2017 Kia Sorento Diesel High Spec Launched. Priced at RM191,888

Naza Kia Malaysia, the authorised distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia today announced the expansion of its product line up with the high-spec version of the Sorento diesel seven-seater SUV called the Sorento 2.2 HS Turbo Diesel.
The new variant will now complement the existing low-spec Sorento LS diesel (RM155,888), Sorento MS Petrol (RM168,000) and Sorento HS Petrol (RM178,000).
Powered by a 2.2-litre CRDi turbo diesel engine capable of producing 200 PS at 3,800 rpm and 441 Nm of torque between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm, the Sorento HS Turbo Diesel gets a six-speed automatic gearbox; just like the low-spec version.
And responsible for delivering all the power to the four wheels is the Dynamax AWD system, which is also available in the newly launched Sportage GT Turbo Diesel.
As the new variant's name suggests, the Sorento HS Diesel gets more equipment than the LS diesel such as:
HID headlamps with adaptive front lighting system over the LS' halogens
LED taillights
Fog lamps with cornering lamp function
Roof rack
Shark fin antenna
19-inch alloy wheels compared to the LS' 17-inches
Leather seats (LS only has fabric seats)
Powered seats for driver and co-driver
7-inch Supervision virtual colour speedometer with Multi-info display
Alloy pedals
Infotainment system with touch screen and Bluetooth connectivity,
Six speakers
Powered tailgate
Safety wise, nothing much has changed compared to the existing variants, with the list of features comprising six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management (VSM), ABS with EBD and brake assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, as well as ISOFIX child seat mounts.
Available in four colour choices - Imperial Bronze, Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl and Silky Silver, the 2017 Kia Sorento HS Turbo Diesel is priced at RM191,888 (OTR with insurance) and comes with a five-year/ unlimited mileage warranty.


Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic Announced, 306 hp Entry-Level AMG Hot Hatch

After several spyshots over the last couple of months, Mercedes-AMG has officially announced its entry-level hot hatch, the A35 4Matic.
Power comes from a newly-developed M260 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine that does 306 hp and 400 Nm, sent to all four wheels via the AMG Speedshift 7G dual-clutch transmission and the company’s 4Matic all-wheel drive system. Mercedes-AMG says that its new baby hot hatch does the century sprint in just 4.7 seconds, a tad bit slower than the previous generation model’s 4.2 seconds. We reckon the upcoming A45 4Matic will better that figure.
Performance figures aside, Mercedes-AMG also added that the new entry-level hot hatch features a ‘shear panel’, essentially a bolted aluminium plate under the engine to increase the torsional strength of the front section. Additionally, two more diagonal braces at the front of the underbody further stiffen up the hot hatch.
Stopping the Mercedes-AMG A35 AMG are 350 mm rotors and 4-piston Monoblock fixed calipers up front and 330 mm rotors and single piston sliding calipers at the rear. The calipers are finished in silver and feature black AMG lettering.
Visually, the baby hot hatch gets a prominent dual louvres in the front grille, front splitter, and AMG Line front apron. As for the rear, a large rear wing, functional rear diffuser, and dual muffler tips help separate the A35 4Matic from its lesser siblings.
Moving inside, the A35 4Matic receives semi bucket seats wrapped in Artico leather with Dinamica microfiber in black with contrasting red stitching and matching red seat belts or Artico leather in black and digital grey.
Similar to the regular A-Class models, the A35 4Matic features Mercedes-Benz’s next generation MBUX infotainment system. Thanks to the Widescreen Cockpit, drivers can choose between three AMG display styles.
The Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic also features a number of drive modes via the AMG Dynamic Select, which include:
Slippery: Optimized for slippery road conditions with reduced power output and a flat torque curve.
Comfort: Early upshifts for a comfortable and fuel-efficient driving experience
Sport and Sport+ : Increases sound of the turbocharged engine for a sportier drive. Sport+ enables double-declutching during downshifts and partial cylinder cut-off
Individual: Allows individual parameters to be configured according to preference
Mercedes-AMG is set to debut its new baby hot hatch at the 2018 Paris Motor Show early next month, with sales scheduled to start within the same month. A hotter A45 4Matic is also scheduled to be launched in the future.


Penapis Udara Kabin Terbaik Untuk Kereta – OEM vs Karbon/Arang vs N95

Jika haritu kami ada tulis tentang
kepentingan menjaga penapis udara kabin
, tapi bagaimana pula cara memilih penapis udara kabin yang sesuai untuk kereta anda?

Tidak dinafikan, ada pelbagai jenama dan jenis penapis kabin yang boleh anda dapatkan di pasaran. Semakin banyak pilihan yang ada, semakin sukar untuk menentukan mana yang terbaik untuk kereta anda.

Untuk membantu anda membuat pilihan, kami akan membandingkan 3 jenis penapis kabin yang sering disebut-sebut sebagai penapis terbaik untuk kereta anda iaitu penapis kabin jenis OEM, karbon/ arang dan N95.

Penapis Kabin OEM

Pengilang peralatan asal (OEM)
 atau Original Equipment Manufacturer secara tradisionalnya ditakrifkan sebagai syarikat yang menghasilkan komponen (penapis kabin) dalam produk keluaran sesebuah syarikat lain, yang kemudian dijual sebagai sebuah barang siap (kereta) kepada pengguna.

Penapis udara kabin OEM ini bukanlah penapis tiruan, tetapi penapis OEM merupakan penapis yang dikeluarkan oleh kilang asal yang membekalkan barang kepada perusahaan lain untuk dijual dibawah jenama sendiri. Mereka juga telah diberikan lesen untuk menghasilkan penapis keluaran mereka sendiri dengan spesifikasi yang sama dengan penapis kabin original tapi kebanyakannya dijual lebih murah kerana dijual secara terus dari kilang.

Penapis udara kabin OEM ini bertindak menapis udara dengan menghalang zarah-zarah kecil seperti bakteria, habuk, debu, bau dan debunga mengikut jenis penapis. Untuk mendapatkan kualiti original dengan harga yang lebih murah, penapis kabin OEM merupakan pilihan yang tepat.

Penapis Kabin Karbon/Arang (Activated Carbon/Charcoal)

Penapis udara kabin jenis arang berfungsi menghilangkan zarah besar dan kecil dan mempunyai arang batu sebagai bahan khas untuk menghilangkan bau yang kurang menyenangkan. Kehadiran arang batu dapat menyaring asap rokok dan mengelakkan asap ekzos daripada sampai ke pemandu.

Selain itu, penapis kabin jenis karbon aktif turut berfungsi sama seperti penapis arang, tetapi mempunyai karbon aktif sebagai bahan istimewa. Penapis ini mempunyai karbon aktif dan memberikan perlindungan lebih berkesan terhadap kabin berbanding penapis udara kabin biasa. Arang dilabel sebagai "diaktifkan" kerana tindak balasnya dengan bahan kimia dan haba yang memberikan sifat pengawal bau yang sangat baik. Penapis udara karbon mungkin lebih mahal daripada penapis kabin yang tidak mempunyai karbon.

Tidak seperti penapis kabin biasa,
penapis
 jenis ini bukan sahaja menapis bakteria dan kotoran malah turut menapis bau, asap serta bahan kimia daripada masuk. Penapis kabin jenis ini mampu menyerap karbon monoksida dan nitrogen oksida yang boleh mendatangkan kesan buruk pada tahap kesihatan seseorang. Jika anda kerap
terperangkap
 dalam kesesakan lalu lintas, penapis kabin jenis karbon merupakan pilihan yang sesuai kerana banyak bahan kimia terkumpul daripada ekzos kenderaan sekeliling.

Penapis Kabin N95

Penapis udara kabin N95 pula bertindak meningkatkan kualiti udara di dalam kabin anda dengan menghalang partikel yang memudaratkan daripada masuk ke dalam kabin. Penapis ini berfungsi dalam mod udara segar dan kitaran semula dalam sistem penyaman udara kereta.

Penapis N95 mampu mengeluarkan 95 peratus partikel yang lebih besar daripada 0.3 mikron dan juga membuang 98 peratus debu PM2.5. Ia menapis partikel berbahaya seperti partikel asap, habuk, bakteria dan bahan tercemar lain secara efektif dan membersihkan udara. Kini, penapis kabin N95 ini kini dijadikan
standard dalam semua model Proton sedia ada
. Jika anda merupakan salah seorang pemilik kereta Proton sedia ada, anda juga boleh memilih untuk menggantikan penapis kabin yang biasa dengan penapis udara N95 dengan harga sekitar RM60.

Sebelum
menukar penapis kabin
 yang bersesuaian, anda perlu kaji juga cara pemanduan, lokasi pemanduan serta kekerapan memandu sebelum memilih penapis udara yang betul-betul bersesuaian dengan anda. Tidak salah untuk berbelanja lebih asalkan kualiti udara di dalam kabin lebih baik. Yang penting, penjagaan penapis kabin ini amat mudah dan anda boleh membersihkannya atau menukarnya dengan sendiri agar penyaman udara kereta anda beroperasi dengan lebih baik bersama udara bersih.


Biar Papa Asal Bergaya – Ramai Pemilik Y15 Tak Bayar Pinjaman Motor

Motosikal
Yamaha Y15ZR
 atau lebih popular sebagai Ysuku muncul sebagai motor yang paling banyak tidak dijelaskan bayaran bulanannya menurut sebuah kedai motosikal yang berada di Terengganu.

Menerusi perkongsian di Facebook
Motor Mok Mung
, kira-kira 160 individu kini
disenarai hitamkan
 kerana tidak membayar ansuran bulanan pinjaman mereka.

Pemilik Y15ZR Paling Ramai

Menerusi senarai nama yang dikeluarkan oleh kedai motor terbabit, lebih 50% pemilik yang tidak membayar ansuran pinjaman mereka adalah pemilik motosikal jenis Yamaha Y15ZR.

Yang lebih mengejutkan, kebanyakan mereka tidak menjelaskan bayaran tersebut antara enam bulan hingga 3 tahun. Kesemua pinjaman tersebut dibuat menerusi pinjaman kedai.

Selain Ysuku, motosikal seperti Yamaha NVX, Yamaha R15, Yamaha Ego LC, Honda Beat dan Honda RS juga menjadi antara
motosikal
 yang masih tertunggak bayarannya.

Susulan perkongsian itu, rata-rata pengguna mengecam tindakan mereka mahu bergaya bersama motosikal popular itu tetapi tidak mahu membayar ansuran bulanan sehingga menyusahkan pihak kedai.

Tindakan Akan Diambil

Kedai itu menyatakan tujuan pinjaman kedai diberikan untuk membantu individu yang tiada dokumen lengkap untuk membuat pinjaman kerana tidak semua orang bekerja mempunyai slip gaji. Syaratnya, pembeli perlu membayar sejumlah deposit dan diteruskan dengan bayaran bulanan maksimum selama 3 tahun.

*Kredit foto: Motor Mok Mung

Namun kedai tersebut kecewa kerana masih ada segelintir rakyat Malaysia mengambil kesempatan di atas kemudahan ini dengan tidak membayar ansuran motor sehingga tiga tahun.

Menurut pemilik kedai terbabit, tindakan selanjutnya akan dikenakan kepada mereka yang gagal menjelaskan hutang dalam tempoh yang ditetapkan.

“Amaran tunggakan pinjaman motor. Sila jelaskan segera, kegagalan berbuat demikian akan dikenakan tindakan selanjutnya. Pandai hutang, pandai bayar. Anda bayar, kami buang nama anda dari senarai ini,” jelas mereka di Facebook.


Review: 3M Headlight Restoration Kit - Affordable Prices, Proven Results

Back in the day, headlights were made out of glass, meaning that they withstood the test of time really well. You can spot some really old cars on the road these days with barely faded headlights, as glass headlights are not susceptible to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

But the same cannot be said for modern cars, as manufacturers have shifted to use injection molded plastic for the headlights. These headlights, while being able to be molded to unique shapes, are quite prone to UV rays, resulting in faded headlights.

This is where 3M comes in with their medium duty headlight restoration kit.

The 3M Headlight Restoration Kit is a do-it-yourself kit that consists of a double-sided sponge with a sticky side for the three abrasive discs, masking tape, scratch remover, and synthetic wax protectant. But that is not all, as a microfiber cloth, a spray bottle, and a power drill is needed. The latter is to minimize the amount of elbow grease needed to polish the headlights.

To kick things off, wash your headlights with some car shampoo and water, then mask the surrounding areas of the headlight with the supplied masking tape. When applying the tape, make sure that it covers the paint of the car nicely, as you wouldn’t want to scratch your paint in the process.

Then comes the exciting part. If you have access to a power drill, fit the 1000 grit disc to the drill and start polishing. It’s crucial to wet-sand the headlights, so the spray bottle with water comes in handy. If a power drill is not available, then a heavy dose of elbow grease is needed. To make sure that this step is completed successfully, make sure that the entire headlight is hazy, with a dull look to it.

After that step, proceed to use the 3000 grit disc to polish the headlight. As before, make sure that the headlight surface is wet before sanding. Similar to the earlier 1000 grit process, you will need to ensure that the entire headlight is hazy, but with a slight improvement, as the 3000 grit disc is aimed to reduce the amount of scratches caused by the 1000 grit process.

The third polishing step will involve the 5000 grit disc. By the end of this process, your hands would be feeling relatively sore, while your headlights will be marginally better looking than before.

Before applying the synthetic wax sealant, 3M recommends that you apply the scratch remover onto the other side of the orange sponge and gently polish the headlights. If done correctly, the headlights should look almost like new.

Finally, apply the synthetic wax sealant onto the headlights and give yourself a pat on the back as you’ve successfully restored your headlights.

All in all, the 3M Headlight Restoration Kit is a really simple and straightforward kit that is aimed at the casual do-it-yourself crowd. If your headlights have faded over time and you have a spare weekend, this makes for a great project.

The 3M Headlight Restoration Kit can be purchased from 3M’s official Lazada storefront
here
. 3M also recommends the
Quick Headlight Clear Coat
 to be applied on the headlights after restoration.


Carlist.my DRIVE 2021 Kicks Off In Setia City Convention Centre

To cap off 2021 on a lively high note, Carlist.my has opened its doors to this year’s DRIVE Auto Fair Car Expo at the Setia City Convention Centre, inviting Malaysians nationwide to get closer to their favourite automakers and cars while enjoying exciting activities and promotions.

“Carlist.my is pleased to bring back its biggest annual car exhibition here at Setia City Convention Center. We hope to deliver a safe, secure and pleasant car buying experience to all visitors while enjoying their weekend here with family and friends.” said KY Gan, Managing Director of Carlist.my.

The event, which is the 4th time the Carlist.my DRIVE Auto Fair Car Expo has been held, will be welcoming guests between Friday, 3rd December, through to Sunday, 5th December 2021. Here, brands such as Mazda, Kia, Peugeot, Volkswagen, BMW, MINI, Isuzu, Proton, Nissan, and even Tesla will be exhibiting their new and pre-owned vehicles.

In particular, three brands will be premiering brand new models to the Malaysian public for the first time, revealing the
3rd-generation Mazda BT-50
 and the
4th-generation Kia Carnival
 exclusively at Carlist.my DRIVE 2021. Additionally, Volkswagen will also be debuting two variants of the
8th-generation Golf hatchback in both R-Line and GTI spec
, both now locally assembled.

Visitors will be able to view, test drive and purchase all available car models at the event, taking full advantage of the on-going SST exemptions, while being treated to a plethora of exciting deals and promotions by exhibitors including lucky draw prizes, which includes gadgets, shopping vouchers, sponsored products worth more than RM25,000.

Also here are on-site vehicle appraisals and trade-in evaluations by Carsome. Other exhibitors include RHB Bank, Monster Energy, Vanzo, Rexagon and others, which will be offering exclusive promotions for their various products during Carlist.my’s DRIVE Auto Fair Car Expo.

In the fresh air outside the main exhibition area, a dedicated space has been prepared for Carlist.my ambassador Zen Low to show off some smoke-filled sideways action. The drifting performance will be joined by a rough and tumble 4x4 obstacle course to showcase the off-road capabilities of the Nissan Navara and Isuzu D-Max pickup trucks.

Make sure to head on down to Setia City Convention Centre for a weekend of fun with and around your favourite new cars!


BMW Reveals X5M and X6M Black Fire Edition Models

BMW today announced the introduction of the X5M and X6M Black Fire Edition models; bringing out the ‘dark side’ of the performance models.
Destined only for the European market, the two Black Fire Edition models feature a range of unique exterior and interior features, setting them apart from the regular X5M and X6M.
On the exterior, both Black Fire Edition models are clad in Sapphire Black Metallic paintjob, and come with blacked out grilles with black louvres, carbon fibre side mirrors, and forged 21-inch M alloy wheels.
In the cabin, the two SUVs get black and red leather upholstery with an anthracite-coloured headliner; electrically-adjustable M-sport seats with integrated headrests, black high gloss trim elements, as well as ‘Black Edition’ logos which adorn the right side of the interior trim on the passenger side of the car.
Both models are powered by the same powertrain package as the standard X5M and X6M – a 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol engine producing 567PS at 6,000rpm and 750Nm of torque between 2,200 and 5,000 rpm, paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that sends the power to all four wheels.
Capable of sprinting from naught to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds and clocking a top speed of 255 km/h, both the X5M Black Edition and X6M Black Edition will be available in Europe from August 2017.


Audi Attempts To Cross As Many Countries On A Single Tank Of Diesel To Set A New Guinness World Record

Audi
 and the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) have announced that they will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record to cross as many countries as possible with a single tank of diesel.
The car that will partake in this quest is the
Audi A6
 Ultra which has a 2.0-litre TDI engine paired to a seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission providing 190PS and is rated with a fuel consumption figure of 23km per litre. Piloting the car will be journalist Andrew Frankel and Rebecca Jackson.
Audi is aiming to cover over 1,600km across Europe on just a single tank of diesel. The route begins in the Netherlands and will see the A6 go through Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria, Germany and Italy towards the Balkans.
Of course, there are rules to attempt a challenge like this. The Guinness World Records stipulates that they must use a standard production A6 ultra and standard fuel. No alterations aside from the driving speed, tyre pressure and luggage weight can be done although they have left the pre-fitted spare parts in place. Compulsory driver changes will be done every 4-5 hours.
Audi engineers have calculated that the optimum speed will be 90 km/h with the car running on low rolling resistance tyres with air pressures of 35 psi at the front and 38 psi in the rear.
With a challenge like this, do you think that the
Record Road Trip
 will be a success?


2016 Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe Comes Out Swinging: Full Photos Of The 700Nm Monster

As promised when
we reported on the leaked images of this
, here is the all-new 2016
Mercedes
-AMG C 63 Coupe, officially revealed in full ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show debut, and after the
endless amount of teasers
.
And if you’re wondering what’s so special about this look over the regular
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe
, the Daimler company says itself that the only items shared between them are the doors, roof and boot lid – everything else is completely unique.
*READ ALSO: 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Revealed!
Underneath the bonnet, we don’t need to tell you of what monster is found there: yes, it’s the same 4.0-litre biturbo V8 (M 178) you’d get from the quickest thing AMG makes at the moment, the GT, but it’s packing much more heat here, believe it or not.
Where the super coupe
AMG GT S
 packs 510hp and 650Nm, the most powerful AMG C 63 S delivers 510hp and 700Nm of torque. There is, of course, a lower output version, the non-S version, which delivers 476hp and 650Nm of torque.
An AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT-7 seven-speed sports transmission is charged with managing all this power.
And as you can tell from the specs above, this C-Class Coupe can perform its century sprint in just 3.9 seconds (4.0s for the non-S version).
The exterior styling is distinctively performance-minded, AMG stuff: twin-blade radiator grille, giant air intakes on the front bumper, excessive wheel arches to accommodate the wider track of the car, additional body flics, front splitter, you know the drill.
Under its skin is where further AMG magic comes into play, with reinforcements in certain areas of the car for improved rigidity over a regular comfort-minded C-Class, a model-specific rear axle carrier, electronic differentials (just for the S variant) and more.
Tech wise, customers will be able to benefit from an AMG RIDE CONTROL feature with adjustable damping, a rear-axle limited-slip differential (mechanical for non-S, e-diff for S), the various AMG DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes (S gets an extra ‘Race’ mode), and of course, the latest in Mercedes-Benz safety tech, like ATTENTION ASSIST with drowsiness detection system, and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST and more – not like you’d ever be drowsy in this AMG model, but okay.
Don’t forget too that
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will be introducing the mighty AMG C 63
 in sedan form some time in Q4 this year, but it is uncertain if this
BMW

M4
-fighting Coupe version will make it as well. Stay tuned.
*READ ALSO: Most Exciting Cars Coming This 2015


Geely Jiaji Global MPV Unveiled, The Future Of The Proton Exora?

Geely’s all-new MPV, named Jiaji (嘉际), has just been unveiled by the company.
The company continues to incorporate the expanding cosmos grille theme with wide lower grille design elements at the front of the Jiaji. Meanwhile, the rear quarter profile is set apart by the gloss black pillar for a floating-roof look.
Geely is offering three powertrains in the new Jiaji, ranging from a pure petrol combustion engine to a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
The PHEV powertrain - a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine combined with an electric motor drawing energy from a large 11.3 kWh lithium-ion battery - will be the high-technology bearer for the Jiaji. The combined system output is rated at 258 hp while returning a remarkable fuel consumption of just 1.6 litres per 100 kilometres.
In the mild hybrid powertrain, the same 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine will be equipped with a 48-volt belt-driven started-generator system (BSG). Maximum output for this setup is 190 hp and 300 Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is a commendable 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres.
Both electrified engines will be paired with a highly efficient 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT).
Finally, the option for the non-electrified variant will be the current turbocharged 1.8-litre engine with outputs of 184 hp and 300 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed conventional automatic transmission. The upcoming Geely Boyue-based Proton X70 also features this powertrain, albeit slightly lower torque output of 285 Nm.
The all-new MPV has an option of three seat-configurations, with two layouts of seven-seat plus one six-seat layout.
Plenty of advanced convenience-features will be included in the all-new Jiaji, such as an intelligent cup holder with heating and cooling function, a motion-activated ceiling light, and a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment panel.
The Proton Exora was last updated in mid-2017
The official launch of the Jiaji will only be in early 2019. Closer to home, the Proton Exora will celebrate its tenth year in the market next year. The Geely Jiaji looks like an obvious candidate to replace the Exora as Proton begins with its new product offence to recapture market share.


Frankfurt 2015: Audi E-Tron Quattro Previews An All-Electric Luxury SUV Set For Early 2018 Debut

It’s been
previewed
,
teased
, and then
teased further
, but now, the
Audi
 e-tron quattro concept at last makes its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show and will be a first taste of an all-electric, luxury SUV which Audi says it will present in early 2018.
Starting with the e-tron powertrain, three electric motors provide the drive for the concept. As we were told before, one of them drives the front axle while the remaining two acts on the rear axle. Audi say that the combined total output of the all-electric powertrain is 320kW (429hp) with a further 50kW (67hp) available when boosted, where torque output is a massive 800Nm.
Floor the pedal and the e-tron quattro sprints to 100km/h from a rest in 4.6 seconds, up to an electronically limited top speed of 210 km/h.
Powering the electric motors is a large 95kWh lithium-ion battery that is integrated into the floor of the passenger compartment. The battery’s capacity allows a claimed driving range of 500km, and can be recharged using either DC or AC electrical current thanks to the Combined Charging System (CCS).
In just 50 minutes, a full charge is achieved with a DC current charging station that outputs at 150kW. For convenience, the concept is equipped with Audi Wireless Charging technology that utilises contactless induction charging. In addition, a large solar roof provides electricity for the drive system battery on sunny days.
The e-tron quattro’s modular longitudinal platform (MLB) comes equipped with adaptive air suspension sport featuring controlled damping and all-wheel steering as well.
The exterior design is nothing short of stunning as you can see. Measuring 4.88 meters in length, 1.93 meters in width, and 1.54 meters in height, the concept adopts a coupe-like profile and has a claimed best-in-class drag coefficient of 0.25. Audi has mentioned that the vehicle's length sits between that of the
Q5
 and
Q7
, which could indicate that the future model might be the Q6, meant to take on the
BMW X6
 and
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Coupe
. Based on how the concept looks, it does strongly suggest such a thing is possible.
Located on the hood, flanks, and at the rear end are electrically actuated aerodynamic elements that channel air as efficiently as possible around the vehicle. The sculpted front end features Matrix laser technology for the headlights while the bottom section features five OLED (organic light-emitting diode) elements. The Matrix OLED technology is being developed for use in production vehicles and is prominently featured at the rear lights on both of its sections (nine red OLED units for the taillight function, with three more below).
Moving inside, the e-tron quattro concept showcases the future development of the Audi virtual cockpit with an OLED display. Flanking the fully-digital instrument cluster are two touch displays for the lighting, piloted driving feature, multimedia, and navigation management.
More OLED elements are located on the dashboard, above the gear selector, serving as displays for the drive system status, climate control and freely programmable information functions. Passengers at the rear can use the OLED displays on the centre console to configure the climate control and infotainment for their area or to exchange data with the driver. LTE connectivity is also available as well.
The piloted driving feature mentioned is Audi’s autonomous driving system that links all the car’s sensors (radar sensors, a video camera, ultrasonic sensors, and a laser scanner) to the zFAS central driver assistance controller located in the boot.
You may recall this system when it was previewed to us at CES Asia 2015 in an Audi A7
.
The system computes a complete model of the car’s surroundings in real time and makes this information available to all assistance systems and the systems for piloted driving. These technologies are also nearly ready for use in production vehicles.


Flames destroy 9 motorcycles, 4 electric scooters in front of Suria KLCC

Nine motorcycles and four electric scooters were destroyed in a fire in front of the Suria KLCC shopping centre, this afternoon.

Shoppers and tourists enjoying a peaceful Thursday afternoon were left aghast as a ploom of black smoke bellowed from Jalan Ampang across from Avenue K.

It was fortunate that nobody was injured and that the damage was limited to only property due to the fire erupting in a relatively isolated area not connected to or shaded by any larger structures.

A spokesman for the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department Operation Centre said that, in the 3.45 pm incident, a total of 15 firefighters, with three fire engines from Tun Razak and Keramat fire stations, rushed to the scene.

The spokesman said that, on arrival, the firefighters found roaring fire engulfing nine motorcycles and four electric scooters in front of Suria KLCC shopping centre. They put out the flames within 20 minutes at 4:04pm.

At this time the cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed though a short circuit is the likeliest culprit, perhaps sparking the petrol in one of the motorcycles due to a leak. Video footage shared at the scene showed that the fire orginated from one of the parked motorcycles before spreading to the electric scooters to the side.

That said, serious electrical fires are a growing concern in electric vehicles as well, caused by damage done to the battery enclosure. These kinds of flames are notoriously difficult to extinguish.


New 2015 Chevrolet Cruze Launched In Thailand

Chevrolet Sales Thailand has launched the new 2015vChevrolet Cruze at yesterday’s Bangkok International Grand Motor Sale 2015.
As
reported earlier
, this is a facelift of the current generation Korean-designed (by the former GM-Daewoo) Cruze, and is unrelated to the European-designed (Opel) all-new Cruze that is currently on sale in USA and China.
Aside from the new front and rear design, the interior now features a new MyLink 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
As expected, the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine - available on the Korean-made market Cruze – is not available for the Thailand-made Cruze, which continues to make do with a 1.8-litre petrol engine, now updated to be compatible with E85 gasohol fuel.
Chevrolet also said that the Cruze’s six-speed automatic transmission has also been re-tuned for smoother gear changes and quicker response.
Prices start from THB946,000.
The Cruze models sold in Malaysia are imported from Thailand, so this new model should be introduced here soon, that is assuming that Naza Quest is no longer saddled with too many unsold units of the slow-selling outgoing model Cruze.


Great Deals Await At The MINI Recharge Roadshow

MINI Malaysia is inviting the public to check out the new Countryman Sports and Countryman Plug-In Hybrid at the MINI Recharge Roadshow.

Apart from checking out new MINI models, potential MINI owners can also enjoy a low ownership rate of just RM2,468/month with Full Circle financing for the Countryman Sports. Visitors can also get a free gift when they test drive or check out the MINI Lifestyle Merchandise.

More information can be found here – MINI Recharge Roadshow.

Locations of the MINI Recharge Roadshow can be found below:


Superb Year-End Deals On Mitsubishi Models – Rebates Of Up To RM12k

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), is offering customers a low-interest rate of up to 0.88 percent for selected Triton variants, exclusive with Maybank or Public Bank hire purchase financing packages.

This promotion is in conjunction with the upcoming year-end festivities and is valid from today until 31 December 2019.

Customers who book and register a new Mitsubishi Triton VGT Adventure X, Triton VGT AT Premium, and Triton VGT MT Premium can choose to either enjoy a hire purchase interest rate of up to 0.88 percent, OR cash rebates as per the following:

Triton VGT Adventure X (RM137,900) – 0.88 percent interest rate/ RM4,000 cash rebate

Triton VGT Premium AT (RM118,600) – 0.88 percent interest rate/ RM4,000 cash rebate

Triton VGT Premium MT (RM112,500) – 0.88 percent interest rate/ RM10,000 cash rebate

Triton VGT AT (RM105,990) – RM8,000 cash rebate

Triton VGT MT (RM100,200) – RM4,000 cash rebate

All Triton variants come with a 5-year/ 200,000km best-in-class manufacturer warranty.

Customers who book and register a new Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0-litre or 2.4-litre will enjoy cash rebates up to RM4,000 plus 2-Year Free Maintenance and RM2,000 plus 2-Year Free Maintenance respectively. The Outlander 2.0-litre is priced at RM137,888 while the Outlander 2.4-litre is priced at RM152,888.

Additionally, The Mitsubishi ASX Compact SUV 4WD and 2WD is offered with cash rebates of up to RM12,000 and RM8,000 respectively. The ASX 4WD is priced at RM133,336 while the ASX 2WD is priced at RM118,866.

All prices stated are OTR, without insurance in Peninsular Malaysia.

Click
here
 for the best deals on Mitsubishi models.


Polestar 1 Production Commences

Volvo’s performance arm, Polestar, has begun production of the new Polestar 1.
Production of the first 34 units of road-going verification prototypes (VP) cars has started in Polestar’s specialized prototype production facility in Gothenburg. The Gothenburg-built Polestar 1 units are destined for crash tests, weather testing, and on-road assessment.
Polestar will then transfer the new specialized production equipment and construction knowledge for the carbon fibre-body of the Polestar 1 to Chengdu for the production of customer cars. The Polestar 1 also marks the first time Volvo Car Group’s into utilizing carbon fibre construction for their vehicles.
Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar said, “The assembly of the VP cars means that the Polestar 1 has taken its next step towards production. This first batch of 34 cars will enable our engineers to tune the finer details of the car, ensuring that the Polestar 1 is perfect when we start to produce customer cars in the middle of next year.”


This Is How It Really Looks Like Inside The Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team Paddock

Amongst all Formula One teams, the collaboration between Shell and Ferrari has become so synonymous with Scuderia Ferrari, that it has simply gone beyond that of a strategic partnership.
Both Shell and Ferrari has worked so well together that not only both companies benefit greatly from the deep engineering transfer from their sports program to commercial use, but upon spanning more than half a century, the partnership resulted in Scuderia Ferrari amassing 12 Driver's Title and 10 Constructors' Championships. The most successful Formula One team ever.
As we all know Formula One technology is deeply secretive and highly technological, hence the paddocks of each company has always been off limits to the public, but for the first time ever, Scuderia Ferrari and Shell has created a super high tech digital walk in interactive experience for everyone.
And today, we are virtually bringing you into Scuderia Ferrari's pit and paddock area, to let you experience first hand, just how legends are made, records are shattered, and science and technology progressed.
Because the fuel and engine oil used in the Scuderia Ferrari Formula One cars, are actually 99% identical to what we find in usual Shell petrol stations. Hard to believe? Well, please do spend a good amount of time exploring and be amazed. (I myself spent about 3 hours and its mind boggling)
For the best experience, hook up your laptop to your large LCD screen TV and logon to
SCUDERIA FERRARI UNCOVERED
 (FireFox and Chrome preferred)


Mercedes-Benz Teases A Classical Revival For Their Next S-Class Cabrio

Mercedes-Benz
 has revealed a little teaser of what we can expect by way of a new
S-Class
 Cabrio come September for the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. The automaker says this new open-top model follows the grand tradition of the W111 and W112 series open top S-Class models of the 60s and early 70s.
They make no bones about it – Mercedes have set themselves with the task of making the most comfortable cabriolet in the world. We think they do know a thing or two about how to achieve such a feat over its competition.
"After 44 years we can again offer friends of our company an open variant of the S‑Class. The new S-Class Cabriolet symbolises our passion for individual and timelessly exclusive mobility, which we share with our customers", remarks Ola Källenius, Board Member of Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales.
Making the “most comfortable cabriolet” in the world does pose a somewhat more difficult challenge, what with the roof down and messing up the climate control and noise insulation. But Mercedes-Benz plans on tackling these with their new AIRCAP automatic wind protection system and the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system. We’ll see more of that come Frankfurt this year, we’re sure.


Which Is Better Value: Brand New B-Segment, Or Pre-Loved C-Segment?

There are pros and cons to either option, but of course it depends on what you're looking for in your ownership experience.

When you're looking to buy a car, you have two main choices. You can either buy something that's brand new from a dealer - all the bells and whistles, service packages, and warranties - or you can pick something up that may be a couple of years old for a little less money. At a certain price point, there's actually a fair amount of overlap between a brand-new B-segment model, or something a little older from the C-segment.

Before we get into it, let's try and define what the segments mean.

The actual definition of segments varies from country to country, and the actual dimensions can vary greatly as well. Instead, let's look at examples: the
Toyota Vios
,
Honda City
,
Mazda 2
, and
Nissan Almera
 are examples of B-segment models, while the
Honda Civic
,
Toyota Corolla
, and
Mazda 3
 are classified as C-segment cars.

The B-segment price point has slowly and steadily been creeping upwards as more features become included as standard, and the cars become more complex and refined as per demands by consumers. The Toyota Vios, for example, used to be a very bare-bones 1.5-litre sedan meant for those moving up in their careers and it came with very little in the way of options and functionality.

Now, it has blossomed into quite the vehicle. The top-spec Toyota Vios comes with safety features that aren't even available on luxury models, while connectivity for smart devices is quite nearly as good as it gets. You can't really find a fault with these models - Vios, or otherwise - save for perhaps a bit more power or comfort or refinement.

On the other hand, C-segment cars are on the brink of extinction - along with their D-segment brethren. We don't mean this in an altogether ominous way, as they have been slowly phased out in favour of crossovers and SUVs. More and more markets are slowly dropping these sedans, but they are as elegantly designed and developed as ever and definitely solid purchase options.

So what your two choices really come down to are how much space you need, and perhaps whether you value that extra level of refinement. Pretty much all B-segment cars are torsion beam, while some C-segment cars graduate to multi-link - though some will still be torsion beam rear, albeit with slightly better design and geometry. Ultimately it's undeniable that a larger, longer, heavier C-segment car is going to be more comfortable.

One of the advantages of picking something brand new is that you get the aforementioned warranties in place, as well as whatever service programs a company may offer as part of your vehicle purchase. In many cases, getting a loan on a brand new car also tends to be easier and with more favourable rates than one with a couple of years on the clock - and you're less likely to have to deal with unintended wear or unexpected repairs.

You do, however, end up losing a fair amount of money on depreciation - as is the case the moment you drive a new car off the dealer's lot. The first year is always the biggest hit, so you could argue that a 1-year-old B-segment model may be a really good deal - but that's beside the point. You could make the same argument for picking a national car like the Perodua Myvi at a much cheaper price point too - but again, this isn't a fair comparison.

When you look at pricing, you're generally going to be comparing a two to three-year-old C-segment model with a brand new B-segment model. Using the
Toyota Corolla Altis
 as an example, units
registered in 2018
 are going for around the RM 90,000 mark, while
2015 and 2016 models
 will go for just over RM 70,000 - which is the sort of range of prices you'd pay for a brand-new B-segment model.

So which would you really pick?

Many of the second-hand Japanese offerings are unlikely to throw any curve-balls at you when it comes to maintenance, so even if you picked up an older second-hand unit you aren't likely to spend ridiculous amounts of money to keep it on the road. The extra comfort does come in handy when you have to drive longer distances or sit in traffic jams, and of course, they're just a little quicker and handle a little better.

But there is something unique about the experience of owning a car that's brand new, never having had an owner before, and with only delivery miles on the clock. It's an achievement in life, regardless of how financially unsound it may be to take that depreciation hit.


Peugeot Sport Concept 508 Unveiled – Twin-Engined PHEV: 400 bhp

Peugeot Sport (the company’s high-performance and motorsport division) has unveiled a concept based on its D-Segment 508 sedan that is relatively bonkers but actually serves as a precursor to electrified, high-performance vehicles in the near future.
Slated to debut at the upcoming 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the lengthily named Concept 508 (Peugeot Sport Engineered) is a derivative of the
Peugeot 508
 Plug-In Hybrid sedan but crucially adds another engine in the rear.
At the front is a Puretech 200 engine which works in concert with a 110 bhp electric motor to drive the front wheels, while another 200 bhp motor drives the rear wheels, effectively making the Concept 508 and all-wheel drive vehicle.
Little else is known about the drivetrain and transmission but Peugeot claims a combined power output of 400 bhp and maximum torque of 500 Nm. Acceleration is claimed to be superb, with a 4.3 second 0-100 km/h sprint time, all the way to a top speed of 250 km/h.
The 11.8 kWh battery reportedly allows for an electric range of up to 50km (WLTP-cycle).
The Concept 508 receives uprated brakes in the form of 380 mm front discs with four-piston calipers. The front and rear track have been widened by 24 mm and 12 mm respectively, and the ride height has been lowered courtesy of some suspension tweaks.
Visually, the Concept 508 receives a redesigned front bumper with larger cooling ducts with specially designed elements to improve aerodynamics and airflow over the front section of the car. At the rear, the rear spoiler has been deleted and a diffuser completes the rear end. Along the flanks, new 20" alloy wheel rims have been designed to redirect airflow for better brake cooling.
The Concept 508 is finished off in the "Selenium Grey" body colour, which changes according to the light, thanks to the fine opalescent particles contained in the paint.


Volkswagen Fest Is Back, Irresistible Deals To Be Had

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) will be organizing its second Volkswagen Fest from 12
th
 till 14
th
 October at the Setia City Convention Centre.
The highlight of this year's Volkswagen Fest will be the unveiling of a special edition model and the introduction of Volkswagen's Customer Loyalty Program.
Over the three days, visitors will be able to sample a variety of Volkswagen models and enjoy rebates on new and pre-registered cars. Additionally, there will also be free petrol vouchers worth RM3,000 on selected pre-registered cars.
Visitors to the Volkswagen Fest can also get a Volkswagen Vento from as low as RM55,888 and the Golf GTI from as low as RM188,888.
As
reported earlier
, customers that register a Volkswagen before 30
th
 November are eligble for the ongoing Price Protection Scheme.
For existing Volkswagen owners that visit the Volkswagen Fest, they can enjoy a free 20-point check at the designated aftersales booth. VPCM is also offering a special aftersales membership for the first 200 owners with cars that are four years and older.
Other highlights at the Volkswagen Fest include an outdoor movie screening, mini concert, and a gathering of current and classic Volkswagen models.
The 2018 edition of the Volkswagen Fest will happen from 12
th
 to 14
th
 October 2018 and opening hours are:
10am till midnight (12
th
 to 13
th
 October)
10am till 10pm (14
th
 October)


Honda CR-V Diesel Under Consideration For Malaysia

Honda Malaysia is mulling over the possibility of introducing Honda’s latest Earth Dreams series 1.6-litre D-TEC clean diesel engine in the near future, possibly in time for the next generation 2017 Honda CR-V.
The move is part of Honda Malaysia’s wider effort to progressively renew its powertrain line-up, which will also see a
1.5-litre VTEC Turbo
 debuting in Malaysia soon, possibly by
2017 in the all-new Honda Civic
, which is likely to make its global debut next year.
The 1.6-litre D-TEC engine was launched at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October. It is currently fitted to the European-market Honda CR-V and HR-V.
The turbo diesel engine complies with Euro-6 emissions standards and produces 160 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque. In comparison, the CR-V 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol produces 155 PS and 190 Nm.
It also uses a two stage turbo system, a high pressure turbo located upstream of the exhaust gas flow, and a low pressure turbo located downstream.
The high-pressure turbo is responsible for air flow to the engine at low engine speeds, while the low-pressure turbo operates at high engine speeds. At mid-range engine speeds, both turbos work in tandem to feed air to the engine. The smaller high-pressure turbo is controlled by a variable geometry turbine (VGT) to ensure quick throttle response and reduce pumping losses at low engine speeds. The low-pressure turbo is controlled by a conventional waste gate valve.
When tuned to meet the European Union’s Euro-6 emissions standard (with exhaust after-treatment), the diesel-powered CR-V consumes just 4.9-litres of diesel per 100 km.
A source familiar with the matter say Honda Malaysia has yet to make a firm decision regarding the i-DTEC engine’s introduction in Malaysia, partly due to the lack of clarity regarding the introduction of Euro-5 diesel in Malaysia.
“No decision has been made but we will continue to study the market, and introduce products that will excite our customers,” said the source.
Euro-5 diesel is reportedly scheduled to be phased in by 2020, but we are not placing our bets on it as introduction of clean diesel fuels have been delayed multiple times.
Under the 2009 National Automotive Policy, it was announced that the government will set a clear target for implementing Euro-4 diesel by 2011, but clearly, this has yet to happen.
Mazda Malaysia currently assembles the SkyActiv-D 2.2-litre diesel CX-5 at the Sime Darby Motors-Berjaya Auto Inokom plant in Kulim but the model is not sold here due to compatibility issues with our Euro-2M diesel. Instead, the Malaysia-assembled CX-5 is exported to Thailand, where Euro-5 diesel fuel is available.
The prospect of a diesel-powered CR-V might fit well within Honda Malaysia’s plan increase its sales in East Malaysia, where diesel-powered 4x4s are in demand.
Last month, Honda Malaysia announced its target to increase its sales in East Malaysia to over 600 units per month in 2016, supported by two recently opened logistics hub in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, and its upcoming regional field office, training facilities and parts warehouse.


UMW Toyota’s Pre-Owned Division Is Now Called Toyota TopMark

UMW Toyota Motor announced that its pre-owned vehicles division that was previously known as TopMark, will now be known as Toyota TopMark.
The company said that the move reflects the new focus on offering quality Toyota Certified Pre-Owned cars and Hybrid cars which has been one of the strengths of the division since being established in 2000.
Being affiliated with UMW Toyota Motor’s service and technical divisions, Toyota TopMark has access to information on every Toyota vehicle so it has greater expertise than any other party in Malaysia where it comes to inspections.
Furthermore, the vehicle’s service record is also fit available for examination. Toyota TopMark gives full assurance that the cumulative mileage shown on the odometer is genuine and not adjusted backwards.
In fact, every vehicle that is offered for sale at Toyota TopMark undergoes an inspection process covering over 200 points before it is readied for display. These include safety checks to ensure that all safety systems are in proper working order and that the tyres have sufficient tread (if not, they will be replaced). The standard battery is also replaced with a new one and Toyota Genuine Parts are used if replacements are needed. All the work is done at an authorised Toyota service centre.
To give the vehicle a fresh look, it also undergoes Complete Cleaning, a thorough 3-step cleaning process that will leave it looking as good as new. As an example of the thoroughness of the cleaning, all the tyres are removed and cleaned separately while wheel arch is cleaned with quality detergent and high water pressure to remove mud and oil. It is then finished off with black paint spray to restore and protect the inside surfaces. The process covers the exterior and interior and is finished off with a professional polishing job and the cabin is deodorized.
Customers can enjoy extra benefits when they buy a Toyota Certified Pre-Owned vehicle from Toyota TopMark. Each vehicle comes with a 2-year / 40,000 km warranty for its engine and transmission. Labour charges for the first and second scheduled services at authorized Toyota service centres will be waived.
Customers can also enjoy a higher margin of financing and fast approval of loans (terms and conditions apply) from Toyota TopMark’s affiliate, Toyota Capital.
In conjunction with the rebranding move, Toyota TopMark’s website has also been refreshed to provide visitors with a more user-friendly interface.
Toyota TopMark has five outlets in Peninsular Malaysia, located in Petaling Jaya, Butterworth, Johor Bahru, Kulai and Kuantan.


All-New 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W213) Tech Details Revealed

The
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
 has been the flagship for the Three Pointed Star brand and is a mobile palace of luxury, packed with the latest technologies to showcase the best that the brand has to offer.
From there, these pieces of tech would trickle down to other models in the range but that could soon all change.
At a preview event at the company’s headquarters in Stuttgard, Germany,
Mercedes-Benz
 divulged several new technologies which would make its way into the next-generation
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
 (W213) which makes it even more feature-loaded than the flagship itself as you’ll soon see.
Autonomous Driving
Many car manufacturers are on the pursuit to implement more advanced autonomous driving capabilities into their vehicles and Mercedes-Benz is no exception. The all-new E-Class will employ an enhanced version of the Intelligent Drive system which made its debut on the S-Class.
This means the E-Class will be able to steer itself for short periods of time which is a function of Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control, although that doesn’t mean you should leave the steering wheel altogether.
The system also works on secondary roads even without lane markings up to speeds of 97km/h. It does this by using an array of sensors, including ultrasonic and radar sensors, a stereo camera facing forward, side and rear cameras to follow the car ahead and scans for structures such as buildings or railing at the side of the road.
On highways, the cruise-control function works in stop-and-go traffic and if the roads are clear, the system will work at speeds up to 193km/h and can adjust the car’s speed upon sighting speed limit signs with its onboard camera or via information taken from the navigation system.
Active Braking Assist & Evasive Steering Assist
Autonomous emergency braking systems have been fitted in cars for some time now but the new E-Class is capable of initiating braking earlier when the car detects that an evasive manoeuvre is no longer possible.
The Active Braking system is also capable of working in more scenarios as well, be it cross traffic entering the lane or a pedestrian walking into your path. Evasive Steering Assist adds more force to the steering to help the driver, who must still provide the steering input, to avoid the pedestrian by swerving the car correctly.
Cell Phone Car Key
Mercedes-Benz say it will transform your smartphone into a key fob for the new E-Class. Once paired up, you will be capable of unlocking the car using the smartphone’s Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol. And once you do enter the car, simply place the phone on the wireless charging pad to enable the car’s ignition and you can set off.
Automated Parking

That same smartphone can also be used to park the E-Class to via the Remote Parking Pilot app, which connects to the car via Bluetooth connectivity. The driver will still need to tell the car where to park via the app by tracing a circle on the smartphone and continue doing so to keep the car moving. The system requires the driver to be within 300cm of the car and is capable of parking itself into a perpendicular space, parallel park, or pull forward into a tight garage. The
all-new BMW 7 Series
 is also capable of this neat trick while
Land Rover has demonstrated Bluetooth-connected driving as well.
Car-to-X
Having cars talk to each other would allow for other driver to be notified of potential road hazards on the route they are taking. The E-Class will showcase this technology of car-to-car communication where a driver can indicate a road hazard with a push of a button, sending the alert to a dedicated computer network which analyses it before sending it out to Mercedes-Benz cars equipped with the technology.
When other drivers receive this information, a warning icon will appear on a map and as the car gets closer to the reported hazard, can audibly warn the driver. The system also work with alerts triggered by airbag deployment or cars with their hazard lights on. In the future, the German car maker is looking to expand the system to receive alerts from emergency vehicles and other manufacturers’ vehicles.
Multibeam LED Lighting
First seen on the Mercedes-Benz CLS last year, the Multibeam LED headlamps on the E-Class now boasts an array of 84 LEDs, each individually controllable to provide high- and low- beams while the curve-following adaptive-lighting functions are now managed electronically and not limited to input from the steering wheel.
Pre-Safe
Merecedes-Benz’s collision-preparedness technology also receives an update. In the event a car senses a side impact imminent, the active-contour seats will inflate the side bolsters to push the passenger towards the centre of the car to minimise the chance of injury.
The system goes even further with something called Pre-Safe Sound which plays a short interference signal through the audio system which causes a natural reflex in our ears known as the stapedius reflex to cancel out the sounds of the crash. Inflatable seat belts which are currently on the S-Class also make their way into the new E-Class.
The all-new 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is scheduled to make its debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January next year.


All-New Audi Q3 Enters Production In Hungary

Audi Hungaria has started assembly of the second generation Q3, with the first model rolling off the production line finished in Turbo Blue.
Achim Heinfling, Managing Director of Audi Hungaria Zrt said, “Meanwhile, nearly a third of all the Audi’s we deliver are SUVs. The production of a Q model is a clear commitment to our site in Hungary; it strengthens our competitiveness and thus secures the long-term success of Audi Hungaria. I am proud of our employees, who have managed the start of production of the Audi Q3 with many years of expertise and great passion for the model.”
To accommodate the production of the new Audi Q3, the company built a new 80,000 square meter body shop and added 700 robots. Additionally, Audi Hungaria also trained more than 1,000 employees for the production of the all-new Q3.
The new generation Audi Q3 is the fifth models to be assembled at the Győr plant, joining the A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, as well as the Audi TT Coupe and TT Roadster.
Audi Hungaria has an annual production capacity of 160,000 units, one of the country’s largest car manufacturers. The company currently employs more than 12,500 workers, with roughly 4,500 working in the automotive production sector.


All-New 2017 BMW 5 Series (G30) Launched In Malaysia; CBU 530i M Sport, RM399k

The
all-new 2017 BMW 5 Series
 has arrived in Malaysia, completing the renewal of an increasingly competitive premium executive sedan segment that has also welcomed the all-new
Volvo S90/V90
 just last week as well as the
W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
 that
came in 2016
.

Launched as a fully-imported model, the G30 5 Series is for the moment available with only one variant, namely the 530i M Sport priced at RM398,800 without insurance. Local assembly is expected to commence later this year and with it should come more competitively-priced variants to combat the
upcoming E-Class CKD
. Don't expect a significant reduction with the locally-assembled cars, however, the CBU model is priced deliberately on the low side to ensure a smooth pricing transition for the upcoming CKD variants.

Performance – No Faster, But Way More Efficient

Taking over from the outgoing
F10 528i
, the all-new G30 530i is powered by BMW’s new generation 2.0-litre turbo inline-4 petrol engine churning out 252hp and 350Nm. Mated to the highly-acclaimed 8HP 8-speed auto from ZF, the 530i is able to do 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds en route to an electronically capped top speed of 250 km/h.

Whilst the 530i’s claimed century sprint time is unchanged from the F10 528i, the new model is significantly more economical, sipping fuel at 5.8 litres/100km compared to its predecessor’s 6.5 litres/100km; CO
2
 emissions, too, are down to 132 g/km from 152 g/km previously. The 530i is, in fact, more efficient than even the outgoing 184hp 520i, which was rated at 6.2 litres/100km and 144 g/km. Surely this car deserves
EEV incentives
?

As before, drivers can choose between different driving modes through the Driving Experience Control system. In addition to the familiar Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport settings, the G30 additionally comes with a fourth Adaptive mode, which ties in data from the navigation system to optimize steering, transmission, and damper mappings to the current driving style and the route ahead.

Less Drag, Less Weight

Contributing to the gains in efficiency of the new 5 Series is a combination of improved aerodynamics and substantial weight reduction over its predecessor. Drag coefficient has been reduced from the F10’s 0.25 to 0.22, just below the Mercedes-Benz E-Class’ figure of 0.23.

Despite not receiving Carbon Core construction from the
7 Series
, the G30 5 Series nevertheless benefits from increased usage of aluminium and high-strength steel to shed considerable weight from the F10 whilst continuing to offer exceptional stiffness. The 530i as offered in Malaysia weighs in at 85kg lighter than the 528i that it directly replaces.

Increased Dimensions

Whilst cutting back its weight, BMW has simultaneously made the
G30 a bigger car than the one it replaced
, albeit by minor increments. Its length still stays on the near side of 5 metres, but at 4,936mm from stem to stern, it is 29mm longer than its predecessor. It also measures 8mm wider and 2mm taller than before. The wheelbase also records a 7mm gain, and there is a 10 litre increase in boot capacity to 530 litres.

M Sport Package As Standard

Continuing where it left off with the F10, which was upgraded to have M Sport package fitted as standard from 2016 onwards, the sole G30 variant currently on offer is also kitted in the sportiest trim on offer. Items as part of the M Sport package are as follows:

19-inch stagger-sized M light-alloy wheels

M Sport brakes with blue-painted callipers

M Aerodynamic components – front and rear aprons, side sill covers

Sports seats – driver and front passenger

Illuminated M door sill finish

M specific pedals

M leather steering

Packed With Technology

BMW has packed the works in the all-new 5 Series. Although some of more
advanced autonomous driving aids
 such as
Priority & Wrong Way Warning
, Evasion Aid, and Remote Parking have been omitted from the Malaysian market, there is still plenty of equipment left on board to make the new 5 Series a segment technological leader.

Adaptive LED headlamps:
 LED headlamps are now the norm, but the 5 Series’ lighting package has a maximum illuminating range of 500 metres on high beam. It also has roundabout lighting.

iDrive:
 BMW’s latest-generation infotainment system offers a high-res 10.25 touchscreen along with the familiar rotary control knob. Like the 7 Series, interface with the system is also possible with voice commands as well as Gesture Control.

Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go:
 Operable at speeds up to 210 km/h, the 5 Series’ active cruise control system is able to adjust the vehicle’s speed according to traffic conditions observed through camera and radar. The system is capable of hauling the vehicle to a complete stop when approaching the tail end of a traffic jam and is then able get moving again once the vehicle in front moves off. The system is also programmed to recognize roundabouts and highway exits and act accordingly.

Speed Limit Info with Intelligent Speed Limit Assist:
 The new 5 Series reads speed limit signs for you and feeds that info into the active cruise control system. It ties in with the car's speed limit sign recognition software and automatically adjusts the car's speed to keep you on the legal side of the law. Drivers that insist on exceeding the speed limit need to manually confirm his/her intention to the car's computer.

Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning:
That old joke about BMW drivers not knowing how to use their signals may no longer apply with the new 5 Series. The lane departure warning system issues an audible warning if the car drifts across lane markings without indicating.

Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection:
Warns the driver of impending collisions with pedestrians or vehicles. Works at speeds from 10 to 60km/h for pedestrians and up to 80 km/h for vehicles. Depending on situation, the system may not always be successful in averting a collision, but will nevertheless be useful in mitigating the impact.

Rear cross traffic alert:
 Works in combination with the reverse camera to warn drivers of oncoming traffic when reversing out of a parking slot.

Prevention of Rear Collision:
 Flashes the hazard warning lights to alert oncoming drivers when it detects the threat of a rear end collision by an approaching vehicle.

Competitors

As noted in our
findings from the international media drive event held in Portugal last year
, the new G30 5 Series is poised to be an extremely competitive vehicle with well-balanced spread of abilities. It enters a segment that is more competitive than ever, however, with Mercedes-Benz and Volvo both having just launched all-new models that compete directly.

Its closest rival is, naturally, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W213) which was launched locally in 2016. Local assembly is set to commence soon, but BMW's asking price announced today makes the CBU E-Class' starting price of RM396k for the base E200 suddenly seem less than enticing value. The
E300
 which competes directly with the 530i launched here goes for a not inconsiderable RM459k.

The more recently launched Volvo S90, which is also due for CKD later this year, starts at a lower RM389k for the T5 model that is on power parity with the 530i but is front-wheel driven. The higher-end T6 model, which features twincharging enabling it to match the 3.0-litre 540i (not launched here) for outputs, hits the road at RM454k.

Both the E-Class and S90 are expected to launch plug-in hybrid variants when their respective CKD operations commence, and we have every reason to expect the 5 Series will respond like-for-like with a 530e variant to be powered by a 252hp/420Nm 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain.

A more left field alternative is the Audi A6, but it does not have a variant to compete directly against the 530i. Its starting price of RM328k is competitive, but outputs from its
1.8 TFSI
 engine pit it more closely at 520i level instead. The alternative is a 3.0 TFSI quattro which, like the Volvo S90 T6, is a product meant to be pitched against the higher 540i.


First Look: Teaser Images of the All-New Mitsubishi Triton released ahead of global debut

The highly anticipated 2023 Mitsubishi Triton is set to make its global debut in Bangkok, Thailand on July 26, according to an official announcement by Mitsubishi. The company also released a series of teaser images showcasing the upcoming ute's robust new design and larger dimensions.

From what we can see from the shadowy pictures teased by Mitsubishi, the front end of the Triton features bold styling elements, including tri-beam LED running lights and a square-shaped grille with the iconic Mitsubishi logo.

The vehicle's extended wheel arches, contrasting skid plate, large wheels, and integrated sports bars
suggest that it may be a flagship variant
, though not the speculated to be a Triton Ralliart.

The new Triton's longer and squarer cabin, along with increased width, will likely enhance second-row comfort, while the reduced rear overhang is expected to improve payload capacity and off-road capabilities.

The rear of the vehicle showcases a fresh lighting signature and, in the featured model, an aero sports bar for the truck bed, reinforcing its identity as the new Triton flagship.

Mitsubishi Malaysia has not yet promoted any sort of teasers for the all-new Triton in the country, which is
a key indicator that it'll be sometime before the new Ute arrives in Malaysia
.

Australia's significant role as a key market for the Triton has led to extensive development work being carried out there, so any news of the Trition out of Australia is probably our best guess as to what we can expect here.

The new Triton is expected to offer advanced technology, increased power, and enhanced payload and towing capacity, positioning it to compete strongly against rivals such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

Additionally, the Triton platform will serve as the basis for the next Nissan Navara and potentially electric versions of both utes.


Shanghai Auto Show Protestor Shouts “Tesla Brakes Fail!” Before Security Rushed In

Yesterday, Monday 19th April, marked the first day of the 2021
Shanghai Motor Show
, which is a rare type of live in-person event to see take place since the pandemic hit. Though we’re glad to see their return, organisers there were perhaps annoyed and a bit bewildered to find a sole protestor disturbing the peace.

One woman, who identifies herself a Tesla owner, stood up on a
Model 3
 on display while wearing a custom made t-shirt that said “Tesla brakes lost control” while shouting her complaints to a crowd of onlookers, but at least she was nice enough to remove her shoes before scaling the car. Reports say another protestor was accompanying her, but remained on the ground.

Predictably, this commotion quickly drew the attention of security personnel, who attempted to block her from view with opened umbrellas but were swatted away. Eventually, she was removed from her perch and ‘escorted’ out of the show floor.

Following the ruckus, there was speculation as to whether her claims are valid, perhaps a victim of a legitimate fault with a Tesla vehicle that resulted in brake failure. With regard to her identity, it is uncertain if she is the same woman in Henan, China, that sat in protest on her damaged Tesla Model 3 and is demanding a full refund.

Back in March, this owner started a social media campaign to draw attention to what she claimed to be a near-death experience for her and her family when “the brakes on my Tesla Model 3 vehicle failed” when it was involved in a collision with two other vehicles, according to a local news outlet. Her father was driving the car at the time on the 341 National Highway.

Among other pieces of evidence, Tesla analysed the on-site photograph data captured from the on-board computer and found no abnormalities; that the car was travelling at 118.5km/h with all the braking systems and active safety functions fully operational.

This definitely isn’t the first time that the US electric carmaker
has come under scrutiny
, from battery fires to build quality issues to, most frequently, complaints on their
AutoPilot
 autonomous driving system.

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Review: 2022 G01 BMW X3 sDrive20i M Sport (LCI) - Extra Mild Or Mildly Extra?

In Malaysia, your choice for a premium, sort-of-mid-size SUV (or SAV, as BMW insists) invariably lands you between
the Mercedes-Benz GLC
 and one of these, the BMW X3, which
recently received
 some spec shuffling and a visual restyle. But is it more of the same?

Prior to this, prospective X3 owners looking for a fewer-frills variant were pointed
to the sDrive20i xLine
, which kicked off the range at around RM270k, but with invariable price increases and the re-introduction of SST after a 2 year lax period, this newer entry-X3 is being lobbed for a hair under RM316k.

This is one of BMW’s more subdued facelift treatments too, or LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) as they call it, with much of the alterations being cosmetic. There are new additions to the equipment list, including some interesting choices of powertrain, but none of that applies to this sDrive20i.

The Volvo XC60
, due to it being offered as PHEV-only, manages to price itself just out of direct contention but makes up for that with a very generous feature set and standard equipment. However, some will insist on German-only and can be loyal to a fault to a certain brand, which does leave us to wonder how much
Audi, with the Q5
, is letting its rivals run away with the market. Ours, specifically.

2022 BMW X3 sDrive20i M Sport - Exterior

That face up front is the biggest differentiator here at least in terms of pure surface area as there’s no mistaking those enlarged kidney grilles - BMW just can’t help but scale it up. Thankfully they're joined by the M Sport package’s little touches to spruce up the visual.

Especially against this Alpine White body colour, the gloss black Shadowline trim accents really stand out. Paired with the more aggressive side skirting, bicolour 19-inch Style 887M wheels, trapezoidal exhaust finishers, smoked-out effect headlight and tail light housings, new headlight projector units and daytime running lights, this 2022 revision does not give off the impression that it sits at the bottom of the range.

With less equipment to lug around and rear-wheel drive, there’s potentially a more rewarding drive to be enjoyed too - but we’ll get to that later.

You’ll definitely recognise it as a ‘newer’ X3, but should quickly comprehend it as the G01 we’ve known since its international debut in 2017, albeit tweaked here and there. Next to the similarly priced (X253) GLC 200 AMG-Line, we’d cede the overall design nod to the Merc, but for sheer distinctiveness on the road, the X3 has more ‘look at me’ value.

2022 BMW X3 sDrive20i M Sport - Interior

Even stepping inside, you’ll again need a keen eye to spot the differences between the older X3 and this 2022 revision. While the general layout and ergonomics remain consistent, individual elements such as the air conditioning vents and centre console controls are obviously new.

There’s generally a narrowing between the older model and the more current interior pieces from the 4 Series and newer 3 Series. With the M Sport pack, the sDrive20i also gains a chunkier steering wheel, more supportive ‘sport’ front seats and alloy pedals, but the most refreshing option fitted to the test unit we sampled was the Mocha-dyed Vernasca leather upholstery.

This small contrasting shade alone lets us appreciate the cabin and its high-quality construction so much more. And it isn’t like you could let more light in with the admittedly unnecessary sunroof as that’s reserved for the step-up xDrive30i variant.

As before, it’s a fine thing to sit in with lovely materials to touch where it matters. Build quality and finishing were also pretty good with the exception of the centre console tray cover that needed way more force to open once closed. We're hoping this was a fluke issue.

The X3 is pretty spacious too with the rear bench comfortably (and plushly) able to seat 3 adults, just as long as the middle passenger is willing to share foot space to the side as that centre driveline tunnel is fairly obstructive.

Though the seats don’t fold completely flat, they do free up a total of 1,600 litres when made horizontal in comparison to the 550 litres with them left upright.

2022 BMW X3 sDrive20i M Sport - Engine And Drivetrain

The word I’d describe the rest of the BMW X3 experience here is ‘
familiar
’, almost to a fault. Upfront and longitudinally mounted sits the automaker’s B48 unit, which is used across all variants
besides the M40i and up
.

This variant is the runt of the litter, its 2.0-litre turbocharged inline 4-cylinder is down-tuned to a more meagre 184PS at 5,000rpm and 300Nm of sustained peak torque from 1,350rpm to 4,250rpm, though it can easily produce 252PS and 350Nm from the factory in the xDrive30i.

That hasn’t seemed to dull its responsiveness or lust for revs as it pulls clean and strong if you let it. Even better, the rear-drive layout here makes the power delivery feel much less ponderous, lending it a sportier feel despite any impediments its touring-spec Bridgestone Turanza
run-flat tyres
 might have incurred.

It feels much more ‘BMW’ than the last X3 I drove (xDrive-equipped), but that could also be down to the M Sport suspension, though I doubt that. Shame, then, that the usually brilliant ZF-8HP automatic transmission tended to seem a little unsettled at low speed where there was some odd stutter during shifts, even when left in D.

There are no issues on the highway, though. Even with less power, there’s something about the way these engines are tuned that make them feel punchier than their on-paper numbers suggest, and this isn’t quite the case with the GLC 200 and its supposedly gutsier 200PS 2.0-litre. If you can live with your BMW needing an
unbragworthy
 8.2 seconds to reach 100km/h, you’ll be more than happy with the sDrive20i.

2022 BMW X3 sDrive20i M Sport - Behind The Wheel

Predictably, another area where the X3 pulls ahead of other premium SUVs is the drive. Against the aforementioned GLC and the Volvo XC60, maybe even the last Q5 I drove, the X3 behaves very comparably to the 3 Series on the road - that is to say, very nicely. They’re all just as easy to get around town with but it's the open, twisty roads where the SUV formula tends to fall apart.

Comfort levels remain high and cabin insulation is superb, for the most part, but the manner in which the G01 continues to track a bend, or a series of bends, so fluidly is very impressive.

That said there are lots to poke at when it comes to outright handling - dull steering feel, over-dampened suspension, a little too much body roll, my long-running hatred of run-flat tyres - but in the context of its rivals in the higher-riding premium SUVs space, there’s no question that this is the most rewarding to drive in its class.

Yes, that excludes the heavier, more cumbersome xDrive30i and xDrive30e. Short of a comparison with the X3 M40i or X3M, this sDrive20i with its fewer-frills spec sheet, rear-wheel drive and 'only' 1.7-tonne kerb weight is the most dynamically talented. There are just some really good genes here.

2022 BMW X3 sDrive20i M Sport - Tech And Safety

When you’re sat in the X3, the centrally perched 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display, now running BMW OS 7, is the most immediate upgrade noticeable as the smaller 8.8-inch centre panel had been a sore spot for buyers of the previous base X3.

There’s no fully digitised Live Cockpit Plus instrument cluster but the halfway-house imitation OLED analogue dials are much more legible at the expense of customisability and flash. You’ll also get the full complement of BMW’s live services such as live Maps, BMW Connected, and over-the-air updates.

Over the xDrive30i, other noteworthy tech suite omissions for the sDrive20i include a wireless smartphone charging pad, as well as a Harman/Kardon surround sound system, but the unbranded ‘HiFi’ audio system supplied here is no slouch either.

There are 12-speakers and a subwoofer that delivered sonic punch and clarity to a point that I honestly did not miss the fancier setup at all, especially when I had the equaliser dialled in. H/K is but a shell of its former glorious self since the acquisition of its parent company Harman by Samsung anyway but...that's a rant for another day.

BMW have included their Driving Assistant package as standard that includes Front Collision Warning with Brake Intervention. That’s just an overlong BMW term for Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), but the suite also has Lane Change Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and a Lane Departure Warning system that is thankfully much less annoying/obtrusive than that from other automakers. Unfortunately, there’s no Adaptive Cruise Control.

2022 BMW X3 sDrive20i M Sport - Conclusion

If you loved the X3 before, there’s no real reason to reverse your position with this 2022 revision. After all, BMW isn’t making any claims of it being a revolutionary step forward over the 2017 G01 series, but merely improving upon it where possible based on what has been introduced since its original debut.

Unsurprisingly, you might immediately sense this car isn't especially new given how subtle some of these alterations are, but for Malaysian buyers, there is cause for some excitement. Though prices are a little higher than before, the X3 now comes as standard with the M Sport package.

In addition to this, there are some new additions to the equipment list that does improve upon the value proposition over the previous entry-variant: the sDrive20i xLine.

Ultimately, this is still the X3. It still drives the best among its peers and besides that, remains a very competent, practical, comfortable, and handsome SUV (SAV?) all-rounder that should be on everyone’s shortlist.

Though it should easily manage to hold its own against the ageing and now outdated X253 Mercedes-Benz GLC, it’s only a matter of time before its
all-new successor (the X254)
 finds its way onto Malaysian shores.


The Dream Proton Line-up We Would Like To See In Five Years

With rumours abound and launches delayed, what is the path forward for our national carmaker Proton? What is the dream Proton line-up we would like to see in five years?

The last three years have been somewhat of a Cinderella story for Proton. From relative lows in the first half of the decade to join hands with one of the largest and most forward-thinking automotive brands in the world, to churning out the exacting products that Malaysian customers want that have all gone on to perform well and even lead their respective segments. Proton is
riding on an all-time high
 at the moment, and that’s a good thing.

Nevertheless, if history (and Proton’s formidable Malaysian competitor) has taught us anything – is to never rest on your laurels. With every carmaker vying for a bigger piece of a relatively small pie, Proton cannot afford to stay stagnant in the coming years. The salvo of products that cater to what Malaysians want must continue as well as their commitment to improving overall build quality and aftersales to ensure a cohesive ownership experience for their customers.

This is not rocket science. In addition, with their well-publicized 5-year plan, announced in the infancy of cooperation with new partners Geely – we do know that Proton will be busy with at least another three product introductions in the coming years. This includes major and minor updates for other models as they hope to amass total sales of 400,000 units (import and export) by 2027.

To add to that complexity, Proton in the coming years must balance sales of volume models such as the Saga and Iriz to beat first-place Perodua, while still offering premium products such as the X50, and X70 to take on the likes of Honda and Toyota if it wants to corner the biggest segments of the market.

In light of this, we figured we’d put together a
berangan-angan
lineup or future Proton range that we would love to see our national carmaker do in the near future. Of course, we know it wouldn’t be easy, and some may not come true, but hey, we can still dream right…

Entry-level sedan

There is no Proton without a Saga. A name so synonymous with Proton must live on – and given its current success as Proton’s bestseller, there is no reason why they shouldn’t develop an entirely new generation of the Saga in the coming years. It’s a compelling value proposition that offers great space, practicality, reliability, and crucially driving refinement that is better than its immediate competitor the Perodua Bezza.

A budget B-Segment trio?

This is perhaps the segment where Proton can achieve the biggest gains
seeing as it trails by a wide margin
 against the all-conquering Perodua Myvi. However, with the addition of the Perodua Ativa, Proton will need to further bolster its B-Segment offerings with better features and more importantly an SUV, so we see this as a three-pronged approach.

The Proton Iriz replacement

This is by far the most important car Proton will have to develop in the coming years. Despite Proton’s valiant efforts in developing the
Iriz into a superb little B-Segment hatch
, it is no match for the Myvi. Therefore, the new car will have to surpass the current bestseller in nearly all criteria design, powertrain, and crucially active safety, something the Myvi already leads with courtesy of the ASA 2.0 system.

The Persona replacement

The Persona is a steady performer from the Proton stable. Much of this is down to great value for money, practicality, and having no natural competition within its price range. This is a no-brainer to carry forward into a new generation but it will have to look good. Arguably, the first thing that sells a sedan these days is the combination of sportiness and sleek proportions (the Honda Civic proves this), something, unfortunately, that the Persona tries very hard to do.

The small SUV to
take on the Ativa

Besides the Iriz, Proton would need a charismatic little SUV to take on the likes of the
Perodua Ativa
. Fortunately, Geely already has a cutesy little SUV selling by the boatloads called the Emgrand X3 (GX3) and this would be a perfect candidate to complete the compact B-Segment trio from Proton. The GX3 is powered by a simple (108hp/142Nm) 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with CVT-type transmission.

How can they accomplish this?

Now it’s not going to make sense to develop multiple platforms and drivetrains for a budget/compact B-Segment, therefore the most sensible way forward is a single modular platform that could underpin all three vehicles. While the Iriz and Persona have similar underpinnings, the GX3 doesn’t, therefore, ideally, the best way forward is for Proton to develop a highly modified version of its Iriz/Persona platform to underpin a new SUV model, for instance. This strategy will likely offer the most economical way forward while allowing Proton to optimize its product offerings.

However, the larger question is, will Proton's new compact model be able to offer Active Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as the
Myvi
 and Ativa currently do, given those cars were developed from the ground to integrate these technologies? As ADAS features are increasingly becoming the expectation of most new car buyers, this could be a make or break for Proton’s upcoming compact/budget models.

B-Segment

The X50 is a no-brainer…

The runaway
success of the Proton X50
 is Proton putting its best foot forward in the premium B-Segment market. It has pretty much stormed into the lead of the B-Segment SUV segment and relegated the
long-time leader, the Honda HR-V
 to second place. The X50 currently sits in second place behind the Saga as far as Proton is concerned, and with such a big advantage in terms of pricing within the segment, the X50 will likely stay on top for the foreseeable future.

However, in the coming years, it will be incumbent on Proton to introduce a comprehensive facelift that offers great value while maintaining overall build quality, and improving its supply chain, a long waiting has plagued the X50 almost since its launch and a repeat of this won’t be good for business.

The Premium offerings – one SUV, one MPV, and one great looking sedan

The X70 refresh/replacement

The Proton X70 will still form the basis of Proton's premium offerings. Proton’s largest SUV still makes for a great overall package and sales numbers have been steady even after the introduction of the X50. A good indication of what the X70 could evolve into with a major update is given by the
Geely Boyue Pro
, which exists as a more premium variant of the Boyue (the X70’s counterpart) in China. The Boyue Pro enlists slightly different looks and better equipment and features which could be incorporated into the facelift of the X70 in the coming years.

The
Preve/Inspira/Perdana replacement
 we all want

Beyond the volume-selling Saga and Persona, the ideal bang for Proton’s buck would undoubtedly come in the form of a volume C-Segment sedan to take on the likes of the
Mazda 3
, Toyota Corolla, and the all-conquering
Honda Civic
. A sedan, initially slated for 2021 is even part of Proton’s big five-year turnaround plan.

However, the biggest question surrounding a new sedan model would be where it fits in the overall Proton line-up? With a dwindling D-Segment (think Honda Accord and Toyota Camry), a C-Segment offering would be the safer bet for Proton, given it can compete with far higher volume, and at a lower price range. If the X50 has taught us anything, it’s that buyers can be tempted away from the likes of Honda and Toyota if the package and execution are compelling enough for the price tag. And since Proton has planned to launch not one but two sedans in the coming years, these two are distinct possibilities:

Introduce a Proton Preve/Suprima replacement using the
much-touted Geely Emgrand GL
 as a donor. The 2020 facelift of Geely’s popular sedan received better equipment, the Geely GKUI19 infotainment suite, and crucially the 1.5-litre turbo engine and 7-speed DCT transmission as in the X50.

Go for broke with the Geely Preface/Xing Rui as the
Perdana replacement
 that would likely require a much larger investment to accommodate assembly of Geely’s CMA platform which underpins the Preface.

Out of the two, there’s a higher likelihood of the Preve/Suprima replacement making it into a full-fledged Proton sedan and a much easier product to slot in with the current range.

The Premium MPV/Exora replacement

Image credit: Funtasticko

Besides rumours and a few spy shots of Proton conducting testing on a new MPV model, believed to replace the aging Exora - which have all but gone cold in recent months. The new MPV, which is believed to be based on the Geely Jiaji will form the basis for an all-new premium MPV model to entice premium 7-seater MPV buyers in the RM100k – 120k segment, which is mostly served by limited offerings such as the Toyota Innova.

Therefore an MPV making up the premium trio of Proton cars makes perfect sense, due to limited options, a large portion of this market opts for reconditioned models such as the Toyota Estima and Alphard. Therefore, it’s vital for Proton to capture some of this market - this is key to its overall volume aspirations.

However, with no immediate plans, in all likelihood, a premium MPV from Proton maybe still years away, and whether or not it wears an Exora badge is quite another question. Based on our conjecture, if the new MPV does not directly replace the Exora – then we’ll likely see a new model join the fleet while the Exora soldiers on as an entry-level MPV for the masses.

Proton's five-year plan with the dream line-up just might see them overtaking Perodua or at least bringing them a lot closer. Will this come to fruition, is it an
angan-angan
too far removed? We await with bated breath and a sense of excitement.

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