BMW Malaysia Adds X1 sDrive20i M Sport To Local Range - RM233,800

BMW has officially announced the arrival of a new variant for their X1 to accompany the previously sole sDrive20i Sport. Coming in at RM233,800, the sDrive20i M Sport is RM13,000 dearer than the Sport but does offer more in terms of visual appeal, driver engagement, and some premium interior touches.

Most notably, the M Sport features an altered front end over the Sport with integrated LED fog lights, hexagonal LED headlight tubes, a revised LED rear light arrangement while the broader, sharper front bumper has larger air intakes for a more athletic looking fascia.

To underscore the sportier aesthetics, the sDrive20i M Sport now has the M Sport Suspension fitted, resulting in a 1,588mm ride height that represents a 10mm lower suspension. Additionally, there are 18-inch M light alloy wheels and the M Aerodynamics Package that further enhances the SAV’s (BMW parlance, meaning Sport Activity Vehicle) look and airflow.

Since we’re on the subject of millimetres, the tailpipes are now 90mm in diameter over the 70mm exits of the Sport. Under the bonnet lives BMW’s staple B48 four-cylinder engine displacing 2.0-litres. The turbocharged unit produces 192hp between 5,000-6,000rpm while peak torque stands at 280Nm from 1,350-4,600rpm.

Drive is sent to the front wheels via 7-speed Steptronic dual clutch transmission, allowing it to achieve the 100km/h sprint from rest in 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 224km/h. BMW claims that a 6.5-litres/100km fuel economy figure on a combined cycle while emitting 149g/km of carbon dioxide.

Enter the sDrive20i M Sport and you’ll be greeted by the Welcome Light Carpet, projecting the ‘X1’ characters in dual tones onto the ground via an LED light source in the driver’s side exterior mirror. Inside, there’s an M Leather steering wheel, premium Black Dakota Leather upholstery, and additional accents of aluminium and brushed Pearl Chrome.

Meanwhile, an 8.8-inch touchscreen displays BMW’s infotainment and vehicle management system and supports BMW ConnectedDrive, all operable through the rotary iDrive Controller.

The X1 sDrive20i M Sport is offered in four exterior colour options: Misano Blue, Black Sapphire, Alpine White and Mineral Grey. BMW Malaysia says that the new variant will be viewable at all authorised dealerships nationwide starting January 13th.


Kia and Hyundai To Introduce Solar Roofs To Support Powertrain Charging

Kia Motors and Hyundai Motor have today announced plans to introduce ‘solar roof’ charging technology on selected Hyundai Motor Group vehicles.
Electricity-generating solar panels will be incorporated into the roof or the hood of vehicles to support the charging of internal combustion, hybrid, and battery electric vehicles with additional electrical power.
The solar charging technology is being developed to support the vehicle’s main power source to increase mileage and reduce CO2 emissions. Hyundai Motor Group is developing three types of solar roof charging systems: the first-generation system is for hybrid vehicles, while the second-generation technology brings a semi-transparent solar roof system to conventional internal combustion vehicles. The third generation of the technology will see the introduction of a lightweight solar roof for battery electric vehicles.
The first-generation system, which will be applied to hybrid models, is created out of a structure of silicon solar panels that are integrated into the standard car roof. This system is capable of charging 30 to 60 percent of battery capacity over the course of a normal day, depending on weather conditions.
The second generation semi-transparent solar roof can be integrated with a panoramic sunroof, letting light through into the cabin, whilst charging the vehicle’s battery at the same time. This first of its kind application for conventional powertrain vehicles hope to further improve efficiency to comply with stringent global environmental laws.
The third-generation system is currently in testing. It is designed to be applied to the hood and roof of eco-friendly battery electric vehicle models in order to maximize energy output.
The solar charging system is composed of a solar panel, a controller and the battery. The controller features Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), which controls the voltage and current to increase the efficiency of electricity harvested by the solar panel. This power is converted and stored in the battery, or utilized to decrease the load on the vehicle’s alternating current (AC) generator, thereby increasing vehicle range.
Hyundai Motor Group claim that their 100W solar panel will be able to produce up to 100 Wh of energy under ideal conditions (summer noon, 1000 W/m2 intensity of radiation). Hyundai Motor Group plan to integrate the first generation solar roof panel technology into its vehicles starting in 2020.


Toyota Yaris vs Volkswagen Polo vs Honda Jazz Hybrid

In the last decade, the crown for the best selling car in Malaysia went to a B-Segment hatchback vehicle which goes to prove Malaysia's affinity for these agile, economical, and versatile cars. It's not only in Malaysia that this phenomenon is taking place because even in Europe these B-Segment hatchbacks reign supreme.

In Europe, the Renault Clio and Volkswagen Polo are the main players in this big market, but in Malaysia, the king of this B-Segment hatchback in term of sales figures is the tried and tested darling of Malaysians, the Perodua Myvi.

The reason the Myvi takes the throne in Malaysia is of course due to it being a value buy car, but if money was taken out of this equation, perhaps the top-selling hatchback B-Segment king might be a different make and model.

In Malaysia, vehicle segmentation is mostly based on price, but for the sake of making this a bit less confusing, we thought we would just go with traditional segmentation. And with that, we thought we would pick out three of the best B-Segment cars available in Malaysia.

Toyota Yaris (from RM70,888)

To some, this might be a surprise, but to those who have driven this car, it will not be. The Toyota Yaris is one heck of a car and for those who say that the car is expensive for what it is then you have never really tried the car, because you get what you pay for. When it comes to the drive, it has the perfect balance of comfort and sportiness. It is really cushy when travelling through bad roads and has great handling for when you want those spirited drives. Yes, it is not the most powerful car, but it can still move fast in a straight line on the highway, snake its way swiftly through traffic in town or carry speed through lovely bendy B-roads. Toyota really did hit a home run when they created the Yaris. If we had to nitpick what we didn't like about the car, it would be the CVT transmission, but yet again, it is one of the better CVTs out there.

Volkswagen Polo (RM77,646)

There must be a reason why the VW Polo is one of the top-selling cars in Europe, and it only lost top spot to the Renault Clio by less than 3k units.  There's also a reason why the Polo hasn't changed much in as many years, because VW knowns not to fix something that is not broken. The 1.6-litre engine is zippy and the 6-speed gearbox is smooth and efficient. To get close to 600km range on a full tank from 1.6-litre is impressive but it's not the most remarkable bit about the car. The level of refinement is the car's best point, and its cabin noise insulation puts pricier cars to shame. Without a doubt, it has that comfort luxury feel to it thanks to its excellent NVH suppression. The drive ride is swayed closer to the sportier side but it is plenty comfortable too.

Honda Jazz Hybrid (RM87,367)

If you're not a B-Road warrior and would like a small car which doesn't feel underpowered when it is full of passengers, then Honda's Jazz Hybrid is the answer. This is thanks to its Hybrid system which gives the decent torque. The problem with B Segment cars sometimes is that it feels bogged down when it is full of passengers, but the Jazz Hybrid is a little gem that squashes that little niggle. If that won't impress you, the space it has will. Thanks to Honda's clever cabin design and layout the interior feels really spacious. With the seats folded down, the Jazz can also turn into a hauling monster, thanks to its flat floor design. It also feels great to drive. Most people say that hybrids are heavy and yes it is true, but you never really get that sense in the Honda Jazz Hybrid. If a small family has the budget for one of these, we say go for it, as it will serve you well.

Being a Volkswagen owner, I naturally gravitate towards the Polo, but the Yaris comes in a close second. It's actually a tough call between the Polo and the Yaris but its premium feeling NVH suppression just does it for me. If only I could convince my wife to take the Jazz because I would love to have the Jazz Hybrid as part of the vehicle lineup at home.


Proton X50 Owners Install Apple CarPlay, Android Auto - Some DIY, Some Charging RM500

As the title says, X50 owners are quickly figuring out how to circumvent Proton’s own software blocks to enable/install
Apple CarPlay
 and Android Auto.

The technique and full instructions for which won’t exactly be difficult for the majority of tech-inclined folks to understand and replicate, especially when you realise that, at the base level,
the infotainment system itself
 is running on a forked version of Google’s open source mobile operating system.

Proton X50 got Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

From what we understand, Android Auto can work pretty much out of the box with some free software sideloads but Apple CarPlay requires an additional hardware purchase in the form of a USB middleman device.

In short, the process can be fairly easily done and the results are quite promising. Owners have shown off their ‘upgraded’ X50
GKUI infotainment system
 running either CarPlay or Android Auto with relatively no visible issues. That said, perhaps due to the slower chipset or background processes, some of the footage does appear to show it suffering from noticeable interface lag.

By using the same basic method, some have even managed to install other apps made for Android devices such as Youtube, Netflix, and TikTok or bypass
the screen-mirroring feature
 that cuts off video playback unless the handbrake is applied, which is most definitely a risky distraction and should not be used while on the move.

Though this sort of ‘software unlocking’ comes with its own set of risks and definitely does not have the blessing of automakers, they have been quite commonplace in the aftermarket (both here and abroad) since many OEM infotainment vendors do use Android as a base operating system.

Some have even taken the opportunity to offer their services to install/modify the X50’s infotainment system in this way, charging as much as RM500 to enable Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto to customers that might not be tech-savvy enough (or too busy) to do it themselves.

Does it affect your X50 warranty from Proton?

These individuals usually offer these services over social media, or even online marketplaces such as Shopee, seeming to guarantee a risk-free experience that will leave the vehicle’s warranty untouched. That’s part of the sales pitch, of course, so take it with a grain of salt.

As officially unsupported as it is, will you be considering this DIY upgrade for your X50? These connectivity features
might even be coming soon to the Perodua Myvi
....


Porsche Pays Tribute to the 919 Hybrid’s Le Mans Winning 4-Cylinder Engine

As
Porsche
 prepares their campaign to defend their World Endurance Championship (WEC) crown next week, the company pays tribute to the remarkable 4-cylinder engine that was used in their 919 Hybrid to take a one-two result at the Le Mans 24 Hours and both manufacturer’s and driver’s WEC titles last year.
Built in a 90-degree V-formation, the 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine was one of the most remarkable power units on the WEC grid. Said to produce ‘over 500hp’, this compact engine was tasked with driving the rear wheels, while an exhaust energy recovery system paired to a lithium-ion battery pack and e-machine were used to drive the front wheels. Put together, Porsche says that the 919 Hybrid had an overall system power output of around 900hp.
Sadly the V4 engine in the 2015 919 Hybrid would be as powerful as it is going to get as the WEC series is slowly tightening their belts on the amount of fuel each Le Mans prototype race car can use.
This is done to put more emphasis
 on energy efficiency and recovery systems, though regulations allow engineers the freedom to choose between diesel and petrol engines, naturally aspirated or turbocharged methods with varying engine displacements, and one or two energy recovery systems.
For 2016, regulations has outlined that each prototype would have to use a lower amount of energy from the fuel used per lap and have thus reduced the fuel flow for all the competing prototype race cars. As such Porsche says that the engine in their 2016 919 Hybrid racer will produce ‘less than 500hp’. The engine will be put on display at race events exhibitions, and in the Porsche Museum at Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
For the average man on the street however, Porsche says the technology and experience learnt from running the 4-cylinder engine in 2014 and 2015 is now seen in the new 2.5-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged boxer engine in the new 718 Boxster.
The 2016 WEC season will kick off from 25
th
 March with a Prologue event at Paul Ricard circuit in France, while the season highlight, the 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place on the 18
th
 of June. Excluding the Prologue event and Le Mans, the WEC series will comprise of nine races in nine countries.


Geely Join Hands With Renault To Market Cars In China And Korea

Geely
 Holdings and
Renault Group
 have joined hands and inked a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to put in place a framework of cooperation to market cars in both China and Korea.

The venture, as part of Renault’s namesake “Renaulution Plan” will see both companies share resources and technologies to introduce hybrid and other new-energy vehicles in China and Korea.

In China, based on Geely Holding’s existing technologies and mature industrial footprint, both partners will jointly introduce Renault-branded hybrid vehicles. Renault will contribute to branding strategy, channel and service development, defining appropriate customer journey.

In South Korea, where
Renault Samsung
 Motors has over two decades of experience, the MoU allows Renault Group and Geely Holding to jointly explore the localization of vehicles based on
Lynk & Co
’s energy-efficient vehicle platforms for local markets.

The highly strategic partnership will allow Renault to regain access to the world’s largest automotive market through Geely (after a short hiatus), Geely on the other hand, will now have an open door to access the lucrative Korean automotive market and further capitalise on its global supply chain to lower costs and increase its overall volume.

Both automotive groups will also continue to seek more in-depth potential partnerships under the spirit of open and innovative collaboration.


2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 AMG-Line launched in Malaysia - single variant for RM430k

MBM is introducing the second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC in Malaysia, with only one variant available - GLC300 4Matic AMG Line.

The price point of the GLC300 4Matic AMG Line starts at RM429,888 without insurance, which does also include a four-year manufacturer warranty. This model differs from its predecessor in that it is a CBU (fully imported) as opposed to the X253 being locally assembled.

Last June, GLC revealed the X254 worldwide so that it could remain competitive with the BMW X3 and Volvo XC60, its primary rivals, at least in Malaysia. That said, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia have confirmed that CKD operations will expand to include the all-new GLC with those variants earmarked for availability by the end of the year.

While the exterior of the X253 may seem familiar, it does honour certain W206 (C-Class) design elements that add visual width to the back end. It is also a testament to the X253's timeless form that makes it both classic and contemporary at once.

Beefy 20-inch alloys come as standard as well (just don’t ask me to count how many spokes it has), which really lends the GLC the same presence as the very handsome C 300. They are wearing a set of wide Continentals whose bulging sidewalls add a bit of extra brutish charm.

The latest GLC model is a bit bigger than its 2016 forebear, with a length of 4,716mm (+60mm), width at 1,890mm (unchanged) and height of 1,640 mm (-4 mm). It also has an extended wheelbase that measures 2,888 mm (+15 mm).

Tweaks to interior space aren't drastic, but you do gain an extra 70 litres in the boot, bringing it up to 620 litres. Over 12,000 buyers have already purchased the earlier GLC model, making it a wildly successful model for the German brand here.

The real star of the show here is the new interior layout that does the most of the heavy lifting to elevate the cabin’s general visual appeal over its predecessor. That 12.3-inch driver-facing display runs the newest version of MBUX, but we still wonder how long before the Hyperscreen concept introduced in the EQS becomes the new norm.

Under the bonnet, the GLC 300 is equipped with a 2.0-litre M254 inline-4 turbocharged petrol engine along with a 48V belt-driven starter-generator, resulting in it being classified as a mild hybrid (EQ Boost).

Power output is a stout 258PS and 400Nm of torque, and is distributed through a 9-speed automatic transmission system, which in turn drives all four wheels with 4Matic AWD. This is enough raw grunt to send the SUV, substantial it may be, to 100km/h from a standstill in just 6.2 seconds.

For safety, the GLC 300 4Matic comes with Active Brake Assist (Autonomous Emergency Braking), Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. However, a glaring omission is Active Cruise Control with the new model receiving the much less fancy passive system.

Customers will have a variety of choices when it comes to colour with up to 8 options. The standard colours are Obsidian Black, Graphite Grey, Mojave Silver, High-Tech Silver, Spectral Blue and Selenite Grey.

For those looking for something extra special, the last two colors - Diamond White Bright and Hyacinth Red - are part of the Manufaktur collection and come at an additional cost of RM5,000. You can also customize the interior of your GLC with either black or two-tone Sienna Brown/black, at least for the time being.


Frankfurt 2015: All-New Audi S4 (B9) Sedan And Avant Revealed Packing 354HP, 500Nm

Making its premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show is the new Audi S4, available in sedan and Avant variants. Its introduction comes merely a few months after the all-new,
fifth-generation (B9) Audi A4
 was debuted globally, on which the performance-oriented model is based on.
Under the hood of the new
Audi
 S4 resides an uprated 3.0-litre TFSI V6 engine that now offers 354hp and 500Nm, where the latter is accessible from 1,300 rpm to 4,500 rpm. An eight-speed tiptronic transmission directs the power onto Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive system that channels engine torque based on a 60:40 rear-front split during normal driving. If need be, it is capable of channelling up to 70% to front axle or up to 85% to the rear. A sport differential is also available as an option.
On the performance front, the S4 does the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 4.7 seconds and continues going to an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h. Those who are concerned about efficient will be glad to know that the S4 sedan consumes less than 7.4 litres of fuel per 100km, translating to a C02 emissions level of 170g/km.
Like the standard model, the
Audi S4
 sits on the Volkswagen Group’s latest MLB Evo platform and adopts the familiar five-link suspension on the front and rear axle, but sees the S sport suspension revised to be 23mm lower. Ride height is not affected however when opting for the optional suspension that features active damper control. The Audi drive select handling system which comes as standard allows the driver to vary between suspension modes, modulating the continuous damping control dampers.
Distinguishing the Audi S4 from the basic
A4
 requires a keen eye. At the front, the Singleframe grille is more pronounced, flanked by Matrix LED headlights, while the side mirrors are finished with an aluminium look. Moving on to the side, the 18-inch five-twin-spoke wheels (wrapped in 245/40 size tyres) are different in design with the option of 19-inch alternatives available as well. The rear sees a more significant difference with the S-specific rear bumper that integrates a black honeycomb grille, an S‑typical diffuser clip, and the four tailpipes of the dual-branch exhaust system.
Similarly, the cabin gets an update to reflect the S4’s performance capabilities. S sport seats are fitted, upholstered in a combination of Nappa leather and Alcantara. Black is the colour theme used for the interior as well, accompanied by matt brushed aluminium inlays. ‘S4’ badging and logos are also littered around the cabin as well.
As with current Audi models, the virtual cockpit fully digital instrument cluster is available as an option. The new MMI multimedia system is also featured here, based on the processing power of the second generation modular infotainment system (MIB). For the top MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and 8.3 inch monitor, a wide range of in-car options including LTE, Audi smartphone interface, and navigation, is available as well.
Driver assistance systems include Audi active lane assist, adaptive cruise control Stop&Go including traffic jam assist, Park assist, cross traffic assist rear, exit warning, collision avoidance assist, turn assist, and the Audi pre sense systems are specified on the S4 as well.


Khairy Asks If National Automotive Policy's Inclusion Of Flying Vehicles Is For Real

It looks like news reports claiming that the new automotive policy will establish regulatory framework for flying cars is indeed true.
Rembau’s Member of Parliament Khairy Jamaluddin posted on his Twitter today two snapshots of the proposed new National Automotive Policy (NAP) document.
Under the section ‘Direction 1: Technology’ of the document dated March 2019, within the column ‘Standard & Specification,’ flying vehicle is mentioned. Other notable mentions include extending the energy efficient vehicles (EEV) standard to cover motorcycles and commercial vehicles, as well as establishing a test bed for autonomous and connected vehicles (AACV).
Khairy’s tweet carried a sarcastic tone, saying “Seriously, YB @imokman?,” referring to Deputy Minister of International Trade and Ministry Dr. Ong Kian Ming's Twitter handle. MITI is the body responsible for the NAP.
The idea of a locally produced flying car was first mooted by Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Yusof earlier this year.
To be clear, the idea of flying cars is nothing new. The technology has been around for the last 90 years - older than most of you. There is no shortage of working examples or startup companies looking to commercialize them.
Carlist.my is very aware of the feasibility and technological challenges of flying cars, but we are also very well aware that diesels sold in Malaysia are not clean enough for the latest Euro 6 compliant models, and we still haven’t figure out how to tax/incentivize electric vehicles, and providing the infrastructure to charge these cars using renewable energy.
In other words, you need to get a bachelor’s degree before you can qualify for a doctorate right?
Curtis Autoplane, 1917.
Also, flying cars are extremely horrible looking. Planes are designed to stay in the air at high speeds while a car's aerodynamics is meant to make the car stick closer the ground the faster it goes. Trying to work around these two opposite sides of physics is just stupid.
This is why the smartest minds don't talk about flying cars but flying taxis or mini helicopters - vehicles with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability, without the need to drive on public roads. Flying cars is just a loosely used (often erroneously) term.
The minister could have easily avoided the public relations mess if he termed it as 'flying taxi' instead of flying car.
Terrafugia flying car
Among the notable startups in this VTOL vehicle space is Volocopter, which Daimler, the world’s leading premium car manufacturer, has invested USD 30 million in. Uber too is working on a similar initiative under the Uber Elevate label while Boeing is running the GoFly contest, which offers USD 2 million in prize money to anyone who can build an ultra-compact, VTOL vehicle.
Volocopter is developed with Daimler's funding. It's a flying taxi, not a flying car.
Also, what’s stopping commercialization of flying cars is not the technology but the
practicality of the idea
 and associated costs.
You need a pilot’s license before you can fly and getting one is not as simple as going to a driving school and surely the government can’t consider relaxing that requirement. Air travel is also strictly regulated by aviation authority bodies.
Then there is the noise. Flying vehicles will certainly require VTOL ability. Have you heard how loud helicopters are? And you thought cars with Akrapovic exhausts were bad enough.
If the flying vehicle is electric, the battery’s energy density will have to be very high to allow it to accommodate for changing wind conditions and still have a decent travel range but at some point, the mathematics will show that the additional weight from the bigger batteries will quickly reach a point of diminishing return in payload capacity.
The above are problems that Volocopter, Uber Elevate, and GoFly are trying to solve. Lack of standardization of technology, or even the lack of know-how to make a flying vehicle are not any of the challenges.
Meanwhile, can we have trains that stop near our homes? So we can avoid the need to drive to work? So we can skip the traffic just like how people in developed cities that don’t have flying vehicles go to work?
Update: Dr. Ong answers Khairy


Goodyear Malaysia Expands Assurance Tyres Range - Assurance DuraPlus Launched

Goodyear Malaysia has launched a new range of entry-level premium tyres aimed at small/compact vehicles - the Goodyear Assurance DuraPlus.
Despite using the 'DuraPlus' name, the new tyre is not a replacement for the existing DuraPlus range, which will continue to serve value conscious buyers.
Instead, the Assurance DuraPlus is positioned a step above DuraPlus, building on its strong reputation for durability, but adds several additional durability enhancing technologies used on other Goodyear Assurance range of tyres.
One such unique material used is Kevlar. Lightweight and yet strong, Kevlar is commonly used in military applications for protection against bullets. Goodyear's Assurance DuraPlus tyres uses Dupont Kevlar to reinforce and strengthen the tyre structure for enhanced durability.
It is the sixth Goodyear tyre range to be covered by Goodyear Malaysia's unique Worry Free Assurance Programme, which covers the tyre for six months against damages like punctures, cuts, bruises and impact caused during the course of normal driving on a maintained road.
If damage due to road hazard occurs when the depth of tyre tread is more than 6.7mm, customers will get a free replacement tyre. If damage occurs when the tread depth is within 5.5mm and 6.6mm, Goodyear will credit against the purchase of a new Goodyear tyre of the same size and design.
Other Goodyear tyres covered by the Worry Free Assurance Programme is Eagle EfficientGrip, Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2, Eagle F1 Directional 5, EfficientGrip SUV, and Assurance TripleMax.
Like the existing DuraPlus range, Goodyear Malaysia says the Assurance DuraPlus range can last up to 100,000km (tested by Goodyear Testing Division in Thailand with a Honda Jazz equipped with 185/65R14 tyres), thanks to TredLife Technology. Of course, actual service life may vary depending on driving conditions.
For now, Assurance DuraPlus are only available in 14-inch and 15-inch sizes. Goodyear Malaysia said larger sizes will be made available in due time but 13-inch sizes are ruled out as that market will be served by the DuraPlus range.
Prices range from RM226 to RM325, inclusive of GST.


Can The Ora Good Cat Be Malaysia's First Mass-Market BEV?

Affordable, good range and superbly engineered - is the Ora Good Cat a worthy BEV for the mass-market?

When the Ora Haomao or Good Cat was spotted in Klang
last March
, it raised the question of whether the premium-ish compact Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) was destined for the Malaysian showrooms?

Well, another sighting of the Good Cat and its brother the Black Cat in Malaysia by Malaysian Electric Vehicle Owners Club, has elevated people's curiosity even more about this possibility, especially when Thailand, a market that we closely work with and mimic will launch the Good Cat this coming October.

For those of you who do not know, the
Good Cat and Black Cat is an EV made by Ora
, a subsidiary of the much larger Great Wall Motors (GWM), which also sells the Haval brand here in Malaysia through local distributor Go Auto.

GWM made its operations debut in Thailand in February this year and previewed the Ora Good Cat and Haval H6 Hybrid SUV at the same time.

The introduction of the brand also commemorated a full-scale regional production and development base in Rayong, Thailand, one of 12 such production facilities operated by GMW worldwide (which also includes another 5 CKD plants to support its network).

GWM then launched the H6 Hybrid SUV (priced between THB 1,149,000 (RM 149k) to THB 1,249,000 (RM 161k) in June, and it seems like the Good Cat is next in line to be introduced to the Thai market.

With that being said, how does all of this Thai market activity relate to Malaysia, and will we see the Good Cat in Malaysian showrooms soon?

Despite Go Auto's
lack of activity
 in Malaysian in recent times, they do have experience selling and locally assembling Haval models such as
H1
 and
H2
 SUV and other Chinese brands such as Dong Feng trucks and Mian Yang Jinbei light trucks.

This means that if Go Auto wanted to, they could easily locally assemble the Good Cat, which should make the hatchback the most affordable, potentially mass-market BEV in Malaysia.

Why? Because of its price of course. There are no signs yet of how much the Ora Good Cat will go for sale in Thailand, but if its price of 103,900 yuan (RM65,221) to 143,900 yuan (RM90,340) in its homeland, China is anything to go by, then the Good Cat can be considered as one of the most affordable BEVs currently in production.

Because of our trade pact with Thailand, we can also take advantage of lesser duties imposed on a Good Cat CKD pack, potentially seeing a sub RM100k price tag for the BEV, which should give the car an attractive entry point into the Malaysian market.

But is the Good Cat any good?

The Good Cat could be a
game-changer
 given its relative size and cutesy hatchback looks, which offers similar practicality as a Honda Jazz or Perodua Myvi. And given Malaysia's love of hatchbacks, an EV with the right stuff and, more importantly, right price could create quite a buzz locally.

Besides that, the Good Cat is also a superbly engineered BEV.

Based on the 'GWM Lemon' platform, the car features a front-wheel-drive layout with its single 145PS and 210Nm electric motor sat above the front axle. Supplying charge is a lithium-ion battery, of course, but buyers will be able to choose between capacities of 47.8kWh and 59.1kWh depending on the market.

The latter is capable of powering the car for up to 500km in between recharges, even the smaller 47.8 kWh battery is claimed to offer a substantial 400km range. In addition to slower AC charging, a recharge time of 80% in under 30 minutes is claimed to be possible when plugged into a DC fast charger.

The Good Cat also offers a rather stylish and premium interior, which highlights a dual-screen infotainment and digital instrument cluster combo similar to the Mercedes-Benz MBUX system, as well as a central rotary drive controller. The interior looks pretty plush too, with hints of premium-ish switchgear and upholstery detailing.

When it comes to safety, the Good Cat is supplied with an impressive number of driver assistance systems, including AEB, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and the company's proprietary intelligent self-parking suite.

First Malaysian mass-market BEV?

So based on these facts and assessments, could we see the Good Cat in Malaysian showrooms soon? Well, the potential is there, but Go Auto needs to get in gear and plan the execution with extreme care because as far as we are concerned, this is so far the best opportunity to give the Malaysian people an affordable BEV.

They are after all testing them, so let's put some faith in them and hope it comes through.

Would you buy one? Let us know in the comments.


2020 Toyota Corolla Cross Comes To Indonesia, But What About Us?

You can never have too many SUVs, and the recently launched 2020 Toyota Corolla Cross is a prime example of this. But when do we get it?

You can’t really fault Toyota for trying, but the
Corolla Cross SUV
 felt like a bit of a forced move to compete with other offerings from other manufacturers – at least in the ASEAN region. With the regional launch in Bangkok taking place recently, we were surprised to learn that the mid-sized SUV would make its Indonesian debut next.

It seems to be launching with two 1.8-litre variants – one that pushes 140 hp and 175 Nm of torque, sending power to the front wheels through a CVT-type automatic transmission, and the other being a hybrid with 122 PS of total system output once again sending power only to the front wheels.

What kind of prices do Indonesians have to pay for this all-new model? The regular petrol model goes for IDR 457.8 million ( RM 130,000), while the hybrid model is expectedly pricier at IDR 497.8 million (RM 140,000). These prices are similar to those in Thailand, though the hybrid variant is noticeably more expensive.

When can we expect to see the
2020 Toyota Corolla Cross
 come to Malaysia? It’s hard to say, as UMW Toyota has had their hands full trying to manage what they already have and we’re not entirely sure what kind of pricing they could bring the Corolla Cross in at. Then the next question is when it does come in, will it steal sales from the ever popular darling of Malaysia, the
Proton X70
? Whatever it is, it will be interesting to see how they eventually position the model as it looks to be heavily geared for ASEAN markets.


Fuel Price Update: 22nd – 28th March – Prices Up

The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism (KPDNKK) has announced new fuel prices for the fourth week of March.
Both the price of petrol and diesel will have a 2 sen increase from 22nd of March as mentioned below:
RON95 – RM2.20 per litre (up 2 sen from RM2.18)
RON97 – RM2.47 per litre (up 2 sen from RM2.45)
Diesel – RM2.18 per litre (up 2 sen from RM2.16)


2016 Range Rover Evoque: LED Headlamps, All-Terrain Progress Control

Land Rover
 has updated its
Range Rover Evoque
 for 2016 by introducing a slew of new design features as well as technologies. The updated model will make its world debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show next month.
Exterior Design
From the outside, the 2016 Range Rover Evoque largely resembles the previous model and is still available in both coupe and five-door body styles. However, a new front bumper that comes with two new grille designs now feature enlarged lower air intakes, which also house new slimline LED fog lamps.
Other exterior changes include bonnet vents, a new tailgate spoiler, roof fins, and slimmer LED brake lights. Additionally, three new alloy wheel designs are available as well, ranging from 17- to 20-inch sizes. The most noticeable out of all these visual introductions are the full-LED adaptive headlights, a first for any Land Rover model.
The headlights react to steering input to light up the curves in the road while cornering and is integrated with daytime-running lights (DRLs).
Interior Design
Changes inside the cabin include new seats and door casings, along with a redesigned instrument cluster. The new seats are available in two designs, each with three different materials to choose from as well as four levels of adjustment, up to 14-way electric memory seats with four-way lumbar support and fully adjustable bolsters.
Soft-touch materials and a variety of colour combinations for other parts of the interior trim make up the rest of the Evoque’s interior.
Powertrain
Engine options for the new Evoque come in the form of petrol or diesel units where the former is a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine (240 PS, 340 Nm) paired to a ZF nine-speed automatic transmission which delivers power to the ground via a four-wheel drive system. Stop-start fuel-saving technology is present here too.
The latter is Jaguar Land Rover’s new EU6 emissions compliant Ingenium turbodiesel engines, which will also make its debut on the Jaguar XE in the future. Two choices of the Ingenium four-cylinder turbocharged are available, the first being the eD4, offering 150 PS and 430 Nm whereas the TD4 offers 180 PS and 430 Nm. These turbodiesel engines can be paired with either a nine-speed auto or six-speed manual and is available with two or four-wheel drive options.
All-Terrain Progress Control
Land Rover’s All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) also makes its debut here. The technology maintains a pre-determined speed to creep the vehicle either forward or in reverse up to 30 km/h, allowing the driver to focus on navigating the off-road terrain. Combined with a water wading depth of 500 mm, the company is confident in the Evoque’s off-road prowess.
Safety
The new Range Rover Evoque comes with existing systems including Blind-Spot Monitor & Closing Vehicle Sensing, Head-Up Display, Lane-Departure Warning and Traffic Sign Recognition along with Land Rover InControl technologies.
Other safety technologies include Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane-Keeping Assist, Attention Assist Estimation, and a Hands-Free Tailgate for convenience.
Equipment
The Land Rover InControl touchscreen infotainment system features smartphone connectivity, navigation, and handles all multimedia functions as well with a variety of media inputs.
Entertainment options and also be expanded to include rear-seat video screen systems, wireless headphones and an 11- or 17-speaker Meridian audio system.


Honda Enhances The 2019 NSX To Be Quicker, Yet More Comfortable

Honda has announced a range of enhancements for the 2019 NSX which in an effort to make the hybrid supercar more pleasurable to drive on a day-to-day basis, and even more exciting to drive on track.
Honda has equipped the 2019 NSX with larger front and rear stabiliser bars which increase stiffness by 26% at the front and 19% at the rear. The rear hubs and control-arm toe link bushings are also stiffer, further boosting responsiveness through the chassis.
Beyond the hardware upgrades, Honda has also recalibrated the software controlling its Sport Hybrid SH-AWD power unit, electric power steering, Vehicle Stability Assist system, and the active dampers.
The dampers now provide a ride and response that is even more comfortable in the NSX’s softest setting, while maintaining the stiffer set-up for higher speeds and on-track driving.
In combination with the revisions to the chassis hardware and software, the 2019 NSX will be fitted as standard with the Continental SportContact 6 high-performance tyres.
Powertrain updates for the 2019 model-year include upgraded injectors, enhancement to the heat response of the turbocharger, and a new particulate filter to ensure that the NSX complies with the Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standards while maintaining its high level of performance.
Thanks to these improvements, the 2019 NSX is 2 seconds faster than the current model around the world-famous Suzuka circuit.
In terms of aesthetics, the car can be specified in a new Thermal Orange Pearlescent paint colour with the additional choice of orange calipers for the optional carbon-ceramic brake discs.
The chrome finish of the upper front grille surround is now colour-matched to the bodywork, while a new gloss-black finish is applied to the mesh in the front and rear bumpers.
Inside, buyers now have the added choice of full red leather for the upholstery, or a new Indigo Blue trim if opting for the Alcantara and leather trim combination.
That being said, the updated 2019 Honda NSX is expected to be arriving at showrooms worldwide in 2019.


34 Million Takata-Made Air Bag Inflators Declared Defective In The U.S., Largest Product Recall In American History

Automotive air bag supplier Takata Corp. has expanded the recall of its defective inflator mechanisms in the U.S. to 34 million units, making it the largest consumer product recall in American history.

Previously, the company had issued a recall of 18 million vehicles for the problematic airbags and this week’s announcement now means nearly one out of every seven cars on U.S. roads today are affected.

The defect can cause the airbags to explode violently when deployed, spewing shrapnel into the cabin of the car, possibly injuring the occupants of the car. Several deaths have been linked to the this issue, one involving a Malaysian where the woman’s 2003 Honda City met with a collision that resulted in the faulty driver’s-side airbag exploding, sending metal shards into her body.

Takata Corp. supplies its airbags to many car makers as well – Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, BMW and General Motors just to name a few. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) currently does not have a list of cars affected by the recall. However, with the number of car makers that source their airbags from Takata, the recalls will certainly not be limited to the U.S. only.

In Malaysia,
UMW Toyota Motors recently issued a recall
 for its vehicles in relation to Takata-sourced airbags. We have yet to receive any word from other car makers if their vehicles have been affected by ‘Takata-gate’.

Sources:
NBC Washington
,
The Wall Street Journal
,
The New York Times
,
Wikipedia


Toyota Provides Aid to Frontliners, Launches Online Showroom

In an effort to lend a helping hand to the frontliners who are working tirelessly to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd recently provided the Royal Malaysian Police and the Malaysian Relief Agency with some equipment to make their day-to-day operations safer.

The company provided both PDRM and the Malaysian Relief Agency with 10,000 sets of seat covers, gear knobs, and steering covers each to ensure that the vehicles being used stay as clean and safe as possible, as the covers can be removed and disinfected, or even disposed upon usage.

Besides the above, the company also provided assistance in the form of food, masks, and other essentials at the Royal Malaysian Police and Malaysian Relief Agency members’ respective locations.

On a separate note, UMW Toyota Motor also announced the introduction of their own Online Showroom, in which customers can browse through the list of models on sale, book test drives, access the sales and services locator, and receive the latest news and updates on the company's promotions and activities, all during the MCO period where movement is very limited.


The ‘Green Hell’ – By Alex Yoong

In the later part of May this year, I got the chance to do the 24 hours of Nurburgring for the third time in my career. Let me just say that I love this race. When I say love, I really mean LOVE in upper case.
There may be bigger known races out there, like LeMans, Monaco or even the Indy 500, but from a pure driving challenge that combines the intensity of the track with the unpredictability of the road, nothing can touch the 24 hours, or as locals like to call it, “The Green Hell”.
The Nurburgring is actually broken up into two parts – The Nordsheife (North Loop), which is the best bit: 20km of undulating stuff; and the South loop, which is where the modern Formula 1 circuit (5km) is placed and that bit is rather typical and boring.
It’s the last of the old fashion tracks that a car racer can ever drive, let alone race on. The massive 25km of undulating tarmac that weaves itself in and out of the Eifel Mountains in Germany is the longest closed circuit track I have ever raced on. As far as I know, only the Isle of Mann circuit in Britain is longer than the Green Hell and that only gets used once a year and it’s for bikes only.
So why is the Nurburgring so great? Well I can think of four reasons. Lets look at the first one, where it got its name from.
Weather
The track is surrounded by lush green vegetation – which obviously is why it gets its name – and this is due to the rain it receives so often there. What makes it so hellish is that the weather changes so quickly as it speeds over the mountains. It’s not unusual to see dry, wet, snow and even hail all on one lap, let alone over a race. So, a driver has to always be aware of what and where the weather is coming from.
I’ve been on dry slicks and come across pouring rain for a five kilometer section and then been told to stay out because even though five kilometers is usually a long stretch, it’s only one fifth of the total length of this track. I’ve then come around the next lap and had that same stretch become completely dry and that another section now has fog and rain. It’s really that crazy and for a rookie driver it can be very scary indeed.
Elevation
The next reason, which makes it pretty unique, is the elevation changes. The Eau Rouge corner in Spa is rightly seen as the best corner in the world and this is due to its steep elevation change though a fast corner. However at the Nurburgring there are five sections that can rival Eau Rouge for the same stomach churning, ar*e h*le-tightening thrill. I’ll list them here, so please have a look at
the video
 (playable below) and circuit map to see exactly where they are.
Flugplatz (Flying Place). In a GT3 car, the front tyres always lift up over the blind brow on the approach to it. It’s sometimes touch and go whether we actually will be able to regain contact with the ground in time before making the turn in of the corner. It’s where Manfred Winkelhock famously flipped his car in the early eighties and also where a spectator was tragically killed earlier in the year.
Fuchsrohre (Fox Hole). It’s taken flat out in sixth gear and dips a long way and so fast that your ears pop. This happens every lap.
Dreifach Rechts (Triple Right). It’s a long very fast right-hander with three apexes. Very fast because it is at such a steep angle down hill that your brain cries out to hit the brake instead of going for full throttle.
Wippermann. It’s a right, left, left, right sequence that is taken almost flat out in forth. It dips up and down like a roller coaster and personally it was the hardest part for me to get right on account of it all being blind.
Pflantzgarten (Plants Garden). All four wheels leave the ground before you have to turn right in forth gear. Great for photo’s, not so good for the heart.
Sprunghugel (Jump Hill). Again you get airbourne here, but at a much faster flat out in fifth left hander. Once you land it’s straight into the Bellof S, which is a chicane that is still taken flat out but in 6th. Get it wrong here and it’s the mother of all shunts.
Which brings us to the next part of why it’s so great.
Speed
In a GT3 car we will hit over 250kph seven times a lap. Twice on the Formula 1 track, which is no biggie as the road is wide, with lots of run off area. Here are the other five places we hit this speed.
Firstly is at Schwedenkreuz which is a big deal because it dips and rises so much through that bit you can’t see the end of the straight. You also have to pick a line through this “straight” that is not optimum for minimum track distance but because if you don’t you will have all four wheels off the ground. Which is not so fun at 250kph.
Next up is the Fuchsrohre. Wait a minute I hear you say, “Isn’t that a corner?” That’s right boys and girls you hit that speed on a flat out left hander which is at the bottom of a dip, so you will get full compression at this point and for good measure the car always squirms here. My bum always gets a bit squeaky here. Did I mention that there is no run off area here too? Definitely a crash of unbelievable levels if you go off at this one.
Kesselchen is the next part that is seriously fast. It’s a long up hill part that just winds up through the mountain. A couple of seriously fast corners that took me a long time to take with full throttle. But you must take flat out if you want to be quick.
‘Stefen Bellof S’ is another series of corners that you need to take flat out at over 250kph. It’s also blind. With no run off. With huge curbs. I always grip the steering wheel extra tight here.
Which brings us to Dottinger Hohe, which is the only real straight on the whole Nordsheife. It’s 2 kilometers long and we will top out at about 270-280kph here. The exciting part is breaking at the end of it at Tiergarten. It’s a long six corner chicane. You take the first part flat out and you get airborne (again), lift for the next part, then full throttle again, then brake like your life depends on it (which it does) due to there being no run off (again).
Reason number 4 for why the 24 hours of Nurburgring is so damn great…
Traffic
At the 24hours, it’s usual to get over 200 cars. This may seem like a lot (and it is), but when you consider it’s spread over a 25km track, it kinda makes sense. What makes it so insane is that some of these cars can be up to a minute and a half slower per lap, which means if you’re in a GT3 car, you’re in for a lot of overtaking.
The constant overtaking of slower traffic then results in the sensation that you are driving along a highway instead of a racetrack. It’s the only time I’ve ever experienced this in my motor racing career, whereas its pretty usual if you have ever driven in down town KL.
To add to this is that there are no safety cars at this race. If there is an accident, you will see yellow flags and cones around it, just like a highway accident. It’s not unusual to see tow trucks or fire vehicles at the scene of the accident around a blind bend. As for spilt oil? It’s there constantly and we often feel it before we see it. This has resulted in multi car pile-ups before.
Fortunately for us this year, we managed to stay clear of all this and finish a credible 12th.  Especially when you consider that it was the first time for my co drivers, Marchy Lee, Franky Cheng and Shaun Tong. Oh and the car as usual ran faultlessly.
The blind corners, the vertical G, the speed, the cars, the traffic, and the obstacles all add to make this a truly unique race that I love. One that scares the crap out of me but one I’ll never resist the chance to try again.
Please check out the map to see which parts I refer to in this article and also
the video
 of one lap of the Nurburgring. It’s from the opening stint in the 24hours and I chose it because it was a clear (ish) lap of traffic.
You may notice the speeds don’t match what I’ve described in the article so far. That’s because due to the tragic accident earlier in the year, the race organizers on safety grounds decided to put in yellow flag zones in a couple of spots to slow us down.
Safety is an important consideration and for all the reasons I’ve mentioned before, it’s why a GT3 car is the fastest vehicle they will allow at this race.


New Vehicle Sales In Malaysia – January 2017

The Malaysian automotive sector is off to a predictable but somewhat weak start to the year. As expected, January’s sales are significantly weaker following the frenzy of heavy discounting by dealers in the preceding two months, as dealers and manufacturers alike pushed hard to hit their 2016 targets.
A total of 44,667 new vehicles were sold in the first month of 2017, down 31 percent from December 2016. However the numbers mirror January’s characteristically slow pace, growing just 0.2 percent from January 2016.
Honda continues to be the star, with 8,594 cars sold. The top-selling non-national brand in Malaysia now controls almost 20 percent of the local market. Honda continues to be the star, with 8,594 cars sold. The top-selling non-national brand in Malaysia now controls almost 20 percent of the local market. The company has set its sights to break the 100,000 unit sales per year ceiling by the end of this year, pushed by the tailwind of strong demand for its overachieving models like the
BR-V
,
Civic
,
City
, Jazz and Accord – all of which are best-sellers in their respective segments.
Perodua continues to lead in the overall standings, but its market share is now down 6 percent to 32 percent. Following its dramatic 59 percent month-on-month increase experienced in December 2016, driven mostly by dealer incentives and promotions, sales of Perodua cars have since normalized to 14,203 cars last month, down 42 percent month-on-month.
In the premium segment, Mercedes-Benz is off to a strong start by growing 5 percent month-on-month. Excluding contribution from its commercial vehicles division, sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles are already outselling mainstream brands like Mazda.
Volkswagen also bucked the trend of a typically weak January by growing 58 percent, possibly boosted by the company’s
trade-in campaign
 for the new Jetta and the all-new Passat.


Mitsubishi’s All-New Triton Soldiers Through The 2015 Borneo Safari

The Borneo Safari is a true test of a vehicles toughness, endurance, and versatility in the face of challenging terrain. It has carved that reputation over the past 25 years as one of the most arduous 4X4 expeditions.
Taking on this year’s event is the all-new
Triton
 from
Mitsubishi
 Motors Malaysia, following predecessors like the
Pajero
 and even old Mitsubishi Jeeps that had been in thick of the Borneo Safari of years past.
“MMM is glad to participate in the Borneo Safari event this year with the all-new Triton Adventure. Borneo Safari is one of Asia’s most grueling off-road events and MMM is proud to say that the all-new Triton is set to conquer all terrain obstacles with its off-road driving capabilities,” said Chief Executive Officer of MMM, Mr. Yang Won-Chul.
The Triton enters the fray as a corporate vehicle with Borneo Safari veterans Paul Si from Sarawak and Lionel Yew from Selangor.
“We are proud to be entrusted by Mitsubishi with this mission, to take on the Borneo Safari in the all-new Triton, which will go in with the absolute minimum of modifications,” said Si, who took part in the 1992 and 2008 events, and has not missed a Safari since 2012.
He added: “Many participants will have done extensive modifications to their vehicles, some because they have encountered problems in previous events and have learned what are the weaknesses that need to be rectified,”
“We will try to do it while keeping the Triton as standard as possible ... we have to have a winch, and a bullbar for protection and recovery points, and the organisers tell us that tyres with extreme tread patterns are compulsory so that we will need to make some mods to the wheel arch and suspension just to fit these big tyres.
The Triton is now being outfitted with the compulsory equipment, including a strong bullbar in front, reinforced rear bumpers, a Warn winch with 9,000-pound pulling capacity and GT Radial Komodo 35” tyres.
“Other than that, we want to show that the standard Triton, as it left the showroom floor, is capable of handling tough terrain. If it looks kind of ordinary compared to the other monsters at the flag-off ... well, looking ordinary is actually the whole point.”
The 2015 Borneo Safari will flag off at 9.30am on October 25th from the Sabah Tourism Board building in Kota Kinabalu and will end on 1
st
 November. In between, the vehicles and participants will tackle hardcore stretches of terrain in the Rundum and Lagud Seberang area in the southwest region of Sabah.


Peugeot Malaysia Now Offers 5 Years Warranty + 5 Years Free Maintenance

Bermaz Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd (BAASB)
, the sole distributor of
Peugeot
 here in Malaysia, has announced that all new Peugeot vehicles sold in the country will now come with five years free maintenance as well as five years warranty 'with immediate effect'. This updated coverage applies to three model offerings -
2008, 3008, and 5008
.

For those who are wondering about the free maintenance package by Peugeot, this is inclusive of labour, parts, and lubricants (terms and conditions apply). If there's ever a way to enhance a vehicle ownership experience as well as elevate peace of mind, this is probably one of the best ways to do it.

To further add to the overall ownership convenience, Peugeot owners can also
book a service appointment
 online via
customer.peugeot.com.my.
 This online portal also allows owners to check out other important aspects of Peugeot ownership such as service centre locations, vehicle details, recalls, and of course, exploring the latest model offerings here in Malaysia.

Speaking of any questions or issues pertaining to matters like warranty and recalls, owners are encouraged to update their latest information via
https://baasb.com.my/Peugeot/index.html
. This will allow the system to check on things like warranty and even update customers if and when there are any rising matters like recalls.

Don't worry, all your data is kept and protected under the Personal Data Protection Act law (PDPA).


Ops Khas Lampu HID – 496 Kenderaan Diperiksa, 55 Saman Dikeluarkan

Masih terdapat segelintir pemandu dikesan mengabaikan keselamatan pengguna jalan raya lain dengan memasang
lampu 'High Intensity Discharged' (HID)
 melebihi kuasa ditetapkan oleh Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ).

Dalam Operasi Khas Lampu HID yang dijalankan oleh
JPJ
 di Kilometer 5.5, Jalan Seremban - Tampin berhampiran JPJ Senawang di sini, Selasa lalu telah menyaksikan sebanyak 55 saman pelbagai kesalahan telah dikeluarkan.

Pengarah JPJ Negeri Sembilan, Hanif Yusabra Yusuf berkata, pihaknya telah memeriksa sebanyak 496 kenderaan dalam operasi yang mengambil masa selama 2 jam yang bermula 9 malam itu. Daripada jumlah itu, sebanyak 35 buah kenderaan dikenakan tindakan mengikut Kaedah 94 Kaedah-Kaedah Kenderaan Motor 1959 kerana memasang lampu HID secara retrofit tanpa kebenaran," tambahnya.

*Sumber foto: Sinar Harian

"Sebanyak 32 Notis P22 iaitu notis arah periksa dikeluarkan bagi kesalahan mengikut Seksyen 61(1) Akta Pengangkutan Jalan (APJ) 1987. Kami turut mengeluarkan 10 Notis PG1 (notis larangan penggunaan) selain dua notis penyitaan atas kesalahan mengikut Seksyen 64(1) APJ 1987," katanya dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.

Berkenaan Notis P22, jika ada pemilik kenderaan tidak hadir pemeriksaan dalam tempoh yang diberikan, pemilik boleh dikenakan kompaun dan disenarai hitam daripada memperbaharui lesen memandu atau lesen kenderaan motor.

*Sumber foto: Harian Metro

Tambah beliau, pihaknya sebelum ini kerap mengadakan advokasi keselamatan jalan raya bagi mendidik pengguna supaya mematuhi peraturan yang ditetapkan, bagaimanapun tindakan penguatkuasaan dan saman adalah langkah terakhir.

Beliau turut mengingatkan bahawa setiap peraturan dan undang-undang yang digubal bukan untuk menghukum tetapi bertujuan memberi kesedaran kepada pengguna supaya dapat meningkatkan tahap keselamatan jalan raya.

Lampu HID merupakan lampu yang tidak menggunakan filamen tetapi menggunakan gas Xenon. Pemasangan lampu HID secara aksesori (retrofit) adalah tidak dibenarkan kecuali penukaran keseluruhan sistem lampu tersebut dengan mendapat kebenaran daripada badan yang diberi kuasa seperti SIRIM.

Pengubahsuaian lampu secara retrofit bermaksud anda mengubahsuai atau menambah sesuatu lampu yang tiada semasa penghasilan kereta tersebut di kilang. Pemandu tidak dibenarkan untuk menukar lampu halogen biasa kepada lampu HID dengan sewenang-wenangnya untuk menambah kecerahan lampu kerana ia dikira salah di sisi undang-undang.

*Kredit foto: Alla Lighting Automotive LED Bulbs

Lampu halogen yang diubahsuai ke lampu jenis HID akan menjadi terlalu terang sehingga mengganggu pengguna jalan raya yang lain terutamanya pada waktu malam. Ini kerana sistem pemantulan lampu kereta anda direka untuk penggunaan lampu halogen, bukanlah lampu HID. Dengan menggunakan lampu HID, pantulan lampu tersebut boleh menjadi terlalu tinggi dan menyebabkan silau pada pemandu lain. Sebab itu penukaran lampu halogen ke HID ini
diharamkan oleh JPJ
 kecuali mengikut piawaian yang ditetapkan.

Pemasangan Lampu HID yang diluluskan adalah yang mematuhi United Nations Regulations seperti berikut:

UNECE R48: Installation Of Light

UNECE R98: Gas-Discharge Headlamp

UNECE R99: Gas-Discharge Headlamp Source dan pemasangan lampu HID yang dilakukan oleh syarikat pengeluar kenderaan yang mematuhi standard di atas.

Sebagai contoh, United Nations Regulations 48 (UNR48) yang berkaitan lampu kenderaan, lampu utama kenderaan hanya boleh menggunakan lampu dengan kadar pancaran cahaya (brightness intensity) 4,300K maksimum. Tetapi dalam pasaran, terdapat lampu HID yang mencecah sehingga 16,000K. Jika didapati bersalah, anda boleh didenda sehingga RM 2000 atau penjara bagi tempoh tidak lebih 6 bulan dibawah seskyen 119 (1) APJ 1987.

Jika tahap kecerahan lampu kereta anda kurang memuaskan, anda boleh tukar mentol lampu halogen yang lebih baik dan cerah untuk memberi pencahayaan yang lebih baik ketika memandu pada waktu malam.
Osram
 dan Philips merupakan antara jenama yang menawarkan lampu yang sah disisi undang-undang Malaysia yang boleh anda dapatkan sebagai alternatif.


Toyota Readies New Plant For 2019 All-New Toyota Corolla Altis

A recent report by Japan's Nikkei Asian Review regarding Toyota's expansion in Mexico and China has suggested that the next generation Toyota Corolla Altis will be built based on the company's new TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, and is likely to make its global debut in the US in 2019.
The current 11th generation Toyota Corolla Altis was lauched in Malaysia in 2014, slightly one year after the model made its global debut in USA and Europe, albeit with a different exterior styling for both regions, with Malaysia adopting the European market model's styling.
Toyota has yet to make an official announcement on the matter but according to Nikkei, Toyota is expected to spend some 150 billion Yen to construct a new plant in China in 2018, and in Mexico in 2019.
The Chinese plant will be built in Guangzhou and will have a capacity of 100,000 cars per year while the Mexican plant will be built in Guanajuato, with a capacity of 200,000 cars per year. The Mexican plant is also said to be equipped to build TNGA platform Toyota Corollas and will serve as a model factory for other new Toyota factories around the world.


Volvo launches V40 Adventure Package and Life Paint with Cyclists in Mind

Volvo Car Malaysia, in partnership with its authorised dealer, Clear Marque Sdn Bhd, and Go Sportz Sdn Bhd, the organisers of the recent RHB-Shimano Highway Ride launched Volvo Life Paint and the Volvo V40 Adventure Package in a brief ceremony at the Kajang Selatan Toll Plaza.
The launch was held in conjunction with the RHB-Shimano Highway Ride – a night cycling event which sees the participation of over 3,000 cyclists from 16 countries. The event presents a perfect opportunity to demonstrate Volvo’s innovative technologies, developed to increase the safety of cyclists on our roads.
Made in collaboration with Albedo100, the Volvo Life Paint is a unique water-based reflective spray that is invisible by daylight but glows brightly under the direct glare of car headlights, increasing the visibility of cyclists at night.
“Volvo Life Paint is a great complement to the other active safety systems that are already available in our model range – an excellent example of this is the Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection System which automatically detects and avoids collisions with pedestrians or cyclists,” said Stegland.
Throughout the event, interested members of the public could either purchase or pre-order their own Volvo Life Paint exclusively with Volvo’s authorised dealer, Clear Marque Sdn Bhd.
In addition to the Life Paint, Volvo Car Malaysia also launched the Volvo V40 Adventure Package which features useful accessories aimed at Volvo owners with an active lifestyle. Part of the available packages include frame-mounted bicycle holders (RM435), load carriers (RM2,101), bumper dirt covers (RM352) and load compartment mats (RM776).
According to Volvo Car Malaysia, the Life Paint is priced at RM110 inclusive of 6% GST and will be available for order at other authorised Volvo dealers nationwide, starting only in mid-May 2016. Customers ordering via Clear Marque Sdn Bhd will be the first to receive their Volvo Life Paint.


Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 Style Variant Launched In Malaysia – RM223,888

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today announced the expansion of the GLA model lineup with the introduction of the GLA 200 Style variant.

Priced at RM223,888 on the road without insurance, the GLA 200 Style is now the most affordable GLA variant, followed by the GLA 200 Night Edition (RM248,888), GLA 250 AMG Line (RM274,888), and of course, the range-topping Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 which asks for RM413,888.

Powering the GLA 200 Style is the same 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo engine as the GLA 200 Night Edition producing 156 hp and 250 Nm of maximum torque, and paired to the engine is the 7G-DCT transmission which enables the car to go from 0 -100km/h in 8.1 seconds.

Key exterior features include 18-inch twin-spoke light-alloy wheels, additional high-gloss inserts on the radiator trim, as well as a chromed beltline trim strip and load sill guard.

On the inside, the GLA 200 Style comes with Artico leather and Macapa fabric seats that are finished with a pattern inspired by tyre tracks, and an infotainment system which includes an 8-inch display and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Where safety is concerned, there is Attention Assist, Active Brake Pre-Safe system, Active Parking Assist with Parktronic, as well as LED High Performance headlamps.

Looking for a new Mercedes-Benz? Find the best deals
here
.


Fuel Price Update: 11th May to 17th May – 10 Sen Down For RON97

The Ministry of Finance Malaysia has announced the updated prices of petrol and diesel fuels starting from 11th May.
The price of RON97 petrol will decrease 10 sen to RM 2.70 per litre, while the price of RON95 petrol is capped at RM 2.08 per litre.
The price of diesel will remain capped at RM 2.18 per litre for Euro 2M and RM 2.28 for Euro 5 respectively.
In summary, the prices for petrol and diesel are listed below:
RON95 – RM 2.08 per litre (unchanged, capped)
RON97 – RM 2.70 per litre (down 10 sen)
Diesel Euro 2M – RM 2.18 per litre (unchanged, capped)
Diesel Euro 5M – RM 2.28 per litre (unchanged, capped)


Traveled To Selangor Without Authorization? The Police Are Coming For You.

With Raya just around the corner, we’ve been seeing our social media feeds populated with photos of jammed highways and long queues at roadblocks. This is unsurprising because many are still attempting to make their interstate journeys back home in time for the celebration – and to do so you need authorization from the police.

Unfortunately, the police are no longer providing this authorization so it’s too bad for those who didn’t manage to get it in time. In terms of figures, however, compliance seems to be at a reasonable level. In Selangor alone, 118,852 vehicles passed through 14 roadblocks – and only 2,400 or so were forced to turn around. More bad news – if you attempt this without authorization, you are going to get a summons (and be told to turn around).

But that’s not why we’re here today. The biggest news is that the police will be roaming around Selangor and checking the number plates of vehicles – especially in residential areas – to make sure that no illegal interstate travellers have popped up over here. They can cross check the license plates with the permitted list of vehicles from those who applied for authorization.

That being said, we wouldn’t be too worried if you happen to own a car in Selangor that doesn’t wear Selangor plates. It’s fairly easy to check the registration of the vehicle and to compare and contrast the owner’s registered address to the address that the car is parked at. Just try to make sure that your details are up to date on your IC and registration documents, and you should be fine.


Volvo – The Swedish Interloper That Tore Down The Exclusive German Premium Car Club

Cars have been around for a little more than 130 years, initially as something that only the rich could afford. In that timeframe, we have seen the hierarchy of leading premium car marques swapping positions at least three times.
Initially, it was the Germans (Mercedes-Benz, Horch) and the British (Rolls Royce) that ruled the roads; understandable considering that the former invented cars (Karl Benz) while the latter invented pneumatic tyres (John Boyd Dunlop) and tarred roads (John McAdam).
Sometime between the two world wars, the Americans (Cadillac and Duesenberg) muscled their way in at the expense of the short-lived French Bugatti. This three-way contest between Germany, Great Britain, and USA would continue well into the ‘70s, until the Germans compensated for their loss in World War 2 by pushing out both former Allied Forces, turning premium cars into a Germans-only contest.
So convincing was their public relations machinery that we now have a new generation of consumers who can’t name a premium brand that isn’t German. Only Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi – the German Big 3 - are worthy mentions.
The same people who would berate a Lexus for being an overpriced Toyota won’t acknowledge that Audis are reskinned Volkswagens. It doesn’t matter how good a Lexus LS 500 or a Genesis G90 is, because buying any other alternative is something that society somehow requires you to justify.
This German-only option is part of the reason why the current available options in the premium car space have been rather boring. Petrolheads from the earlier eras could choose between a flamboyant fin-tailed Cadillac, a stately Mercedes-Benz, or a sleek racy looking Jaguar.
Today, we can only choose between more of the same. Pick a size; C, E, or S, 3, 5, or 7 for small, medium, or large. Then you pick between a sedan or an SUV body - all different flavours of the same German dish. It’s part of the reason why we hardly get excited over any new car launch these days.
Which brings us to this interloper from Sweden. The new range of Volvo models now drive as well as BMWs, rides more comfortably than many Mercedes-Benzes, with better interiors than most Audis. But if you are going to convince your friends that Volvo is the better car, we wish you good luck and we admire your perseverance.
But this post is going to attempt to make a case for this Swedish alternative anyway. Why? Because just as two-party governments work better, and companies that promote diversity are more progressive, a more diverse car market makes for a better place for consumers. The market needs a credible non-German alternative and a progressive Volvo is exactly that.
There’s also another reason. Because Volvo is Swedish, they don’t like to boast about themselves. Somebody has to step in and open the eyes of consumers.
We love Volvos because they offer a refreshing alternative, one that adopts a more passive-aggressive Nordic approach to building premium cars, an approach that celebrates humanity first and engineering second.
But don’t for one moment assume this means that Swedish engineering is second rate. Sweden has only one-third of Malaysia’s population but it has the world’s highest number of Nobel prize laureates per capita of population. Sweden also has one of the world’s highest ratio of scientists and engineers.
The result? This Swedish marque remains the only car company to produce twin-charged (supercharged and turbocharged) engines. Their T8 Twin Engine models makes up to 407 hp and 640 Nm of torque, more than enough to pull away from any 5 Series or E-Class bar an M or AMG model, but speed is not something that Volvo likes to emphasize. For them, taking good care of humans is far more important than bragging rights.
This is the company that set a lap record on the Nurburgring, not for a public relations exercise, but to confirm their suspicion that they are indeed faster than anyone else, and they kept quiet about it.
In 2016, an aging second generation S60 Polestar, which was already at the end of its lifecycle, set a then-new record for production four-door sedans, with a time of 7:51.110. The record was only revealed to the public one year later. Keep in mind that this S60 was based on a decade old platform.
How fast is 7:51:110? Just two years before Volvo’s quiet attempt, a BMW M4 set a time of 7:52. Yes, a sedate looking 4-door Volvo sedan spanked a two-door BMW M car at the 'Ring. Please meditate on that for a moment. One could only imagine what the newer
SPA-platform S60
 could do.
The Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA) is the only one of its kind, and underpins all current 60- and 90-series Volvos. Unlike rivals, the SPA platform keeps the heavy hybrid battery in the middle of the car for adequate protection even in the most severe crashes, and also to maintain optimal balance, so the car has enough agility to avoid a danger in the first place.
Volvo is also the only brand in its class to offer semi-autonomous driving functions, known as Pilot Assist. Engage it and you can briefly let go of the steering wheel. The car’s complex set of camera and milimetre wave radar will read the lane markings and presence of objects around it and steer the vehicle accordingly. Current regulations don’t allow the function to operate for any more than 15 seconds, but you can engage it while you grab something from your bag. The idea is that in the future, the technology is smart enough to drive the car and parks itself (which it is already capable of).
Its natural language-type voice control function is also the best in the business; no odd instructions to follow; just say “Change radio, set temperature, navigate to, etc etc,”
But never mind about its horsepower or computing power because a premium car is all about its interior and how it takes care of its occupants - not just their comfort, but also their wellbeing.
All Volvo air-conditioning systems are equipped with Interior Air Quality System (IAQS) and Clean Zone Interior Package (CZIP).
The former filters out poisonous fumes from vehicles in front. You can’t smell it but nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide are a common pollutants that get past most car’s air-conditioning filters. When IAQS detects high level of pollutants, it shuts the air intake.
The latter works to remove ‘new car smell,' which smells good but actually consists of cancer-causing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). CZIP works by momentarily blasting the air-conditioning’s blower when the car is unlocked for the first time after it’s parked for extended hours. This fills the cabin with fresh air, pushing out the harmful vapours. CZIP will work in the first four years of a Volvo’s life, gradually reducing its service in parallel with the reduction in emissions from cabin materials as the car ages.
Thanks to these measures, the air quality in Volvo cabins well exceeds the minimum standards set by the World Health Organization. It is also the only car air-conditioning system recommended by the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association.
If clothes make a person, then premium cars should be defined by the cabin materials used. Everything from the leather to the wood trim to the aluminum inserts and of course, the party piece – the Orrefors crystal glass gear knob fitted on all T8 variants – feels one grade higher than those fitted in German equivalents.
The genuine walnut wood veneers used have none of that over-lacquered old fashioned feel to it. Instead, the overall finish feels very new age. These Volvos are not hand built like a Bentley but they might as well be one. Have you also noticed those beautiful diamond cut control knobs?
The wood patterns are matched and aligned in a symmetrical manner so the wood on the left-side of the cabin is mirrored on the right-side, just like a Bentley-class vehicle! That's a very time consuming task, especially when it involves natural wood.
The Bowers & Wilkins audio system is only available in the Inscription Plus models but it’s definitely worth the extra money because it’s the best in any car bar a Rolls-Royce. Not even the Burmester setup in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or a Harman Kardon in a BMW 7 Series are able to match sound reproduction quality of the Bowers & Wilkins in the S90.
It’s not that other audio specialists aren’t as good as the British brand, as Bowers & Wilkins systems are also available in several other cars but none can match the sound quality of tunes played inside a Volvo cabin. The difference is because Volvo puts greater emphasis on providing a high quality audio systems than its peers. Since music is essential for the wellbeing of the human soul, prioritizing audio systems sits very well with Volvo’s overall philosophy of putting the needs of humans over engineering.
If an engineer from Bowers & Wilkins has determined that the optimal position of a speaker or a tweeter is in a particular location that’s already taken up by another component, it is a Volvo engineer’s responsibility to move that component out of the way and to find another solution. Note also how well-crafted the speaker housings are in the Volvo.
Volvo’s seats are also our favourite. These are the only seats in the automotive universe to be designed with input from orthopedic surgeons from Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology. They are not just ergonomically sound, but are also the safest around. It’s still the only seats that are designed to protect your spine in a severe run-off road scenario, where the car is at risk of smashing its bottom onto something hard. Most car seats, even those in premium cars, are designed to cope with just frontal, side or rear collisions but not run-off road scenarios.
Volvo’s Nappa leather seats (standard on 90 series models) are produced by Scotland’s Bridge of Weir Leather Company, the oldest independent automotive leather company in the world. The leather sourced by Volvo for its cars was also found in the Concorde supersonic jet, Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship, the Orient Express train - all superlatives of luxury travel on air, sea, and land respectively - and of the highest levels of craftsmanship.
Volvo is more than qualified to lead the club. The question now is whether the buying public and the club’s established hierarchy is ready for the new leader. Meanwhile, we will wait with bated breath for the Polestar 1; a sexier, two-door coupe version of the S90.


Electric Vehicles Incentives Double In Germany - As Expected

Just because the world has faced an incredible pandemic over the last year, it doesn't mean that German regulators have forgotten their EV end goal.

The world economy is recovering from the effects of COVID-19, and many countries are trying to accelerate that by providing stimulus packages. Germany has 130 billion Euros ready for this, and a large chunk of that is going to go towards battery-powered cars.

If you're looking to buy an
electric car
 in Germany this coming year, you can get up to 9,000 Euros (RM 44,063) off anything that costs up to 40,000 Euros (RM 195,837). Naturally, this has been a little frustrating for automakers who make cars with regular old internal combustion.

It's even more of a problem when you consider that most manufacturers that have both conventional and electric vehicles in their range, also tend to have their vehicles priced a little too high for this incentive. BMW,
Mercedes-Benz
, and Audi EVs are too expensive, as the incentive is geared more for the everyman.

As a bit of a double whammy, from this month onwards the German government will increase taxation on motor vehicles with higher emissions than 95 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer. The tax will be staggered - much like our road tax, for even higher penalties on large, inefficient vehicles.

On the other hand,
here in Malaysia
 the government still hasn't really figured out a way to provide electric vehicle road tax that makes sense. The current figures far exceed that of conventional engines of equivalent output or even hybrids that produce more power.

There are ultimately weak to no incentives on electric vehicles here, and it's slightly ironic given that many
countries
 are bending over backward to increase electric vehicle takeup.


2017 Honda Jazz Brochure Leaked, No New 1.0 Turbo Engine

The upcoming Honda Jazz facelift has allegedly leaked in a set of images, likely from a brochure. The car was earlier spied
here
.
According to the
source
, Honda Japan is expected to launch the model in June.
Changes up front is noticeable, with a restyled bumper featured prominently on the Jazz facelift. Headlight design appears to look identical to the outgoing model, though the light cluster could receive a new design. Also noticeable on the new Jazz facelift is a chrome strip that flows from the headlights into the bottom of the front grille.
Side profile remains largely unchanged, with similar looking 16-inch alloy wheels adorning the Jazz. Sportier variants of the updated Honda Jazz could get black side mirrors as well.
As for the rear end, changes to the rear bumper and tail light cluster set the Jazz facelift apart from the model it replaces. The leaked images aren't clear, but it looks like that the Jazz facelift could receive a rear diffuser on some variants.
The source also added that new colours will be introduced alongside the Jazz facelift, including Wine Red, Gun Metal and Light Blue. On top of that, the Honda Jazz facelift will get Honda Sensing as an option, which will add Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Active Cruise Control and Collision Mitigation Braking System. Ride comfort and fuel economy is also said to have been enhanced.
Curiously, there was no mention of the rumoured 1.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine, suggesting that Honda may not offer the Jazz with a turbocharged engine.

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Back home, Honda Malaysia
teased
 us with some of their upcoming products, one of it being the Honda Sport Hybrid powertrain with Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive (i-DCD), hinting that the Jazz Hybrid could see a return here.


Hyundai Malaysia CONFIRMS The IONIQ 5 Is Coming In March 2022

After much speculation and guesstimation, Hyundai Sime Darby Motor has confirmed that the Hyundai IONIQ 5 will be launched in March 2022, a little earlier than we expected.

The much hyped about IONIQ 5 is now open for booking at all authorised Hyundai showrooms with a booking fee of RM 1,000 as we
earlier reported
.

Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail and Distribution of Sime Darby Motors Malaysia, said Hyundai is expected to lead the electric vehicle market segment in Malaysia as more electric vehicles are expected to be rolled out over the next 3 years.

“The
Kona Electric
 introduced last year was a resounding success with the first batch of vehicles sold out. We expect demand for the IONIQ 5 to surpass the demand for the Kona Electric. Given how well received Hyundai-brand electric vehicles are here, we have lined up more electric models for our discerning customers,” said Jeffrey.

The IONIQ 5 will come with two battery pack options, either the 58kWh or larger 72.6kWh - either in rear motor only or front and rear motor configurations.

The variants of the
IONIQ 5
 offered in the UK market are as below, we'll have to wait to find out if the Malaysian offering will mirror that in price and spec:

SE Connect variant: 36,995 GBP (RM 215,165) for the entry-level with the 58 kWh rear-wheel-drive package

Premium variant: 39,295 GBP (RM 228,542) for the 58 kWh rear-wheel-drive

Premium variant: 41,945 GBP (RM 243,954) for the 73 kWh rear-wheel-drive

Premium variant: 45,145 GBP (RM 262,566) for the 73 kWh all-wheel-drive

Ultimate variant: 42,295 GBP (RM 245,990) for the 58 kWh rear-wheel-drive

Ultimate variant: 44,945 GBP (RM 261,402) for the 73 kWh rear-wheel-drive

Ultimate variant: 48,145 GBP (RM 280,014) for the 73 kWh all-wheel-drive

Mr Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM said the IONIQ 5 is the benchmark in redefining the electric mobility lifestyle with sustainable and innovative features.

“It offers an innovative interior design with eco-friendly materials, strong performance mated with ultra-fast charging and a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function. Coupled with advanced connectivity and driver assistance features, the IONIQ 5 offers drivers the ultimate in-car experience while ensuring safety,” he added.

The
IONIQ 5
 is built upon the same E-GMP platform as the
Kia EV6
 - packing similarly potent performance. An electric range of up to 480 km and being able to charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes (with the right kind of charger) should make it a very compelling option for Malaysian buyers - if priced right.

If you have RM1,000 sitting around doing nothing, booking for the Hyundai IONIQ 5 can be done via Hyundai’s online shopping platform, Cl!ck to Buy (
www.hyundai.com.my/clicktobuy/
) or you can visit any of Hyundai’s authorized showrooms. Customers can also call Hyundai’s Customer Careline at 1300-13-2000 or log on to
www.hyundai.com.my
. for more information and enquiries.


Hyundai All-In On Hydrogen, Starting With 670HP Vision FK Prototype

Yesterday, Hyundai gave global media a sneak peek at their behind-the-scenes plotting. While they have invested heavily in battery-powered fully electric vehicles, hydrogen power is very much a part of their post-combustion roadmap.

We’ve all heard about this element being the most abundant in the universe, with the potential to solve all our energy problems if we could overcome the technical hurdles involved with
cost-efficiently extracting
 it into its pure and useable form.

Much like EVs were 20 years ago, Hyundai,
much like Toyota
, believes that recent breakthroughs and continued research into hydrogen fuel cells and its associated infrastructure can, at the very least, be offered alongside battery electric vehicles as zero emissions vehicle types in the near future with similar costs.

Alongside the current Nexo
 that’s due to be heavily updated in 2023, which formed from the low-volume ix35 Fuel Cell from a decade prior to 2013, Hyundai intends to launch a pair of all-new standalone FCEV models by 2025.

Apart from passenger vehicles, hydrogen seems to be the most viable mobility and transportation solution at a commercial and industrial level. Beyond that, the South Korean automotive group sees a much brighter future for hydrogen over the long term, convinced that hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) will evolve and improve to a point where it is superior by most - if not every - metrics.

Hyundai, along with sister brand Kia, will seek to “popularise hydrogen” by 2040, starting with a number of initiatives to start positioning FCEVs as an alternative to BEVs, projecting that mass production efforts will bring costs down to parity with EVs as early as 2030.

To showcase the technology, the company also showed a glimpse at the Vision FK prototype, a camouflaged all-wheel-drive four-door sports saloon with
echoes of the Kia Stinger
 that packs a zero-emissions powertrain capable of outputting 680hp.

Built in collaboration with Rimac Automobili, the Croatian electric hypercar maker in
which Hyundai owns 12%
, the Vision FK is technically a plug-in hybrid. However, instead of marrying electric motors and batteries with a combustion engine, the other half of its powertrain equation is a hydrogen fuel cell.

Hyundai say that the car is capable of accelerating to 100km/h from a standstill in under 4 seconds and boasts a range of 600km before needing to be topped up with hydrogen and/or charged up from the mains. It’s a novel approach that combines branching post-combustion technological paths to compensate for each other’s weaknesses.

Currently used as a “rolling lab” to explore performance and packaging solutions for their FCEV tech alongside the Rimac Nevera-derived batteries and e-motors, the Vision FK also previews Hyundai’s planned entry into motorsport with hydrogen powertrains.

At the other end of the spectrum, the automaker also showed off their 3rd-generation self-contained hydrogen fuel cell stack, derived from the aforementioned Nexo, which will be available in either 100kW (134hp) or 200kW (268hp) outputs. With these units being up to 30% percent more compact than their predecessors and capable of 500,000km of use, Hyundai says that they are now ready to be deployed in a variety of vehicle types.

Even more significantly, the 100kW FCEV stack was also designed to be modularly attached as part of a larger power system of up to 10 units producing a combined 1 megawatt of power in high draw applications in commercial vehicles such as lorry-trains, trams, even large ships, or as reliable energy storage and supply for IT purposes or isolated communities.

Hyundai has also confirmed that, following the successful trial period of its fleet of FCEV-powered trucks in Switzerland, mass production of the world’s first hydrogen-powered HGV - the Xcient - will proceed for a market launch in 2023. Within 5 years, by 2028, each of their commercial vehicles will be offered with an FCEV powertrain.

Looking even further into the future, their Trailer Drone Concept combines modular independently-steering FCEV units and autonomous driving technology to deliver a self-operating long-distance container transportation system with a range of more than 1,000km.

Clearly, Hyundai sees hydrogen fuel cells as a much more far-reaching technology than merely as a replacement for diesel and petrol. Given enough technological advancement, hydrogen power can permeate our lives as a clean and reliable energy source for a multitude of different sectors and industries - and Hyundai is making big moves to make sure they’re sat firmly in the centre of all this.


Forget Your Ekzos Perang, DOE Is Checking Cars For Emissions!

In tandem with the current operations to test
exhaust noise
, emissions testing has also been spotted at a few locations. The thing is, DOE has been doing this for years.

In the last week or two, all car enthusiasts could talk about was the fact that the police and JAS/DOE (the Department of Environment) have been setting up roadblocks and testing for excessive exhaust noise on both motorcycles and regular passenger vehicles. This has been a stark change of pace compared to what Malaysians have usually known, where the laws and regulations were usually applied to motorcycles and cars could get by provided they weren't excessively loud.

The issues started when DOE made it clear they would be testing according to a set of noise level requirements they had devised, which superseded the more arbitrary wording of JPJ's rules that essentially says "your exhaust must not be annoying". While many enthusiasts have quickly gone to quieten their cars, a more pressing issue has popped up - and it's the fact that DOE is also testing the
emissions
 from your exhaust pipe.

We'll be the first to admit that this is highly unusual, as exhaust gas testers are not a particularly common piece of equipment in our part of the world. More than that is the fact that many people aren't sure if their car will pass, or what the legal limits are even set to - and in their defence, the actual requirements are buried deep within the regulations and schedules DOE has stipulated.

Following an incident where the owner of a 1994 Toyota Corolla had his car impounded, tested, and failed - we decided to dig a little deeper to figure out what exactly is the requirement to pass an emissions test, and how difficult it would be. Thanks to the officer in charge from C
ontrol of Pollution from Motor Vehicle, Air Division, DOE’s Headquarters
, we were able to clarify how emissions testing is done. Let's break it down for you:

Emissions Testing Has Been Around For A While

Despite it being rarely seen, DOE has actually made emissions testing available at a number of PUSPAKOM centres around the country. For the most part, testing is on a voluntary basis - but it is also supposed to be a JPJ requirement when ownership transfer is involved. That is to say, if you've recently purchased a second-hand car you should have no fear that your car will fail an emissions test. Whether these tests are actually carried out is an entirely different story.

The Regulations Are Fairly Lax

In our conversation with DOE’s officer, we expressed concerns that owners of older cars may not be able to meet their emissions requirements, but he assured us that the levels set are easily achievable even with much older cars. In the 1980s, many cars were still sold without catalytic converters, and of course, emissions were much higher back then as the standards were vastly different from what we see today.

Testing is even less stringent than in other countries, which will actually measure the emissions as grams per kilometre (especially nasty in Germany). DOE requires you to idle your car after it has warmed up and they will test exhaust gas at the end of your exhaust pipe for 20 seconds to get a reading. If your car was made prior to 1st of January 1997, you need to be below 4.5% carbon monoxide and 800 ppm of hydrocarbons, while cars built and registered after this date have to hit a 3.5% carbon monoxide level and 600 ppm of hydrocarbons.

Most Cars Will Pass Without Issue

If that isn't enough to convince you, the majority of cars that have been tested through the years of emission testing have actually passed. In 2018 it was a little over 90% compliance, while 2019 saw closer to 95% compliance from those tested. Granted, in 2019 the actual sample size was under 600 cars (when there are 6.7 million cars in WPKL alone), but it should be a reasonable example to show that you don't need to start panicking. It just so happened that the aforementioned Corolla owner didn't pass, and some rectification works are necessary.

The Regulations Are Under Review

Despite how "ruthless" this regulation may seem, DOE is looking to review the regulations so that they make a little more sense for our automotive population. We say this because making a set of emissions regulations is not as simple as copying what other countries are doing, especially if the other countries have had a long history of doing so. Germany, for example, requires your emissions to meet the standards of the time your car was manufactured, which wouldn't work here because we had no real unified standard up until the last decade or so when it comes to emissions rules.

Similarly, a blanket requirement doesn't work because it would end up with many cars being taken off the road. Informing an owner that their car has to be rectified is one issue, but being able to actually rectify the issue with a reasonable budget is something entirely different. Catalytic converters, perhaps the largest aid to keeping emissions down, are wear and tear items and can be extremely expensive to replace.

To Sum It Up

There is absolutely no way that we, as a country, can avoid exhaust emissions regulations. It is something that every developed nation has, and it is something that is necessary to ensure we are doing our part to curb global warming and reduce the risk of health issues from effectively toxic air. That being said, our economic strength makes it difficult to impose hard and fast rules, as many car owners in lower-income groups are reliant on their vehicles for their livelihoods - even if their cars may not meet the regulations.

Perhaps the other issue that owners may face is that there is no way to check if their cars are meeting regulations short of going to PUSPAKOM and risking a defect notice. Each of these emissions testing devices costs between RM 40,000 and RM 50,000 - it's not something your average workshop can purchase as a diagnostic device. This issue needs to be addressed so that owners have the means to get their cars in working order without risking forfeiting their vehicles.

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

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Volkswagen Malaysia Sells Out All Units Of Its Beetle Bug And Beetle Club Limited Editions

‘Like hotcakes’ is the expression, and an apt one to describe what happened to the both recent limited edition models of the
Volkswagen

Beetle
 in Malaysia. Volkswagen Group announced that all 200 of the
Bug Edition
 Beetle are sold. And so goes all 50 units of the
Beetle Club
 that made its debut at this year’s KL Fashion Week.
The Beetle Bug Edition made its first appearance in Malaysia earlier this year in April and priced at RM146,888. The 200 units came with Volkswagen Bug side sills, side decals, racing and body stripes with the Bug logo.
The Beetle Club edition was even rarer at jus 50 units making its way here after being shipped out of Mexico. It was priced at RM152,888 and, much like the Bug Edition, was all about its looks. The Beetle Club edition came with 17-inch Ravenna alloy wheels, decals with the wording ‘Club’ on the the steering wheel, side sills with chrome strips and leather sports seats.
On the popularity of the limited edition Volkswagen Beetles, Mr Armin Keller, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Malaysia said: “The Beetle on its own is an Icon and the past 60 years of presence in Malaysia is proof. With every limited edition, Volkswagen aims to engage and excite Beetle fans. With that said, fans and customers should keep an eye out for the next limited edition which could be coming soon – another reason to get excited about.”
Safe to say that the Beetle has certainly has come a long way from the first batch of 55 units manufactured in 1945.