultimate presence become the defining factors of why people buy cars. At this level, a car is nothing more than means to get around – it’s a lifestyle statement for some, a piece of art, or a toy for others. This is why Ferrari will tell you before any customer pushes open the wide, heavy doors of any Ferrari dealership – he or she is already sold on their three ‘Ss’ – Style, Speed, and Status, after that, it’s just a matter of picking your favourite colour. The same goes for a Rolls-Royce, Bentley, or a Porsche 911.

This got us thinking, what if you could buy something that’s even more striking and unique than those cars. If money is not the primary limitation and bragging rights are… these are the funkiest cars for sale on Carlist.my, and by a good extent, all of Malaysia.

We found six, and they rank from classic cool to just downright alien…

Bufori Mk II 1.8L Convertible

This might sound strange, but you’re actually looking at a Malaysian built car. The Khouri brothers first started building their 1930s American-inspired sportsters in a garage in Australia, before tying up with some wealthy Malaysian investors in the late 90s and moving their operations locally to Kepong in 1998. Yes, you read that right. The Mk II convertible combines classic design and relatively modern mechanicals (it’s actually powered by a 1.8L Subaru Boxer engine), with age-old craftsmanship techniques to provide an utterly unique sensation of motoring. Despite its relatively small operation, Bufori has many adoring fans from around the world, the featured car here was first registered here in 1994, even before it became a Malaysian built car.

Chrysler Crossfire 3.2L V6 Coupe

The Chrysler Crossfire is actually more German than it is American. For one it uses a sturdy Mercedes-Benz (M112) 3.2-litre V6 engine and 5-speed transmission, sits on a Mercedes-Benz (R170) SLK platform, and it was actually built by esteemed coachbuilders Karmann, in Germany. Hence, you might actually be able to source parts effectively for this “American” car. In its day, the Crossfire was criticised for using a dated recirculating ball steering system which gave it poor steering feedback and speed – much at odds with its sporting intentions. But, owners actually swear by them and say it is no better or worse than a period steering rack system. Like them or not, the Crossfire has one of the coolest names ever slapped on a car, and distinctive design that has aged well and sort of apes the Bentley Continental GT, and build quality – given its German roots – that can actually stand the test of time.

Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L Quad-Cab

If you ever want to send a Ford Ranger Raptor running back to its mommy…then get a freaking Dodge Ram 1500 Quad-Cab. If you will, just close your eyes and imagine driving this 6.1-metre long, 2.0-meter wide, and almost 2.0-metre tall black Goliath down to your favourite
mamak
 or
kopitiam
, with the sound of its 5.7-litre (400hp) HEMI V8 bellowing from a distance even before people can even see you coming. Eyes open. I’m sure you didn't think to find a parking spot even with your imagination, but I rest my case!

TVR Chimaera 4.0L Convertible

This is one of two cars on our list for the driving enthusiasts. TVRs are lauded the world over for unbridled driving exhilaration, stellar driving performance honed from years of motorsports activities, and the most soulful V8s of their time. Most people won’t know what a TVR is when it comes down the road, but a Porsche or Jaguar owner will because any TVR was built with one solitary criterion in mind – to beat those cars whether it be on the road or track. The Chimaera was one of TVR’s most successful and beautifully designed models, and harks back to a time when going fast required the driver to have skill, precision and racecraft. With a torquey 4.0-litre Rover V8 sending power to the rear wheels, ZERO safety systems and the whole thing weighing in at just over a 1,000kg, you had better have your wits about you!

Fiat Benimar Mileo 346 Motorhome

If size really does matter, then why stop at a Dodge Ram pickup truck – go for a motorhome! Oddly there is one 2018 Fiat Benimar Mileo motorhome listed on our classifieds page. The downside is, we’re not sure if it has more than two-airbags, but it does have an automatic transmission, cruise control, 6 berths, a 145-litre fridge, a solar panel, a 4-seater sofa and movable dining table, a microwave oven, an exterior BBQ system and shower points with heated water. Oh, I almost forgot, a sunroof too. If you have heard of the saying, “you can sleep in your car, but you can’t drive a house”… well, now you can!

BAC Mono 2.5L

We often hear the term racecar for the road, but you probably have not heard of a go-kart on steroids for the road, have you… the BAC Mono tops our list of crazy cool because, for one, it’s the only thing here that doesn’t even enlist a windscreen or a passenger seat as standard equipment. It’s also by far the most expensive toy here. The sticker price advertised does not include customs duties, so when it’s all said and done, you could likely be looking at a price tag of RM1 million before this thing is registered for the road. Think of that, RM1 million and no widescreen, but it does make up for it with a 2.5-litre Ford engine which is fettled by Cosworth to deliver 305 bhp, a carbon monocoque, track optimised suspension and braking system, and a kerb weight of just under 600 kg. This gives the BAC Mono a power-to-weight ratio over 500 bhp/tonne, or enough to make most sports cars weak at the knees.


2017 Volkswagen Vento Highline Updated With New Kit, No Price Hike

The Volkswagen Vento has been updated by
Volkswagen
 Passenger Cars Malaysia, with the
Vento 1.2 TSI Highline
 receiving LED headlights.
According to the company, the new LED headlights will not increase the price of the
Vento
, which currently retails for RM94,461 OTR without insurance. For the new headlight, LEDs are used for the low, high beam and daytime running lights. This update means that the Vento is now the third B-segment sedan to offer LED headlights, after the Mazda 2 and Honda City.
Elsewhere, VPCM also updated the Vento 1.6 Comfortline and 1.2 TSI Highline with a new RCD330G head unit, with USB, iPod connectivity, Mirrorlink, Bluetooth and AUX-In. The new RCD330G features a 5-inch touchscreen.
The rest of the equipment remain identical for the Vento 1.2 TSI Highline, down to the Climatronic air-conditioning controls, Cable fabric seat upholstery, multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel, 16-inch Syenit alloy wheels, ESC and four airbags.


Velocity Motor Show 2018 All Set To Rock Desa Park City This Malaysia Day

After making waves in Penang and Johor, the Velocity Motor Show 2018 (VMS 2018) is now headed to the central region for a grand event.
All set to take place at the Plaza Arkadia Outdoor Carpark in Desa ParkCity, Kuala Lumpur from 15 to 17 September, 10am to 10pm, VMS 2018 will have a good mixture of cars, music, and other motorsports lifestyle elements.
Organised by FitzGerald Events, the Velocity Motor Show, which is being held for the third consecutive year, aims to gather car enthusiasts from all over the ASEAN region this year.
Besides that, this year’s VMS will also be a double celebration as it falls on the same long weekend as Malaysia Day.
According to the organisers, VMS 2018 is not just a showcase of good looking cars, as the 3-day event will be packed with a wide range of activities including extreme sports, entertainment, food, lucky draws and many more.
One of the main highlights of the event is the Big Foot Truck Show where a series of monster trucks will be parading the event location.
And then, we have renowned tuners Liberty Walk Thailand and Malaysia with more than 10 modified machines on display, and a drift challenge with Tengku Djan Ley and Loyai Hanizam as judges.
If drifting is not your thing, there is a Gymkhana challenge organised by GRA, which will see drivers race against time to complete a slalom course.
Besides all of the above, there will be a Car Club Battle and an SQC Club Car Audio Competition with judges from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore picking their favourite rides out of the lot.
But that’s not all. There will also be new cars for sale, and those who book a new car throughout the three-day event are entitled to free gifts worth more than RM5,000.
On the lifestyle end of things, V-Hypes will be offering its latest street wear collection via a sneakers trade and display event. The brand will also be organising the V-Hypes BMX and Skateboarding Competition.
Last but not the least, live music performances by a good line-up of local acts will be keeping patrons entertained throughout all three days.
For more info on Velocity Motor Show 2018, check out VelocityMotorShow on Facebook, @VelocityMotorShow_Official on Instagram, or call +6016 366 6012.
Velocity Motor Show 2018
Date: 15-17 September 2018
Time: 10AM to 10PM
Venue: Plaza Arkadia Outdoor Carpark, Desa ParkCity, Kuala Lumpur
Entrance Fee:
RM10 per day - entitled to 2 lucky draws (VMS & VHYPE)
RM15 for 3 days - entitled to 6 lucky draws (VMS & VHYPE)


Volkswagen Introduces ‘Wild’ Trim Package For Tiguan 1.4TSI Comfortline

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) today introduced a new trim package for the Tiguan Comfortline variant.
Dubbed the ‘WILD’ package – it includes aluminium sports pedals, a chrome trunk garnish, a chrome load-lip protector, chrome exhaust trim, scuff plates with Tiguan logo, and finally a VW Tint window film. The ‘WILD’ package retails at RM5,099.
The
Tiguan Comfortline
 features a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine paired with a 6-speed automatic wet-clutch (DSG) dual-clutch transmission. Power is rated at 150PS and 250Nmof torque between 1,500 to 3,500rpm.
The Tiguan Comfortline is priced at RM 148,990 excluding the ‘WILD’ package.
Effective 1st January 2018, the Volkswagen Tiguan, along with all other models within the Volkswagen range, comes with a free 3-year (or 45,000km, whichever comes first) maintenance programme, 5-year manufacturer’s warranty, and 5-year roadside assistance.


VIDEO: BMW Further Teases The Stunning 3.0 CSL Hommage R

To further entice us with something we, as yet, can’t have, BMW has released a promo video for their seriously gorgeous
3.0 CSL Hommage R concept
 which was revealed a few short days ago at the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance.
BMW
 made something of a splash with their
 original 3.0 CSL Hommage
, and while appealing its looks were somewhat of a mixed bag. Quite by magic, the Munich automaker managed to turn that completely around with Hommage R.
Obviously helped along by a racier and more aggressive overall exterior, replete with BMW’s classic racing colours. It serves as a celebratory vehicle, marking the brand’s 40
th
 year of presence in North America.
They say it is "the perfect fusion of driver and machine", something that’s backed-up by the special augmented reality heads-up display built into the car’s special helmet. The carbon fibre seats and dashboard’s thin wood trim pays tribute to the original 3.0 CSL of the 1970s.
Anyway, do enjoy the video footage, beautifully shot to torment the lustful petrolhead. Thanks BMW.


Post GST: MINI Announces Price Drops Of Up To RM5000

MINI
 follows in the price shuffle that automakers in Malaysia have been carrying out since the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax on April 1
st
.
In contrast to
what we observed earlier
, the
BMW
 sub-brand has introduced price reductions ranging from RM1000 all the way to RM5000 – that being the John Cooper Works Countryman model that drops from RM318,888.00 to RM 313,888.00 – following the announcements at the ongoing
BMW World Malaysia Exhibition
 (17-19 April).
The Cooper 5 Door, John Cooper Works 3 Door, and Cooper Countryman are the only exceptions to the range-wide shift in MINI’s prices as these new models are already GST-inclusive.


VinFast Moves To Enter Indonesia, Bypassing Malaysian Market

VinFast appears to be mobilising for an aggressive expansion into its neighbouring ASEAN markets with the Vietnamese automaker filing intellectual property rights for a number of its models, including fully electric cars, in Indonesia.

As you’ll notice, if their plan is carried out, they would have very intentionally bypassed both Thailand and Malaysia, probably for good reason.

This foray into foreign markets should not be unexpected from the company, which had previously made very clear their intentions to enter both the North American (US, Canada) and European countries, hiring the former Opel veteran
as their new CEO
.

According to Indonesia-based
Otodriver
, VinFast’s foray into the Indonesian automotive sector was first tipped off by the website of the country’s official
Direktorat Jenderal Kekayaan Intelektual Kemenkumham RI
 - basically Indonesia’s office of intellectual property.

The first two cars that will be introduced in Indonesia will be the premium-facing Lux A2.0 and the Lux SA2.0, which are based on past
BMW platforms and powertrains
 (from the F10 5 Series and F15 X5, respectively). Fittingly, this duo are the first models to ever be revealed by the automaker after
its 2017 founding
.

The third breakthrough car earmarked to enter the Indonesian market is the D-segment VF e35. We only know bits and pieces about this one since VinFast has chosen to debut
their full EV range
 with
the more compact VF e34
, powered by a single 147hp electric motor driving the front wheels and fed by a 42kWh battery.

By contrast, the overseas bound VF e35 features a dual-motor all-wheel drive electric powertrain with up to 402hp and 640Nm and a 106kWh battery for a quoted maximum range of 500km. Deliveries
are expected to start in 2022
.

Tackling a new market with two SUVs is a bold, calculated move by the company, but we have yet to see enough about Indonesia’s sentiment toward VinFast to know how positively the population might respond to a Vietnamese brand peddling a luxury SUV, much less a D-segment saloon and EV.

The VF e35, as a product, can perhaps benefit most from a fresh pair of eyes and an open mindset. Being a fully electric crossover, there is much less precedent to contrast it against much more expensive EVs of similar sizes from Tesla or Audi.

Bear in mind, VinFast’s electric range will cost a huge chunk less than those brands, undercutting them enough to make would-be buyers more willing to ignore the marque’s newcomer status.

Over the past year, we have seen a number of major players in the automotive space (i.e Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi) make further
long-term investments in their Indonesian business
. By annual volume alone, it overshadows Thailand and dwarfs Malaysia, but importantly the country has seen a steady rise in demand for more upmarket vehicles, and this is clearly a contributing factor to VinFast’s interest.

Establishing a beachhead on this battlefield won’t be an easy task, but VinFast does already have a very competitive line-up of vehicles to ensure their best foot is being put forward. Clearly, they see substantial growth opportunity here in terms of sales, but its unclear if their intentions also involve local assembly for export markets.

Should they be gunning for the USA and Europe, they might need the same supply chain and labour advantages that other have kept other automakers so keen on staying, and investing, in Indonesia.


Mercedes-Benz Thailand To Introduce Fully-Electric EQC This Year, Possibility Of Local Assembly

The Thai government has been a strong supporter of the increased localization of automotive components.
Policies are updated regularly
 to ensure all parties can benefit from the latest technologies.
Mercedes-Benz Thailand aims to start local manufacturing of electric vehicles (EV) after completing its application for the Board of Investment (BoI) incentives covering all related systems.
The Bangkok Post
 reported that Mercedes-Benz Thailand applied for a total of 607 million Thai Baht for the expansion of plug-in hybrid EV models, while local partner and assembly plant TAAP submitted an application for lithium-ion battery production worth 600 million Thai Baht.
Mercedes-Benz Thailand became the first automaker in Thailand to produce the high technology batteries locally following an investment of over 100 million Euro by parent company Daimler AG.
With the infrastructure and investments now firmly in place, Mercedes-Benz Thailand says they can introduce the
all-electric EQC SUV
 and even locally assemble the vehicle in the future.
The lithium-ion battery pack in the Mercedes-Benz EQC is over ten times larger in capacity (80 kWh) compared to the mass market PHEV models (under 7 kWh).
In December last year,
BMW Group Thailand
 together with systems partner Dräxlmaier Group announced that they will locally assemble lithium-ion battery packs for their line-up of plug-in hybrid models this year. BMW is only targeting to launch a full EV based on the current X3 next year.
In a separate report, it was mentioned that the BoI has time frame conditions, requiring each applicant to implement the plan within three years after being granted incentives, which means no longer than 2021.


2023 BYD Dolphin EV price to start from RM110,000?

The official launch of the
2023 BYD Dolphin EV
 is just around the corner and its hype is getting bigger by the day.

With a number of spottings in public (covered in that blue wavy camo stickers, of course), the latest gossip is now related to the pricing. According to the Malay Mail, its official price tag might just start from below the RM110,000 mark.

If that is true, then the BYD Dolphin EV might just be the next hot-selling electric car for 2023 with a more enticing and affordable price tag. Parked under the also popular BYD Atto 3 that's priced from RM149,800 to RM167,800, the Dolphin is expected to cater to a wider audience and hopefully, boost the country's EV ownership here in Malaysia.

We're also expecting the BYD Dolphin EV to come in two different variants. The base variant that is said to be under RM110,000 might come with a single electric motor that produces 94hp and 180Nm of torque.

Not the most powerful, but its 44.9kWh battery pack is said to be able to cover around 340km - more than enough for your daily travel needs to and from work plus everything in between.

The more powerful variant comes packed with a 204hp electric motor that is able to churn out 310Nm of torque. Mated to a bigger 60.4kWh battery pack, its driving range is extended to close to 430km.

We'll know for sure regarding the official prices, specs, and variants during the BYD Dolphin's official launch happening on 27 July 2023. Right now, bookings are open and the first few deliveries will begin as soon as August this year. Interesting? Most definitely.


GreenTech Malaysia Plans For Over 350 ChargEV Stations By July 2019

GreenTech Malaysia today announced its plans to increase the number of ChargEV charging stations with the addition of 50 units in the first half of 2019.
More impressive is 20% of the new chargers will harness energy from the sun. The ten additional solar-powered EV (electric vehicle) chargers are a bid to make EV charging “cleaner” and also has the potential to promote sustainable business models.
Locations being planned for the placement of the new charging stations include office complexes, shopping malls, and even residential areas.
Last December, Green Tech Malaysia together with PLUS (North-South Highway operator) and UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), unveiled a solar-powered charging station that is located at the Ayer Keroh Overhead Bridge Restaurant (Southbound) on the North-South Highway. Owners of EVs such as the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S, and Mitsubishi iMiev can now truly claim usage of 100 percent renewable energy at these 11 solar-powered ChargEV stations in the near future.
As of end 2018, ChargEV stations amount to 251 units located across the Peninsular. GreenTech also targets to have 400 ChargEV stations operational by the end of the year.
Tuan Syed Ahmad Syed Mustafa, Acting CEO of Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (MGTC) said “MGTC is very proud to announce on the installation of the additional 50 ChargEV stations – 10 of them solar powered EV chargers. This is a key step in further promoting Low Carbon Mobility by reducing the carbon footprint of the electricity supply for charging.”
The ChargEV network is open to all plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and EVs with subscribers only required to bring their own charging cable with a Type-2 connector.
Service subscribers are charged RM240 on a yearly basis to access the charging network, without the need to pay for the electricity. The fee collected is used to operate, maintain, and increase the number of charging stations.
Image from ChargEV's Facebook page
The full list of locations can be found by downloading the NewMotion smartphone app from
Apple’s App Store
 or
Google’s Play Store
.
ChargEV also shared that their membership has so far garnered over 5,500 users, with the majority of the subscribers under
BMW Group Malaysia’s ChargeNow
 program.


Discover the best of xDrive technology and fully-electric vehicles at BMW eXperience 2023

BMWs are almost synonymous with ‘rear-wheel drive’, but their xDrive moniker has crept up over the years to be almost as inseperable due to the immense popularity of models such as the X1, X3, X5, and X7.

The technology was first popularised as a cornerstone feature of the Munich automaker’s aforementioned X range of models and proved itself more than up to task of conquering challenging rough terrain or all-weather road conditions.

This advanced all-wheel drive system developed by BMW is renowned for its exceptional performance and handling in various driving conditions, intelligently distributing power between the front and rear, enhancing traction and stability.

By continuously monitoring the road conditions and driver inputs, xDrive adjusts power delivery to individual wheels, maximising grip and minimising wheelspin. This system ensures enhanced control, agility, and a dynamic driving experience even on challenging terrains or during adverse weather conditions.

Whether on wet roads, loose dirt, or tight corners, BMW xDrive provides drivers with confidence and responsiveness, delivering an unparalleled driving experience.

In 2023, xDrive has come a long way without losing its BMW roots. Though many more of its passenger car models and even high-performance M cars are equipped with it (called M xDrive), the all-wheel drive traction and sure-footedness is still best embodied by their range of SAVs, or Sport Activity Vehicles, either fully electric, hybrid or combustion-powered.

With this in mind, BMW Malaysia invites all to come and discover the capability and technical excellence of xDrive first hand at BMW eXperience 2023, a nationwide event showcasing the acclaimed X range of vehicles in their latest form, happening at various locations throughout the country from May 26th to 18th June.

Register now and book your preferred slot for BMW eXperience 2023 today.

State

Venue

Date

Kuala Lumpur

Car Park 3, Desa Park City

26th to 28th May 2023

Johor

Space Oddity, Johor Bahru

3rd to 4th June 2023

Penang

Straits Quay, Penang

17th to 18th June 2023

Sabah

Regas Dealership

17th to 18th June 2023


Snatch Thief Steals Woman's Handbag, Loses Own Motorcycle In The Process

Snatch thieves are the scum in our world today and we get a sense of satisfaction at what has happened in this YouTube video as you’ll see shortly. Kudos to the woman for her quick wit over her dumb perpetrator.
In this short 30 second video, we see a woman walking along an alleyway when a motorcyclist pulls up beside her and snatches her handbag before running away. However, as the fool runs away, he leaves his motorcycle unattended, allowing the woman to hop onto his motorcycle and presumably ride to the nearest police station.
By then, the snatch thief is trying to sprint back to get his motorcycle only to realise it’s too late. We sincerely hope that justice was dealt towards the snatch thief.


Full Lockdown Jun 2021 - Sektor Apa Yang Buka, Sektor Mana Yang Tutup?

Menteri Kanan Keselamatan, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob dan Ketua Pengarah Kesihatan, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham menjelaskan "Total Lockdown" : sektor ekonomi dan perkhidmatan yang mana boleh dibuka bermula 1 Jun 2021.

Hanya 17 sektor yang dibenarkan buka selama total lockdown yang bakal bermula dari 1 Jun sehingga 14 Jun 2021. Sektor-sektor itu adalah:

Makanan dan minuman termasuk untuk haiwan

Penjagaan kesihatan dan perubatan termasuk penokok diet, penjagaan dan klinik haiwan serta perkhidmatan veterinar

Air

Tenaga

Keselamatan (security and safety), pertahanan, kecemasan, kebajikan dan bantuan kemanusiaan

Pengurusan sisa pepejal dan pembersihan awam dan pembetungan

Pengangkutan melalui darat, air atau udara

Perkhidmatan dan pengusahaan pelabuhan, limbungan dan lapangan terbang, termasuk pemunggahan, pengangkutan laiter, pengendalian kargo dan pemaliman, dan penyimpanan atau pemukalan komoditi

Komunikasi termasuk media, telekomunikasi dan internet, pos dan kurier serta penyiaran (bagi tujuan penyampaian maklumat, berita dan seumpamanya sahaja)

Perbankan, insuran, takaful dan pasaran modal

Kredit komuniti (pajak gadai sahaja)

E-dagang dan teknologi maklumat

Pengeluaran, penyulingan, penyimpanan, pembekalan serta pengagihan bahan api dan pelincir

Hotel dan penginapan (hanya bagi tujuan kuarantin, pengasingan, pekerjaan bagi perkhidmatan perlu dan bukan tujuan pelancongan)

Pembinaan, penyelenggaraan dan pembaikan kritikal

Perkhidmatan perhutanan (terhad kepada penguatkuasaan) dan hidupan liar

Logistik yang terhad kepada penyampaian perkhidmatan perlu

Tapi yang paling penting bagi kita sebagai rakyat:

Hanya 2 orang dibenarkan dari sebuah keluarga bagi keluar membeli barang keperluan atau di atas sebab medikal. Jarak perjalanan hanya 10km dari rumah anda masing-masing bermula 1 Jun.

Segala aktiviti sukan dan rekreasi yang tidak melibatkan sebarang sentuhan fizikal hanya dibenarkan dari pukul 7 pagi sehingga 8 malam.

Segala surat kebenaran merentas desa atau negeri bagi tujuan pekerjaan yang dikeluarkan MITI sebelum ini hanya sah sehingga 31 Mei sahaja.

Bagi maklumat yang lebih terperinci mengenai sektor pekilangan mana yang dibenarkan beroperasi bermula 1 Jun nanti ianya seperti berikut, namun ia tertakluk kepada tenaga pekerja yang terhad.

Aero angkasa – komponen dan maintenance, repair dan overhaul.

Perkilangan makanan dan minuman.

Bahan pembungkusan dan percetakan – hanya berkaitan bahan makanan dan kesihatan.

Barang-barang penjagaan diri dan bahan pencuci.

Keluaran penjagaan kesihatan dan perubatan.

Eletrikal dan elektronik

Minyak dan gas – termasuk petrokimia dan produk petro kimia

Tesktil untuk PPE sahaja.

Kawalan pergerakan yang dibenarkan bagi rakyat:

Keluar untuk dapatkan barang keperluan harian dalam radius 10km dari kediaman

Keluar mendapatkan perkhidmatan jagaan kesihatan atau perubatan, saringan, keselamatan atau kecemasan dalam radius 10km

Urusan kes kematian dan bencana alam dibenarkan dengan kebenaran PDRM

Urusan vaksinasi

Penjawat awam bagi perkhidmatan perlu dengan disertai dokumen arahan rasmi dan pas pekerja

Bantuan bencana dan kemanusiaan

Had kenderaan dan pengangkutan:

2 orang termasuk pemandu dalam kenderaan persendirian bagi mendapatkan barang keperluan harian. (dalam radius 10km)

3 orang termasuk pesakit untuk mendapatkan perkhidmatan jagaan kesihatan, perubatan, keselamatan atau kecemasan

2 orang termasuk pemandu teksi dan e-hailing.

Kenderaan membawa pekerja (terhad kepada 50% kapasiti)

Pengangkutan awam (kapasiti 50%)

*Kredit foto: Berita Harian

Perniagaan dan perkhidmatan:

Pasar harian dan pasar awam dibenarkan

Pasar tani, pasar segar, pasar borong

Dobi

Bengkel kenderaan, penyelenggaraan dan alat ganti

Kedai cermin mata

Kedai runcit, kedai serbaneka dan hardware

Shopping mall ditutup kecuali bahagian ataupun kedai di dalam pasar raya besar yang menjual makanan, minuman dan keperluan asas

Terdapat 3 fasa total lockdown ini. Fasa satu bermula
1 Jun hingga 14 Jun nanti
. Fasa kedua pula akan dilaksanan untuk tempoh empat minggu selepas fasa pertama berakhir. Fasa kedua nanti akan membenarkan pembukaan beberapa sektor ekonomi yang tidak melibatkan perhimpunan yang besar serta boleh mematuhi penjarakan fizikal. Fasa Ketiga pula seperti PKP seperti sekarang dimana aktiviti sosial tak dibenarkan dan hampir semua sektor ekonomi dibenarkan beroperasi tertakhluk pada SOP yang ketat serta kehadiran fizikal pekerja dihadkan.

Bagaimanapun, peralihan daripada satu fasa ke satu fasa yang lain tertahluk kepada penilaian risiko oleh KKM. Bergantung pada jumlah kes harian dan kapasiti hospital di seluruh negara.

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

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Carlist.my.

Sell your car fast with the best offer? Visit us at
CarlistBid.my
.

Get the latest new car promotions at
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 website now.


More Styling Details Emerge On The New Mitsubishi Triton

Mitsubishi Motors has just provided an update to the new Triton pick-up.
In the single coloured image, we noticed the new Triton gets the updated “Dynamic Shield” look that took centre stage on the Mitsubishi Xpander MPV and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross crossover.
Head lamps are now slimmer in shape and size and they blend pretty well with thick horizontal bars on the grille.
The earlier teaser image in monochrome
 also highlighted the bumper design to have prominent details at the corners. A more distinct character line can be seen on the front fender too.
Mitsubishi has also said to have enhanced performance, functionality, durability, safety, and refinement on the new Triton based on feedback from owners across the world.
No images on the interior, but if we used both earlier models as an example, the design is nothing revolutionary. We shall wait until 9th November for the “dust to settle” to get clear images and information of the new 2019 Mitsubishi Triton.


CARSOME expands its operations to East Malaysia

Southeast Asia’s largest integrated car e-commerce platform, CARSOME, has officially expanded its operations to East Malaysia with the launch of four new inspection centers in Sarawak.

This expansion sees CARSOME
introducing a new standard of selling cars
 to East Malaysians and providing them with a trusted and transparent option.

The inspection centers aim to
offer customers a differentiated and hassle-free car-selling experience,
 through fast payment and worry-free transaction process. Guided by a stringent inspection procedure, every CARSOME Inspection Center will have a skilled professional inspector to conduct comprehensive inspection on the car, to ensure its quality is accounted for to offer the best price in the market.

CARSOME Co-Founder & CARSOME Academy CEO, Teoh Jiun Ee said the expansion to East Malaysia is part of CARSOME’s ongoing mission to solve customers’ pain points, thereby providing Malaysians peace of mind throughout their car selling journey. “The presence of CARSOME in East Malaysia marks a significant and positive milestone for us. Our motivation is to make CARSOME services accessible to all Malaysians as we continue to innovate the used car ecosystem, driven by data and technology.”

With the launch of four new inspection centers in Sarawak – Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Bintulu CARSOME now has 49 inspection centers across Malaysia. Leveraging proprietary data and pricing algorithms, CARSOME ensures fair pricing can be determined for every car, underlining its goal to create a trusted and transparent used car ecosystem. Aside from pricing offered by CARSOME, customers can also opt for its e-bidding platform, to get different price offers from its nationwide network of used car dealers.

The launch of the new CARSOME Inspection Center at Kuching was officiated by Sarawak Deputy Premier, Second Minister for Finance and New Economy and Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak, Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said CARSOME’s expansion to Sarawak comes at a critical time given that the country is in a recovery phase from the pandemic. “I believe that CARSOME's technology driven business model will complement our goal which is to improve the standard of living, grow our economy to provide business and job opportunities and train our people to be resourceful and increase their income level. This is in tandem with the Sarawak government’s plan in implementing its Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) where its people will enjoy economic prosperity driven by data and innovation.”

CARSOME will be supporting used car dealers in digitalizing their operations and ecosystem by introducing its E-bidding Platform and Dealer Financing Program and providing end-to-end support for dealers. By bringing its proprietary technology and software innovation, CARSOME aims to empower used car dealers to seamlessly tap into new trends through digitalization.

In addition, CARSOME hopes through its expansion that it will help stimulate the economy and drive greater growth for the used car market. To do this, CARSOME will create new sales and growth opportunities for used car dealers by establishing partnership deals, while offering bonus rewards and credit lines for long-term business sustainability.

The inspection centers in Sarawak will serve as among the next steps forward in CARSOME’s growth plans, strengthening its already established footprint in Malaysia. A series of marketing initiatives will also take place in Sarawak offering various promotions for consumers to experience the new standard of selling their cars through CARSOME.

For more information on CARSOME upcoming promotions in Sarawak, please visit CARSOME website.


Honda Civic Is Going Back To Japan, After 7-Year Hiatus

It might sound weird to a casual observer, but the Honda Civic, one of the most quintessential icons of Japan’s automotive industry, is actually not available in Japan.
The last time the Honda Civic was sold in Japan was in 2010, when the last FD-generation Civic Type-R rolled off Honda’s plant in Suzuka.
After that, there was a small number (750 units) of UK-built European market Civic Type-R hatchback (previous, FK2 generation model) that were imported into Japan but it’s not a permanent fixture in Honda’s line-up for its home market in Japan.
While the Civic might have its roots in Japan, Japanese consumers have little interest in C-segment sedans like the Civic anymore. Even the Corolla models that are sold in Japan are mostly wagons, and they are mostly sold as fleet cars to utility companies and tradesmen.
Private buyers have since shifted their interest to crossovers, SUVs and MPVs.
However according to a report by America’s
Automotive News,
 Honda has reversed that decision, and that the Civic will be relaunched in Japan by the middle of this year. The report also added that the current arrangement of producing US-market Civic sedans in USA could be changed, with Japan taking over production and exporting Japan-made Civics to USA.
Currently, the US-market Civic sedans are made in Honda of America’s plant in Greensburg, Indiana, while increasingly popular crossovers like the HR-V are still imported into the US from Mexico.
Considering the recent threats by incoming President Donald Trump to impose taxes on Mexican made cars, Honda might consider shuffling the Civic with the HR-V.
Another reason motivating Honda to reintroduce the Civic in Japan is branding. While the market for this class of sedans in Japan have shrunk considerably, Honda believes that the Civic is crucial to reaffirm the brand’s reputation as a maker of sporty cars, and it is betting that the
popularity of the Civic overseas
 will spur demand for the model in Japan.
"We've become known as a company specializing in
minivans
 and 'kei' cars, and we realized our offering of 'Honda-esque' cars has become increasingly weak," said Kimiyoshi Teratani, who heads Honda's Japan operations.
"The Civic may not be the NSX (Honda's supercar also marketed under the Acura brand), but it's another model we'd like to use to raise our brand image," he added.


Geely Borui GE Launched In China, Powered By Volvo Powertrains

Geely has introduced a new addition to its flagship Borui range. Known the Borui GE, the D-segment sedan can either be had as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or a mild hybrid (MHEV).
In terms of powertrain, the plug-in hybrid version features a Volvo Drive-E 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine combined to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), battery pack and electric motor. Combined system output for the PHEV variant is 257 hp and 425 Nm, while returning a fuel consumption rating of 1.6-litre/100 km.
As for the mild hybrid version of the Borui GE, the powertrain is similar to the PHEV variant, but with a 48V electrical system. This engine is good for 180 hp, while the Integrated Belt Starter Generator (iBSG) contributes another 16 hp and 50 Nm, allowing for a combined system output of 190 hp and 300 Nm.
Unlike the T8 variant of Volvo models which are eAWD, both variants of the Borui GE are front-wheel drive only.
The Geely Borui GE PHEV can achieve up to 120 km/h on electric power alone. In addition to that, Geely also mentioned that the Borui GE PHEV can travel up to 60 km with batteries alone.
Underneath, the Geely Borui GE features double wishbone front suspension and a multilink rear suspension configuration. Wheel size ranges from 17- to 19-inches for the Borui GE, depending on variant.
Safety equipment is also rather generous, as both variants the Borui GE can be had with:
Up to seven airbags, including a driver knee airbag
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Side View Assist (Blind Spot Monitoring)
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Collision Warning
Adaptive Cruise Control (Intelligent Cruise Control)
Traffic Jam Assist
360 Degree Camera
Auto Parking Assist
As for its infotainment system, the centrally-mounted touchscreen display is available in sizes of between 10.2- and 12.3-inches. A Harman Kardon premium sound system is fitted to range-topping variants of the Borui GE. The infotainment system also supports Baidu CarLife and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
Similar to the BMW 7 Series’ Display Key, the Geely Borui GE also features a smart key with a 2-inch display, which can control these features:
Seat heaters
Car’s location
Lights
Remaining range
Air-conditioning
Trunk opening
Windows
Door locks
In China, the Geely Borui has a base price of CNY 133,680 (RM82,777) for the mild hybrid variant, while the plug-in hybrid variant carries a base price of CNY 199,800 (RM123,720). The mild hybrid variant’s price tops out at CNY 179,800 (RM111,335), while the plug-in hybrid Borui GE tops out at CNY 232,800 (RM144,154). Note that these prices are only possible with incentives from the Chinese government for China-made 'New Energy Vehicle' (NEV).


Lotus Delivers Christmas Tree Using The Evora GT 410 As A Sleigh

Intended as a light-hearted way to mark the Christmas festive period, Lotus has released its “Merry Driftmas” video.
Filmed on site at Lotus’ Hethel home in Norfolk, the video sees the folks at Lotus transporting a Christmas tree in a rather unconventional way using the Evora GT410 Sport.
While most Christmas trees travel strapped to roof racks or stuffed in car boots, Lotus knew it could do it differently with carbon fibre, a little welding and a lot of burning rubber.
Using closed roads, and with thanks to an understanding security guard, the two-minute video encompasses the whole facility, and even includes two of the marque’s most famous cars (and a bike).
Besides wishing its customers and fans a very “Merry Driftmas”, the video also celebrates Lotus sports cars and the pure pleasure of driving.


Nissan To Expand The Usage Of High-Tech Steel To Reduce Emissions

Nissan launched a sustainability plan earlier this month that demands for lowering CO2 emissions from its new vehicles by 40% by fiscal year 2022, compared with fiscal year 2000.
As such, the company is planning to expand the use of ultra-high tensile strength steel, aiming for it to make up 25% of the company’s vehicle parts by weight.
The all-new Infiniti QX50, which went on sale in the USA in March, represents the first automotive use of SHF (Super High Formability) 980 MPa high-tensile steel, further strengthening the all-new platform.
The high-tensile material, jointly developed by Nissan and Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp., can be moulded into unprecedented shapes, saving weight and representing a torsional rigidity improvement of 23 percent over the outgoing model. This rigidity allows the car to resist flex and vibrations while reducing the noise transmitted to the cabin. This material makes up 27% of the new QX50.
In terms of manufacturing process, the new SHF high-tensile steel can also be cold-pressed, thus help contain increases in vehicle cost.


Brand new Perodua sedan model coming in 2024?

While we're waiting for the arrival of the new
Perodua Axia
, speculations about a brand-new Perodua sedan model have come to light.

Rumours of a brand-new Perodua sedan model being launched in 2023 (possibly the new
Perodua Bezza
) have surfaced online and although this seems a bit farfetched, let's look at the possibility from several angles. Let's begin, shall we?

New Perodua Axia coming first (and soon)

Right now, all eyes are on the arrival of the new full model change for the
Perodua Axia
 model. What started out life back in 2014 was followed by a couple of facelifts in 2017 and 2019 and it is indeed due for a brand-new model in 2023.

And that's what has been popping up in the past few months. If Perodua is planning to launch the new Axia this year, that brand-new model is going to be their main focus for 2023. What about the Bezza? Will they go for a second full model change in 2023 judging by other markets in the region?

Perodua Bezza - new model in 2023 or 2024?

The
Perodua Bezza
 was launched here in Malaysia back in 2016 and that was followed by a facelift back in 2020. Compared to the timeline of the Axia, the Bezza A-segment sedan still has a couple of years left in its cycle before it is due for a full model change.

Things, however, might be put on the fast track considering the fact that Perodua was rumoured to have worked very closely with
Daihatsu
 in developing a new
B-segment sedan
 model using the
Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA)
 platform - the same platform currently being used by the Perodua Ativa and Alza models.

Patents of this new Daihatsu sedan model were filed by Daihatsu Motor Co. to the Indonesian Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) earlier this year. This, however, was quickly clarified by Astra Daihatsu Motor by stating that the patent filing was just a 'routine registration' with 'no immediate plans' for it.

Looking at the photos, the sedan carries striking features that can be compared to the latest
Toyota Yaris Ativ aka "Vios"
 launched in Thailand late last year.

From a logical point of view, branding this car with the Bezza name might be a slightly difficult task considering the fact that the Bezza is currently the cheapest sedan you can buy here in Malaysia today. With this? It certainly won't be as affordable as the current Bezza priced from RM34,580 to RM49,980.

With that being said, will Perodua still gun for a brand new Bezza model that's bigger and more premium in both offering and pricing? Or will they actually introduce a brand new sedan model since the current and very affordable Bezza is still selling like hotcakes?

Bezza's waiting period is still 6-8 months

With all things considered, it's hard to say as the current Bezza is still very high in demand with waiting periods ranging from six to eight months, depending on the variant you're after.

Perodua might go for a facelift for the Aruz or even the Bezza first in 2023, but if the flow of the timeline maintains, then a brand-new model might only come in 2024 instead of this year since all eyes are on the new
Axia D74A
 (also using the DNGA platform).

The national automaker has made it clear that it will be maintaining the prices for its current model offerings in 2023, so a second full model change with a significant price hike so close to the new Axia's launch might not be ideal to boost its sales figure.

At the end of it all, it's a question of either gunning for a brand-new Bezza model that's more expensive (which might turn people off) or a completely new sedan model that the brand can have an easier time justifying its higher price tag. We'll just have to wait and see.


Mazda’s CX-50 Hybrid debuts in China with Toyota HEV power

The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, also called the CX-50 HEV, for the Chinese market has been unveiled by the Changan Mazda joint venture. It has been reported that the hybrid SUV will use Toyota powertrain technology. Given it looks a lot like a
Toyota RAV4, a short-lived model in Malaysia
, it seems quite fitting.

The CX-50 range will also have petrol-powered models, with pre-sales of the petrol models already beginning in China. The CX-50 range includes 2.0- and 2.5-liter petrol models priced from 159,800 yuan (RM102,776 approximately) to 212,000 yuan (RM136,550 approximately).

Changan Mazda has planned to launch the CX-50 at Mount Everest (yes, you read that right) in May with a mountain adventuring theme in its marketing materials in China. This launch will also mark the beginning of Changan Mazda's electrification journey, with the CX-50 Hybrid following the petrol versions into the market.

While specific details
about the Mazda CX-50
 Hybrid's drivetrain are not yet known, it has been reported that the hybrid SUV will use Toyota powertrain technology, which is an interesting move for the brand. Toyota holds a minority stake in Mazda, but we haven't seen its hybrid systems in Mazda's own models outside of Japan, except for a few rebadging jobs.

It is possible that the CX-50 Hybrid's drivetrain could be based on the available hybrid powertrains of the Toyota Corolla Cross, with which the CX-50 is produced in Huntsville, Alabama for the US market.

While the CX-50 and Corolla Cross do not share common underpinnings, it is possible that the CX-50 Hybrid could use a version (or versions) of the Corolla Cross's hybrid powertrains. From what we know, the
CX-50 uses an extended version of the platform
 that underpins the CX-30 and Mazda 3.

It is not yet clear when Mazda plans to introduce the CX-50 Hybrid outside of the Chinese market, but the company has confirmed that electrified powertrains, including a traditional hybrid model, are in the nameplate's future. The joint factory with Toyota in Huntsville, Alabama, further suggests some powertrain sharing with the Corolla Cross.

It is likely that the CX-50 Hybrid will offer a version of the 2.0-litre system used in the Corolla Cross, with reports indicating that both front- and four-wheel drive versions of the HEV will be made available in China. As the Toyota hybrid system uses an eCVT, it is expected that the CX-50 Hybrid will also use this type of transmission, unless Mazda develops its own or tailors a version of the six-speed hybrid auto being used in Toyota's latest Hybrid Max models.

For the Malaysian market, it’s not clear when Mazda’s newest crop of SUVs such as the aforementioned CX-50, CX-60, and CX-90 will be making their way to our shores but we’ve no doubt they will replace the current generation before too long.

It would appear that only the CX-30 would be spared this culling given it already is part of the Hiroshima-based automaker’s newest double-digit luxury high rider models.


Perodua sales exceed 200,000 units in 2015; nearly 100,000 Axias sold

Perodua’s position as Malaysia’s best-selling car maker continues for a tenth successive year, with a record 213,300 vehicles in total sold throughout 2015. This marks the first occasion which the company’s sales exceeded the 200,000-unit threshold, thus making 2015 Perodua’s best year to date.
In spite of
challenging market conditions
 caused by implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), weakening of the Ringgit, and slump in crude oil prices, Perodua sales had remained robust; concurrent with its increased sales volume, the company also grew its market share from 29% in 2014 to 32% in 2015, based on Perodua’s internal estimates of the market’s total industry volume (TIV) at 667,000 units.
Perodua President & CEO, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh further suggested that the weak market had in fact worked in the company’s favour.
“Because of these challenges, many consumers have decided to ‘buy down’ to a more affordable alternative such as the
Axia
, which accounted for 99,700 units or 46.7% of Perodua’s entire sales for 2015,” he elaborated whilst speaking at Perodua’s annual media briefing held for the first time at the
company’s new flagship 3S centre in Petaling Jaya
.
Launched in September 2014, the
Axia
 had a full year of sales for the first time in 2015, and demand for the pint-sized hatchback remains strong, with showrooms collecting an average of 10,000 – 11,000 bookings monthly. The new Perodua Global Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (PGMSB) is now working on two shifts per day just to keep up with demand.
At the briefing, Aminar also revealed that combined production of the Axia from the PGMSB plant as well as the
Myvi
 and
Alza
 from the original plant had hit 228,500 units, up 16.3% from 196,400 units produced in 2014.
Despite the considerable increase in sales volume, profitability was impacted by a combination of two factors. Firstly, the weakened ringgit resulted in cost increases for imported parts; secondly, many customers seeking to minimize spending have opted for lower variants in the model range that generate thinner margins.
Aminar pointed out that impact of the weakened ringgit would have been more severe if Perodua’s supply chain was not as extensively localized as it currently is. In 2015, Perodua spent RM4.9 billion purchasing parts from local vendors. The company’s present range of models utilizes 8-10% imported content.
For 2016, Perodua maintains a cautiously optimistic outlook, targeting a modest increase with a stated sales target of 216,000 units, maintaining a projected market share of 32% based on the company’s internal forecast of a 670,000-strong TIV.
Besides chasing numbers, Perodua also targets improvement in customer perception. Although internal surveys show positive results, the company aims to do better with its JD Power rankings, targeting to be among the top five brands in both sales satisfaction and customer satisfaction surveys.
Shopping for a Perodua? A vast assortment of
new and used Perodua vehicles
 are available on Carlist.my!


2014 Mazda 3 Sedan Full Review: Love It, Or Hate It

Those in the market ready to spend RM115 to RM140 on a four-door sedan are spoilt for choice in the flourishing C-segment. Not only are Japanese models continuing to make strides there, Korean, American, French, and German carmakers are all in for a piece of that pie. Not too long ago,
Bermaz Motor
 launched their assault in the form of the all-new 2
014 Mazda 3 SkyActiv Sedan
; promising all the excellent driving dynamics of its bigger cousin, the
Mazda 6
, in a more compact body. But does the car live up to the daunting RM138,935 asked for it?
Buyer’s Guide: Should you buy one?
 Don’t be intimidated by the
Mazda
 3’s ‘D-segment-like’ price tag, which is just RM1,000 shy of the entry-level
Honda Accord 2.0 VT-i
. It’s easily overlooked SkyActiv technologies are a step further in car making that many other carmakers daren’t attempt, and as such, come at a cost – albeit one worth your while. Keep in mind however, that, Mazda designs its vehicles from the bottom up to be different from its class competitors; focusing more on building well-crafted drivers’ cars more than anything – and to me personally, they’re absolutely just that. So if you’re in the market for a C-segment sedan that accommodates a small family very well and is a B-road samurai in one, this is it.
Driving a 2014 Mazda 3: Intuitive, eager, an extension of yourself
 As seen in the Mazda 6, Bermaz Motor knows very well how to equip a car with all that you need, and nothing more. So what may initially look plain-Jane, has a lot more depth than you’d expect. And it starts with how well this car drives.
HANDLING:
 Essentially, Mazda’s range of SkyActiv vehicles are constructed ingeniously through the use of lightweight yet strong materials, and the results are instantly noticeable in the how well the Mazda 3 drives – it feels as nimble and eager to match your directional inputs, with information of traction and roll constantly being channelled through the steering and seat. Best of all, you don’t have to push the limit all the time to enjoy just how well this car drives. It may be a clichéd term, but the Mazda 3 does feel very much like an extension of your intentions on the road.
RIDE & COMFORT:
 Forwarding Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom philosophies, ardent drivers will have more of an appreciation for this car’s firm ride, while others may condemn its harshness and poor impact absorption, even on swelling highways. This creeps in to deter the car’s overall comfort levels, and it doesn’t help that a noticeable amount of wind noise gets through the cabin at speeds slightly over the legal limit.
PERFORMANCE:
 What may slightly disappoint your performance aspirations is how the car delivers its power. Again, it’s not that it doesn’t have any, but you must understand Mazda’s intentions to keep this car frugal for fuel – which it really is, averaging between
7.5l to 9.0l/100km
 during our drive. Initial impressions may suggest a shortage of power, but that’s to be found higher in the rev range, adopting a more traditional approach to driving fast, unlike being able to rely on a turbocharger to mask your mistakes. There, you will need some skill to muster the most of the Mazda 3, because the key to be quick in this car is to keep your speed up in a corner, where you can because of how good it grips.
Living with a 2014 Mazda 3: Firm, snug-fit, just enough
 On paper, your initial impressions may lead you to think that the Mazda 3 is a bit overpriced, and a tad under-equipped against its segment rivals which seem to cost less and offer more. But if the superb driving dynamics, fuel efficiency and clever design of Mazda’s SkyActiv technologies haven’t taken you yet, there’s a certain charm about living with this car that may. As mentioned above, you’ll find no conveniences of automatic headlamps and wipers that turn themselves on and off when necessary, nor will you be offered keyless entry and a push start button. Continuing all that’s against it is a rear seating that, without a flat floor, feels a bit too snug-fit for comfort. But it isn’t long before things start to look up. Visually, the cabin does look like it’s been through some cost-cutting here and there, but it actually is just an attempt by Mazda to keep things simple and functional: three dials in the center console for air-conditioning controls, one seven-inch touchscreen, and a range of controls on the steering for everything else that’s needed. With a large boot in the back, a great audio system to keep you entertained throughout, a simplistic but functional cabin, there isn’t much more you could ask for from an everyday car for a small family of four.
Then you have Mazda’s brilliant MZD Connect interface found within the seven-inch touchscreen display, and is managed by a BMW i-Drive-like control dial. Together, the pairing makes the interface very user-friendly, meaning your eyes are easily kept on the road and hands left on the wheel - as Mazda intend them to be.
Competing with a 2014 Mazda 3:
 To be fair to the Mazda, you must keep in mind that its makers didn’t intend for it compete directly with its segment rivals, choosing instead to build a car that offers something unique in its class, by emphasising a great drive, first and foremost. To many, the 3’s athleticism will be much underappreciated, and that leaves the Mazda 3 short of flashy features to shout about. Simply, the
Toyota Corolla Altis
 and the
Honda Civic
 are slightly more affordable, and offer great typical C-segment characteristics. From Korea, the
Kia Cerato
 and the
Hyundai Elantra
 are making waves with their exciting designs and class-pioneering equipment: reiterating that you really are spoilt for choice here. The Mazda 3, however, will always be the more fun car to drive, drive hard, and the only one that wasn’t designed from scratch to be a market hit, but a dream of a team that wanted to build a great driver’s car first, before thinking about how well it could sell. To someone like myself, there’s nothing else but it that’s worth spending the money on. But to someone else with a more popular idea of the ideal C-segment car, it could very well be utter nonsense. What about the
Ford Focus
 as a driver’s car, you say? Well, they’re undeniably good, but the high fuel consumption and cramped cabin work too much against itself. The Focus may have all the refined handling characteristics about it, but it isn’t nearly as emotive or intuitive as the Mazda 3, and is therefore nowhere near as rewarding.
Verdict: Here’s what we think…
 Keeping in mind that I myself have a very keen interest in the 2014 Mazda 3, I can’t say I’m completely ready to drop RM138,935 on it just yet. I love its driving dynamics and simplicity, and the sluggish acceleration doesn’t bother me at all. That said, there’s a lot ‘more’ for ‘less’ worth considering in its rivals – the Altis and Civic are obvious choices, while the Focus, Cerato and Elantra all make a great point. What this is then, is a car that will reignite all your boyhood-racer passions, and at the same time deliver just the necessary amount of comfort and conveniences expected of a typical C-segment car. So don’t blame Mazda for making a car that’s not as comfortable as it should be, because if you do, you'll probably be better off looking at the new entry-level
Honda Accord
,
or something else from the C-segment. If however you insist on a proper driver’s car, great fuel economy, good equipment and infotainment, just enough comfort, a large boot, and fun driving everywhere you go, there’s nothing better for the asking RM138k.


BMW Malaysia's Cheaper Child Seat Initiative

BMW Malaysia has just announced that its partnership with Safe ‘n Sound and Childline Foundation for the safety seat subsidy programme for parents in the B40 income group has just gone into phase two.

This is BMW's initiative to help avoid such accidents like this
one
. According to the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), children transported in private vehicles (car, van, 4WD) are the first and second leading cause of traffic related-death among children aged 1–4 years old (43.8%) and 5–9 years old (30.2%) respectively. These figures are eery and all the reason more why initiatives such as this by BMW Malaysia should be applauded.

The subsidy programme will focus on equipping the remaining registrants from the first phase with a range of child safety seats for newborns to children of up to 36 kg.

Each of the snskidz child safety seats will be made available with the RM50 in subsidy amount, on top of a discounted price from Safe ‘n Sound that is exclusive for recipients of the subsidy programme. The snskidz Ace will be available at a subsidised price of RM99 (RRP: RM199) while the snskidz Sport and snskidz Proto will be priced at RM169 (RRP: RM269) and RM249 (RM349) respectively.

Recipients of the subsidy programme will receive a unique Shopee voucher worth RM113 which can be applied upon checkout at this dedicated microsite: https://shopee.com.my/m/bmw-child-safety-seat-subsidy-programme.

The programme is supported by Shopee as they have been made exclusive E-Commerce Partner alongside baby and children goods brands-KU.KU Duckbill and Otomo, educational toys and games distributor-Mideer, food storage sealing solutions provider-Ankou, and car performance parts and accessories provider-Kakimotor.

Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications at BMW Group Malaysia said, “Our aim with this initiative has always been to make the use of child safety car seats instinctively mandatory; a basic practice by parents to ensure that children are always safe in cars. We are very pleased that these brands have come in to help us to not only advocate the importance of child safety seats but also to make more child safety seats accessible to those in the B40 income group. We hope more partners will continue to join us in taking ownership of this shared responsibility as we move towards collectively affecting change.”

In hopes of accelerating the delivery of child safety seats amongst the first 25,000 registrants, BMW Malaysia, Safe ‘n Sound and Childline Foundation are also initiating a public fundraiser on the microsite mentioned above. There is no minimum amount of contributions. All funds raised will be channeled to Childline Foundation to subsidise as many child safety seats as possible for the remaining registrants. “The new partners coming in to help us with this programme could not arrive at a better time, especially in light of the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

We want to continue to urge individuals, partners and companies who have the means to help subsidise these child safety seats to come together and take part in this movement to make child safety seats the first thing parents think about when they have their children in vehicles–whether by raising greater awareness on the topic through education, making child safety seats more accessible, or reaching out to us to be a part of the subsidy programme. We do hope to further accelerate delivery with the help and support from all Malaysians nationwide,” added Ambi.


2015 F16 BMW X6 Launched In Malaysia, xDrive35i M Sport From RM719k

BMW
 Group Malaysia has officially launched the all-new 2015
BMW X6
 (F16) crossover SUV in Malaysia, at the on-going
BMW World Malaysia 2015 exhibition
.
Buyer’s Guide:
The second generation of the BMW X6 replaces the preceding E71 LCI model and features more equipment as standard along with new exterior styling. The BMW X6 xDrive35i M Sport is priced at RM718,800 (on-the-road inclusive of GST but without insurance).
Performance:
Under the hood, a BMW 3.0-litre TwinPower turbocharged straight-six is found, producing 306hp from 5,800 to 6,400 rpm while maximum torque output is 400Nm from 1,200 to 5,000 rpm. The engine is paired to an eight-speed Steptronic sport automatic transmission and power is sent to all four wheels via BMW’s xDrive permanent all-wheel drive system with full variable torque split between the front and rear axles.
0-100 km/h is dealt with in just 6.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 240 km/h. Meanwhile, fuel consumption is rated at 8.6 litres per 100 km (11.63 km per litre) and CO2 emissions is 200 grams per kilometre.
KEY SPECS:
Engine: TwinPower Turbo 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged straight-six
Transmission: Eight-speed Steptronic sport automatic transmission
Power: 306hp @ 5,800-6,400 rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1,200-5,000 rpm
Fuel Consumption: 8.6 litres/100 km
Exterior Styling:
From the outside, the all-new X6 retains its familiar shape and profile but gains a new front fascia with adaptive LED headlights and LED fog lamps. A more pronounced rear end can also be seen. If anything, it is more of an evolution of design rather than a total makeover.
The M Sport package includes a M Aerodynamics package which gives the X6 a sportier look by fitting a body kit. 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 275/40 series tyres at the front and 315/35 series tyres at the rear are also part of the package. Adaptive M suspension with rear air suspension are also fitted.
Interior Styling:
Inside, the cabin also sees very little change and is distinctively BMW with Dakota leather upholstery. An M Sport leather steering wheel with paddle shifters and on-wheel buttons are also found as part of the M Sport package.
Four-zone automatic climate control comes as standard including an electrical glass roof and powered seats at the front (driver’s side gets a memory function)
Infotainment and navigation is handled by a 10.25-inch Navigation system Professional multimedia unit with numerous inputs and connects to an iDrive Touch Controller. A Harman Kardon 600W, 16-speaker surround sound system handles audio playback.
Other Features:
Driving aids include a heads-up display for the driver as well as cruise control with brake function, Park Distance Control (PDC) at the front and rear, surround view camera including rear view camera, and High-beam Assistance.
Other convenient features include automatic operation of the tailgate, keyless entry with start/stop button, and automatic lights and wipers.
Safety Features:
The BMW X6 is packed with safety features beginning with six airbags (front, side, head) and BMW’s suite of safety systems – Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), anti-lock brakes (ABS), Automatic Stability Control (ASC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC). ISOFIX child seat anchors are also located at the rear.
Other Information:
The 2015 BMW X6 xDrive35i M Sport comes with a two-year/unlimited warranty as well as a three-year or 60,000 km (whichever first) BMW Service + Repair Inclusive Package.


Is Proton Reviving The Preve For 2021?

There may be an aggressive range of models in the Proton stable, but it seems to be lacking a mid-sized sedan.

We wouldn’t blame you if you were a little confused over how Proton’s model line has evolved over the years. Gone are the simple days of the Proton Saga, Wira, Satria, and Perdana fulfilling their various roles in the product lineup. Now we have the Saga (a sub-subcompact sedan?), the Iriz (a subcompact hatchback), the Persona (a subcompact sedan), the
X50
 (a compact SUV), the
X70
 (a mid-sized SUV) and the
Exora
 (an MPV).

Now you might be wondering if something has mysteriously gone missing, and you’re right. The Perdana has been phased out of production completely, not unexpectedly, but what’s more intriguing is that neither the Suprima nor the Preve have had a successor. If you don’t know what role the Preve was meant to fill, it was effectively a replacement for the Inspira, which was a replacement for the Waja.

Or was the Preve a replacement for the previous generation Persona – as the Suprima is a replacement for Gen 2, which was a sister car to the Persona. In any case, we digress – the current Persona as we know it is a fantastic vehicle but it doesn’t exactly fight at a
C-segment level
 – which is where the Inspira and Preve sort of fought.

If the roadmap that Proton displayed a couple of years is anything to go by, we should be expecting a sedan model this year. Perhaps the larger issue is that Proton hasn’t exactly had the time or resources to develop something from the ground up or adapt the existing models, so it may very well have to look at localizing a Geely model – which gives us a couple of candidates.

From a wheelbase perspective, the current Persona measures in at 2,555 mm – which means that a Preve replacement would have to be larger than this by a reasonable amount. The Preve when it was last sold shared a 2,650 mm wheelbase with the Suprima S, and the current offerings over at Geely are either the
Binrui
 with a 2,670 mm wheelbase, or the Emgrand GL with a 2,700 mm wheelbase.

While the Binrui is slated to be the likely option for our market, the Emgrand GL comes with a turbocharged
1.5-litre three-cylinder powertrain
 like the X50 currently uses, with 177 PS and a 7-speed dual-clutch type automatic transmission. It also shares roughly the same price range as the Geely Binyue – which is essentially the Chinese market version of the Proton X50, which would position it pretty competitively in that market segment.

But if we are to get the
Binrui
, we wouldn’t be losing out either. It’s a very handsome vehicle, only to get more handsome with some Malaysian touches in the styling department. The powertrains may need a bit of tweaking for production efficiency, but it wouldn’t be difficult to get it positioned in our market as a competitive replacement to the missing Preve.

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