Kelonggaran Kepada Penerima 2 Dos Vaksin Diumum Selepas Aidiladha – Boleh Dine-In, Rentas Daerah Dan Lain-Lain?

Baru-baru ini, Perdana Menteri Malaysia, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin telah meminta Jawatankuasa Khas Jaminan Akses Bekalan Vaksin COVID-19 (JKJAV) untuk mempertimbangkan kelonggaran sekatan pergerakan bagi mereka yang sudah menerima 2 dos
suntikan vaksin COVID-19
.

Antara kelonggaran yang dicadangkan oleh kerajaan adalah kelonggaran dari segi pergerakan, perjalanan dan makan di restoran. Menurutnya, dengan kelonggaran ini, maka kehidupan rakyat sedikit demi sedikit akan kembali normal seperti masa lalu sementara kerajaan menguruskan COVID-19.

Sementara itu, Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob berkata, pada waktu ini, kajian teliti sedang dilakukan oleh JKJAV sebelum dibentangkan kepada kerajaan. Keputusan tersebut bakal diputuskan dalam mesyuarat Majlis Pemulihan Negara (MPN) pada minggu ini.

*Kredit foto: Harian Metro

TPM turut berkata bahawa mesyuarat MPN turut mengambil kira kriteria kelonggaran pergerakan yang akan diberikan kepada kumpulan tersebut seperti pergerakan
merentas daerah
. Walau bagaimanapun, pengumuman lanjut berkaitan kelonggaran ini akan diumumkan selepas
Hari Raya
 Aidiladha nanti.

Langkah memberi kelonggaran
SOP
 kepada penerima 2 dos
vaksin
 ini dilihat mampu menggalakkan lagi pendaftaran vaksinasi di negara ini sekaligus membolehkan negara mencapai sasaran 80% populasi ataupun 26 juta penduduk Malaysia menerima vaksin. Ketika ini, hanya 18 juta sahaja pendaftaran vaksin yang direkodkan di aplikasi
MySejahtera
.

Selain menggalakkan orang ramai mengambil vaksin, kelonggaran seperti kebenaran untuk makan di restoran turut akan membantu restoran dan kedai makan untuk menjana lebih keuntungan dengan kehadiran lebih ramai pelanggan. Kelonggaran ini dilihat mampu
memulihkan ekonomi negara
 secara perlahan-lahan di samping membantu mereka yang terjejas ketika pandemik ini.

Sebenarnya, peratusan vaksinasi yang ideal sebelum kelonggaran boleh diberikan adalah diantara 50% dan 60% populasi penduduk. Tetapi, untuk mencapai tahap ini, ia akan memakan masa yang lama memandangkan ketika ini, bilangan penerima lengkap 2 dos vaksin adalah kurang daripada 20%. Justeru itu, langkah memberikan kelonggaran ini dilihat sebagai langkah yang bersesuaian untuk dilakukan pada waktu ini.

Apa-apapun, diharapkan akan ada sistem yang lebih kemas dan sistematik dapat dilakukan untuk mengenal pasti individu yang telah lengkap menerima 2 dos vaksin sebelum kelonggaran ini dapat diberikan. Jika kebenaran rentas daerah atau rentas negeri dibenarkan, maka tidak mustahil ada yang bakal menipu demi turut sama memperolehi kelonggaran tersebut.

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

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Carlist.my.

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.

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new car promotion
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Mazda MX-5 RF Has Arrived Discreetly and Apparently It’s Open for Booking

So, just as we were in the midst of planning what to devour for lunch while scrolling down our Facebook News Feed, we came across a couple of pictures of the Mazda
MX-5 RF
.
Upon having a closer look at the pictures, we realized that they were actually taken in Mazda Malaysia’s showroom in Glenmarie.
Wait, what?
Yes, our dear MX-5 fans! The RF has discreetly made its way to Malaysia and it can mean only one thing – it is going to be launched here very soon.
Upon having a word with our friend Ivan Khong who spotted the car and the guys at
Autofreaks.my
 who also tipped us about the spotting, we came to know that the RF, which is basically the MX-5 with a retractable hard top, will be offered here with price starting from an estimated RM245,000, which is about RM20,000 more than
the soft-top
.
Globally, the MX-5 is available with either a 1.5-litre or a 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G engine. For the Malaysian market, we only get the latter.
While the soft-topped version is available only with an automatic transmission, the local models of the MX-5 RF will get a choice of 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.
*Pics by Ivan Khong


New Mazda CX-3 Launched In Malaysia: Cheaper, Better, From RM124k

After nearly three years on the market, the Mazda CX-3 has been given a mid-life makeover. At a glance, the facelifted CX-3 looks identical to the previous model but that’s because Mazda follows a very European approach in avoiding radical stylistic changes to prioritize tangible improvements beyond the superficial, improvements that deliver real value.
Differentiating the new CX-3 from the pre-facelift model is like playing a game of spot the difference. The new grille has thicker double chrome slats. The front bumpers have a new design for the lower half, the LED tail lamps are new, as are the wheels (still 18-inch size).
Inside is where the new CX-3 sees the biggest improvements. In our
review
 of the pre-facelift CX-3, we praised it for its superior driving dynamics but gave the cabin a thumbs down vote. Lack of storage space and below average refinement on longer distance journeys are its weaknesses but we are glad that Mazda took notice.
Mazda has since removed the handbrake, replacing it with a button-operated electric parking brake. This frees up space in the centre console, allowing designers to add a centre console box and an arm rest.
The windows and windscreens are now thicker, as are the door panels and headliner seals. The result is a quieter cabin. The suspension and steering have also been retuned for better comfort, insulating occupants from vibrations while maintaining Mazda’s famed Jinba Ittai character.
Other notable changes include a new dashboard panel and door panels, which now features a suede-like material over it, air-conditioning vents with red accents, the front seats now provide better support, and the rear seats now have a centre arm rest with cup holders.
In terms of safety, the new CX-3 now adds Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM).
Mechanically, the powertrain remains unchanged. A 2.0-litre naturally aspirated SkyActiv-G engine is paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
Other key features include:
LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights
LED front fog lamps
Cruise control
Heads-Up Display (folding Perspex type, with colour)
Automatic air-conditioning (single zone)
10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with two memory positions
6-speaker MZD Infotainment with 7-inch touch screen display
Reverse camera
G-Vectoring Control
Six airbags
Electronic traction and stability control
Hill start assist
Despite all the upgrades, the new CX-3 is marginally cheaper than before, even after taking into account that GST/SST is not included. The new CX-3 now sells for RM 123,788 without insurance, or about RM 3,000 less than before.
Distributor Bermaz Motor also confirmed that buyers who place their booking between now until 31-August will be exempted from paying the upcoming 10 percent SST, even if their vehicle is delivered on or after 1-September.
The distinction is important because although the government has yet to clarify the exact point along the supply chain where SST will be charged, most car companies are anticipating that cars delivered to customers on or after 1-September will be charged with SST, irrespective of when they place their orders. In short, so long as you buy your Mazda before 31-August, Mazda will absorb the SST charges for you even if your Mazda is delivered on or after 1-September.


MITI: Third National Car Must Fund Itself, NAP Due Next Year

In a morning interview with top business radio station BFM, Dr Ong Kian Ming, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has provided an update on the third national car project.
Dr Ong said his ministry received 21 proposals that included the private sector, individuals, together with government-linked companies. A project that is financially sustainable will be the main deciding factor as the government will not be funding the project.
“As you have seen in the Budget 2019, there is no commitment made by the Government on the funding of the third national car project. So, whatever proposals that were handed in will have to include a serious financial funding to make it viable,” said Dr Ong.
Meanwhile, the updated National Automotive Policy (NAP) will only be available early next year. Dr Ong reiterated that the policy will incorporate the entire automotive ecosystem, which is mainly the vendors, suppliers, as well as end-user infrastructure such as charging facilities for electric vehicles.
Dr Ong also mentioned that the vehicle
Approved Permit (AP) system will remain
 as his ministry did not see the impact of the vehicle importation system affecting the prices of new vehicles.


PDRM Nafi Anggota Potong Q Ketika Cuci Kereta

Baru-baru ini telah tular satu ciapan di Twitter berkenaan anggota polis yang didakwa memotong barisan ketika mencuci kereta peronda polis (MPV) di sebuah kedai cuci kereta. Betul ke?

Menurut ciapan yang telah dipadam, anggota polis yang membasuh MPV itu didakwa tidak beratur dan telah memotong barisan meskipun ramai yang sedang beratur menunggu giliran.

Persoalan itu turut diajukan kepada twitter rasmi PDRM untuk mendapatkan penjelasan lanjut.

PDRM Nafi Potong Q

Menurut kenyataan media yang dikeluarkan oleh Ketua Polis Daerah Brickfields, ACP Amihizam Shukor, hasil siasatan mendapati MPV itu digunakan oleh anggota yang bertugas di Balai Polis Pantai.

Kenderaan itu dibawa ke kedai mencuci kereta di kawasan Pantai Dalam kerana kotor dan ditinggalkan do bahagian belakang kedai untuk menunggu giliran.

Sebaliknya, pekerja kedai itu telah meminta anggota itu membawa masuk keretanya dahulu untuk dibasuh. Amihizam turut menegaskan bahawa anggota terbabit langsung tidak meminta untuk memotong barisan.

Setelah kereta selesai dibasuh, anggota terbabit membayar dan beredar untuk meneruskan tugasan rondaan.

Pihak IPD Brickfields turut menegaskan bahawa mereka tidak bersekongkol dengan mana-mana pihak yang melakukan kesalahan dan mereka yang bersalah akan dikenakan tindakan tegas. Sebarang maklumat berkaitan jenayah boleh disalurkan kepada mana-mana balai polis terdekat.


Biggest Honda 3S Centre in Kuching now open for business

Honda Malaysia
 has opened its biggest 3S Centre in Kuching, Sarawak this week located in Petra Jaya.

Covering an area of 4,711 square metres with a total build-up area of 2,339 square metres, the biggest Honda 3S Centre in Kuching houses a total of 12 service bays, three general repair bays, and one tyre service bay.

Service capacity of up to 50 cars per day

Currently handled by Northmont Capital Sdn Bhd, the new Honda 3S Centre in Petra Jaya marks the 14th dealership in East Malaysia to further enhance Honda's dealership network and aftersales services in the region.

The new Honda 3S Centre also include a host of amenities to ensure a comfortable environment and other services for its customers and Honda owners with things like:

Comfortable lounges

Kids' corner

Complimentary Wi-Fi

Road tax and insurance renewal

Car wash services

Air-conditioning services

Tyre alignment and balancing services + more

Honda City - the most sought-after model in Sarawak

According to Honda Malaysia Managing Director and CEO, Mr Hironobu Yoshimura "This year, the East Malaysia region has recorded encouraging sales performance, and contributed 5% to Honda Malaysia total sales from January to September 2022. Out of the 5% sales contribution, Sarawak is the highest contributor with 3%."

"The City is the most sought-after model in Sarawak, contributing 22% to the total state sales in the region. The all-new HR-V which was launched in July 2022 has also received overwhelming response in Sarawak, with over 200 units sold in the state. I would like to thank all Honda customers in the East Malaysia region for their trust and support for the Honda brand," added Mr Hironobu.


Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Lands In Malaysia - RM1.05 Million

Unveiled globally back in April, the manic Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica has made its way into Malaysia.

There are a number of Huracán models introduced over the years, and the Tecnica is the variant that sits between the 'normal' rear-wheel-drive
Huracán EVO
 model and the super track-oriented
Huracán STO
. In other words, it's a Huracán that balances perfectly between road and track.

A bridge between performance and beauty

The exterior of the Huracán Tecnica was inspired by another Huracán model, the Super Trofeo EVO2. Compared to the base model, the Tecnica features restructured front and rear architecture that looks sharper and carries better aero performance. All in all, the Tecnica offers 35% more downforce compared to the EVO.

There's a new front bumper and splitter to cut through the wind more efficiently. What you can't see is the full carbon fibre bonnet that's painted the same colour as the rest of the body. Its rear bumper, fixed rear wing, rear window, and engine cover are also new.

Naturally-aspirated V10 for days

The Tecnica comes packed with the STO's 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 engine that produces 631hp and 565Nm of torque. Power is sent down to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

This translates to a 0-100km/h run in just 3.2 seconds, 0-200km/h in 9.1 seconds, plus a top speed of 325km/h. If stopping is of concern, the Huracán Tecnica's carbon-ceramic brakes help to stop it from 100km/h to zero in a distance of only 31.5m. It also comes with improved braking cooling performance for constant performance lap after lap.

To be driven on all occasions

Lamborghini
 claims that the Tecnica is a true driver's car that pays homage to 'technical purity and physical sensation', which is why it has been fitted with some dynamic wizardries such as rear-wheel-steering, torque vectoring, modified traction control, and three driving modes - Strada, Sport, and Corsa.

Then there is also the magneto-rheological suspension system hiding behind its set of 20-inch wheels wrapped with some lovely Bridgestone Potenza Sport R20 rubber (245/30 front, 305/30 rear). In the words of Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Lamborghini, the Huracán Tecnica is the "perfect fun-to-drive Huracán".

What's the price tag?

SunAgata Supercars Sdn Bhd (Lamborghini's sole authorised dealer & aftersales service provider here in Malaysia) has priced the Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica at RM1.05 million (excluding duties, options, and insurance).

It's going to be much higher than that considering that its interior can be fully customised via the brand's personalisation arm, Ad Personam. It's a Lambo, would you expect anything less?!


Subaru’s Insane STI-Tuned Forester Is Making A Comeback!

 Ten years ago,
Subaru
 shoehorned its WRX STI’s 2.5-litre turbo boxer-four engine into its SG-series Forester crossover, calling it the Forester STI. Despite being on sale for only a few short years in Japan, the mad crossover found its way into many other countries including Malaysia, through grey importers and the Japanese performance model gained a big fan base within a short period of time.
 Now the people at
Subaru
 have confirmed that their iconic model is making a comeback with the release of several teaser images, along with a world premiere date, November 25th. Details are scarce but from the teaser pictures we can see the 2015 Forester STI will benefit from new alloy wheels, STI-branded brake calipers, signature pink highlights and a front fascia similar to the Forester STI tS concept, which previewed last month.
 Like the STI-tuned WRX, the upcoming hot Forester will feature an aggressive body kit, larger wheels, a sportier interior and firmer suspension setup. As of now, powertrain details are unclear but the
2014 Subaru WRX STI
’s 305hp 2.5-litre flat-four engine and six-speed stick shift transmission is very likely to find its way into the quick Forester.
 Full details will be released when the new Forester STI debuts in less than a month time. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that Subaru makes this speedy carrier available for markets outside Japan. This post first appeared on our sister site
Live Life Drive
.


Volkswagen Beetle Collector’s Edition Introduced – The Very Last Beetle You Can Buy

As the world bids farewell to the Volkswagen Beetle this year, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has unveiled a limited run Collector’s Edition Beetle, as a final salute to the heritage and history of the Bug.
Limited to just 75 units, the Collector’s Edition Beetle is priced at RM164,390 and is available in Blue Silk, Pure White, Habanero Orange and Tornado Red.
The Collector’s Edition comes decked out with a list of accessories worth up to RM12,000, including a rear spoiler, decorative film, chrome exhaust tips, aluminium sports pedals, scuff plates, VW Tint, and an emblem marking its production run.
All 75 owners will additionally receive an official Collector’s Edition certificate of ownership.
Designed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1938, over 21.5 million units of the Beetle have been sold globally, making it one of the best-selling cars in the 20th century. After three generations, Volkswagen will cease production of the Beetle, in July.
All Collector’s Edition Beetles are offered VPCM’s commonplace 3-year free maintenance, 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, and 5 years roadside assistance.
The launch of the Collector’s Edition Beetle is part of Volkswagen’s Bye Bye Beetle campaign, which culminates with The Iconic Gathering happening on the 13th of July in Putrajaya. Here, Volkswagen will be attempting to break the current Malaysia record of the largest Beetle gathered at one location during the event and is calling out to all owners of the classic and current Beetle to join in the effort.
For the latest deals on Volkswagen vehicles, click
here
.


Review: 2022 Toyota Innova 2.0X -  A Hardy MPV That's Almost Complete

The Toyota Innova 2.0X isn't the most complete of MPVs, but it's darn well close...

More often than not, our vehicle ownership journey begins with a relatively smaller car that is ideal for a single individual.

During this phase, travelling in a car usually consist of occupants that are not your immediate family, meaning space and practicality are not really on top of the priority list.

However, as we progress in life, many of us get hitched, start anchoring down into married life, have kids, and become family-oriented people. When this happens, our needs, as well as our priorities, change, and this also includes our choice of vehicle.

Just like many Malaysians, the need for speed, character, and style sometimes changes into the need for space, comfort and versatility and while there are
many MPVs
 out there to choose from, only one really offers an outstanding balance between value, robustness and peace of mind.

Of course, this particular vehicle that we are singling out is the Toyota Innova, a long time Malaysian favourite MPV, built on a body-on-frame chassis shared with the Hilux.

The Innova's Hilux ties might not make it sound appealing for those looking for a more polished yet affordable MPV, but don't push it aside just yet as Toyota has worked hard to turn it into a capable MPV, especially in the X variant.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Innova range, the X is the fully kitted top of the range Innova. It was initially
introduced in 2016
, and the current one offered on Toyota showroom floors is the
facelifted version
.

It is equipped with an aggressive front and rear bumper spoiler, overfenders and rocker lower moulding. It also comes with LED headlights, darkened edges at the L-shaped taillights and black tailgate trim that bridges the rear lights together.

These additional bits of the refreshed body kit and features essentially add to the Innova's aggressive exterior body styling, giving you the perception that it is not a softy MPV, but instead, one that is hardy like some of those much in demand
Japanese 4x4s
.

What also sets it apart from the other variants of the Innova range, the G and the E, are its second-row leather laced Captain seats, which other variants do not get as they come with the typical bench seats.

Thanks to this Captain seat configuration, the Innova offers comfort levels close to an MPV worth double its price. The Captain seats also don't affect other aspects of the Innova that many people love because its body-on-frame chassis shared with the Hilux and its larger footprint on the road means third-row passengers still get that spacious room at the very rear, where it doesn't make the passengers feel like economy class travellers.

Toyota has clearly put in a lot of effort to maximise the price-to-plush ratio here, and the benefits need to be experienced to be believed because pictures do not justify how much the Innova's interior is nearly as plush as its bigger brother.

You can't help but draw comparisons between the Innova and the much more luxurious and expensive Alphard. It's as though Toyota has
distilled the essence
 of a class-leading MPV and are selling it for a quarter of the price. Even the interior's blue ceiling ambient lights
remind us of the Alphard
, and the impressive noise insulation in the Innova 2.0X is a further reminder.

One of the Innova's features that don't remind us of the Alphard is its powertrain. The Innova is equipped with Toyota's trustworthy 1TR-FE 2.0-litre petrol engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. It delivers a decent 139 PS and 183 Nm of torque while consuming around 9-10 litres of fuel per 100 km.

We call it trustworthy because the engine is a robust unit that will not give you any problems. Unfortunately, the superlative words about the engine end there because to be quite frank, we wish it wasn't as underpowered when the car is full of passengers and bags.

We might be a bit harsh about this, but the engine feels more suited for urban driving where the MPV is driven at lower speeds. It launches off the traffic lights just fine and has enough power to help the driver weave through traffic.

On long stretches of road like the highway, the engine has to work really hard to maintain high speeds. It cruises okay when things are flat, but if there is even a slight incline, the engine feels out of puff and has to drop a gear or two to maintain its speed. If it's unladen, the engine feels okay, but you will have to adjust your expectations with a whole family in there.

However, if you are the type of driver who has completely ditched the need for speed life and have turned into an entirely relaxed zen motorist, then we can't see you complaining about the engine's performance.

Handling wise, there's really nothing terrible about the Innova as it typically handles like an MPV. We have to give kudos to Toyota for this, however, considering that it is a body-on-frame construction.

Comfort compared to its monocoque/passenger-car based competitors is also not bad, and you might even find it great if you've just moved from a car with body-on-frame construction. Yes, there's no mistaking you will feel the difference between the Innova and monocoque based MPVs, but we like the fact that it is built tough because of its ladder chassis underpinnings.

The Innova was designed as a product to suit a wide range of road conditions (the majority being the worst conditions) in countries such as Indonesia. A high degree of robustness has been designed into the suspension, and it feels great to know this when you are heading off on holiday to places where roads are not so great. It gives you the confidence to explore places you have never been before, which makes it a great vehicle for family road trips.

With the Klang Valley turning into one big construction site, we can also appreciate the Innova's overall tough build as it will probably present you with worry-free motoring for many years to come. That coupled with an outstanding interior and refinement really does make the Innova
one of the best MPVs
 on the market, even if it is underpowered in certain situations.

Specifications for Toyota Innova 2.0X

Engine: 2.0-litre, Inline-4 Longitudinal, Dual-VVTi, Petrol

Power: 139 PS at 5,600 rpm

Torque: 183 Nm at 4,000 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed torque converter automatic, rear-wheel drive

Safety: Seven airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, hill start assist, ISOFIX (2x, rear), Toyota Vehicle Telematics System (VTS)

Price: RM141,880 (on-the-road prices without insurance, inclusive of sales tax)


Swire Group Subsidiary Announced As New Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Dealer

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has announced the appointment of a new dealer partner, Auto Commerz Sdn Bhd, as part of the brand's ongoing expansion of its dealership network.
Auto Commerz is a subsidiary of the Swire Group, a global business group with over 200 years of history dealing in property, aviation, marine services, F&B, and industrial trading. The Group happens to be the largest shareholder of Cathay Pacific.
Subsidiary companies of the Swire Group distribute and retail various automotive brands across Asia, including Mercedes-Benz passenger and commercial vehicles in Taiwan. Locally, Malaysians are familiar with the Swire Group through its Volkswagen dealership in Puchong.
Auto Commerz and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia are in the midst of exploring potential locations to open new dealership facilities. No locations have been announced, but officials of both companies have indicated that more than one outlet will be forthcoming.
For starters, Auto Commerz will be operating in an interim facility based along Jalan Genting Klang in Setapak. A sales-only outlet, the dealership is nevertheless fully compliant with the Mercedes-Benz Presentation System II (MPS II) global CI. A further investment of RM 10 million from MBM and Auto Commerz has been allocated for the dealership over the next two years.
After sales operations have yet to be set up, but will be available when the dealership moves to a permanent location, which has yet to be announced at this stage. Customers who purchase a Mercedes-Benz from Auto Commerz can service or repair their vehicles at any of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s dealerships nationwide.
The Mercedes-Benz Auto Commerz Autohaus is located at G-1, PV128, Jalan Genting Klang, 53300 Kuala Lumpur. They can be contacted at +603 8069 9077.


Banjir: Waranti Ativa Terbatal, Kos Baik Pulih RM15k  – Kenapa Waranti Batal?

Seorang pemilik
Perodua Ativa
 terpaksa menerima kenyataan apabila waranti kereta yang baru dipakai selama dua bulan terbatal setelah ditenggelami banjir.

Berdasarkan daripada gambar Ativa milik Hafiz YM Mohd yang dikongsikan, kelihatan seperti keretanya telah
ditenggelami air
 sehingga paras suku tingkapnya.

Menurut Hafiz, meskipun kereta baharu yang dibeli itu datang dengan
waranti
 selama 5 tahun, namun waranti akan terbatal secara automatik setelah ditenggelami banjir meskipun kereta dibawa ke
pusat servis Perodua
 yang sah.

Tambahnya, beliau sudah menerima kenyataan rasmi daripada pihak Perodua bahawa kereta banjir memang akan terbatal warantinya, cuma alat ganti yang ditukar sahaja akan diberikan waranti selama enam bulan.

Berdasarkan daripada sebut harga kos baik pulih Ativa tersebut, Hafiz mengesahkan bahawa kos yang diperlukan untuk membaiki
SUV
 kompak berkenaan bernilai RM15,000.

Perkongsian yang dibuat oleh Hafiz YM Mohd di dalam Group Ativa Club Malaysia di Facebook telah meraih perhatian dan simpati ramai pengguna Ativa yang lain.

Kenapa Waranti Terbatal?

Merujuk kepada buku manual pemanduan yang dikeluarkan Perodua, sebarang kerosakan yang berpunca daripada
banjir
, kilat, gempa bumi tsunami, taufan, hujan lebat yang berlanjutan, tanah runtuh, atau kebakaran kerana kecuaian akan membatalkan waranti kenderaan secara automatik.

Jaminan atau waranti ini hanya akan diberikan sekiranya komponen-komponen kereta tidak berfungsi dengan baik atau terdapat kecacatan ketika proses pembuatan sebelum dihantar kepada pelanggan.

Segala kerosakan yang disebabkan kecuaian atau bencana alam akan membatalkan waranti sedia ada kerana ia bukanlah disebabkan oleh pihak Perodua.

Oleh itu, para pengguna dinasihatkan supaya menambah
perlindungan tambahan peril khas
 bagi meringankan beban anda untuk membaiki semula kereta sekiranya ditenggelami air banjir.

Insurans Peril Khas

Anda perlu tahu bahawa walaupun anda mengambil insurans komprehensif yang menyeluruh, namun ia tetap tidak akan membayar sebarang pampasan atau ganti rugi kepada anda jika kereta anda rosak teruk akibat bencana alam.

Berdasarkan perkongsian tersebut, pemilik Ativa tersebut difahamkan tidak mengambil insurans peril khas yang melindungi kereta dari bencana alam seperti banjir, gempa bumi, tanah runtuh, tanah gelincir, taufan dan sebagainya.

Kebiasannya, harga bagi perlindungan ini ialah 0.5% daripada jumlah yang diinsuranskan. Tetapi ianya mungkin berbeza mengikut pengendali takaful dan syarikat insurans.

Sebagai contoh, jika jumlah diinsuranskan bagi kenderaan anda adalah RM 50,000, anda perlu membayar RM250 setahun.

Bagi mereka yang tinggal di kawasan yang kerap mengalami banjir, anda amatlah digalakkan untuk menambah perlindungan ini dalam polisi
insurans
 anda.


Leona Chin Takes Home Two Second Place Finishes in Shanghai

For many racecar drivers, a Cup racing series is a good level playing field to develop experience and progress further to higher levels of competition. Leona Chin has been competing in the Renault Clio Cup China series, achieving pretty good results throughout the competition. The most recent of which was Round 7 and 8 at Shanghai, where she managed to clinch second place for both races.
Starting in second position in both races, Leona had to contend with current series leader Kenneth Lim, battling him for first place. Despite managing to get the jump on him in the first race, she had to relinquish her position and managed to hold on to the second spot. Four more rounds remain in the series, and with such close competition it will be a fight all the way to the finale.


Mercedes' extended limited warranty programme is a safety net for cars in their fifth and sixth year

Worried that your Mercedes-Benz will soon run out of warranty? Why not extend it?

With cars getting
increasingly complicated and high-tech
 these days, it's best to have a warranty for them, especially when they are getting on a bit.

Worried that your Mercedes-Benz will be running out of warranty soon? Well, worry no more as Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia have announced the introduction of its upgraded
Extended Limited Warranty Programme
, offered for vehicles in their fifth and sixth year.

The programmes' offerings include optional Essential or Comprehensive plans with full flexibility for a one-year or two-year subscription with coverage up to RM250,000 per plan.

The parts replaced under this plan are further covered by a 24-month guarantee which allows for free repairs or replacements at any Mercedes-Benz authorised service network beyond the extended warranty period.

The programme also provides unlimited mileage coverage for cars not exceeding 125,000km before the start of their fifth year and 150,000km before the start of their sixth year before opting in for this programme.

Essential package prices and coverage

Air-conditioning

Brakes

Engine

Front-wheel drive

Rear wheel drive

Suspension

Transmission

Power windows

Steering

Comprehensive package prices and coverage

The Comprehensive coverage will cover nine additional components on top of the Essential package, including:

 Active and passive safety components

Airmatic struts

Audio system

ECU and tyre pressure monitoring system

Instrument cluster

Sensors

All other control units and electrical components, in addition to rear entertainment system for selected vehicles across the Mercedes-Benz model range in their fifth and sixth year.

The Extended Limited Warranty Programme can be opted in during or after vehicle purchase, for both new and pre-owned within the first four years from registration date.

All insured customers will be entitled to a total claimable value of RM125,000 (Essential plan) and RM150,000 (Comprehensive plan) for individually purchased plans and RM 200,000 (Essential plan) and RM 250,000 (Comprehensive plan) for customers that purchase combined fifth and sixth-year coverage.


Don't Panic - Petrol Stations Open Until 10 pm Through MCO 2.0

If you're worried about running out of fuel when you're on the move at odd hours of the night - don't worry.

One of the stressful points about the first MCO that we faced last year was the fact that we didn't really know where we were allowed to go, what we were allowed to do, and whether we would be able to get the supplies and resources we needed to keep on living.

That led to all kinds of irrational behaviour, especially the infamous hoarding of toilet paper and groceries, but ultimately we pulled through as a country and settled down into a steady routine. As restrictions loosened a little, we got more used to more freedom - but the recent
re-introduction of an MCO
 has set us back and there are questions abound.

At least one of those issues can be resolved: petrol stations are allowed to operate between 6 am and 10 pm. If you're talking about interstate highway rest stops, the petrol stations there can remain open at their regular 24 hours a day operating hours. There's no word as to whether this will extend to the kiosks usually attached to these petrol stations, but at least you can be sure you'll get fuel.

As for everything else, you're still limited to a 10 kilometre radius from your home and no crossing of district or state lines (unless you're still heading home from out of town before this Friday, that is). Stay at home, stay safe, and keep in contact with your loved ones - just do so from a distance, over the internet if possible.


Mazda’s 85th Outlet In Malaysia Opens Its Doors For Business In Georgetown, Penang

Bermaz Motor, the authorised distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia today launched its latest 3S Centre in Jelutong, Penang.
Strategically located along one of the major roads of Penang, the outlet provides easy access for customers from both sides of Penang (mainland and island).
With a built-up area of 24,138 sq ft and land area of 39,992 sq ft, the Mazda Jelutong 3S Centre is one of the largest outlets in Malaysia.
The showroom has a maximum display capacity of 14 Mazda vehicles, and is a full-fledged 3S centre equipped with 7 work bays capable of servicing up to approximately 500 vehicles a month, providing standard maintenance and repair jobs.
Designed to comply with Mazda’s latest global visual identity, Bermaz said that the new outlet, which is run by a 28-member team, aims to cater to the growing customer base in Penang in terms of sales and after-sales service.
Penang customers can also opt for Mazda Mobile Service Unit – offering owners convenient car servicing and maintenance at their doorstep at no additional costs.
Located at 180, Jalan Jelutong, Georgetown, the Mazda Jelutong 3S Centre, which will be open 7 days a week, is Mazda’s 43rd 3S Centre and 85th outlet in Malaysia.


McLaren 720S Spider Launched In Malaysia, From RM1.2 Million

McLaren Kuala Lumpur just launched the new 720S Spider in Malaysia last week at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) Resort.
Priced from RM1.2 million before taxes, the model will be complementing the current range of McLarens in Malaysia which includes the 570S Coupé, 570S Spider, 600LT Coupé, 600LT Spider, and the 720S Coupé.
Like all McLaren cars, the new 720S Spider has a carbon fibre structure at its core, which comes with a rear section that is unique to the model as it serves the purpose of accommodating the retractable hard top.
The Retractable Hard Top (RHT) of the 720S Spider, which is a completely new design with a one-piece carbon fibre roof panel as standard, also happens to be the fastest-operating convertible roof in the supercar class, folding and raising (electronically instead of hydraulically) in just 11 seconds (6 seconds quicker than the 650S Spider) at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
Owners wanting to experience the open-air nature of the 720S Spider even with the roof closed can specify a carbon fibre-framed, glazed RHT option to allow even more light into the cabin.
The roof aside, key exterior features include ‘eye sockets’ cut deep into the front fenders, double-skinned dihedral doors, as well as a new rear bodywork with a full-width active spoiler.
Weighing 49kg heavier than the 720S Coupé at 1,332 kg, McLaren says that the 720S is the lightest car in its class.
Inside, the McLaren 720S Spider gets a centrally-mounted 8.0-inch high-resolution central Infotainment screen as well as dual-zone air conditioning.
Under the hood, the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged McLaren V8 engine that powers the 720S Spider is unchanged from the Coupé, producing 720PS and 770Nm of torque.
Acceleration is nothing short of phenomenal, with 0-100km/h covered in 2.9 seconds, and 0-200km/h in 7.9 seconds – just 0.1 seconds off the pace of the Coupé.  Top speed stands at 341km/h with the roof raised, and 325km/h with the roof down.
The new 720S Spider is available in the same three specifications as the Coupé, with Performance and Luxury trims extending above the standard model.  Two new exterior colours – Belize Blue and Aztec Gold – have been introduced for the new Spider among a palette of 23, one of which is Supernova Silver, a Heritage colour that was first available on the McLaren 12C.


More Than 100 EV Projects Approved By MITI

Datuk Lim Ban Hong, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), stated that over
100 projects
 related to the
EV ecosystem
 development have been approved by MITI as of March 2022.

This includes manufacturing and assembling electric vehicles with a total investment value of RM62.4 billion. Other aspects include automation as well as other EV-related matters such as charging infrastructure, and many more.

Is Malaysia a great EV choice for foreign investors?

Lim also stated that these moves were done as many investors related to EVs have chosen Malaysia to further expand their businesses as well as develop the EV ecosystem within the region.

One great example would be Volvo Car Malaysia and its first fully-electric model, the
Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric
 - an EV that is assembled right here in Malaysia.

Other companies that have followed the same pattern are
Samsung SDI Energy Malaysia
 and its investment to manufacture EV batteries and Iljin Material s Co as well as SK Nexilis who are producing electrodeposited copper foil also used in manufacturing electric cars.

TNB to invest RM90 million to support EVs

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB)
 has also pledged to invest around RM90 million with the purpose of developing the country's ecosystem as well as charging infrastructure within the next three years.

This comes after inking a deal to provide electric vehicle charging stations across the North-South Expressway (NSE). Other forms like V-centric training, up-skilling, and re-skilling courses will also be implemented from the major investment.

What about Tesla?

In an article posted by
The Star
, Lim stated this when asked about Tesla's decision to look into Indonesia instead of Malaysia. "On the investment of
Tesla
, if a private company chooses to invest in Malaysia or in other destinations, it is a commercial decision for which I do not have the capacity to answer."


PKP Wants Prices Of Tyres And Petroleum Products Reduced

The Kuala Lumpur Consumers Safety Association (PKP) are reproaching dealers, distributors and manufacturers of tyres and petroleum related products for their stance not to reduce prices of their products in light of commodities dropping in value since last year.
In the report by the
News Straits Times Online
, PKP president Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi claims industry players who had previously attributed the price hike of their products to the increase in petroleum prices failed to react when the opposite occurs, whereby production costs decreased.
He was quoted as saying, "The price of petroleum has dropped drastically from US$150 (RM642) per barrel previously to US$42 (RM180) per barrel currently. That is a very significant drop, but yet we see tyre prices and petroleum related products failing to drop in prices. There is no excuse and I hope those in the industry do not use the drop in value of the ringgit to justify their prices because it is not valid either.”
Citing commodities that went into the production of tyres including rubber, steel, synthetic rubber, and petroleum, all of which saw a fall in prices in the past 12 months, Samsudin added that industry participants had no justification for their reluctance to reduce prices.
"They have only raised the prices when the cost was high. But when the cost has gone down, their prices are not brought down. This is why I reiterate that they are cheating the consumers," said Samsudin. He added that to reduce the cost of living and burden on the rakyat, the cost of transportation needs to be reduced first.
A memorandum will be sent by the PKP to the related associations as well as the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK)


Steady 2016 for Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Despite Economic Turmoil

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles (MBM CV) has announced that it delivered a resilient performance in 2016 despite the 13 per cent dip in Total Industry Volume (TIV).
Having recorded a total of 2,612 vehicles comprising FUSO trucks as well as Mercedes-Benz trucks and vans, MBM CV has increased its market share in the Malaysian logistics and transportation sector, climbing up the ranks to place second in the premium commercial vehicle segment.
It is said that the Mercedes-Benz Actros proved to be a top choice among hauliers as it recorded an impressive total of 216 units sold in 2016, representing a double digit growth of 24%. Meanwhile, the Fuso trucks recorded 2,374 units sold.
The best-sellers on the other hand, were the Fuso Truck FE7 1PB (TD Canter) and Mercedes-Benz Actros 3344S 6X4.
Besides sales, MBM CV also recorded a notable increase in the amount of vehicle serviced at its outlets nationwide, with a total of 24,956 vehicles serviced comprising 3,920 Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles and 21,036 Fuso trucks.
Another highlight in 2016 for MBM CV was the Commercial Vehicles Truck Drivers’ League which it organized, where drivers’ maintenance, safety and economical driving skills were put to the test, ultimately contributing towards creating safer roads in Malaysia. The champion won an exclusive trip to the International Motor Show (IAA) in Hannover, Germany.
Reviewing the year’s performance, MBM CV’s vice president Albert Yee said, “We enjoyed a very positive year in 2016, securing fleet deals for both our Fuso trucks and Mercedes-Benz prime movers. Additionally, our ability to deliver top class service quality is attributed to our focus to consistently refresh our technicians’ skills and knowledge, regardless of years of technical experience, through initiatives like the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Skills Competition Commercial Vehicles.”


What Is The Fastest B-Segment SUV In Malaysia?

What is the fastest B-Segment SUV you can buy in Malaysia currently off the showroom floor?

When Proton introduced the X50 to the Malaysian market
back in October 2020
, it made huge waves due to its many impressive features.

The Proton SUV impressed the Malaysian public in many different ways, including its
premium-feeling interior
, its extensive amount of
safety kit
, as well as its good level of
connectivity
.

But being typical petrolheads, we obviously got most excited about its powertrain above all else, as its 1.5-litre
direct-injection (TGDI) engine
 is capable of producing 177 PS and 255 Nm of torque.

This potent powertrain instantly made the Proton SUV the fastest B-Segment SUV in the market at the time of its introduction, which really did bump it up a notch in many people's books. This was further proven when members of the media put the X50 up against the X1 and HR-V in a drag race on the Sepang circuit.

That fastest vehicle label lasted for many months, but now there is a faster B-Segment SUV in the market which has kicked the X50 off its throne.

So which one of these B-Segment SUVs has managed to strip the X50's label of fastest B-Segment SUV? Let's take a look at the table down below.

B-Segment SUV Power Battle

Index

Proton X50

Flagship

Hyundai Kona

1.6 T

Perodua Ativa

Honda HR-V

Hybrid

Mazda CX-3

Peugeot 2008

Engine Size

1.5-litre Turbo

1.6-litre Turbo

1.0-litre Turbo

1.5-litre+electric motor

2.0-litre N/A

1.2-litre Turbo

Horsepower(PS)

177

198

98

152

156

112

Torque (Nm)

255

265

140

190

206

205

0-100km/h

7.9

7.5

9.6

9.5

9.5

10.3

As you can see from the table, the fastest B-Segment SUV is now the
Hyundai Kona 1.6 Turbo
.

Equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder, the
higher-tier Kona
 variant has a 21 PS power advantage over X50 Flagship’s 177 PS. Peak torque is also in the Hyundai’s favour, though only slightly, by 10 Nm.

However marginal or seemingly massive, the performance gap between Proton’s
1.5-litre 3-cylinder engine
 and the Hyundai’s 1.6-litre four-cylinder mill may be, both these direct-injected turbocharged petrol engines will no doubt provide ample speed and acceleration in normal driving situations, which is how these SUVs will
most probably be used as
.

While true that the X50 is no longer the most powerful B-segment SUV contender, you will be paying a significant premium to step up to the Hyundai and its all-mighty power, as it is about RM40k more expensive than the top-spec X50, the Flagship.

Whether this RM40k bump in price is worth the extra 21 PS is totally down to preference, but it is difficult for the Kona to beat the Proton X50 as a
value proposition
, even if it is the fastest B-Segment SUV in the market.


Post-GST: Prices Of CKD Honda Models Slashed By Up To RM2,500

In a surprising move which will definitely create a lot of disruption within the local automotive industry,
Honda
 Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. has announced that it will be cutting prices of locally assembled Honda models by between RM500 to RM2,500.
The reduction is due to savings generated from Malaysia's move to replace the previous 10 percent Sales and Services Tax (SST) with a new 6 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST), which came into effect today 1-April 2015.
At this point, it is important to stress that due to the complexity of the mechanics behind GST, the impact of GST on car prices varies from one brand to another, depending on the nature of their cost structure. Some brands like Honda will be able to reduce their prices while others may see an increase in prices.
In the case of
Honda
, popular models which sells in greater volume like the City, Accord and CR-V saw the highest savings - at least RM1,345 for the City, RM1,662 for the CR-V and RM1,447 for the Accord. Fully-imported models like the Odyssey for example, will see a slight increase of up to RM1,007.
CEO and Managing Director Mr. Yoichiro Ueno was also keen to stress that customers who have recently bought their Honda models earlier were not given a poorer deal, as Honda Malaysia have anticipated the change in prices and customers who have purchased their cars earlier this year have already been by discounts and other promotions of similar value.
"In order to minimise the impact of car prices because of GST, we have recently conducted a Chinese New Year campaign, and we have considered the impact [of GST] on our campaign prices," said Ueno.
He also explained that while the difference between the previous 10 percent SST and the newly introduced 6 percent GST is a 4 percent, consumers cannot expect prices of cars to drop by 4 percent across the range.
"The current SST is only applied once at the manufacturer’s level. Meanwhile, GST will be imposed at each level of a supply chain, from a manufacturer up to a consumer. Each level in the supply chain will add 6% GST, but the contributed tax in the former level will be deducted by the entity at the next level.
"The main difference in the tax calculation is the taxable base between GST and SST.  The Sales tax of 10% tax rate is based on the ex-distributor value of the car which does not include dealer margins, transportation cost and handling fees, accessories and other miscellaneous distribution costs, while GST will be charged on the final selling price of the car on the road. Although there is a difference of 4% in the tax rate, the impact to the car price varies due to this difference of the taxable base," said Ueno.
In answering questions as to whether Honda is embarking on an aggressive price war to win more market share, Ueno said: "This price reduction is purely the gap between SST and GST, not even 1 sen or 10 sen difference is made to our profitability," adding that Honda Malaysia is strictly complying to Malaysia's Anti-Profiteering Act.
Cheaper Servicing Cost
Although GST will be added to labour charges, Honda has offset this by reducing the prices of its spare parts by an average of 3.7 percent.
"We estimate that the total maintenance cost will be reduced by 2 percent - 4 percent depending on the model," he added.
GST To Hit Dealer's Cash Flow
While Honda customers will be getting a better deal post-GST, car dealers will be having a tough time managing cash flow.
For dealers which still have unsold stocks that were purchased before GST was implemented, these cars have already been charged a 10 percent SST during their wholesale purchase but it will be difficult for dealers to pass this cost to their customers, who will also have to pay the 6 percent GST.
Dealers however, can claim back the SST paid, but only 20 percent of the total SST value paid to the government, and the claims process can take up to two years.
Honda Malaysia is urging the government to expedite the claims process as it will affect the cash flow of many dealers.


BMW i8 Roadster Teased Again Ahead Of 2018 Launch

The BMW i8 Roadster has been teased yet again in a video showing test mules undergoing final testing at BMW’s plant in Leipzig, Germany. BMW's ‘i’ division has confirmed the release of its third model (after the i8 Coupe and i3) in 2018.
Three aspects of the new Roadster model are highlighted in the 25-second video, namely its carbon fibre monocoque, the new headlight design and also shows BMW’s workers installing the compact fabric roof section.
BMW has previously teased the i8 Roadster in two separate videos.
The
first video
 glimpsed the final design undergoing testing in a wind tunnel, and also highlighted the new headlight and taillight designs. It also shows the omission of the front bonnet scoop, which is found on the Coupe model.
The second video, released in August, showed a group of camouflaged i8 Roadsters undergoing road and track testing.


VIDEO: Incredible 360-Degree Interactive Free-View Of A Ford Mustang V8 Hot Lap

Alright, we’ll just admit it, this is pretty awesome. So, ever wondered how it would be like to sit alongside a professional driver on a track, spanking a
Mustang
 V8 on a hot lap? Us too. The trouble with conventional video is that you’re at the whim of the camera’s perspective. In this case, up, down, left, right, diagonal - it’s up to you.
The new interactive video experience allows viewers to look where they want, in real time, as the car laps the Silverstone circuit using their mouse cursor, seamlessly tuning their perspective, while also including interactive gauges and displays that show the Mustang’s position on the track, speed and RPM.
“This video is a lot of fun, it makes you feel like you’re behind the wheel of a Mustang,” said Tom Barnes, Mustang vehicle engineering manager, Barnes has spent countless hours on the track developing the new Mustang. “You have complete control of your view as if you’re actually driving on the track.”
The 80-second footage was done using six specially mounted GoPro cameras on the passenger seat, front and rear bumper cameras and another camera carried by a drone, while driver Paul Swift piloted the V8 muscle car.
All that technology and software trickery amounts to one of the most immersive automotive experiences around, giving audiences the next best alternative from actually being there, physically, to experience the car. We wonder if other manufacturers will employ something similar. Perhaps, in time, this sort of interactive ‘tour’ will be standard fare for new cars. Hopefully,
Ford
 will do the same for their upcoming
GT
 as well.
You can experience the full immersive interaction
here
, or alternatively view the interior camera via Youtube below. However, the Youtube playback excludes the gauges and drone-view. Still awesome, though.


Fiat 500 Celebrates 60th Birthday

If we are to compile a list of the most iconic cars of all time, the Fiat 500 will definitely be among the greats like the Volkswagen Beetle and the MINI Cooper .
Dubbed as “the world’s original city car” by Fiat, the 500 celebrated its 60
th
 birthday just yesterday.
Rolling off the production line at Fiat’s Mirafiori plant in Turin for the very first time on July 4
th
 1957, the 500 became a global phenomenon in no time, and went on to achieve cult status around on a global scale.
During its first production run which ended in 1975, almost four million 500s were sold internationally, out of which a staggering 400,000 can still be found on Italian roads today.
After two decades in retirement the 500 was reimagined and reborn to enormous critical acclaim and huge commercial success in 2007.
Designed in an effort to perfectly capture the spirit, charm and personality of the original with modern technology, the second generation 500 also became somewhat a collector’s car in its own right although it wasn’t as popular as its predecessor.
To date more, than two million sales of the second-generation model have been achieved worldwide and the model has won more than 40 top industry awards including World Car Design of the Year in 2009.
Throughout its lifespan and all incarnations and special editions, the Fiat 500 has always been an automotive style and fashion icon, similar to other Italian legends like the Vespa, for instance.
In its most recent form, the model has led the way in car personalisation, providing a huge range of interior and exterior accessories and enhancements that allow buyers to tailor a car that perfectly reflects their personality and sense of style.
Ashley Andrew, the managing director of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK said, “The 60
th
 birthday of the Fiat 500 may be small in stature but it’s a car that’s had a massive impact on the automotive world.
“Few cars can claim to have made the same impression on popular culture and even fewer still have continued to inspire others and imbue passion for six decades.”


Toyota Finally Wins 24 Hours Of Le Mans At Its 20th Attempt

Toyota, through the Toyota Gazoo Racing motorsport banner, has finally won the 24 Hours of Le Mans at its 20th attempt.
The team also won the 86th edition of the world’s most famous and one of the toughest endurance race in style, taking a 1-2 finish and completing 388 laps over the 24-hour race duration.
The Japanese entrant with their TS050 Hybrid car number 8, driven by Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima took the chequered flag side-by-side with sister car number 7. The finishing line was a reflection of the starting grid, where car number 8 and 7 finished first and second respectively, mirroring their positions on Saturday’s starting grid.
It was not a cruise from pole-to-victory for car number 8, as the trio consisting of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez in car number 7 actually led for long periods of the race.
The two TS050 Hybrids were evenly matched throughout the 24 hours and swapped places several times which featured its share of drama for the team.
Two stop-go penalties were delivered to the car driven by Buemi-Nakajima-Alonso trio compared to one for the sister car. Alonso drove an impressive night stint to bring his side of the garage into contention on a day when all Toyota drivers performed under tremendous pressure at this edition of Le Mans where pundits labelled it as ‘the race Toyota cannot afford to lose’.
A fuel issue with 100 minutes left on the clock (which turns out to be regulation rather than technical related) dropped car number 7 off the lead lap, which eventually allowed car 8 to finish the race with a lead of two laps. The number 3 Rebellion, which does not have hybrid power, finished third, 12 laps behind.
Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, plus an avid supporter of motorsports congratulated the team and all involved also said, “Thank you very much for letting us and our drivers drive all out! I want to say this to all fans who have supported us for a long time, our partners and suppliers who have battled together with us, and all the team members and people related to our team. I want to express my sincere appreciation to all,”
“And to our drivers who drove our cars for the longest distance at Le Mans, finally in our 20th challenge, thank you for driving all out!”
The 1,000 hp (equally split between the 2.4-litre V6 petrol engine and dual-electrified axles) TS050 Hybrid is an evolution of the 2017-spec racing machine with improved aerodynamics and reliability.
The result is a culmination of intense and determined efforts by Toyota Gazoo Racing colleagues from Higashi-Fuji and Cologne to continually enhance its petrol-electric hybrid technology, which today uses 35% less fuel than in 2012 when Toyota first returned to endurance racing.
Earlier on Saturday, Toyota also
showcased the Toyota GR Super
Sport
 Concept
, a road-going version of their TS050 Hybrid endurance racer which the company has started development work and is planning to introduce in near future.


Lamborghini HyperVeloce With 800HP To Be Unveiled At Pebble Beach?

Lamborghini
 are reportedly planning to bring another ultra-exclusive hypercar to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in mid-August this year and it is rumoured to be called the HyperVeloce.
Details about the HyperVeloce are limited at the moment but we should expect ferocious design and according to
The Supercar Kids
, a 6.5-litre V12 engine producing 800hp, derived from the
Aventador
.
(Lamborghini Reventón Roadster)
However, only a select few will be able to see the new Lambo up close as the hypercar will have a very private viewing at Pebble Beach, where cameras are not allowed in. We’ll probably have to wait till the Frankfurt Motor Show in September before the HyperVeloce is revealed to all.
(Lamborghini Veneno)
Pebble Beach is no stranger to highly limited Lamborghinis being introduced in private either. Models like the Lamborghini Reventón and Veneno have been shown to select clientele way before their public reveal later. Besides being highly limited in number, they all have one thing in common: an expensive price tag in the multi-million range.


LA 2017: All-New Mercedes-Benz CLS – Inline-6 Engines, And It’s Now A 5-Seater

Once taken as the strict definition of a two-door, the term 'coupe' these days have become rather loosely applied to a myriad of vehicles. Any car with a fastback-type rear end now lays claim to be a coupe, and it was arguably the original Mercedes-Benz CLS that played a huge role in starting this renaissance. It wasn't the first four-door vehicle styled as such, but Mercedes was the earliest and most successful in its marketing efforts in gaining public acceptance of the four-door coupe concept.
An all-new version of the CLS debuts at the Los Angeles International Motor Show and is dubbed by Mercedes as the ‘third generation of the original’. The
second-generation CLS
, to recap, was introduced in 2011.
As with the original, the mechanical underpinnings of this vehicle is taken from the concurrent
E-Class
 but clothed in more curvaceous metal defined by a low-slung rear roofline and complete with frameless door windows.
The front and rear fascia, however, departs significantly from the evolutionary template set by its W219 (1
st
 gen) and
W218 (2
nd
 gen)
 predecessors. Most notably, the headlights are now flat, curve upwards, and narrow outwards, whilst at the rear, the number plate moves to the bumper and the tail lights are now the wide two-section items that is the newly-adopted family look of all Mercedes coupes.
In short, the overall silhouette is family CLS, but the
details have been vastly revamped
 to bring the four-door coupe’s styling in line with the rest of the coupe range.
Inside, the superlative yet familiar cabin of the E-Class underpins the
all-new CLS’ interior
. The dashboard, by and large, is identical, receiving the distinctive ‘jet turbine’ air con vents from the
E-Class Coupe
 and a new multi-function steering wheel straight from the
S-Class facelift
.
Amazingly, the hi-res widescreen cockpit, which houses two 12.3-inch displays beneath one seamless housing is offered not as standard, but merely as an option. We can’t imagine any well-heeled buyers of the CLS not wanting to check this box. In any case, expect it to come standard in the Malaysian market when the car arrives here.
Mercedes states that the CLS’ seats are unique to the car and not taken from the E-Class. The rear seats are designed to mimic the appearance of the front seats, giving the impression of a strict four-seater although, for the first time ever, the CLS is full-fledged five-seater, complete with 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats to extend its surprisingly practical 520-litre boot volume – a mere 20 litres down from the E-Class sedan.
Engines powering the CLS are all-new, and they start with a trio of inline-six engines from
Mercedes-Benz’s newly-developed range of modular powertrains
. Two diesel variants are powered by the same 2.9-litre engine in different states of tune, whilst the 3.0-litre petrol flagship variant is boosted by a 48V mild hybrid system. All three engines come standard with 9-speed automatic transmissions and 4Matic all-wheel drive.
CLS 350d 4Matic:
 2.9-litre OM656 turbodiesel, 286 hp, 600 Nm
CLS 400d 4Matic:
 2.9-litre OM656 turbodiesel, 340 hp, 700 Nm
CLS 450 4Matic:
 3.0-litre M256 turbo petrol, 367 hp, 500 Nm
The CLS 450’s EQ Boost integrated starter/generator supplies an additional 22 hp and 250 Nm of assist in short bursts, helping the engine along when accelerating as well as enabling it to shut off more smoothly under coasting, thereby helping it achieve better efficiency. That being said, the diesels remain more efficient when tested under NEDC protocol – both the 350d and 400d returning 5.6 litres/100km on the combined cycle versus 7.5 litres/100km for the petrol model.
As usual with recent Mercedes launches, early adopters of the CLS have the option of picking the limited-run Edition 1 trim offering a number of extra standard features over the regular model. The car is finished inside out based on AMG Line trim and is recognizable by the ‘Edition 1’ lettering on the front fenders.
Edition 1 trim is available with all engine variants of the CLS, and whilst production is not limited by number of units, it is available only within the first year of its launch.


Peugeot Celebrates 210 Years And Introduces 2020 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered

Bon Anniversaire Peugeot! Peugeot on Thursday celebrated their 210th Anniversary and introduced the 2020 Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered to the world.

While 210 is a big milestone and it places Peugeot among the three oldest automakers in the world the bigger news was the introduction of Peugeot's push for electrification with the unveiling of the Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered, the most powerful production Peugeot to date.

Just before we get to the 508 however, here's a little bit of Peugeot yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Peugeot was in fact the first automaker to build an electric vehicle, all the way back in 1941. The world was in the clutches of World War II and fuel was at a premium. 377 units of the all-electric VLV were manufactured for the use of the post office and doctors.

We were then transported to the Peugeot Archive Centre in Herimoncourt, where we caught a glimpse of 400 Peugeots; one-offs, concept cars, prototypes and of course cult favourites like the 402, 504 Coupe, 205 and last but not least the 406 Coupe.

What is impressive about Peugeot in 2020 is also a concept called the Power of Choice, with this platform Peugeot is able to manufacture each of their models on a single production line no matter the powertrain be it petrol, diesel, electric or plug-in hybrid. Impressive!

Presenting the Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered

An all-new chapter for the Peugeot Sports Division. Peugeot Sports Engineered is the alliance between sport and technology and they're kicking it off with the 508 Sedan and SW.

Drawing on their expertise from international competitions such as the WRC (World Rally Championship), DAKAR, Pikes Peak or the WEC (Word Endurance Championship) as well as the development of the 208 FE concept in 2013 (46 g CO2/km - 0/100 in 8.2s) and the 308 R Hybrid in 2015 (500 bhp - 720 Nm - 0/100 in 4.0s), Peugeot announced the most powerful production car they've ever built, plus their move into electrification.

Here are some impressive key figures for the Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered:

360hp, 540Nm - with only 46gm of CO2 emissions

0 to 100 km/h in 5.2s

80 to 120 km/h in 3s

Top speed of 250 km/h (electronically controlled)

The 508 will come with five driving modes:

Electric: Full electric range of 42 km under the WLTP protocol.

Comfort: Hybrid mode with softened suspensions for "high comfort" driving.

Hybrid: Mode that will automatically select combustion or electric power depending on the conditions for more optimised consumption.

Sport: All 360 hp available on tap. The combustion engine ensures that the battery is charged for maximum power at all times.

4WD: Maximum traction for slippery situations.

The hybrid batteries on the 508 will also offer flexible recharging options:

< than 7 hours on a standard domestic socket

4 hours on a 16A reinforced plug

< 2 hours on a 32A Wall Box

Driving aids are pretty much standard in continental options of its kind with Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, AEB and Night Vision.

The Peugeot 508 is manufactured in Mulhouse, France and will be available to order from mid-October 2020. Oh yes, it will also come with 20' alloys with 380mm disc brakes.

When if ever will we be able to see it here in Malaysia? Your guess is as good as mine, maybe even better especially if your neighbours uncle happens to work with Naza. It is a crying shame really as Peugeot's latest range of vehicles are truly something to look at and wouldn't look amiss on our roads.


Geneva 2017: You Won’t Believe Which Model was just Named Car of the Year

Vehicles aside, another highlight of the Geneva Motor Show is without a doubt, the Car of the Year award, which many consider as one of the greatest accolades a car can receive.
That said, the car that claimed this year’s crown to the surprise of many, was the new Peugeot 3008.
The judging panel, which comprises 58 top European automotive journalists, mainly acclaimed the 3008’s style, interior design and performance. Besides that, Peugeot added that this trophy joins the twenty other prizes the SUV has already won.
It is also worth mentioning that the vehicle is the fifth Peugeot to win Car of the Year, and the first SUV honoured in the history of the COTY prize.
Featuring a fresh design, improved comfort, as well as better road handling, the 3008 also comes with Peugeot’s i-Cockpit; a state of the art infotainment system which Peugeot claims to give new meaning to ‘being in the driver's seat’.
With a compact steering wheel, 12.3-inch heads-up display and central capacitive touchscreen console with ergonomic piano keys, the new 3008 also offers a number of driving aids and other high-tech equipment as well as seamless connectivity.
The 3008 totalled 319 points, edging out the Alfa Romeo Giulia with 296 points. Third place on the podium went to the Mercedes-Benz E-class, which scored 197 points.
On another note, this is the second time Peugeot has received the prize for Car of the Year in three years. Besides being the first SUV to win the award, the 3008 is also the fifth Peugeot to be named Car of the Year, following the 308 in 2014, the 307 in 2002, the 405 in 1988 and the 504 in 1969.


Shell In Formula One

Shell’s Technical Partnership with Scuderia Ferrari is one of the longest running and most successful partnerships in Formula One history.
The Formula One World Championship has been running since 1950 and Shell was supporting Enzo Ferrari himself as far back as the 1929. Since then, Scuderia Ferrari is the only team to have competed in every year of the series, winning 16 Constructors’ and 15 Drivers’ titles, while Shell was a partner for 10 and 12 of those respectively. Shell therefore has a track record to be proud of in Formula One, however past glories do not automatically guarantee success and 2014 was one of the toughest seasons in Scuderia Ferrari’s history.
The goals faced by the two companies of developing a revolutionary powertrain, and optimising fuels and lubricants to meet last year’s new regulations, proved a real challenge. That challenge continues in 2015, especially as the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), took the decision to relax rules relating to engine development for this year.
Shell’s Formula One project team continues to grow, with more than 50 Shell technical staff now contributing to the Shell Formula One programme with Scuderia Ferrari. These team members work together around the world in Shell laboratories and facilities, at all the race tracks on the Grand Prix calendar and alongside the team engineers in their Maranello headquarters.
Shell’s involvement in Formula One is a demanding scientific exercise in itself but its main purpose is to ensure that any technological advantage developed for Scuderia Ferrari is passed directly through to motorists. The most obvious examples of this are Shell V-Power Unleaded fuel and Shell Helix Ultra engine oils – both of which owe a large part of their development and pedigree to the Formula One programme.
Only last year, Shell PurePlus Technology – the process of producing synthetic, crystal clear base oils from natural gas with virtually none of the impurities found in crude oil – was introduced into the Shell Helix Ultra race lubricant for Formula One.
With Shell PurePlus Technology now at the heart of every oil used by Shell’s Technical Partner, Scuderia Ferrari can also enjoy the benefits of this latest innovation. When it comes to the fuel, its chemical and physical parameters are prescribed by the sport’s governing body, the FIA, with the specific objective of making the development of race fuels relevant to those sold at the pumps. For example, the Shell V-Power race fuel used by Scuderia Ferrari contains 5.75% by weight of bio-components.
“At Shell, we see the Technical Partnership with Ferrari as a great opportunity to develop the best products for our customers. It’s not just about Scuderia Ferrari, it’s also about access to Formula One and all its advanced technology because this is where you come up with new ideas. The challenge the team presents us with is that we always have to stretch ourselves to be better than the year before and following a difficult season like 2014, we have to push ourselves even further”.


Valentino Rossi joins BMW M Motorsport Works family

Valentino Rossi
 has inked a deal to become the latest family member of the
 BMW M Motorsport Works
 fraternity.

The nine-time MotoGP world champion is now gearing up to become a part of the BMW M works driver line-up for the 2023 season and will once again step into the four-wheel arena and this time, it'll be in a BMW M4 GT3.

21st member of the BMW M Works team

The high-profile Italian MotoGP legend will be competing in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and Bathurst 12 Hour come 2023. Additionally, Rossi will also 'be available for further race and test appearances in BMW M Motorsport racing cars'.

According to Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, "Valentino has proved that he is also an excellent racer on four wheels. He has shown that car racing has become his second motorsport home, and he brings all his passion, skills, and commitment to this new chapter of his career."

Rossi to partner up with Maxime Martin & Augusto Farfus

As for the main man himself, Rossi commented, "I am very proud to become an official BMW M works driver and it is a great opportunity. Last year I started racing seriously in cars and I finished my first season with the WRT team with whom I got on very well and I am very happy that the WRT team chose BMW M Motorsport as a new partner."

I have already had a chance to test the BMW M4 GT3 twice and the feeling with the car is very good. I think we could be competitive next season. Also, BMW M Motorsport has given me the opportunity to race with two very strong drivers next year, Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus. I still have a lot to learn and improve, but I hope to be up to the task and fast enough to fight during the race weekends," added Rossi.


Mitsubishi Triton Sales Up 2.4% in 2019

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) today announced a 2.4% year-on-year increase in the Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck from January-December 2019 with 5,792 units sold, comparing to the same period in 2018.

The pick-up truck segment experienced a 21% downsize in 2019 because of a challenging economic situation. In spite of this, the Triton was the only model that successfully achieved positive growth and expanded its overall sales.

The Mitsubishi Triton is the number one sales growth pick-up truck in Malaysia, improving its market share by 3.8% to 16.5% from January-December 2019. After the introduction of the new Triton in early 2019, it has contributed to 71.2% of MMM’s overall business.

Tomoyuki Shinnishi, Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia said, “Our achievement this year includes ranking number one in J.D. Power 2019 Malaysia Customer Service Index (CSI) Mass Market Study. This is the second consecutive year for MMM to be ranked at number one and remain in the top three positions for five consecutive years.

In terms of Sales, MMM is ranked top two in the 2019 J.D. Power Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study. These results were a reflection of car owner’s satisfaction and experience at the authorized service centres.”

In January 2019, the company launched the new Triton that incorporates the latest iteration of the ‘Dynamic Shield’ design concept, improved quality, and advanced safety features.

Subsequently in November 2019, the company upgraded the range topping Triton Adventure X and Triton AT Premium to include more accessories offered by all MMM authorized dealers. The company also launched the new Triton Quest and limited edition Triton Knight to complete the Triton line-up.

The Mitsubishi Triton is still the only pick-up offering up to 200,000KM or 5 Years warranty. Customers will get to rack up more mileage with added peace of mind.


Does A Driver’s Car Have To Be Demanding

Of the many things you’ll hear when people talk about cars, perhaps the most ambiguous is the term “driver’s car”. It’s a term that’s used in a variety of contexts; the simplest definition is that it is a car that is designed and engineered with driving pleasure in mind. Beyond that is where it gets a little tricky and highly debatable.

To think of what classifies as a driver’s car, you need only look at sports cars or supercars. Mid-engine Ferraris like the 355 and 458 are archetypal driver’s cars, as are multi-generational cars like the Porsche 911. But even among owners and enthusiasts, there is a great and constant debate as to whether certain cars qualify.

For you see, speed and performance figures alone are not enough. Examples of this would be the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, or the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63. These cars are capable of going very quickly and are reasonably competent around the bends, but they aren’t exactly the type of cars you would enjoy on a back road at ungodly hours on a Sunday morning.

You could blame the marketing machines employed by big-name brands, but the term “driver’s car” gets thrown around a lot more than it should. In what could be considered a disproportionate reaction, there is a growing movement among the old guard that a driver’s car should be something that demands maximum effort when you’re throwing them around.

With this in mind, a lot of modern performance cars are disqualified in their eyes – first for being a little heavier and a little more lenient, and secondly because they come with a variety of electronic aids – regardless of whether they can be switched off or are permanently on. When you mix this viewpoint with a dash of elitism, enthusiast staples like hot hatchbacks are also taken out of the mix, along with anything that isn’t rear-wheel driven.

But why did this come about? It’s mostly to do with the concept of purity in driving – and purity, as well as purists, only exist in the context of the cars we have today. When we look at older “driver’s cars”, we see simpler machines that react in a more linear fashion to driver inputs. The flip side of the coin is that a lot of these machines had inherent flaws that made them difficult, and more demanding, to drive.

Classic Porsche 911s are a joy for quite nearly all your senses (except taste, which would be strange), but they also come from the factory with some curious rear suspension issues that make them excessively wild on the limit. The same could be said of the E30 generation of the BMW 3 Series, which many regard as a great driver’s car.

Over the years, both Porsche and BMW have worked to refine and develop newer versions of the 911 and 3 Series respectively, and each generation gets a little easier to drive in addition to having more performance, better fuel economy, and being far safer in the event of an accident. Somehow in the pursuit of all of this, both companies have also started to push away the older champions of the brand – despite this being the direction the market is heading in.

The demanding aspect has unfortunately become the focus for purists. A car is only deemed enjoyable if it’s a challenge to drive – and yet there are so many examples that fly in the face of this statement. The Mazda MX-5 is a great case study of how a simple front-engine, rear wheel drive roadster is enjoyable as you build up to the limit, without suddenly spitting you off the road if you lose concentration for a split second.

As are cars like the Renault Clio 197 RS and its hot hatchback brethren – despite being front-wheel drive. They are forgiving on the limit and easy for drivers of all skill levels to hop into and have a good time – provided they keep an open mind. All of this lends credit to the idea that a driver’s car is more about how it reacts to your inputs and how easy it is to control, rather than how much mental fortitude is needed to keep it out of the longkang.

As for electronic aids – well, they are an unfortunate “evil” in this day and age. Performance cars have become more powerful than ever, and to keep less experienced drivers from killing themselves the moment they drive their cars off the parking lot, there needs to be an electronic nanny to reel the car back in – or it is multiple lawsuits waiting to happen. Thankfully, in driver-oriented cars, you can usually turn these systems off completely when you’re in a safe enough place to enjoy your car without risk of collateral damage.

So perhaps more than how likely a car is to kill you, we should measure a driver’s car by how much of a smile it puts on your face. If you’re not the kind of person who enjoys driving then it simply won’t matter what car you’re in – but if you’re one who likes to layan the proverbial corner, then you should understand what this means.

It doesn’t matter what kind of drivetrain layout it has or how much power it’s sending to the wheels; if it’s a car that you want to take out on the open road weekend after weekend, then it’s a driver’s car – plain and simple. After all, who are you to be the gatekeeper to someone else’s enjoyment?


Nasim Opens Peugeot Puchong Body And Paint Centre

Nasim Sdn Bhd,
Peugeot
’s official distributor in Malaysia, as part of its nationwide expansion efforts, has opened the Peugeot Puchong Body and Paint hub. This makes it the fifth outlet that Nasim has launched in 2015 and the nineteenth within Klang Valley.
The new Body and Paint facility is placed where it can serve the main areas surrounding Puchong. Such as Bandar Baru Bangi, Bandar Bukit Puchong, Bandar Puteri, and Kinrara, among others.
The centre itself measures 20,000 square feet, onto which Nasim invested RM2 million into its development. It features delivery bays, estimation bays, free WiFi access throughout, and even a comfortable customer lounge. It can accommodate up to 80 vehicles per day across its 16 service bays.
“Furnished with the latest technology and equipment, this Body and Paint Centre is primed for Peugeot customers to accelerate repairs and restoration to their vehicles by reducing appointment lead time. As the demand for Peugeot vehicle increases, it remains our objective to deliver more competitive products and excellent services to enhance the ownership experience,” said Dato’ Samson Anand George, Chief Operating Officer of Nasim Sdn Bhd.
“The opening of Peugeot Puchong Paint and Body Centre is part of Nasim’s concentrated efforts to continuously improve customer satisfaction,” he said.


Uber Will Deliver Your Brand New Xiaomi Mi Note Within Minutes Today

At precisely 12pm today, Xiaomi will begin offering its latest Mi Note smartphone with the help of ride-sharing app
Uber
.
On Monday, July 27 (which is today), simply purchase a Mi Note through the app, and it will be delivered to your doorstep in just minutes. That’s right, ordering a smartphone is now as easy as ordering food. No waiting in line or counting the days till it gets delivered.
Here’s what you need to do to request for a Mi Note:
Open your Uber app on Monday, July 27 at 12:00pm
Request the ‘Xiaomi’ option, that appears in the app
Uber will be at your door in minutes, with the Mi Note smartphone
The cost is RM1,549 and all payment will be made through the app
Uber expects demand to be extremely high so if you want to be among the first to own the new Xiaomi Mi Note, move quick!
This exclusive pre-launch flash sale only allows one Mi Note per order and also goes live in Singapore as well. For more details, head on over to
Uber Malaysia
.


Lepas Langgar Orang Sampai Mati, Curi Kereta Pula – 2 Suspek Sedang Diburu Polis

Bila ketakutan sudah menguasai diri, manusia boleh bertindak diluar kawalan. Samalah seperti kes yang berlaku di Terengganu apabila 2 orang suspek bertindak melarikan diri menggunakan
kereta curi
 setelah melanggar mati seorang penunggang motosikal di Kilometer 269, Lebuh Raya Pantai Timur 2 (LPT2) berdekatan Cheneh.

Berdasarkan hantaran di Facebook yang dibuat oleh Izhar Masuri (kawan kepada adik mangsa), sebelum kemalangan maut itu berlaku, kedua-dua suspek yang menaiki
Perodua Myvi
 itu telah dikesan melanggar seseorang sehingga patah kaki.

Mungkin perasaan takut dan panik mula menguasai diri, suspek kemudiannya telah melarikan diri. Walau bagaimanapun, tindakan tersebut telah menyebabkan suspek melanggar seorang lagi pakcik yang menunggang
motosikal
 sehingga meninggal dunia.

Ketika kejadian berlaku, penunggang motosikal terbabit sedang dalam perjalanan dari Kuantan untuk pulang ke rumahnya di Kerteh. Namun motosikal beliau telah dilanggar dari belakang sehingga membuatkan mangsa tercampak ke dalam longkang.

Kecederaan parah di bahagian kepala yang dialami penunggang terbabit telah menyebabkan beliau maut di tempat kejadian. Ketika itu, terdapat seorang pemandu
Nissan Grand Livina
 bersama ibunya yang prihatin telah berhenti dan cuba memberi pertolongan kepada mangsa.

Hanya Tuhan sahaja yang tahu perasaan seseorang yang telah membunuh orang lain (walaupun tidak sengaja). Mungkin juga perasaan tersebut telah membuatkan kedua-dua suspek nekad untuk melarikan diri buat kali kedua.

Pemandu Nissan Grand Livina itu telah cuba untuk mengejar dan mengesan Myvi terbabit untuk mendapatkan bukti selanjutnya serta mahu suspek bertanggungjawab ke atas kematian penunggang motosikal terbabit.

Kedua-dua suspek telah ditemui bersama Myvi yang tersadai di tepi jalan akibat rosak kira-kira 2km dari lokasi pelanggaran. Pemandu Nissan itu tersebut mempersoalkan tindakan kedua-dua suspek yang melarikan diri selepas melanggar mangsa sehingga maut.

Namun pemandu Nissan Grand Livina itu langsung tidak menyangka bahawa ketika beliau dan ibunya sibuk untuk meminta pertolongan daripada kenderaan lain, kedua-dua suspek tersebut telah bertindak masuk ke dalam kereta pemuda itu dan melarikan diri buat kali ketiga, tapi kali ini bersama Nissan Grand Livina milik pemandu tersebut yang tidak dimatikan enjin.

Terkejut dengan situasi tersebut, pemandu tersebut telah cuba menahan suspek namun suspek nyaris-nyaris untuk melanggar ibu pemandu tersebut. Pemandu itu telah membuat laporan polis di Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Kemaman. Menurut Ketua Polis Daerah Kemaman, Superintendan Hanyan Ramlan, kedua-dua suspek sedang diburu dan kes ini disiasat mengikut Seksyen 41 (1) Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987.

Walau bagaimanapun, berdasarkan hantaran sama yang telah dikemaskini oleh Izhar Masuri di Facebook, kereta Nissan Grand Livina yang dilarikan kedua-dua suspek itu telah ditemui. Walau bagaimanapun, kedua-dua suspek masih gagal dikesan buat masa ini.

Bayangkan sekiranya kedua-dua suspek ini berhenti ketika kemalangan pertama berlaku di mana hanya kejadian patah kaki berlaku, pasti nyawa pakcik yang menunggang motosikal itu tidak akan tergadai dan kedua-dua suspek tidak dilabel sebagai pembunuh.

Tindakan melarikan diri daripada masalah yang disebabkan oleh diri sendiri hanya akan membuatkan anda terjerumus di dalam masalah yang lebih besar di kemudian hari. Dalam kes ini, tindakan melulu suspek telah membuatkan mereka melakukan kesalahan seperti langgar lari, kemalangan maut serta melarikan kereta.

Ingatlah, jika pemanduan anda telah menyebabkan seseorang terlibat dalam kemalangan, berhenti dan bantulah mangsa. Tindakan anda melarikan diri mungkin akan membawa kepada masalah yang lebih besar seperti membunuh tanpa niat!


COVID-19: This is How Europe is Planning to Handle the Situation

No thanks to the Covid-19 crisis, production and sales of motor vehicles have come to a sudden halt in most parts of the world.

Without new revenue, many vehicle manufacturers are expected to face significant liquidity problems in the short to medium term. With available levels of cash varying across the sector, several companies could face shortages within a matter of months.

Realising this, various measures are already being taken by many organisations and governing bodies around the world in an effort to support the companies and most importantly, the workers affected.

Let’s take Europe for instance. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (EAMA), the European Central Bank (ECB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Commission (EC) are currently working hand-in-hand to make sure that the automotive industry doesn’t take a bad fall.

“It is clear that this is the worst crisis ever to impact the automotive industry,” stated Eric-Mark Huitema, the Director General of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (EAMA).

“With all manufacturing coming to a standstill and the retail network effectively closed, the jobs of some 14 million Europeans are now at stake. We call for strong and coordinated actions at national and EU level to provide immediate liquidity support for automobile companies, their suppliers and dealers.”

This could also affect things in markets that depend on European manufacturers which include the Asian region, as new models, spare parts, CKD packs, and everything that is coming to us from European brands, could see a delay.

That said, the European Central Bank has announced that it is planning to purchase bonds issued by Member States and commercial companies, and also to “relax” various requirements imposed on commercial banks which offer hire purchase loans to buyers.

The ECB has also adopted a Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme on 19 March, which enables it to purchase sovereign bonds from all EU Member States under flexible conditions as well as commercial papers of sufficient credit quality.

It is said that the programme has an envelope of €750 billion and runs until the end of the year. On top of that, the ECB will conduct additional longer-term refinancing operations to provide immediate liquidity support to the euro area financial system.

In addition, it will apply considerably more favourable terms (lower interest rates) during the period from June 2020 to June 2021 to all longer-term refinancing operations outstanding during that time.

The European Investment Bank on the other hand, has proposed a plan to mobilise up to €40 billion of financing. This will go towards bridging loans, credit holidays and other measures designed to alleviate liquidity and working capital constraints for SMEs and mid-caps.

Last but not least, the European Commission has proposed to the European Parliament and the Council to direct €37 billion under EU cohesion policy to the fight against the coronavirus crisis.

Amongst the other measures proposed, the Commission also recommends that Member States take action to ensure the free movement of all workers involved in international transport, whatever the transport mode.

In particular, rules such as travel restrictions, and mandatory quarantine of transport workers not displaying symptoms, should be waived.


VW Dieselgate: Audi and Porsche Endurance Programmes Might Face the Axe

Just as the extent of
‘Dieselgate’
 is occupying the minds in Wolfsburg, a report from German tabloid
Bild
 has revealed that the scandal could cost
Volkswagen
 in the “double-digit billions”, and speculates that the German giant’s foray into the World Endurance Championship (WEC) could be brought to an end.

According to the report, Volkswagen spends more than a billion Euros annually on motorsports, with their WEC programme taking up the lion’s share. Volkswagen is said to be spending 300 million Euros a year on
Audi
’s and 400 million Euro a year on
Porsche
’s WEC programmes. That is nearly a billion Euros worth of investments.

Though both Audi and Porsche are hugely successful in the 24 Hours of Le Mans – Audi has 13 outright victories in the sport’s history, two WEC Constructor’s Championships in its three seasons of series, and
Porsche added their 17
th
 win to their unbeatable record this year
–
another report has revealed that Volkswagen insiders
 fear a withdrawal from both the WEC and WRC is inevitable. After all when cost-cutting measures are taken, motorsports programmes, however successful it may be, are usually the first to go.

Recently
newly-appointed CEO Matthias Muller

announced that the company will be putting all the company’s non-essential investments on ice
, in light of the diesel engine emissions scandal. Could we see the exit of either Audi or Porsche, or even both at the end of the WEC season this year? If so,
their withdrawal could also lead to Toyota ending their WEC programme
and thus bringing an end to the whole WEC series.


If Your Car Gets Stolen At A Car Park, You Can Now Sue The Management And Win!

In a landmark ruling on December 7, the Court of Appeal upheld a lower court ruling that the management of Sunway Parking Services Sdn. Bhd was indeed liable for negligence.

In the case of Euro Rent A Car Sdn. Bhd vs Sunway Parking Services Sdn. Bhd the Court of Appeal confirmed that the
parking
 management of The Pinnacle at Bandar Sunway was liable for negligence and ordered to pay damages amounting to RM117,000 + damages as reported by Free Malaysia Today.

Now if the above is all Greek to you, first allow me to refresh your memory:

Euro Rent rented out a French citizen, Hemici Sofiane, bearing number plate BNS 9066 on April 25, 2016.

Sofiane then proceeded to park the car at The Pinnacle in Bandar
Sunway
 at approximately 2.30pm on April 27 only to find the car stolen when he got back to it at about 7.00pm on the same day.

He informed the security of what had happened and later went to check out the CCTV footage to ascertain how the car was stolen.

The thief had managed to steal the car by tailgating another car out of the parking lot. The barrier gate was apparently too slow in preventing the thief from following the car in front out. Smart Tag pun sama kan?

So now that you're caught up on what happened way back in 2016, let's bring you back to the present.

Euro Rent sued Sunway Parking for negligence on the grounds that the parking operator did not take steps to prevent the theft.

Sunway Parking responded by saying that it was only responsible for providing the parking space and that it had taken 'reasonable precaution', they also further explained that the exemption clause that "vehicles were parked solely at the customer's own risk" should exempt them from any claims of negligence.

Long story and legal jargon short, the Sessions judge said that Sunway Parking must be held liable and ordered them to pay RM117,000 + legal fees to Euro Rent A Car Sdn. Bhd.

Now, this is big news for the rest of us who park our cars at shopping malls, conference centres, LRT/MRT stations because it now means we have precedence to sue and win if our cars get stolen from locations such as these.

But one does have to ask the question, wasn't the rented car from Euro Rent covered under insurance anyway? Why not just claim it from the insurance company? Isn't that a lot more hassle-free? Or were they trying to make a point?

For us the people who frequent and park at these car parks, this is indeed a landmark judgment. It gives us an added avenue to seek redress in cases of theft. I also hope this now means that car park operators will be more vigilant with improved security processes. That in the long run is a win for all parties.

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

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Carlist.my.

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


Mazda BT-50 Updated, Australia Only

Mazda Australia has introduced a facelifted BT-50 with a refreshed front plus more standard equipment across all grades.
Up front, the updated Mazda BT-50 features a new bumper with a revised front grille with three horizontal slats, a departure from the single solid horizontal unit of the predecessor. Also new is the lower air intake, featuring a more rugged design flanked by a pair of redesigned fog lights.
As for the interior, the new Mazda BT-50 will be the first Mazda model in Australia to feature Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. All variants of the new BT-50 will be fitted with the updated infotainment system.
In addition to the new infotainment system, all variants of the new BT-50, including the base single cab model will receive a reverse camera.
Unfortunately for us, this new update is exclusive to the Australian market. As before, the BT-50 comes fully-imported from Thailand, but neither Thailand nor Malaysia will be receiving this facelift. The Australia-only bumper seen here is retrofitted in Australia, while the existing bumpers will be recycled.