Tokyo 2017: Toyota Crown Concept – Nurburgring Honed, Connected Driving

The ongoing 2017 Tokyo Motorshow showcases the Crown Concept vehicle, the latest chapter of Toyota’s enduring full-sized sedan, which has survived some fourteen generations since its birth in 1955.
The concept, provides clear-as-day design details on the upcoming 15th generation model, due in Q3 of 2018. The development focus of the concept is in pursuit of driving performance and latest in connected technology.
The Crown concept has been redesigned from scratch to be based on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. Toyota has developed both FWD and RWD versions of the TNGA platform, with the Crown likely to be underpinned by the latter.
The Crown concept measures in at 4,910 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width and 1,455 mm in height, which is 25 mm longer, just as wide, and 40mm lower than the 14th generation model. The wheelbase of the concept is also longer from 14th gen's 2,860 mm to 2,920 mm.
Not much else has been confirmed regarding the drivetrain of the concept vehicle. The current-generation car is offered with 2.5-litre and 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6s, a 2.5-litre hybrid inline-four and 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder which also powers the Lexus NX and IS models. There are two transmission options, a six-speed and eight-speed automatic.
You may not believe it, but Toyota has put the upcoming Crown through its paces at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany, with the main emphasis on improving handling responsiveness, driving stability and better terrain response whether on smooth or rough surfaces.
Like the concept, the next generation Crown will feature Toyota’s Data Communication Modules (DCM) which acquires important driving information, which Toyota can then use to better serve its customers.
Toyota's advanced safety technologies will not only include automatic braking, but also the ‘ITS Connect’, a connected technology service that shares information on things like traffic signals and also communicates with other vehicles.
By utilizing the mobility service platform, Toyota aims to reduce traffic jams in cities through the utilization of data on traffic congestion. Additionally, Toyota also hopes to use the system to diagnose vehicles remotely using vehicle data collected from DCMs to predict potential vehicle issues and if further maintenance is needed.
Toyota aims to offer a car that can continue to excite drivers, well into ownership, and believes that the remote technology featured in the concept, as well as the utilization of a new mobility service, can add value to the driving lifestyles of its customers.


Lamborghini Launches The Next Evolution of Their Aventador

Following a short bit of hype, Lamborghini has finally unveiled their 2017 Aventador S LP740-4. As the name suggests, the new model gets a boost of roughly 40 hp over the previous Aventador, which was designated the LP700-4. This puts performance quite nearly on par with the Aventador Superveloce, which packs just 10 horses more. But for 2017, Lamborghini has given the Aventador S more than just a few more horses and some new bumpers.
One of the more notable additions is the four-wheel steering system. This was first shown off in the Lamborghini Centenario limited-edition model, but as expected it has trickled down into the more "common" Aventador S. As other four-wheel steering systems operate, at low speeds the rear wheels turn in an opposite direction to the front in order to improve agility, while at high speeds the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front in order to improve stability.
The restyled bumpers are more than just cosmetic, with far more improved airflow towards the rear radiators and less turbulence on the whole. Downforce at the front has gone up by a whopping 130%, while downforce at the rear is up by 400% in low-downforce mode, and 50% in high-downforce mode. The rear wing has 3 active positions now, allowing for less drag at high speeds and better stability under braking.
On the inside, perhaps the largest addition is a new driving mode known as 'Ego'. It's a sort of "Individual" mode that allows drivers to tailor stability control, steering, and suspension options to their tastes. This was probably done in response to critics complaining of not being able to access full performance while softening the suspension, or something similar. Carbon ceramic brakes come as standard.


Petaling Jaya One-Way Traffic System Enters Phase 2, 18 Month Work Period

The
one-way traffic loop
 that currently runs along Jalan Utara, Jalan Timur, Jalan Barat, and Jalan Sultan in Petaling Jaya will now enter Phase 2 of construction works according to a report published by
The Star Online
. Bukit Gasing assemblyman, Rajiv Rishyakaran said, the work will be divided into four sub-phases that will go on for 18 months.
With a one-way traffic loop now in effect, various changes have to be made to the stretches of road affected to make it safer including details such as gradients as well as features like bus stops and safety railings.
Following the “Proposed Construction Work Programme”, the first sub-phase will run from March till mid-July 2015 and will see the western half of Jalan Utara, Jalan Timur, and part of Jalan Sultan being worked on.
Sub-phase number two will kick off from July until November of this year, encompassing Jalan Barat, certain sections of Persiaran Barat, the eastern half of Jalan Utara and the remainder of Jalan Sultan.
The third sub-phase will focus on the other roads including Jalan Yong Shook Lin and the remainder of Persiaran Barat with work expected to start from December until mid-April 2016.
Finally, sub-phase four will focus on landscaping touches and road furniture such as bus stops and safety railings and is expected to be completed by August 2016.
The Star also reported that both Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor, Ang Ming Ern and Rajiv have put in a formal request to shorten the 18-month construction period initially estimated in the original tender to minimise inconvenience.
The contractor behind the project and the MBPJ would finalise details including the access and exit points for motorists along the road for areas such as near Amcorp Mall where the exit point leads out onto Jalan Timur despite cars weaving in to enter Persiaran Barat ahead.
Rajiv added that based on the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety’s (Miros) recommendations, the council appointed Pakatan Jurutera Pintar Sdn Bhd as the road safety consultants.
Following this, a survey will be undertaken by opinion research firm Merdeka Centre at a later date to gauge the traffic system’s business impact.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you welcome the one-way traffic system loop in Petaling Jaya?


Meet The Vigus Pro 4x4, JMC's First Vehicle In Malaysia

You can now view the JMC Vigus Pro 4x4 at ATM’s flagship showroom in Klang, Selangor and also place a booking at their nearest dealers.

Angka-Tan Motor Sdn Bhd (ATM), a subsidiary of Tan Chong Group's Warisan TC Holdings, will expand its vehicle portfolio after being appointed by Jiangling Motors Co., Ltd (JMC) as the official distributor of the
JMC
 Vigus Pro 4x4 pickup truck in Malaysia.

The collaboration between ATM and JMC is now underway after both parties signed an agreement on July 1, 2020. JMC has given ATM full rights to manufacture, install, and sell the JMC Vigus Pro 4x4 pickup truck, spare parts and related components in Malaysia. ATM also plans to offer JMC Vigus Pro through 13 sales and service outlets nationwide.

"We are pleased to announce that after 12 months of hard work, Angka-Tan Motor, in collaboration with Jiangling Motors Co., Ltd is now ready to introduce another
competitor
 in the popular pickup truck segment. This stylish and high-tech JMC Vigus Pro 4x4 pickup truck has already proven its capabilities in the Chinese market. We can't wait to share this new product with pickup truck enthusiasts across Malaysia," said Warisan TC Holdings Bhd Chief Executive Officer, Tan Keng Meng.

"As a leading manufacturer and exporter of light commercial vehicles in China, we are excited to offer versatile pickup trucks equipped with the latest technology to consumers in Malaysia. JMC has been the second best-selling brand in the pickup truck segment in China for many years. We would like to congratulate the appointment of Angka-Tan Motor as the official distributor of JMC Vigus Pro 4x4 and express our appreciation to TC Heritage for their support in making this collaboration a reality," said Jiangling Motors Co., Ltd. President, Xiong Chunying.

If you're wondering what this JMC Vigus Pro
4x4 is all about
, let's start with when it was introduced in China. The JMC Vigus Pro 4x4, better known as the Yuhu 9 in China, is JMC's flagship truck that debuted in 2019.

It sits above the Vigus and Vigus Plus in China and features an exaggerated large-mouth air intake grille with slim headlights flanking it on each side.

The interior features some intriguing designs, including what JMC calls a two-spoke 'Racer' steering wheel, 'Fighter' shift lever, and a large 12-inch infotainment screen.

In its homeland, it is offered with an array of safety and convenience systems, including a lane departure warning system, intelligent cruise control, forward collision warning and auto braking system, as well as a traffic sign recognition system.

While the complete details of the
locally
 assembled truck are still unknown, Angka-Tan has released some information regarding the truck, mostly regarding its powertrain.

The Malaysian JMC Vigus Pro 4x4 comes with a 2.0 -litre turbo diesel VGT engine capable of producing 141 PS of power and 340 Nm of torque. The engine is paired to an eight-speed ratio ZF automatic transmission, and the 4WD drive system is from Borgwarner with 2H, 4H and 4L mode settings. The truck also features a rear differential lock from Eaton.

The full price and specifications of the JMC Vigus Pro will be revealed later this month, and interested parties can take a closer look at the model at the main ATM showroom in Klang, Selangor.


VIDEO: Ford Shows Off New SYNC 2 Abilities In 2015 Focus, Coming To Malaysia This Year

So, we understand that a new 2015
Ford

Focus
 will come to Malaysia before the end of the year, and with it,
several key design and technology improvements
.
For its
ASEAN debut in Indonesia recently
, key chances included a new 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine, and the lack of a Ford PowerShift dual-clutch transmission in favour of a conventional torque converter automatic.
But buyers more interested in the car’s handsome looks and new gadgets may be most exciting to see the coming Focus’s SYNC 2 infotainment system – the second generation voice and touch interactive media infotainment system.
Here, Ford (global) is briefly showing us what its new SYNC 2 system is capable of. The demo runs through three key highlights of the SYNC 2 system, being hands-free and voice-activated entertainment, climate control and mobile phone controls.
One other thing the SYNC 2 system focuses on bringing to the latest range of Ford models (especially in Malaysia) is a larger display screen with much-improved graphics – thrashing the current Focus’s 5-inch display screen for size and cool-factor.
The dashboard clutter from the current Focus is also tidied to offer a much more appealing layout, and one that’s certainly more driver friendly and ergonomic.
We understand that Sime Darby Auto Connexion will be looking to launch the facelifted Ford Focus in Malaysia before the end of the year, so best you start saving up for the next big C-segment hatchback contender.

SYNC 2 - the smarter connectivity solution while driving.
With SYNC 2, Ford’s advanced hands-free connectivity system, there’s no need to rely on your clumsy friend to control your navigation, phone, climate and entertainment system. Just press a button on the steering wheel and use natural voice commands to control these common functions.
Posted by
Ford Focus
 on Sunday, 23 August 2015


Renowned Racing Driver Alex Yoong Joins iCarAsia

Renowned Malaysian racing driver Alex Yoong has joined iCar Asia in May 2015 in a move to further strengthen iCar Asia's fast growing role in the automotive content space in the region.
Yoong will play an important role in the video content space, regularly getting behind the wheel for test drives, reviews and entertaining segments for iCar Asia's leading automotive websites
Carlist.my
 &
LiveLifeDrive.com
GM of Media for iCar Asia Tim Fleming commented, "This is exciting news for the team and most importantly, for our automotive audience across Malaysia. Alex's driving experience, automotive knowledge and superior car handling skills will not only provide for quality entertainment but will also be a highly credible voice of reason for car buyers in making the right purchase decision.”
Yoong is currently the reigning Audi R8 LMS Cup Asia Champion. He became the first Malaysian to race in Formula One starting at the 2001 Italian Grand Prix until end of 2002. The Kuala Lumpur-born talent then raced in A1 GP series from 2005-2008 and nailed four victories. Yoong also raced in Le Mans 24 Hours twice where he won Rookie of the Year. He was also the head of driver development for the Caterham F1 team. Other than racing, he still commentates on F1 with Fox Sports Asia.
Check out the latest news at
Carlist.my


Updated MCO 2.0 Rules - Where You Can And Cannot Go

With the most recent announcement by the government, the rules have once again changed.

Chinese New Year is coming to a close, and with that the government has also announced that the
Movement Control Order
 (MCO) rules are still in effect until March 4th - at least for the states of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, and Penang. Everywhere else in the country will have restrictions brought down to the CMCO (Conditional), while Perlis enjoys an RMCO (Recovery).

The highlights, however, are that the 10 kilometre radius that was previously in place has been lifted, which means you're more free to travel - unfortunately, district and state limits still apply. Two people are allowed in a vehicle for states that are under MCO, while those under CMCO can have as many as the vehicle will legally fit.

In a nutshell, the only real difference you should take note of is that you can travel a little further now - but with other economic restrictions still in place, it's not as if there are many places you would actually be able to go to or things to do. Expect roadblocks to still be in place to make sure you aren't travelling where you don't need to be going, and pay attention to where your district lines lie.


Happy 100th Birthday Mitsubishi Motors!

Depending on who you ask, the honour to the title of Japan’s oldest car maker is hotly contested between Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Nissan.
Isuzu prides itself as Japan’s first car builder, having established car manufacturing division in 1916, but the first car made by Isuzu, then known as Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding & Engineering, wouldn’t arrive until 1922, a clone of a British Wolseley A9. The Isuzu name would not appear until 1933.
At the same time, Kwaishinsha Motor Car Work had produced the first DAT car, a precursor the Datsun, which would later became Nissan, in 1914.
Mitsubishi on the other hand, traces its history back to the Shogunates. Its founder Yataro Iwasaki, hailed from a family of samurais – that’s some pretty badass origins.
In a story that almost mirrors that of Tom Cruise’s Last Samurai movie, Iwasaki lived in an era where the Shogunate was in its final days. When Emperror Meiji restored Imperial powers, the Shogunate was outlawed but unlike Ken Watabe’s Katsumoto character, Iwasaki ended his samurai ways, educated himself and embraced Western technology to enter into business.

He bought over the Tsukumo Trading Company and renamed it Mitsubishi in 1873. The company’s early business was in shipping and development of airplane engines but the company began producing its first car – the Mitsubishi Model A (based on an Italian Fiat Tipo 3) by 1917, five years earlier than Isuzu.
The way Mitsubishi sees it, as the Model A was produced in quantity in the same year – 22 units to be exact, was sold via a Mitsubishi dealer (Oote Company, funded by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Mitsubishi Coporation), it can legitimately claimed the title of Japan’s first mass-produced vehicle, thereby making it a true Japanese car maker.
Unfortunately, due to semantics, Mitsubishi Motors can’t quite call itself a
100-year old company like BMW
, even though it also has a similarly long 100-year history with cars. This is because Mitsubishi Motors was only established in April 1970. Prior to that, automobile business was treated as a division within Mitsubishi Corporation.
Hence if you have noticed, the ad above opens with the caption “A century of innovation. Mitsubishi automobiles,” rather than saying Mitsubishi Motors.
But that is taking semantics a bit too far. After-all, Mercedes-Benz/Daimler proudly marketed themselves as a 130-year old company when the fact was that Karl Benz and Gottileb Daimler only merged their companies to form Daimler-Benz in 1926 – 91 years ago, Mercedes wasn’t even a car name until 1902 – 115 years ago.
Over the course of the century, Mitsubishi has made some pretty remarkable cars, but they often seem to be a bit too far ahead of their time for their own good. The company’s engineer-centric culture also lacks marketing savviness, so many don’t realize that many of the innovations touted by premium German brands today have already existed in Mitsubishi cars decades ago.
Take the 1987 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 for example. It had a turbocharged 205 PS (raising to 240 PS by the end of its model life), vicious coupling permanent four-wheel drive, active four-wheel steering, wrapped in a family-friendly four-door saloon body.
It was a far more sophisticated car than the Audi quattro and its chassis control system was better than anything Audi or even Porsche had to offer even decades later.
But you would hear ‘quattro’ more often than ‘Dynamic Four.’ In fact, we can bet that most people have never even heard of Dynamic Four – the marketing name for the Galant VR4’s permanent 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel steer, 4-wheel independent suspension and 4-wheel ABS.
And years before the Audi RS4 and RS6 popularized stylish, high performance wagons, Mitsubishi was already selling the Mitsubishi Legnum. With active yaw control and permanent four-wheel drive from the Lancer Evolution, it was ahead of Volvo wagons.
Gasoline direct injection is a standard feature in most premium cars these days, but Mitsubishi was the first to bring the technology mainstream, trademarking the GDI name.
Renault prides itself for creating the MPV-genre with the Espace but one year before the first generation Espace made its debut, Mitsubishi was already selling the Chariot in 1983. It even had four-wheel drive. Beat that.
The popularity of SUVs these days can be traced back to the Mitsubishi Pajero. Yes there were 4x4 vehicles in the past, including the first generation Isuzu Trooper which debuted earlier, but the first Trooper had only 2 doors and weren’t suitable for families while the Range Rover was too elitist. It was the Pajero that brought SUVs to the masses, and educated consumers on the benefits of a spacious go-anywhere vehicle that’s comfortable enough for recreational use.
The last two decades haven’t been too kind to Mitsubishi Motors, and the company appears to have lost quite a bit of confidence that it had in the past. Today, it’s placed under the patronage of Nissan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
There are however still some bright spots for Mitsubishi Motors - 4x4 vehicles is one. In fact, Mitsubishi's forte in pick-up trucks is one of the motivating reasons
behind the takeover
.
Don’t Just Say It, Prove It – This Is How The Mitsubishi Triton Proves Its Worth
It is the hope of every late Gen-X/early Gen-Y petrolhead who grew up with Ralliart stickers, Jackie Chan movies featuring Mitsubishi cars, riding in our father’s/uncle’s Pajeros with ‘Winner of Paris-Dakar Rally’ spare wheel cover behind, to see Mitsubishi’s three-diamond logo return to its rightful place.
To paraphrase BMW’s centenary celebrations tagline, here’s to the Next 100 Years Mitsubishi Motors.


Foxconn Plans To Build Chip Factory for EVs in Malaysia

Taiwanese manufacturing giant and key iPhone assembler,
Foxconn
, will be building a new chip production facility right here in Malaysia and they're going to focus a lot on producing semiconductors for electric vehicles or EVs. Foxconn has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last month with its Malaysian partner, Dagang NeXchange.

This joint venture will see the production of 12-inch chips which is a key component in EV production. They're also planning on producing around 40,000 wafers per month once the facility is up and running, including 28-nanometer and 40-nanometer chips which are also vital for a huge number of electrical components such as vehicle sensors, WiFi, Bluetooth, connectivity, and more.

*Image Credit: Foxconn

Foxconn to produce semiconductors in Malaysia

So, why is Foxconn interested in Malaysia? Well, there are a number of reasons. With Foxconn now owning a small stake in Dagang NeXchange (around 5%), the Taiwanese giant also has a slight control in the Silterra 8-inch chip plant here in Malaysia, which also happens to be a company under the Dagang NeXchange umbrella.

Other reasons include the lower production costs plus dismissing all that headache between the US-China competition and conflicts. If the chips are produced here in Malaysia, they can basically sell them anywhere they want, including China and the US, without any political constraints and other issues that we've been seeing on the news in the past four years or so.

*Image Credit: CNBC

The biggest reason? Malaysia accounts for around 13% of the world's semiconductor, assembly, testing, and packaging. In other words, it won't take them long to set up the factory as well as hire and train local technicians with little to no issues. Not a bad move at all considering that they can hit the ground running to capture a piece of that EV chip pie (or wafer if you want to be ironically accurate about it).


Finally, we can soon use other cards to pay for tolls and public transport

Times are changing, and it seems that Touch ‘n Go's monopoly is about to end.

Out of all the pieces of news we've ever had to cover about Malaysian highways, this must be one of the most pleasing ones as the Works Ministry has announced that starting from September, users of five highways can use their credit and debit cards to pay for tolls.

Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi announced this recently while also updating us about the
Multi-Lane-Free-Flow (MLFF) for highway tolls
 which apparently now will be implemented by Q3 2024.

According to Malay Mail's report, Alexander said the implementation of an open payment system for toll collection would open up greater opportunities for more eWallet providers as there's no more monopoly by Touch 'n Go.

Speaking of ending Touch 'n Go's monopoly, Transport Minister, Anthony Loke also recently announced that an open payment system for the transport service would be implemented soon, especially for Rapid bus and rail services under Prasarana Malaysia Bhd.

What this effectively means is that in the near future, commuters will be able to use their bank cards, in addition to Touch ‘n Go cards, to use public transport.

“This will give users other choices besides Touch ‘n Go,” he said.

This announcement by Loke was in response to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s statement recently where the
PM wanted the government to review Touch ‘n Go’s monopoly
, everything from toll road payments to public transport.

The 5 highways that will start to support other card payments by September 2023 are:

Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya)

New Pantai Expressway (NPE)

Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH)

Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE)

Penang Bridge


2020 Toyota Yaris: Teased On The Weekend, Price Revealed on a Monday

It was only yesterday, when we took some time off our relaxing weekend to write about the teaser for the incoming
Toyota Yaris
, and then today Toyota has announced over Facebook that the new Yaris is open for booking.

Asking us to Live Your Y, UMW Toyota today announced the 2020 Toyota Yaris is now open for booking at all Toyota showrooms nationwide.

The estimated price for the Yaris starts at:

Yaris 1.5G (AT) - from 85,587.00

Yaris 1.5E (AT) - from 80,591,00

Yaris 1.5J (AT) - from 71,688.00

All prices are OTR including the SST discount until 31 December 2020.

The 2020 Toyota Yaris will come with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) comprising of:

Pre-collision system

	Avoid or mitigates frontal collisions by alerting the driver and applying brakes automatically when a risk of collision is detected.

Lane Departure Alert

	Alerts you when you steer away from your lane.

Other goodies we can expect to see in the Yaris around their 360-T concept will be Safe-T and Connectivi-T.

Safe-T brings you a 3D Panoramic View Monitor, Blind Spot Monitor with RCTA and Front Digital Video Recorder whereas Connectivi-T includes Apple Car Play and Android Auto, a wireless charger and the Vehicle Telematics System.

The new Yaris also comes with a 5 Year Warranty Guaran-T with unlimited mileage.

It will come in three colors; Red Mica Metallic, Silver Metallic and Platinum White Pearl.


Ex-BMW M Division Designer Pierre Leclercq To Head Kia Motors Styling

Kia Motors has named Pierre Leclercq as its new Head of Styling. Leclercq will be based at Kia’s design headquarters in Namyang, Korea and will be responsible for developing a consistent design DNA across the growing Kia model range.
Leclercq takes up his new role at the end of September, working alongside Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Hyundai Motor Group, and Seon Ho Youn, Head of Kia Design Center in Korea.
The Belgian-born Leclercq will be responsible for developing Kia’s long-term design strategy, and lead design innovation for exteriors, interiors, materials, and textiles. He is also tasked with strengthening the synergy between Kia’s design studios in USA, Europe, China and Korea.
Mr. Leclercq graduated in 1998 from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California in the USA with a degree in Transportation Design. He began his design career in Italy at Zagato followed by Ford's Ghia studio, then went on to work for BMW in California and Munich as an exterior designer before becoming the head of design for the M performance sub-brand. Mr. Leclercq joins Kia from his latest position as Head of Design for Great Wall Motors, since 2013.
Peter Schreyer comments, “Pierre Leclercq has a unique insight into global vehicle design, and brings with him the necessary experience and expertise to help reinforce Kia’s design identity in the coming years. Design has played a key role in the transformation of the Kia brand, and Pierre will help to ensure our design-led approach remains consistent across new model launches in new segments.”


iCarData: The Best Time To Buy/Sell A Mercedes-Benz (W212) E250 Avantgarde

In the next two years (at the very latest) we will see the introduction of the first all-electric E-Class. The EQE, as it will be called, will represent the biggest evolution of this iconic nameplate – which has been one of Mercedes-Benz’s longest-running and most successful.

The E-Class as a model segment can trace its roots as far back as the early 50s with the W120-generation Ponton ‘180’, though it only began to be officially called the E-Class with the W124-generation, first introduced in 1993. There have been five generations since, leading up to the
current W213
, launched here in mid-2016.

In all generations – the E-Class has characterized superb value, up-to-date technology and safety equipment, sublime style, perhaps most of all steadfast reliability if maintained properly. It is for this reason, the E-Class appeals to everyone from executives and professionals to even fathers and mothers with two-to-three children.

Its longstanding aspirational value and rock-solid reputation also mean that it performs well on the used market, many years after its original (first-hand) sale.

Overview

The W212-generation is the fourth-generation model, which had rather big shoes to fill. Replacing the W211 E-Class which had a chequered history for its uncharacteristic electrical faults and less than imaginative styling (when put up against its contemporary E60-generation
5 Series
) – the W212 signified a return to its strengths in terms of design, engineering, and reliability.

The W212 was first introduced to the Malaysian market in 2009, initially available was the locally-assembled 3.0-litre naturally-aspirated (V6) E300 Avantgarde, the E200 CGI BlueEfficiency joined shortly after with the “latest-generation” at the time 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that offered 184 bhp and 270 Nm. The BlueEfficiency engine replaced the older 1.8-litre supercharged “Kompressor” engines, which themselves started the era of downsized turbocharging in the E-Class.

Though at the time, Mercedes-Benz did not offer such as varied variant range as they do today, the E200 and E300 seemed well placed to go up against the likes of its rivals the
(F10) BMW 5 Series
, and (C7) Audi A6. The pre-facelift E250 would also join the range later on.

The facelifted version was introduced in 2013, with the E200 and E250 (both in Avantgarde trim) on offer at the outset. In addition to a comprehensive facelift, which highlighted a more elegant and up to date design all round, the new E-Class also received the new (M274) 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot engine which developed 184hp and 300Nm (up 30Nm) in the E200, and 211hp (up 7hp from the 1.8L CGI engine) and 350Nm (up 40Nm) in the E250. In both cases, power was sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission.

In 2015, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia introduced the E-Class Edition E, a swansong number for the W212 ahead of the impending W213-generation’s arrival. The Edition E variants had largely unchanged prices, albeit offering additional sporty equipment such as 18-inch wheels, AMG Line exterior kit, larger brakes, and additional interior bits to revitalize the model.

The W213-generation subsequently was introduced in June 2016 – initially offered in four-variants ranging from the E 200 Avantgarde, E 250 Avantgarde, E 250 Exclusive, and E 300 AMG Line.

For this report, we will be looking at the facelifted E250 Avantgarde from 2013. Having fully matured through its lifespan, it offers us an opportunity to track the value retention and resale price of this popular executive sedan.

We track these values using the resources of iCarData.

Our in-house developed algorithm based
iCarData
, collates data of nearly 500 thousand listings that have been presented on Carlist.my over the years. Therefore, by searching a particular vehicle model or variant throughout the measured timeframe, we are able to track with substantial accuracy the rates of depreciation of any vehicle as they were featured in the period.

Technical specification of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz (W212) E250 Avantgarde

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged, inline-four, Petrol

Power: 211 hp @ 5,500 rpm

Torque: 350 Nm @ 1,200 rpm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive

Safety: Eight airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Stability Control

Origin: Locally assembled in Pekan, Pahang

Price: RM405,888 – Aug 2013 launch (OTR without insurance)

We have taken into account the following to keep our numbers accurate and representative.

Vehicle variant: 2013 Mercedes-Benz (W212) E250 Avantgarde, delivered between Aug and Dec 2013.

Depreciation is calculated using the original list price.

Depreciation percentage does not take into account special/seasonal offers or rebates on the original selling price.

Depreciation for other variants may differ, in particular, the 2015 E300 BluetecHybrid model which is a diesel hybrid variant and as such, does not hold its prices as well as the petrol-powered variants.

Based on ICarData, here's the summarized data for depreciation:

And the graphical analysis below:

Blue line: Average selling price (RM) by year

Grey line: Cumulative depreciation (RM) by year

Orange line: Retained value percentage by year

Conclusion

From the above results of iCarData, we find that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class lives up to its name of being a steadfast performer even on the used car market.

We will soon know how the E-Class fares against its closest rival, the (F10) BMW 5 Series as we will be covering that car soon. However, at the outset, the depreciation rates of the E-Class, for the most part, are steady right up to 5-6 years after it is sold.

Of course, with a starting price of over RM400k, yearly depreciation in terms of RM will be much higher than that of say.. an RM150,000 Japanese D-Segment sedan like the
Honda Accord
, but, if we look at the depreciation percentages, then these values start to make more sense.

Save two distinct events, the first-year depreciation, and finally, the major drop in the fifth-year of the car's lifespan - the E-Class depreciates around 9-10 percent year-on-year, which is decent, to say the least.

The first-year depreciation of circa 18 percent is on the high side, but even the strongest performers will depreciate between 10-12 percent in the first year, so for a premium executive sedan, it's acceptable.

As for that drop in selling prices between 2017 and 2018, this could be a mix of competitor model launches that have a tendency to temporarily sway demand and early production-year cars that are jumping off their warranty periods.

This can be further corroborated by the fact, the used car values seem to stabilize in the subsequent 6th and 7th years of its lifespan.

With that said, we can safely infer that if sellers hope to retain more than half of their initial investment, they should choose to sell their vehicles just as they pass the four-year mark.

However, given the aspirational value of the E-Class, it is likely the dream car of choice for a lot of its buyers - who are unlikely to just let it go after four years. In this case, the current owner should then ride out the 4th and 5th year, enjoy more years of service with the car and sell them as they pass that 6th-year mark when prices start to stabilize yet again.

As for buyers, of course, buying a car that still has a manufacturer warranty is a big plus, and if so they should pick up their W212 as they turn four years old.

However, given that substantive drop in the fifth year, it would also be prudent to wait another year or so and pick up a unit at a far lower price. At five-years-old, the W212 would still qualify for aftermarket warranties meaning those savings of buying a car cheaper, can then go towards a solid warranty program and repairs if needed.

At five- or six-years-old, the W212 would still qualify for decent financing packages, so its a bit of having your cake and eating it. Of course, buyers are advised to do their homework and get a thorough inspection done prior to purchase.

For some great deals on the (W212) Mercedes-Benz E-Class, click
here
.

If you're looking to sell your Mercedes-Benz E-Class, we have two solutions for you too. List in on carlist.my or better still use
Carlist Bid
 where we remove all the hassle of selling your car for you as you get searching for your next upgrade.

Which make/ model would you like us to research next? Let us know in the comments.


MITI: APs Are Here To Stay

Business radio station BFM was interviewing Dr Ong Kian Ming, Deputy Minister of the International Trade and Industry (MITI) earlier today.
According to Dr Ong, the current Approved Permit (AP) system for imported cars will remain unchanged. “I don’t think the AP is a big imbedment to the development of the auto industry.”
When BFM presenter Khoo Hsu Chuang mentioned that the APs drive up prices of cars, Dr Ong went on to say, “No, actually if you think about the AP numbers, the total number of APs a year is about 20,000 to 40,000 a year, which is less than 10% of the annual total industry volume (TIV).”
Elsewhere, Dr Ong also
mentioned
 that the third national car project must fund itself and that the updated National Automotive Policy (NAP) will be announced in 2019.


Two Years On, Here Is Volkswagen’s Progress In Malaysia Post-Restructuring

Selling 11 Polos online in just one minute and 12 Beetles in 20 minutes is quite a feat, even more so for older models that are at the end of its life cycle. As recent as three years ago, it was hard to imagine Volkswagen pulling itself out from the rut that it was in.
It’s been slightly over two years (26 months to be exact) since Volkswagen restructured its Malaysian operations under Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM), which is now managed by Europe’s largest car dealership company and subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group;
Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS)
.
The restructuring was part of a greater Asia Pacific-wide restructuring, which saw PHS taking over management responsibilities for both Malaysia and Singapore.
The immediate action by PHS to stabilize the Malaysian business was replacing the previous insurance-backed 2+3 years warranty – whose lengthy claims process caused unnecessary frustrations to customers - to a proper 5 years manufacturer warranty. At the same time, a large scale revamp was going on behind the scenes and grouses of dealers were being addressed.
The phrase ‘Volkswagen Cares’ is now being mentioned in public more often, after years of serving as an internal theme guiding every initiative made by Volkswagen - including the opening of the Volkswagen Academy technical training centre, fast next working day parts delivery for urgent jobs, revising the vehicle maintenance schedule and cost, as well as providing 3 years free service.
The results are starting to show. Customer satisfaction index (CSI) results are at an all-time high, with internal surveys showing that CSI scores have more than doubled since 2015. More importantly, independent CSI surveys by J.D. Power for Malaysia have placed Volkswagen’s ownership experience in the top-three.
There is healthy demand for all of its locally-assembled models, especially the higher range Tiguan and Passat. Allocations for the year are almost sold out and demand is even stronger for its imported Golf GTI and Golf R, with every available unit arriving on our ports with a ready buyer waiting.
During the 11/11 online sales frenzy earlier this month, Volkswagen partnered with Lazada to sell 11 limited edition B&W Polo models online. All available cars were sold out in just one minute! This follows the company’s earlier success with online sales, shifting 10 units of Volkswagen Join edition models – a mix of Vento, Polo, Passat, and Tiguan models - in October within just 30 minutes, and 12 special edition Beetles in just 20 minutes.
Emerging out of the negativity that used to dominate every discussion related to the brand is an ever stronger fan base, with
members of one local Volkswagen fan club
 recently paying their own way to Austria to attend the annual GTI Worthersee festival gathering of Volkswagen fans.
Now, the company is taking Volkswagen Cares to the next step with its Volkswagen Cares customer loyalty mobile app. Available on both iOS- and Android-based devices, the loyalty program rewards owners with discounts at big name merchants.
“Volkswagen Cares applies on all levels, be it to our colleagues, dealer partners, and our other stakeholders. And more importantly, it is about how we interact, engage, and serve our customers better,” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM during the launch of Volkswagen Cares.
The app also notifies owners of seasonal after-sales promotions. For example, there is currently a ‘monsoon season’ 20 percent discount on brake pads, brake discs, wiper blades, and windshield washer fluid.
Prospective buyers interested in a Volkswagen can also use the same app to book a test drive.
Separately, there’s also the Volkswagen Care Plus, an extension of the same program aimed at owners of Volkswagen models aged five years or more. For just RM138, the program rewards owners with two years extension of roadside assistance, three 20 percent discount vouchers and a RM100 merchandise voucher.
Cumulative sales of Volkswagen vehicles this year is up 19 percent compared to the same 10-month period last year, according the latest data compiled by the Malaysia Automotive Association (as of October 2018).
Next year, the company is expected to open a dedicated Asia Pacific parts centre in Johor. The regional parts centre will take over logistics and warehousing responsibilities from the current facility in Singapore, and will supply to 28 countries across Asia Pacific.
Customers can expect even faster parts delivery, cutting down from the current two-day waiting period to just 24 hours, for all parts.
We will be sitting down again with the management of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia early next year to get an update on the company’s plans for 2019. The company is expected to make at least two important announcements early next year.


2020 Proton X50 OFFICIALLY teased by PROTON - It's coming!

Selamat Hari Merdeka and it seems PROTON has officially given us a teaser of the
2020 Proton X50
 after countless spy shots of it testing all over Malaysia.

What can we tell from the teaser?

LED Headlights: 2020 Proton X50

LED Headlights with LED DRL's - no surprises here.

Quad Mufflers - 2020 Proton X50

The quad mufflers certainly look the part and look to be properly embedded into the rear end of the Proton X50. Does the X50 need quad mufflers though? Well, you can answer that.

Logo - 2020 Proton X50

The round PROTON logo launched in 2019 will see its second appearance after being first introduced on the
CKD X70
.

We have it on good authority (us and everyone else it seems) that the
Proton X50
 will see an October launch locally. All signs seem to point in that direction with this teaser (?). The
2020 Hyundai Kona
 might rain on that parade however.

The rakyat are impatient, the journalists are excited (and getting bored of speculation), the time is nigh so PROTON could you get on with it already please?!


Geneva 2018 : Lexus To Unveil UX, Powered By C-HR Hybrid Drivetrain?

Lexus has just announced it will premiere their new compact SUV, the UX, at the Geneva Motor Show 2018.
While Lexus has just released a single image of the rear of the UX, highlighting the distinctive tail lamps with full width illumination, adjusting the brightness of this image revealed one of the powertrain that will be made available of the new compact model.
The model bears the ‘UX 250h’ emblem which, in Lexus nomenclature, it looks set to be a new hybrid powertrain system.
To recap, the Lexus Hybrid Drive (LHD) system in the NX 300h model is a 2.5-litre petrol engine with a combined system output of 197 PS. Could the UX 250h have a total system output that is lower than the 300h models – perhaps the 122 PS 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain found in the C-HR?
Hybrid system of the Toyota C-HR
First making its debut as the
Lexus UX Concept
, the model will join the growing list of premium compact SUV models, including the recently launched Volvo XC40, the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Range Rover Evoque, and the pioneer of the segment, the BMW X1.
Full details will be revealed on March 6th in Geneva.


Car Bookings To Go Up, But So Will Booking Cancellations?

The
SST exemption
 aka 'tax holiday' will end after
30 June 2022
, which means that those who want to take advantage of this will most likely place their booking for a new car before the month ends. Will that be an issue in the coming months?

As announced by the Ministry of Finance, those who wish to benefit from the tax break can do so by finalising their bookings by 30 June 2022. It was also mentioned that they have until 31 March 2023 to register their new vehicles with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) as part of the
SST exemption
 grace period.

Book first, think later?

Looking at these two factors, Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) consulted its almighty fortune teller machine where it foresees some 'unnecessary issues' within the automotive sector in the next nine months. Why? There will be cases where
many bookings will be made by June end
, but the option to cancel is also there without any major repercussions. No harm, no foul for the customers.

These
'speculative bookings'
 will see a sharp rise over the last few days of June and combined with the 264,000 units booked earlier, all parties related to the matter will be affected. We're talking manufacturers and parts supply chains right down to the dealers and sales team, even customers who are in dire need of a new vehicle.

In other words, booking numbers and projections will most likely get distorted because customers who have placed their bookings can simply cancel or transfer their deposits at any given time before the cars are to be registered. This will also affect the booking rates for the remainder of 2022 as they foresee a sharp rise in June, but a great fall starting July onwards.

Request to only register in 2023 also problematic?

Then there's the possibility of customers requesting for their cars to be registered and delivered only in 2023, further messing with the 2022 new car sales projection forecasted between 580,000 to 600,000 units. New car registrations in the second half of 2022 might be weaker than expected, but Q1 2023 will see a boost in figures.

We can already imagine some folks will react by saying something like
"Saya punya duit, saya punya hal la nak beli kereta ke tak! To cancel or not, not a problem for me also."


Audi Prologue Avant Concept: A Shooting-Brake For The Future

Back in November 2014,
Audi
 presented the
Prologue concept car
 at the Los Angeles Motor Show. Now, the German car maker is ready to introduce a variant of that concept at this year’s Geneva Motor Show next month and this is it, the Audi Prologue Avant, a shooting brake variant of the coupe concept.
Measuring 5.11 metres in length and 1.97 metres in width, the five-door car is quite the looker with its stretched roof and grille. Carried forward from the Prologue concept are the wide but thin wedge headlamps that feature Audi’s Matrix Laser lighting technology.
Moving along the side, the long roof section continues to the back where the sloped and flat D-pillars form the shooting brake element of the Avant’s profile. Viewed from the side, the 22-inch wheels play host to large 285/30 tyres.
At the rear, a lamp strip runs across the full width of the car and is combined with the LED taillights as well. Audi say they consist of 3D glass that provide a sculptural effect.
It isn’t just all looks either. The Audi Prologue Avant concept is powered by the Audi Q7 e-tron quattro’s plug-in hybrid powertrain which has been revised. A 3.0 TDI engine works with an electric motor to output 455 hp and 750 Nm torque. Performance-wise, the Avant hits 100 km/h from a standstill in 5.1 seconds up to a 250 km/h top speed.
The 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack allows the car to travel on pure electricity for up to 54 kilometres and can be charged inductively via Audi wireless charging technology.
The chassis is equipped with adaptive air suspension featuring lightweight five‑arm wishbone on the front and rear axles and an all-wheel drive steering system. 20-inch carbon ceramic brake discs round things off.
Stepping into the cabin, modern luxurious design elements can be found everywhere from the long centre console, perforated trim panel over the air vents, virtual cockpit, and shift-by-wire selector lever for the eight-speed Tiptronic transmission.
One of the highlights however, is the display on the centre console for text entry, air conditioning, and infotainment. Consisting of organic light emitting diodes (OLED) that are extremely thin and bendable. When the vehicle is inactive, the OLED display is in a flat retracted position and when started, it moves up at an angle.
Rear passengers are also able to take advantage of the flexible OLED display to manage seat adjustment, climate control, audio/video and ambient values from the back of the car. Additionally, two Audi tablets mounted on the backrests of the front seats are available as well, also found on the new
Audi Q7
.


2023 BMW M2 with M Performance Parts is loud and proud

You're gonna love this one, especially if you've already fallen head over heels for the
new G87 BMW M2
.
Leaked images
 have emerged of the
M Performance Parts
 package for the car, and it's very....obvious.

Especially against the fairly subdued white body colour, there's really no missing add-on parts they've added here. There is a much more shouty and graphic-heavy orange option but we're not even going to attempt the rationale behind that.

The bonnet now has a fairly large vent shaped bulge in an inverted scoop, but doesn't actually have any openings to help with cooling. This is paired with a more prominent side inlets just forward of the front wheels and an extended CFRP front splitter.

That huge rear wing is the probaby the most prominent piece of this ensemble, which is oddly far from being the most offensive of the bunch. We like that it actually takes the focus off the bulbous rear bumper and Proton Saga/Persona tail lights.

The side decals are obvious but also somewhat discreet but are so void of BMW-specific details that it could have just as easily come from Shopee or AliExpress. Meanwhile, the wheels on this white unit are finished in a dark matte shade with staggered sizes of 20- up front and 21-inches at the rear, which fits the rest of this contrasting motif, but there are at least one more option from the M Performance Parts catalogue with done in a broze/gold.

Lower down within the body's perimeter is where things get a little more wild with CFRP slats and canards that extend from the wheel arch seem to do very little to the M2's aerodynamic profile apart from making it worse.

The boxy rear bumper too has had some alteration with the pressure vents and rear diffuser element looking more prominent than stock, joined by the semi-centred quad exhaust exits clearly
copied from the M3 and M4
.

Interior upgrades seem rather minor with the only noticeable difference being the splashes of exposed carbon fibre trim on the steering wheel, centre console, and dashboard.

Since it's purely cosmetic so far and there are no powertrain upgrades to speak of, any performance advantages are incidental and thanks to weight reduction from those
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) components
 and aero bits of dubious effect.

It's all as flashy and in-your-face as we've seen on other M cars. Similarly, the best part of the M Performance Parts package on the M2, as they are on any BMW, is that they're completely avoidable.


Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder Set To Debut At Frankfurt

Set to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in just a few days is the Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder, a convertible version of the hardtop model that replaces its best-selling
Gallardo
.
Expect the same 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 engine from the Huracan coupe to power the Spyder, with 610hp and 560Nm of torque on tap, and a 0-100 km/h sprint time hovering around the 3.2 seconds mark or slightly more.
What’s uncertain is the type of roof the Huracan Spyder will gain. Its predecessor (Gallardo Spyder) adopted a folding soft-top, but with its Italian rival, the new
Ferrari 488 Spider
 opting for a more advanced folding hardtop,
Lamborghini
 may consider fitting one as well.
Of course, Lamborghini understands the significant interest we have in any of its new models and as such, have posted these two teaser images of the Huracan Spyder which have been heavily blurred. Hey, at least we know it'll be blue.
We’ll find out once the new
Lamborghini Huracan
 LP 610-4 Spyder breaks cover at the Frankfurt Motor Show.


Porsche Reveals Five Of Its Top Secret Prototypes

In the Porsche warehouse, there are some prototypes and studies that have rarely or never been publicly presented before.
And out of all the projects that are hiding there, Porsche says that the five models below are the most interesting, hence why they have made it to the next episode of Porsche Top 5.
5) Porsche 984
From 1984 to 1987, Porsche engineers worked on a prototype of a futuristic vehicle concept - the Porsche 984, a compact, lightweight and aerodynamic roadster. Producing just 135 hp, the focus was mainly on reduced air resistance instead of high performance – hence 984’s unladen weight of 880 kg.
4) Cayenne Cabriolet
Way before concepts like the Nissan Murano Cabriolet and the Range Rover Evoque cabriolet were shown to the world, the folks at Stuttgart already came up with their own version of an open-top SUV – the Cayenne Cabriolet, but unfortunately, it never made it past the prototype phase. An interesting thing about the Cayenne Cabrio is that since it was made before the era of digital designing, Porsche actually had to create two versions with different rear designs, and proceed with the more cost efficient version.
3) Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Speedster
The 1987 911 Carrera 3.2 Speedster is a one-seater with absolutely no frills. Designed for pure driving pleasure just like the first Speedster in the 1950s, this prototype with the 911 Carrera body is the predecessor of a highly coveted, rare version of the classic 911 Speedster.

2) Porsche Panamericana
The Panamericana was presented to Ferry Porsche for his 80th birthday in 1989. One of this vehicle’s design highlights is without a doubt its seamless lines. Every line runs smoothly into the next across the entire car. Overall, the whole “Panamericana” development process lasted just a few months and included some elements that were seen again in the subsequent 911 generation, 993.
1) Porsche 918 Spyder "Rolling Chassis"
The latest digital methods are used to develop so-called virtual prototypes. These allow many systems and components to be virtually tested at an early stage and extensively tested in conjunction with other systems – even before real-life prototypes are available. This makes development faster and more efficient. However, in the case of the 918 Spyder “rolling chassis”, there was no option but to try out the hybrid drivetrain. So, in spring 2012, selected experts were invited to the test track in Weissach, where the “rolling chassis” was intended to convince them of the feasibility of the 918 Spyder.


Ford Ranger Raptor Updated with New Features - RM208,888

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia today announced the introduction of the new Ford Ranger Raptor with added safety and few additional features.

The big news is the addition of driver assistance features like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning, as well as Lane Departure Warning and Assist.

Out of the three, the AEB and Lane Departure Warning features were only available in the Ranger 4x4 WildTrak variant previously.

Driver assistance aside, other new features include an additional USB charging port on the rear-view mirror, LED projector headlamps that replace the outgoing xenon lights, front parking sensors, front passenger seatbelt reminder, as well as a new Performance Blue exterior colour which replaces the previous Lightning Blue.

Under the hood, there are no changes as power still comes from the same 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine and 10-speed automatic transmission combination, delivering 213 PS and 500 Nm of torque.

Off-roading credentials include 850mm water wading, FOX Racing Shox dampers, and a Terrain Management System (TMS) that offers six modes including the Baja Mode.

The list of other standard features comprises keyless entry with push-start ignition, automatic wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, eight-way powered driver’s seat, active noise cancellation, dual-zone auto climate control, a 230V power socket, as well as the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Thanks to the new features, the price of the Ford Ranger Raptor, which is available in four colours (Performance Blue, Conquer Grey, Absolute, Black, Arctic White), has increased by RM9,000 from RM198,888 to RM208,888 (on the road without insurance).


Review: 2014 Ninth Generation Honda Accord 2.0 VTi-L- Hail The New King

For nearly two decades, the D-segment has been dominated by the Toyota Camry. But all that changed with the current generation all-new 2014 Honda Accord, which has since dethroned the once-unassailable Camry – a feat which none of its eight predecessors were able to achieve.
Specifications for Honda Accord 2.0 VTi-L
Price: RM148,200 (on the road with insurance, Peninsular Malaysia)
Engine: 2.0-litre i-VTEC SOHC
Power: 155 PS at 6,500 rpm
Torque: 190 Nm at 4,300 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Safety: 2 airbags, electronic stability control (VSA), hill start assist, ABS with EBD
Origin: Locally-assembled in Pegoh, Melaka
Overview
The Accord nameplate needs little introduction in Malaysia. It competes in the so-called D-segment category with the
Toyota Camry
, Nissan Teana, Mazda 6, Volkswagen Passat, Peugeot 508, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima.
This mid-range 2.0 VTi-L model misses out on the more expensive 2.4 VTi-L’s LED headlamps, paddle shifters, auto dimming rear view mirror, power-operated driver’s seat, power operated rear sun shades, side and curtain airbags, Lane Watch video camera-based blind spot monitor and a sub-woofer. It is however a whooping RM25,000 plus cheaper so the omissions are justified.
Exterior
From the outside, we reckoned that the Accord's exterior has hit the sweet spot. It is a moving example that the best designs are not those that 'wow' you at first sight, but those that grow on you as the car ages. When Honda first previewed the all-new Accord in the US, there was a lot of criticism for its bland looks, but look at how well received it is today.
Interior
Compared to its predecessors, the all-new Accord is a far more refined car, and we will go as far as to say that it has one of the best interiors in the segment
,
bar the hugely impressive Mazda 6 facelift’s very premium-looking interior.
Where the Honda regains an upper-hand over the Mazda is in terms of cabin space. Honda is the industry's leader in vehicle packaging and their expertise shows in the Accord.
The Accord's centre console is a personal favourite, with a soft-opening lid that elegantly flips up and disappears away to reveal a deep utility box, and no useless cup holders in the way, just an empty box for you to clear out your pockets into.
The centre stack and dashboard feels good enough for a luxury brand. Where the Camry's wood trim looks overly lacquered and tacky, the Accord's dark wood trim looks good enough for high-end furniture. The metallic accent inlays give it a nice contrast, without creating too much glare when driving under the hot afternoon sun.
Fit and finish is excellent, and although the Accord is a locally-assembled model, its interior feels much better put together than many other fully-imported models.
The dashboard is another highlight of the Accord. Dashboard height is kept low, and gives the driver very good outward visibility.
High-grade leather also lines the areas where your body and hands commonly touch.
Where the Accord's interior could use some improvement is on its rather plain looking instrument panel, which looks poorer than that fitted in the Honda City.
The two-tier displays on the centre stack may appear confusing, but it actually works very well in real-world driving conditions.
It also has a very practical multi-angle reverse camera with guiding lines, which allows you to switch between three different views. On top of the standard view, there's another view that allows you to check for cross-traffic, and one more top-down view which is very useful when reversing towards uneven ground or drain gutters.
Utility of the already cavernous boot can be extended further folding the rear seats down to accommodate long cargo, but there’s no split-folding function. You can however, try to squeeze thin but long cargo thru a pass-through access on the centre arm rest’s holder.
How is the driving experience?
In urban traffic, the Accord's good ergonomics, low dashboard and spacious cabin makes it easy to live with every day. As expected, it not very adapt in taming twisty bits of tarmac, but it is very good at making long journeys on the highway appearing effortless.
Like many recent Honda models, its throttle has this odd characteristic of being overly sensitive in the initial pedal travel, resulting in a lot of jackrabbit-like standing starts. Pressing the ECON switch solves this, as it numbs the sensitivity of the throttle slightly and reduces the power consumption of the air-conditioning, all in the interest of improving fuel economy.
The five-speed automatic transmission may be dated against the six-speed automatics (Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata and Mazda 6), CVTs (Nissan Teana) and dual-clutch transmissions (Volkswagen Passat) that the competition offers, but it is smooth enough – in fact it’s actually smoother than the six-speed units used in the Kia and Hyundai - and has a proven record for reliability.
Kickdowns are fast and are initiated without requiring the driver to stomp the throttle hard while upshifts are intelligently timed so it holds the gear when you are accelerating along a corner, climbing an incline or descending a slope.
When paired with this base engine's 155 PS of power and 190 Nm of torque, the mid-range Accord variant is sufficiently powerful enough for all your highway duties. “Sufficient” being the key word here
Despite its Honda pedigree, the Accord has never been impressive on twisty bits of tarmac. This model is no different. The steering wheel is sharp but is devoid of any feel.
Having said that, body roll is kept in check quite well by the front MacPherson struts and independent multi-link arms in the rear. The chassis appears to have quite a fair bit of potential, but you need to have a lot of faith in the steering – which is sharp but doesn’t communicate much with the driver on what’s happening in front.
How comfortable is it?
As for the damping, the Accord's ride is rather stiff, but still not as stiff as the Mazda 6. When driving over gaps on the road or poorer surfaces, there’s a fair bit of jolt and judder that's transferred to the cabin. We much prefer the Camry 2.0G’s and Teana 2.0 XL’s finely balanced damping.
Honda says the Accord is fitted with Active Noise Control and Active Sound Control as standard, which works to reduce noise intrusion into the cabin. Frankly, we didn't notice much of an advantage from it. While it is definitely quieter than before, it is still not as quiet as say a Volkswagen Passat.
At higher speeds, there is quite a lot road noise intrusion into the cabin, less so with wind noise.
Keep it at around 120 km/h or less however, and the cabin remains very quiet, apart from rougher sections of the highway. For the record, our test car was fitted with 225/50 R17 Goodyear Excellence tyres.
How economical is it?
After driving nearly 600 km of mostly highway routes, with some heavy urban traffic, the Accord's trip computer was reading 12.4 km/litre, which in our opinion is positively average for a car in its class.
Total servicing cost over a 5-year/100,000 km period is RM3,995 excluding consumables like wipers, tyres, brake pads, dampers and others.
Conclusion
On the downside, its safety features are rather basic by today’s standard – even the cheaper variants of City and Civic already come with six airbags. We expect this to be addressed in the facelift model – due maybe by mid- or late-2016.
In terms of comfort, it certainly meets our expectations for a car in this segment but it isn’t as good as newer models like the Camry 2.0G and Teana 2.0XL.
On the upside, its cabin is the best in its class - superbly well-built and is the most spacious. It also has a very corporate looking exterior design, suitable for the management types, which previously could only consider either a Camry or an entry-level Mercedes-Benz sedan. It is also backed up by a proven reputation for reliability, strong resale value, and a wide network of service centres.


Geneva 2016: Porsche 911 R – Air Conditioning and Audio Optional

Those who have been frowning about
Porsche
 not releasing a manual 911 GT3 RS now have a reason to be jumping in joy as the manufacturer has revealed a very special model for the purists in
Geneva
 – called the 911 R.
Paying tribute to the 1967 911 R, which was the first road-homologated race car, the new 911 R features a systematic lightweight construction, a high level of performance and an unfiltered driving experience.
Limited to 991 units worldwide, it is the lightest available version of the 911 at the moment, with a curb weight of just 1,370kg. Powered by a 500 hp four-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine which is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the 911 R kicks out
500 hp at 8,250 rpm and generates 458Nm of torque at 6,250 rpm.
All the lightweight components of the body and the complete chassis have been adopted from the 911 GT3. Road use being the priority, the 911 R does without the fixed rear wing characteristic of the 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 RS models. Instead, an automatically deployed rear spoiler, familiar from the 911 Carrera models, and a rear underbody diffuser specific to the 911 R provide the necessary downforce.
Porsche claims that the 911 R can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds and reach a top track speed of 321km/h. True to its purist character, the lightweight model is available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission featuring short, performance oriented gear ratios.
According to Porsche, the 911 R was designed with corners in mind, and that the specially tuned standard rear-axle steering offers direct turn-in response and precise handling while maintaining a high level of stability.
Inside, the 911 R is equipped with full bucket seats with carbon fiber backrests and seat centers upholstered in houndstooth design, paying homage to the original 911 of the 1960s.
Already available for booking, the Porsche 911 R is expected to reach dealerships around the world by the third quarter of this year, at a starting price of $184,900 (RM767,000), excluding the RM4,357 destination charge. The best part about this car is that it comes standard without an air conditioning or audio system, which can be ordered at no extra charge.
Looking at purchasing a Porsche? Find one now at
Carlist.my


Toyota To Explore Ford's Connected-Car Platform For Future Vehicles

Toyota Motor Corporation have come to an agreement with the Ford Motor Company to possibly include Ford’s SmartDeviceLink technology into forthcoming Toyota and
Lexus
 vehicles.
This collaborative announcement builds on the 2011 effort of both companies to develop next generation in-car telematics to enable a safer and more convenient driving experience.
SmartDeviceLink would involve, specifically,
Toyota
 to collaborate with Livio, a
Ford
 subsidiary, to develop the software to a point of parity with competitors to a point where the Japanese automaker is happy with deploying it across their wide range of models across many markets.
“The in-car app market is quickly evolving. Developing robust, flexible, safe and user-friendly connected services is a priority for us, and one that we believe is shared by Ford, Livio and other contributors to SDL technology,” said Shigeki Terashi, Senior Managing Officer, Toyota Motor Corporation.
SDL is an open source platform that underpins
Ford SYNC 3
's app connectivity functionality and created with the express purpose of taking the idea of running portions smartphone applications through the in-car infotainment system. The software would also siphon data from the internet (such as parking, traffic) and receive input from voice as well as display screens and dashboard/steering wheel controls.
Developers who wish to embed SmartDeviceLink compatibility into their apps would need to design an app only one time, but because of the flexible nature the SDL platform allows for, can have it work across multiple infotainment systems – this allows for, theoretically, quicker app update turnaround time and wider adoption by both developers and consumers.
Ford claims that there are over 5 million AppLink-equipped (SmartDeviceLink’s alias in Ford vehicles) cars already on the roads, which in and of itself helps Toyota’s cause toward finding an install-base and rallying developers to build in support for it.
Toyota has somewhat famously given no comment on Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto. While those two solutions take away control from the automaker in terms of user interface and design, SmartDeviceLink does not.
Julius Marchwicki told The Verge that SDL’s role is not to directly compete with those offerings from Google and Apple, "AppLink, CarPlay and Android Auto all offer unique ways for customers to connect and control their smartphones, and that's a good thing," he says.


Geneva 2017: Volkswagen Arteon World Debut - Replacement Of The VW CC

The much anticipated Volkswagen Arteon fastback sedan has made its world debut at the 2017 Geneva 2017 Motor Show. Dubbed as the replacement of the aging
VW CC
 fastback sedan, the Arteon heralds a new design direction for VW’s sedan models.
The Arteon takes its place in the Volkswagen model range above the
Passat
. The new Volkswagen will be assembled at the company’s Emden plant initially and will go on sale in mid-June in Germany.
Inspired by the
VW
Sport
 Coupe Concept GTE
, first unveiled at Geneva in 2015, the Arteon is designed on the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform. The architecture allows for a long 2842mm wheelbase, the car measures 4862mm in length. A broad 1872mm width and 1427mm height further emphasize the car’s sporty proportions and visual stance.
Volkswagen Head Designer Klaus Bischoff added, “The Sport Coupé Concept GTE is another milestone of expressive design. Unmistakably reinvented, from the first to the last stroke. A stylistic compass. In this concept car, Volkswagen is not only presenting the new design of a new model, but also initial glimpses of a new era in design."
Among the most important design elements of the Arteon is the completely new front section which features a 'clamshell' front hood design that extends a long way forward and over both fenders and a radiator grille that encompasses the vehicle's full width. The standard LED headlights and Daytime Running Lights combine with the chrome-plated crossbars of the radiator grille and hood.
The new Arteon will be powered by a range of six turbocharged direct-injection engines. All are four-cylinder units.
There are three petrol engines at the outset, starting with entry-level petrol 1.5-litre (TSI) petrol which develops 148hp, the 2.0-litre engine is available in an 188hp form and the most powerful 276hp version. Three diesel engines, all with a displacement of 2.0-litres, are offered in 148hp, 188hp and 236hp guises.
All the engines, except the 148-hp TSI in Germany, can be combined with the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. The most powerful TSI and TDI models will be fitted with the 4Motion all-wheel drive system as standard.
The Arteon also introduces a host of technology features such as the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system. The Arteon’s latest generation Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) now takes into account data such as speed limits and/or route information and automatically adjusts the speed accordingly.
Combining GPS navigation and road data, the Arteon’s new dynamic cornering light system with predictive beam control recognizes when a bend is approaching and is already lighting it before the driver actively turns into it.
Further added safety is provided by the second generation of Emergency Assist: if the driver becomes incapacitated by illness, the system not only (within its system limits) slows the car down, but now also steers it into the nearside lane, traffic behind permitting.
The Arteon will be offered in two equipment lines – the Elegance and R-Line, Elegance is focused luxury and design, while the Arteon R-Line, emphasises on sportiness, with the addition of visual exterior and interior highlights - high gloss black exterior details, R-Line bumper, 18-inch ‘Sebring’ alloys, R-Line Steering wheel and ‘Titan’ black headliner.
All models will feature as standard – LED headlamps and tail lamps, keyless entry and start, auto climate control, power adjustable front seats, driver alert systems and what VW dubs as the “Progressive Steering System”.


2016 Proton Persona Teased In Safety 360 Promo Video

Proton has released a promo video of the upcoming Proton Persona just ahead of its launch due at the end of August. The first of
three important models
 due by the end of the year.
Not much is left to imagination as we know the car is based upon the
Proton Iriz
 platform and will be powered exclusively by a 1.6-litre Variable Valve Timing (VVT) four-cylinder transmitting power to either a Punch Continuously Variable Trasnmission (CVT) in the auto variants or a Getrag five-speed manual.
The video showcases
Proton
’s mantra of safety and driving enjoyment of their cars. The video highlights the slew of active safety systems such as ABS and VSC that will be fitted to the upcoming Persona – undergoing rigorous testing on the company’s Shah Alam Test Track.
Dubbed ‘Safety 360’ – It drives home the message that has become a calling-card for Proton in recent years; that their cars offer safety and driving enjoyment at affordable prices.
This video however, sheds little light on the aspects of refinement and economy – reportedly two areas of key interest for the engineers at Proton with the new Persona, the latter is believed to be addressed with the inclusion of ECO mode for the first time.
Photo Credit:
Proton EDAR Online - Muaz Facebook
, tipped by
Autofreaks.com
.


Spied: Proton Saga Caught In Pakistan – CKD Candidate?

The third generation Proton Saga was recently seen in Pakistan, as spotted by a PakWheels reader.
According to the Government of Sindh’s online vehicle check, this particular Proton Saga was brought into Pakistan by the Al-Haj Motors Group. The Al-Haj Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Proton back in September 2018, which will allow the former to start selling Proton vehicles in Pakistan. The MoU would also allow the Al-Haj Group to commence CKD operations of Proton vehicles in Pakistan.
Proton entered the Pakistani market back in 2006, but exited the market after sales tanked. The company offered the Saga, Wira, Gen2, and Waja for a few years before ceasing operations there.
To recap, this generation of the Proton Saga was introduced back in 2016, part of Proton’s aggressive four model launch campaign. Power comes from a 1.3-litre VVT petrol engine that does 94 hp and 120 Nm, sent to the front wheels via a five-speed manual or CVT-type automatic.
Photo credit:
PakWheels


Berjaya Auto Likely To Continue Its Upward Surge, Says CIMB Equities Research

Berjaya Auto has been on quite a strong run and CIMB Equities Research doesn’t see it slowing down, at least in the short term. This news is sure to boost confidence in the minds of investors who are already enjoying the upward trajectory over the past fiscal year.
According to the research firm, Berjaya Auto’s growth boost can be attributed to the recent launch and strong market reception to the new
Mazda2
 hatchback, amongst the very successful CX-5 CKD, and also its previous fully-imported models launched in 2014, such as the Mazda Biante, Mazda 3 and Mazda CX-5 2.5L.
Looking forward, the upcoming launches of new models such as the
Mazda
 CX-3,
Mazda 3
 CKD, a facelifted
Mazda CX-5
, and
Mazda 6
 is expected to continue the company's firm ground and push its peers harder as 2015 rolls on.
*You can read more about Mazda's coming models here:
2015 Mazda 3 CKD, 6 And CX-5 Facelifts Due For April Launches, Sources Say
High volume sales of Mazda vehicles were the main catalyst that Berjaya Auto said was instrumental in their on-year profit leaping to RM160.1 million, a 90.1% increase, as a result of an on-year surge in revenue to RM1.4 billion.
Mazda 2 and Mazda 3 proves to be selling very well in the Philippines too, spurring growth in a market that is steadily becoming of increased significance on Berjaya Auto’s bottom line.
According to Berjaya Auto, “It continues to reward its shareholders with consistent dividends. Its 3.35sen dividend per share brought its total declared dividends for FY15 to 8.60 sen per share, translating into a 43.4% payout ratio, and consistent with its 40% dividend policy. And even with the consistent dividends and after its 20%-stake acquisition in Inokom for RM30mil, BAuto still managed to increase its cash position to RM319mil from RM313mil as at end-1HFY15. This strong cashflow is achievable due to the group’s asset-light policy and zero gearing.”
*Source:
The Star


Behold, The 2022 Civic Type R Has Surfaced

Another day,
another Honda
 stealing the limelight, this time, however, it's the 2022 Civic Type R, a car that everyone has been waiting for!

When Honda launched the
latest generation Honda Civic
 earlier this year, it was only natural that H fans would ask them when the new Civic Type R would arrive?

Well, Honda has just released photos of the 2022 Honda Civic Type R prototype, albeit still wrapped in camo. The reason for this is because the car is still being tested, and it's likely that the new Honda Civic Type R will be the last Civic Type R to run on pure ICE as Honda has committed to electrifying its newer cars with a goal to have 80 percent of them electrified by 2035.

The last
Honda Civic
Type R was a hot-hatch with a very aggressive style. It had lots of air vents, angular body lines, and lots of air fins everywhere that definitely gave it presence.

This time, however, the Type R seems to appear a little more mature - neat and clean if you must. This is no surprise as the latest Honda Civics also
took this direction
, but despite its grown-up styling, Honda has still managed to make the Type R look sporty by adding typical Type R touches such as that big wing in the rear.

Although covered in camo stickers, we still get a little peek of the new front bumper, which seems to have a more prominent grille than the ordinary run-off-the-mill Civics. The wheels seem to be similar to the Civic Type R FK8, this time however accompanied by Brembo brakes and Michelin tires.

At the rear, the most obvious feature we can see is that big spoiler and three exhaust holes in the middle of the car. The old Civic Type R's standard exhaust sound was too subtle, so we expect this new version to sound louder.

Honda has yet to reveal anything about the
2022 Honda Civic Type R's engine
, but it's likely that it will use the
current Type R engine
 with tweaks here and there to increase its performance. If you're unfamiliar with the engine, we're talking about the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder VTEC turbo, coded K20C1, that produces 310 PS and 400 Nm.

The engine already has good amounts of power and will set a pretty good foundation for the 2022 Type R. Honda has already confirmed that it will come with a six-speed manual, but they are being pretty tight-lipped about the availability of an optional dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The 2022 Civic Type R should also be a front-wheel-drive vehicle and
not an all-wheel-drive car
, as it would totally go against years of Type R tradition of it being a front-wheel-drive vehicle that feels like a rear-wheel car.


2016 Renault Megane Revealed Ahead Of Frankfurt

Following
a leak
 of their all-new 2016
Megane
, French automaker
Renault
 has pulled the trigger to officially unveil the car ahead of its scheduled debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show next week.
Renault is clearly moving to their new corporate design language that we first saw grace their new
Talisman
 sedan, and the Megane gains the new styling cues to give it a more mature overall look that is in line with the new car’s intended more premium placing.
The 2016 Megane sits 25mm lower than the outgoing model as well as 28mm longer with shorter overhangs, making for a potentially roomier interior.
In the new sportier 2016 Renault Megane GT variant, which Renault will make available immediately from launch, there’s a new front bumper design that is fitted to express a more sporting personality combined with a new honeycomb design front grille.
Around the rear of the GT there are dual chromed tailpipes, a spoiler that’s “inspired by the world of F1” and a ‘Renault Sport’ badge to accompany the ones on the wings and front of the car. The GT also receives a new RS-developed 18-inch aluminium wheels.


Toyota Opens Next Generation Concept Showroom In Johor Bahru

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT), the sole importer and distributor for
Toyota
 vehicles in Malaysia has officially opened its doors to a new showroom in Johor Bahru which features the Next Generation Toyota Showroom concept. This new facility replaces the previous showroom at Jalan Kebun Teh.
The new concept includes the latest layout and design that reflect a modern showroom. It offers a stylish and comfortable lounge area, a coffee station and internet connectivity. For parents who bring kids, a playroom is also available to keep them entertained.
Mr. Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor said at the ceremony, “This showroom in Johor Bahru is the first UMWT’s showroom that features the Next Generation Toyota Showroom concept. This new initiative was to upgrade the overall Toyota showrooms environment all over the region with a new concept that would appeal to the younger generation while maintaining Toyota’s Corporate Image.”
The showroom also has special display area to highlight new vehicle models or key sales models, as well as a display to show the lifestyle image projected on Toyota models. To enhance the customer experience, the concept showroom also houses an accessories display area and a merchandise corner where customers could browse and purchase Toyota TRD merchandise items.


Review: 2017 Toyota Innova – The Poor Man’s Alphard

When the invitation to test drive the new Toyota Innova reached the editorial desk, it took us longer than usual to respond, simply because nobody wanted to go for it.
Unlike invites from companies like BMW which often get grabbed within minutes after they reach our editors’ inboxes, this particular invite did not only get passed to the rest of the team, but it was just there, waiting for somebody to take one for the team. That is how excited we were about driving the new Innova.
Come on, who wants to drive a boring 8-seater for a whole day, right? Besides that, how new is it going to be?
We all know how Toyota works, don’t we? They come up with what they call a new model but most of the upgrades would only go as far as the cosmetics are concerned, while the mechanicals would remain the same as before, right?
Well, that is what we thought was going to be the case with the new Innova but boy, were we wrong.
Specifications
Price: From RM109,000 (OTR with insurance)
Engine: 1TR-FE 2.0-litre petrol with Dual VVT-I
Max power: 139PS at 5,600 rpm
Max torque: 183Nm at 4,000 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Fuel efficiency: 9.1L/100km
Safety: 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, BA, ESS, VSC, Traction Control, Hill-Start Assist
Overview
Launched last month
, the new Innova is offered here in three variants - Innova 2.0E Manual (RM109,000), Innova 2.0E Auto (RM117,000), and Innova 2.0G Auto – RM126,000.
The unit that we tested was the range-topping 2.0G, which we drove for a few hundred kilometers through a combination of highway and B-roads in Selangor to see if it is any better than before.
Powering all three variants of the Innova is the same 1TR-FE 2.0-litre petrol engine as before, but the mill now comes with Dual VVT-I technology, which has improved the fuel economy and made the Innova an Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV). The engine's total output and maximum torque ratings stand at 139PS and 183Nm respectively.
While the Innova 2.0E comes with a choice of either a 6-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual gearbox, the 2.0G’s engine is paired exclusively to the 6-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the outgoing 4-speed automatic transmission.
Exterior
Sharing the same ladder frame as the
Hilux pickup truck
 and the
Fortuner SUV
, the new Innova is now 35mm taller, 55mm wider, and also 150mm longer than the outgoing model, bringing its dimensions to 4,735mm long, 1,830mm wide, and 1,795mm tall.
The wheelbase length however, remains at 2,750mm long. Besides the growth in dimensions, the Innova is also about 100kg heavier than before.
Design wise, there’s nothing to shout about the new Innova. It is still a rectangle on wheels, but this time, it looks way, way more presentable than the hideous outgoing model which looks like it was designed in the 19th century by a blind man.
It’s worth mentioning that the MPV comes with newly designed 16-inch wheels, a chromed radiator grille, puddle lamps, powered wing mirrors with signal lamps, ‘easy-closer’ tailgate, as well as ‘Welcome Home’ lights.
Interior
Upon hopping into the new Innova, we were greeted by a cabin which looked like a more affordable version of the Alphard to be honest.
No, there wasn’t any leather seats but the multi-info instrument panel, the redesigned dashboard clad in material that look much more premium than the outgoing model, the steering wheel which comprised a combination of wood and leather, ambient lighting, impressive audio system, the 8-inch touch screen infotainment system (optional), and the “striped” black striped seats did not only feel easy on the eye, but also on our hands.
Further complementing the more sophisticated cabin of the new Innova is the practicality offered. There were the seatback “tables” that can support up to 10kgs, 12V power socket for rear passengers, 50:50 split-folding third-row seats, 60: 40 split-folding second row seats with ‘one-touch-tilt-and-tumble’ mechanism,third-row cup holders, as well as plenty of seating arrangements.
The only complain we have is that getting into the third-row is a pain in the butt for adults. Not only do you have to stretch your legs to step in due to the vehicle’s height, but you have to literally squeeze your way inside as there is limited entry space. But once someone gets in, things will be fine and dandy as there is sufficient leg room for an average-Asian sized adult in the third row. The second row seats can slide a few inches forward too.
So, just like before, the Innova passes with flying colours when it comes to practicality but minus the minor issues like getting into the third row and the lack of USB slots, the vehicle is ideal for a large family.
Driving it
Powering the new Innova is the same 2.0 litre 1TR-FE naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, but now, there is Dual VVT-I technology, which has bumped the total output by a small margin to 139PS (3PS more) and 183Nm (1Nm more). And paired to the engine is a six-speed automatic gearbox which replaces the outgoing 4-speeder.
Although the difference appears to be very minute, it was more than enough to move the MPV which weighs like 100kg more than before. The brakes have also been updated, resulting in improved stopping power.
After driving the Innova from Shah Alam to Serdang, Pulau Carey and back, a few things became apparent. Firstly, the new six-speed gearbox has resulted in smoother power delivery.
And then, there are the new suspensions that tolerated bumps and lumps in a much better manner than before – resulting in a significantly more comfortable riding experience for both driver and passengers.
Last but not the least, the improved sound insulation material and expansion foam has made the Innova way quieter than it was. So, things were pretty pleasant throughout our stint with the new Innova.
How economical is it?
The new Innova seems to be quite a bang for the buck in our opinion. Not only has the fuel consumption improved from 11.2 L/100km to 9.1L/100km, but the MPV, which has gone through a significant amount of improvements, still remains the most affordable among its peers like the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid and Mazda Biante which ask for about RM20,000 more.
Conclusion
In all, the Innova is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor in almost every aspect imaginable. Not only does it look better, but it is more comfortable, bigger, more practical, more refined, more economical, and most importantly, still carries a very competitive price tag.
It might not be as well-built as a Mazda Biante or look as good as the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid but when it comes to fulfilling its duties as a people mover, the new Innova absolutely nails it. Plus, with all the bells and whistles like the ambient lighting, infotainment system with full-coloured touch screen, wooden trim running across the dashboard, you would actually be forgiven for thinking that this is actually a mini
Alphard or Vellfire
.


Geneva 2019: All-New Mazda CX-4 Initial Details Revealed

Last week, Mazda dropped a lone teaser of an upcoming compact SUV, without revealing much information, leaving the public to speculate what the new model could be.
According to Australian news portal GoAuto, the upcoming model is expected to be positioned between the CX-3 and CX-5. In that sense, it’s almost a no-brainer that the new model will wear the CX-4 badge.
But wait, wasn’t the Mazda CX-4 already released in China? Yes, Mazda introduced the CX-4 as a China-specific model back in 2016, but the one teased here will likely share only the nameplate, nothing more, nothing less.
China market Mazda CX-4 pictured
While the China-specific CX-4 was built on the larger CX-5 platform, the upcoming all-new CX-4 will be built on a newer SkyActiv Vehicle Architecture, the second model after the all-new 3. Just like the all-new Mazda 3, the upcoming CX-4 is also expected to be powered by the fancy new SkyActiv-X engine.
As for styling, we can expect the new model to get a more coupe-like roofline, as opposed to the boxier-looking CX-5. In addition to that, the upcoming CX-4 will be the next model after the 3 to adopt a more mature interpretation of the Mazda’s Kodo design language.
The 2019 edition of the Geneva Motor Show will start from 5
th
 March.


Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn Arrested In Tokyo

Nissan has just confirmed that the company’s Chairman Carlos Ghosn has been arrested by Tokyo prosecutors over alleged underreporting of his earnings, along with Representative Director Greg Kelly. Their acts were exposed by a whistleblower.
Nissan released a statement that said, “The investigation showed that over many years both Ghosn and Kelly have been reporting compensation amounts in the Tokyo Stock Exchange securities report that were less than the actual amount, in order to reduce the disclosed amount of Carlos Ghosn’s compensation.”
According to Japanese news reports, Ghosn had understated his compensation by 5 billion Yen (USD 44 million) over five years to March 2015.
The company also added that Ghosn who is also CEO of Renault had numerous other significant acts of misconduct, such as personal use of company assets.
As such, Nissan’s CEO, Hiroto Saikawa and the board will propose the removal of both Ghosn and Kelly from their respective positions in the company.
Renault shares are reported to have plunged over 10% in Paris following this incident.
Ghosn was the key figure behind the formation of the alliance between Nissan and Renault in 1999 and then adding
troubled Mitsubishi in 2016
. The Alliance also has tie-ups and product
collaborations with Daimler
.


Talk of the town: can Chery's SUVs go up against the usual suspects?

How does Chery Malaysia's lineup of SUVs compare to its natural rivals?

Yesterday marked a significant milestone in Chery's renewed operations in Malaysia. Members of the media were invited to attend a preview of their SUVs, which coincided with Chery's first physical event in Malaysia under a new team.

The takeaway from the event was that Chery has a fighter for most of the popular SUVs available in Malaysia, so we thought we would pair them up against what we think would be their natural competitors to see how they would stack up.

Under phase 1, Chery will be introducing the Tiggo 4 Pro, Tiggo 7 Pro, Tiggo 8 Pro, and the Omoda 5. Right now, they are nothing but names and numbers to those who are uninitiated, so by putting them next to their natural rivals, we hope to paint a better picture of their target market.

The Chery SUVs at the preview were not in their final Malaysian specifications and because of this we won't go into full detail about them. Chery has not announced any pricing for their cars just yet, but we expect them to be quite competitive.

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro VS Perodua Ativa

The Tiggo 4 Pro is an offering targeted towards younger buyers as it has a combination of technology and comfort. In terms of size, the Tiggo 4 Pro is the smallest model in the Tiggo Pro family, and from the naked eye, it looks to be around the same size as the Perodua Ativa.

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro VS Perodua Ativa

Model

Tiggo 4 Pro

Perodua Ativa

Engine

1.5L TGDI

1.0L Turbo DOHC

Transmission

CVT

D-CVT

Horsepower

150

100

Torque (Nm)

210

140

Overall length/width/height (mm)

 4,318
 x
1,831
 x
1,662

4,065
x
 1,710
x
 1,635

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro VS Proton X70

The Tiggo 7 Pro is a C-segment SUV that offers 5 seats. From first impressions, this model offers a balance between urban style and luxury features. It has the same engine as the Tiggo 4 Pro and surprisingly the same amount of power too. Chery did say they are considering  a plug-in-hybrid version for the Malaysian market, but that is still up in the air.

Tiggo 7 Pro VS Proton X70

Model

Tiggo 7 Pro

Proton X70

Engine

1.5L TGDI

1.5L TGDI

Transmission

CVT

7-Speed Dual Clutch

Horsepower

150

175

Torque (Nm)

210

255

Overall length/width/height (mm)

4,500
x

·1,824
x
 1,746

4,519
x
 1,831
x
 1,694

Chery Tiggo 8 Pro VS Peugeot 5008

For the largest model in theTiggo family, the 8 Pro is targeted at entrepreneurs and professionals through a combination of technology, premium touches and 7-seater versatility. This large SUV features a more luxurious interior compared to other Tiggo models. Chery are also considering bringing in a plug-in-hybrid version of the SUV, but that is also undecided.

Tiggo 8 Pro VS Peugeot 5008

Model

Tiggo 8 Pro

Peugeot 5008

Engine

2.0L TGDI

1.6L THP

Transmission

7-Speed Dual-Clutch

7-Speed Dual Clutch

Horsepower

247

165

Torque (Nm)

390

240

Overall length/width/height (mm)

4,722
x

·1,860
x
 1,705

4,670
x
 1,855
x
 1,655

Chery Omada 5 VS Proton X50 Flagship

The Omada 5 is a B-segment SUV designed according to the philosophy of 'art in motion'. This car is aimed at younger buyers who want a futuristic SUV with smart technology such as ADAS. The exterior design of the SUV is definitely striking and the interior is sophisticated headlined by those large twin screens located at the dashboard.

Chery Omada 5 VS Proton X50

Model

Chery Omada 5

Proton X50 Flagship

Engine

 1.6L TGDI

1.5L TGDI

Transmission

7-Speed Dual-Clutch

7-Speed Dual Clutch

Horsepower

194

175

Torque (Nm)

290

255

Overall length/width/height (mm)

4,400
x

·1,830
x
 1,585

4,330
x
 1,800
x
 1,609

So as you can see, Chery's offerings are quite competitive when compared to some of the popular SUVs sold in Malaysia. Core spec for spec, they are actually quite good and can really give some of these popular SUVs a run for their money.

Yes, there are some concerns about resale value as we found out from some of the comments made, but Chery is now in Malaysia under Chery Automobile Co. Ltd, which means Chery in Malaysia will have a lot of support from the principal company.

All we need to know is the pricing and finalised specifications, and if that's good why shouldn't anyone consider a Chery?


Toyota Japan Previews TRD And Modellista Styling Packages For RAV4

In the build-up to the official introduction of the all-new RAV4 at its home market, Toyota’s customization and styling business units have revealed the customization possibilities of the upcoming SUV model.
The styling and concept direction TRD focuses on are absolute performance and aesthetics while driving over rugged terrain. Large red TRD-branded mudflaps are affixed to keep mud and stone away from leaving nasty chips on the bodywork. This will be often, as the TRD concept styling also sees larger all-terrain tyres being fitted on TRD exclusive-designed multi-spoke wheels.
Based on a
variant called Adventure in the U.S.A,
 the TRD concept adds protective cladding on the front and rear bumpers, front bumper integrated spotlights, and the concept is finished off with a large, heavy-duty roof rack.
The Modellista concept meanwhile is based on a variant called XLE and it is targeted for the urban user that drives on paved roads all the time. The front bumper spoiler extends downwards as wells forwards for a maximum sporty look.
Specially designed Modellista-branded dual-tone wheels wrapped with sport-oriented tyres further emphasize the urban sporty driver character. A definite welcome upgrade from the rather simple looking items seen in the
units being introduced in Singapore
.
Chrome pieces are also liberally placed on both bumpers, the side skirts, and even on the front fenders of the Modellista concept.
The all-new Toyota RAV4 will
launch in Japan
 in the Spring of 2019 and expect both concepts to be joined by other styling ideas.