Audi Celebrates 40 Years Of 5-Cylinder Engines

In the field of powertrain engineering, the five-cylinder engine is an uncommon one, but it is nevertheless held to high regard by motoring enthusiasts. Not as creamy as an inline-six, but still inherently smoother than a four-cylinder engine, the five-cylinder layout was only ever adopted by a handful of automobile manufacturers throughout the course of the industry’s history.
Mercedes-Benz had a long-serving series of five-cylinder diesel engines and the present day Ford Ranger T6 includes the option of a 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel, but the most notable users of the five-cylinder layout have been none other than Volvo and the Volkswagen Group, the latter through the efforts of Audi going all the way back to the 1970s.
It was in 1976 that Audi rolled out its first five-cylinder engine, a naturally-aspirated 2.1-litre petrol engine powering the Audi 100 (C2) with 136hp. Ancestor of the present-day A6, the second-generation 100, code-named Type 43 internally, was developed with the intention of occupying a higher market position than its predecessor, which primarily utilized four-cylinder engines.
Ingolstadt engineers had deliberated between five- and six-cylinder engines, but decided against the latter because the inline-six was too bulky and would have made the vehicle too nose heavy for Audi’s liking. BMW and Mercedes-Benz, it is worth noting, do not face such concerns with the straight-six layout because of their rear-wheel drive configurations. Audi needed to fit its engine in a longitudinal layout whilst still maintaining a front-wheel drive configuration. As an aside, Audi's persistence with this unusual layout led to its creation of the innovative but ultimately short-lived
Procon-Ten passive safety system
.
Deliveries of the five-cylinder Audi 100 5E began in March 1977, with a 70hp 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated diesel version following in 1978. A more exciting turbocharged petrol version came in 1979 producing 170hp and 265Nm for the new range-topping Audi 200 5T.
Perhaps, the most famous member of Audi’s five-cylinder lineage was the 1980 petrol-powered ‘Ur-quattro’, a 200hp rally-bred machine in which Finn driver Hannu Mikola won the 1983 World Rally Championship title.
An even more advanced five-cylinder engine, featuring aluminium construction and four valves per cylinder, came shortly after, powering the then-new wide-track Sport Quattro. Generating a maximum output of 306hp, the Sport quattro was, at the time, the most powerful road going car ever made by a German company. Even today, you still need a 3.0 TFSI V6 engine to match the Sport quattro’s outputs.
That was not even the engine’s maximum potential; cars sent to compete in Group B rally stages were tuned for outputs up to 450hp, although Swedish driver Stig Blomqvist needed ‘only’ 360hp in his Group B Audi auattro A2 to secure the driver’s and manufacturer’s title for Audi in the 1984 season.
More was still to come. In 1987, Walter Rohrl won the Pikes Peak Hill Climb (USA) in an Audi Sport Quattro S1 (E2) that had 598hp at its disposal. Then, in the US touring car scene, the IMSA GTO was generating 720hp from just a little bit more than 2,000cc of displacement.
Back in the field of road cars, Audi rolled out the 100 TDI in 1989, which had a 2.5-litre direct injection turbodiesel unit generating 120hp. In 1994, came the legendary RS 2 with 315hp from its 2.2-litre engine with five valves per cylinder.
Audi eventually phased out the five-cylinder configuration in 1997, but quickly went back to its roots in 2009 introducing a new 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo petrol engine to power the TT RS and subsequently the RS 3 and RS Q3 as well. Equipped with direct injection technology, the engine continues to power the present day TT RS, tuned to maximum outputs of 400hp. Most notably, the engine has been winning its displacement category in the International Engine of the Year Awards for seven times running since 2010.


Win Up To RM5,000 In Fuel With Caltex's Protect & Win Promotion

Caltex is back, offering Malaysian motorists great deals while helping to keep cars, new and not-so-new, in top condition with their range of engine lubricants and additives. Caltex’s range of engine care additives and lubricants will optimise power and performance while protecting against wear and harmful deposits, so you can enjoy your journey no matter the destination.

The ongoing Caltex
Protect & Win Promotion
 offers up to RM5,000 worth of fuel and smaller consolation prizes to be won as well. To participate, all you need to do is continue to purchase selected products from Caltex’s extensive range of engine care additives and lubricants from their Techron, Havoline, and Delo lines between November 27th, 2021 and January 22nd, 2022 from any nationwide Caltex stations or authorised workshops.

From there, just provide proof of purchase and answer a simple question through the WhatsApp application at (
http://www.caltexlubricantspromo.com.my/
) or by scanning the QR code displayed at Caltex stations and Caltex authorized workshops to be in the running.

Over the 8-week contest period, two (2) Grand Prize winners will be selected, each getting a Caltex StarCash Card worth RM5,000. Meanwhile, a further two hundred (200) winners will also be receiving StarCash Cards worth RM500 each.

Of course, more information can be found on the
Caltex Malaysia website
, while the contest terms and conditions alongside a full list of eligible products
can also be found here
. If you have further questions, Caltex has also provided a handy FAQ as well enclosed in the links above.

What are you waiting for? Give your car the protection it deserves today and stand a chance to win!


How To Not Be A Victim Of The Fake Datuks Who Stole 126 Luxury Cars

Scam artists are everywhere in the world these days and nowhere is safe, not really. Recently, the police busted a duo who tricked their way into the illegal possession of 126 cars by preying on individuals who wanted to sell their cars over the internet, turning the conversation the safety of conducting business over the internet and the need for channels that emphasise security.
Last week, Malay Mail Online
reported
 that these two men conned sellers intending to sell their used luxury cars through a popular classifieds website into selling to them after posing as reputable businessmen - introducing themselves as Datuk Seri and Datuk - to lure normal innocent people into a fraudulent deal after obtaining their contact info through the listing. Great reporting on the Malay Mail Online's part, as you can glean from the picture below.
There's no telling what criminals like these will think of next. And their tactics are getting ever more nefarious, which is why we have to be extra careful about the way we conduct ourselves online. The internet is open, and that's great, but it also means we are equally open and vulnerable to become victims. Don't let that happen.
What You Can Do
We've got the largest database of dealers (over 1600) for new and used cars in Malaysia at Carlist.my. If you are selling your car and are contacted by a seemingly reputable dealer, you can call us up and have their credentials verified. If they are the real deal, Carlist.my will very likely have already linked up with them. We can provide you all the information you need, including the nature of their business as we have collected their Form 24 and Form 49 information as well.
The way Carlist.my is set up allows for the easiest possible registration process for buyers and sellers/dealers alike. So if we've never heard of them, perhaps you should take pause and think twice.
If you browse our listings, you'll find that we have tiers to provide you with extra peace of mind in your dealings - example below. You can also call our customer care hotline at 1300-30-4227 for a quick crosscheck on a dealer.
Trusted
 - A Trusted seller is recognised by Carlist.my as a genuine business/person who participates in safe and fair trade.
Verified
 - A Verified seller has provided additional evidence of their identity of Carlist.my by providing their IC or business registration.
Here's the full Malay Mail Online report for your perusal:


Government Begins Discussions To Acquire And Abolish Tolls On LDP, SPRINT, KESAS, SMART Tunnel

In an effort to reduce the living cost of highway users, the Pakatan Harapan government mentioned in its election manifesto that it will acquire highway concessions and abolish tolls in stages.
Following the announcement, the government issued a statement recently that it has begun talks with Gamuda Bhd to negotiate the acquisition of highway concession for four main highways as part of its promise.
The four highways include the Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP), Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat (SPRINT), Lebuhraya Shah Alam (KESAS), and the SMART Tunnel.
Once the acquisition from Gamuda is done successfully, the government will then abolish the existing tolls on these highways in stages.
However, a congestion charge which is equivalent to the existing toll rates will be implemented for six “peak” hours a day.
As for the “off peak” periods between 11pm and 5am, highway users can travel for free.
At other normal travelling hours, highway users will enjoy discounted rates of up to 30% compared to existing toll rates.
It is said that the revenue collected will be channelled towards the operation and maintenance of the highways and repayment of borrowings.
Besides that, additional revenue will be channelled into a public transportation fund to improve the quality of public transport.
Further details revolving around this matter will be announced by the Ministry of Finance in the near future.


Proton Iriz Facelift Revealed – Sleeker Looks, Voice Command Infortainment

Following recent
road test
spyshots
, Proton has now released the first official photos of the facelifted Iriz hatchback. Set to be launched later this year, the Iriz is the first model in Proton’s current range to receive a facelift, post-Geely partnership.
The front of the Iriz features slimmer headlights that are integrated with the grille assembly, which in turn has a shape inspired by the “Ethereal Bow” that made its debut on the Proton X70.
The radiator grille meanwhile features the “Infinite Weave” pattern sculpted into its design, highlighted in the centre by the car’s logo. The redesigned front bumper houses LED daytime running lights at its lower edges.
At the rear, the Proton Iriz gets the same familial feature as the X70, by having the Proton badging affixed to the rear tailgate. Likewise, the redesigned rear bumper features vertical garnish inserts, at either side of a new central strip on the lower edge of the bumper – to accentuate the width of the car.
A new shark fin antenna and new rotor blade design alloy wheels round off the visual updates of the Iriz.
Inside a colour touch screen infotainment system jointly developed by Proton and Ecarx is reported to offer updated connectivity options as well as voice command functions.
The pictures also reveal a new seat trim design.
More information on the infotainment system and the mechanical specification of the Proton Iriz will be released closer to the launch date.


BMW Malaysia Introduces The New 118i Sport, Going For RM189k

Expanding the
BMW

1 Series
 range is the newest entrant to hit our shores, the new
118i
 Sport. The hatchback will be available in BMW dealerships from 25th November, 2015. And yes, it’ll come in more colours than this Crimson Red - there’s Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey, Midnight Blue and Alpine White, in case you were wondering.
On the introduciton of the 118i Sport, BMW Group Malaysia, Mr. Alan Harris, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “The new BMW 1 Series still remains the only rear-wheel drive car in its segment, making the car the most sportier and dynamic option in its class.”
He added that the new BMW 118i Sport now also introduces the segment to a new generation engine with the latest BMW EfficientDynamics technology, the latest driver assistance systems and mobility services courtesy of BMW ConnectedDrive as well as a host of safety features, making the premium segment hatchback also one of the safest in its class.

Just like the 1 Series variants, the short overhangs and long bonnet return here too. Very little is changed as far as the main body is concerned. There’s a new lower front apron with larger air intakes and LED headlamps frame the BMW signature kidney grille.
The BMW 118i Sport sees the introduction of their 1.5-litre TwinPower Turbo petrol engine, the same powerplant that supplies internal combustion drive to the BMW i8. In this, it delivers 136hp and 220Nm of torque, giving the 118i Sport a 0-100km/h sprint time of 8.7 seconds.
The engine is mated to an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with Driving Experience Control modes, including the efficient ECO PRO mode that allows the car to achieve a claimed consumption figure of just 5.1-litres per 100km.
On the inside, the 118i Sport uses Sensatec Leather for the upholstery, with other trim finished in High Gloss Black and Coral Red Matte as well as chrome surrounds for the radio and air conditioning controls. There’s a freestanding 6.5-inch central display with centre-console mounted control wheel.
With BMW ConnectedDrive, the car offers Intelligent Emergency Call, Teleservices, and Remote Services functionality via a built-in SIM card, discarding the need for a smartphone.


2021 Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer Lands In Malaysia, Yours For RM342k

Mercedes-Benz
authorised dealer Hap Seng Star
has just announced the arrival of the fully imported (CBU) 2021 Vito Tourer, the German marque’s luxury people mover, through their dealerships nationwide.

Available in a sole variant called the Vito Tourer Select 121 that comes in at a very tempting RM342,036.40 on-the-road without insurance, the Mercedes-Benz fits up to 10 occupants in a 2-3-2-3 configuration and is described as the “ideal vehicle for transporting passengers from point A to B.”

Boasting a comprehensive list of standard equipment and a generous feature list, the 2021 Vito Tourer seeks to blend luxurious appointments and class-leading refinement with the reliability, safety and economy that have come to
characterise Mercedes-Benz
 vehicles.

On the road, its distinctive shape is further characterised by its chromed front grille, 17-inch 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels, LED intelligent headlamps (LED indicators, LED daytime running lamps, LED low-beam headlamps, main beam with cornering light function), and stealthy black roof rails that can accommodate mounted cargo of up to 150kg. Exterior colours include Obsidian Black Metallic, Rock Crystal White Metallic, Graphite Grey Metallic, and Cavansite Blue Metallic.

Passenger entry is gained via the remotely operable electric sliding doors on either side, and once situated, delivers high standards of comfort and convenience to its passengers with black leatherette seats, 4-way lumbar support, THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control and TEMPMATIC semi automatic rear climate control, as well as an overhead control panel for quick toggling of various interior functions.

Importantly there are quick releases for the seat rail system allowing passengers to reorient themselves while remaining sat down, ideal for those impromptu high-powered business meetings or random card games in the back seats.

Front row occupants are also treated to a leather multifunction steering wheel, electrically adjustable front seats with memory function, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

There’s plenty of goodies on the safety side of things as well with the inclusion of 6 airbags, a reversing camera, rain sensing wipers, and tyre pressure monitoring, but boosted by active driver assistance features such as Active Brake Assist (AEB), Active Distance Assist (DISTRONIC), Blind Spot Assist, Automatic High Beam, Lane Keeping Assist, Active Lane Tracking, Crosswind Assist, Parktronic, and Driver Attention Alert.

At the nose and behind that large Mercedes-Benz logo lives the automaker’s M274 mill, a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder that pumps out 211hp at 5,500rpm and 350Nm of torque between 1,300 and 4,000rpm. It’s essentially the same motor as fitted to
some ‘250’ tier Mercedes-Benz
 passenger cars.

However, in the 2021 Vito Tourer, power reaches the wheels via Mercedes-Benz’s 9G-Tronic automatic transmission. The powerful turbo engine has proven to be a stout unit in other cars but the Vito presents a very different challenge, now burdened with a 3,100kg vehicle to motivate.

Still, that 9-speed gearbox has plenty of ratios to help spread the on-boost power around and the ride should be extra comfortable with the standard fitment of the automaker’s DYNAMIC SELECT and comfort suspension.


62 Lokaliti Di Klang Berkemungkinan Banjir – Risiko Berterusan Hingga Disember

Sebanyak 62 lokaliti di daerah Klang berisiko terdedah dengan
banjir
 ekoran fenomena air laut pasang besar dan monsun timur laut yang sedang berlaku pada bulan ini sehingga Disember depan.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Daerah (JPBD) Klang Shahman Jalaludin berkata situasi yang akan membabitkan lebih 10,000 penduduk itu, akan melibatkan kawasan seperti:

Kampung Telok Gong

Sungai Serdang

Kampung Tok Muda

Pulau Indah

Punca Banjir Berlaku

Walaupun 62 lokaliti di daerah
Klang
 dikenal pasti berisiko untuk banjir, namun ia akan berlaku sekiranya air pasang besar itu bertembung dengan air
hujan
. Jika berlaku air pasang besar tanpa hujan, keadaan akan menjadi terkawal.

Namun Shahman menyatakan kerisauan beliau pada bulan Oktober dan November kerana pada waktu itu, hujan akan bertembung dengan air pasang besar dan potensi untuk berlaku banjir adalah lebih tinggi.

Shahman berkata berdasarkan laporan tinjauan cuaca bagi tempoh September 2022 hingga Februari 2023 yang dikeluarkan oleh Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia, Selangor dijangka akan menghadapi peralihan monsun barat daya kepada monsun timur laut.

Peralihan Monsun Di Selangor

Peralihan monsun ini dijangka akan membawa kepada peningkatan jumlah penerimaan hujan di antara 100 hingga 400 milimeter secara purata mulai pertengahan bulan ini dan berisiko terjadinya bencana banjir.

“Pada tempoh sama, fenomena air pasang besar dijangka berlaku di kawasan persisir laut sepanjang Pelabuhan Klang. Berdasarkan ramalan dikeluarkan Pusat Hidrografi Nasional di Pulau Indah, paras air laut tertinggi dijangka mencapai paras 5.5 meter,” katanya.

Tambahnya, kedua-dua fenomena tersebut boleh menyebabkan air laut melimpah masuk ke sekitar kawasan penempatan dan membawa kepada risiko bencana banjir di kawasan penempatan penduduk.

Susulan itu, Shahman meminta mereka yang tinggal berdekatan atau terdedah dengan risiko banjir, untuk sentiasa peka dengan situasi serta cuaca dan mematuhi arahan sekiranya diarah berpindah oleh pihak berkuasa.

Pasukan Tindak Balas Kecemasan Komuniti (CERT)

Shahman berkata jawatankuasa itu turut merangka pelaksanaan program pemerkasaan komuniti seperti menubuhkan Pasukan Tindak Balas Kecemasan Komuniti (CERT), yang melibatkan pelbagai peringkat komuniti setempat.

“Pasukan CERT ini akan diberikan latihan dan kemahiran asas pengurusan bencana peringkat komuniti oleh agensi kerajaan, antaranya Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat, Angkatan Pertahanan Awam dan Polis Diraja Malaysia, yang akan dilaksanakan pada 18 Sept ini di Taman Sri Muda manakala 24 dan 25 Sept di Pulau Ketam,” katanya.


Video: Nissan Leaf Beats Fire, Wind, Water In Beach Drag Race. Impressed Yet?

With their powers combined, Gaia best let a Nissan Leaf win a sandy drag race.

Is it true that, even today in 2020, people still feel electric cars are slow? Unexciting and a little cold, perhaps.
Nissan
 certainly believes all that to be the case and has set out to prove those naysayers dead wrong, eating their own unkind words about the EV.

I would imagine these are the sort that have never heard of the Tesla Model S, much less of its brain-bending acceleration in Ludicrous Mode. Closer to home, nearly every PHEV on the market benefits in terms of performance by way of it being electrified.

Nissan’s Leaf is one of the more compact of fully electric vehicles on sale today, and this 2nd-generation version is both more powerful and more stylish than the model it replaced. It’s also more efficient with its charge in addition to possessing a higher capacity battery. Between them, Nissan has sold more than 470,000 Leafs worldwide.

Rated at 40kWh, this bank of lithium ion cells gives the all-new Leaf a theoretical driving range of 311km (based on the NEDC testing cycle). All that stored energy powers a single electric motor that drives the front wheels, producing 150PS and 320Nm of torque.

You could tell that that much torque helped the Leaf dig a deep hole in the sand in the video below, where Nissan had devised a makeshift 1 kilometre drag strip along Samroiyod Beach in Thailand, bogging it down at the start of its race against Mother Nature.

With the coastal backdrop, the fully electric hatch would attempt to race a
line of fire
 as well as a kite surfer (who was allowed a rolling start and representing both water and wind simultaneously). This being a pseudo-commercial, of course the car won.

We’re guessing the race hinged mostly on the kite surfer getting up to speed with the wind conditions on the beach that day, which dictated when the ‘drag race’ would begin. That said, the Leaf’s lack of grip off the sandy start line must have been accounted for during the planning stages of this production, but it quickly gained speed to overtake both the
fire line
 and the kit surfer.

The Leaf’s official 0-100km/h acceleration time is a decent 7.9 seconds in ideal conditions (i.e not on a beach). While that isn’t even going to worry a Ford Fiesta ST, the responsiveness of the electric motor and instant power and torque delivery is what sets the Nissan’s electric drive apart from petrol-powered alternatives. The fact that it emits no exhaust gases whatsoever and never ever burns a drop of fuel is a very welcome and gratifying bonus. Captain Planet will be smiling.

“With no doubt, electric vehicles are the most environmentally responsible cars of the future. And with this challenge, we aim to show that the Nissan LEAF is SIMPLY AMAZING, not only because of zero-emission, but also being a cool car with mind blowing acceleration and driving dynamics that can handle any challenge,” said Nirmal Nair, Vice President Marketing, Nissan Asia & Oceania.


416hp Tesla Model S P85+ Spotted On Malaysian Roads

A photo has emerged out of the cauldrons of social media recently showing a dark blue Tesla Model S electric vehicle driving around the Sepang area. It’s registered with Malaysian plates and P85+ model which, while not the supercar-rivalling P85D, is still pretty powerful with 416hp and 600Nm of torque on tap.
With the image above courtesy of Naviin Elango, seeing this Model S on our roads gets us all kinds of excited, but before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s discuss this in composure. First of all, there was a Tesla Model S seen being brought over through a grey importer later last year. It was also dark blue, I might add, so this W-plated car might be the same vehicle.
No other official information has come through about this particular Model S or its presence in Malaysia. Although we have heard some murmurs about Tesla expanding their global network to include an official sales channel in Malaysia, those haven’t gained much traction. Even so, fingers crossed.
The Tesla Model S P85+ has a single electric motor driving the rear wheels which produces 310kW (416hp) and 600Nm of torque, with energy stored in an 85kWh lithium-ion battery pack that gives it an official range of over 500km. While its far from a pared-down lightweight at over two tonnes, the monstrous torque from the Model S P85+'s electric motor means it needs just 4.4 seconds to go from 0-100km/h.


Majority Of Malaysians Still Not Aware Of Proper Highway Emergency Lane Use, Says LLM

The Malaysian Highway Authority says that the degree to which Malaysians are aware of the proper use and practice of highway emergency lanes remains at a low.
LLM’s director-general, Datuk Ismail Md. Salleh says that despite the said gap in road users being educated about its function and etiquette, he insisted that all road users were required to adhere to specific standard operating procedures (SOP).
He advised against the use of the lane to avoid long queues or to impugn the conventional flow of traffic lest there be some untoward accidents, writes Bernama.
"The emergency lanes are meant for vehicles that have break down on a highway and users should not stop their vehicles there. Unfortunately, I have seen several road accidents happening due to the misuse of the emergency lane lately,"
Datuk Ismail was commenting on this while on the subject of the recent accident that killed six family members after their car skidded and collided with a parked trailer on the emergency lane at KM258.8 of the East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2), near Kemaman on October 14
th
.
"It is understood that before the incident, a patrol unit had just passed through the scene and found no vehicles had stopped there," he said.
Another roadside tragedy occurred a few days later on October 17
th
, when a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) army personnel was killed after his vehicle crashed into the rear of a parked lorry on the emergency lane at KM66.3 of the North-South Expressway.
Commenting further, Ismail said apart from providing space for vehicles that break down, emergency lanes are also meant for use by authorities like police, the Fire and Rescue Department and ambulance during emergency situations on highways.


Toyota Will Print Your Name On Your C-HR … In Thailand

Customized name plates can easily be obtained from accessory shops. From a selection of alphabets, you can stick any name or word of your choice on the bootlid. For a limited time, however, early customers of the Toyota C-HR in Thailand will get a complimentary customized nameplate from the manufacturer.
Available only until 28 February 2018, customers can order the nameplate online, after which Toyota will arrange for it to be delivered to your doorstep enclosed in a nice-looking box. Sticking the badge is self-service though, so be sure to have steady hands for this.
The customized nameplate is one of a number of featured previewed by Toyota for the Thai market ahead of the compact crossover’s launch in the kingdom next year. Toyota recently opened bookings of the C-HR in Thailand, offering customers a choice between two 1.8-litre engines – petrol Dual VVT-i and Hybrid – priced from THB 1,000,000 to THB 1,200,000.
Assembled in Thailand, from which the car will also be exported to Malaysia, the C-HR is based on Toyota’s latest-generation TNGA platform which features, amongst others, all-round independent suspension including rear double wishbones. Toyota also claims the new platform provides the C-HR with a lower centre of gravity, thus enabling better handling.
Top-spec variant of the Thai market, comes with Toyota Safety Sense package that includes autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, active lane keeping assist, radar-guided cruise control, and automatic high beam.
Two top variants also offer a telematics package offering users an added level of connectivity to the car. Supported by Thai-based telco T-Connect, the telematics package even includes a car tracking feature for owners to constantly check on the location of their vehicles when parked.
A specially-developed Find My Car app is developed in conjunction with this feature, which can be accessed through Apple Watch as well. Users get a notification when the car is started and a 24/7 support centre is able to actively track a vehicle’s position when it’s stolen.
On-board wifi allows occupants to connect to up to nine devices simultaneously, although we don’t fully recommend that on the move.
A similar concept to BMW Concierge Service, Thai owners of the C-HR also get access to a 24-hour operator service able to help with reservation of restaurants on the move.
The Toyota C-HR has been confirmed for launch in Malaysia powered exclusively by a 1.8-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine. UMW Toyota Motor has confirmed an early-2018 launch with an estimated price of RM145,500 exclusive for customers who pre-register their interest early on.


Sinnesro – Volvo’s Unwavering Commitment To Total Safety

The popularization of NCAP ratings has invaluably helped raise overall awareness on safety among the public over the last two decades. This, along with the tightening of regulations, has in turn led to the creation of increasingly safe cars of all makes.
As manufacturers scramble to outdo each other for their NCAP ratings, the positive net result for consumers is that safety is generally improved across the industry, which each new car conforming to a certain minimum standard before going on sale.
But just as the overall baseline is raised, there also needs to be pioneers to push the envelope of development to set new standards for the industry to follow. Inevitably, this sheds the spotlight on Volvo, a company that made its name irrevocably associated with safety.
At Volvo, safety is not just about getting five NCAP stars or meeting the minimum regulations required by a country for a car to be sold. It is a philosophy ingrained into the company since the day it was founded. It is telling that although Volvo’s trucks and passenger cars are now unrelated businesses, both profess equally strong commitments toward safety.
No example illustrates the extra miles of effort that Volvo takes for safety than the previous-generation XC90, which was given the ‘Top Safety Pick’ award by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2014.
Over a decade from its launch, the XC90 was able to surpass the results achieved by much newer cars in a test that was not even conceived during the time which the vehicle was developed. This was the notoriously tough small overlap test which sent many car makers back to the drawing board; it was also a convincing demonstration that Volvo goes beyond merely engineering its cars to pass a crash test.
In 1970, Volvo set up its very own Traffic Accident Research Team that goes to the ground to perform in-depth studies of accident sites. Data collected from these accident sites are used to analyse injury mechanisms and the operating characteristics of safety systems. The team’s lengthy existence has enabled it to accumulate a wealth of data with excellent depth in both quantity and quality.
Over the course of several decades, Volvo now has some of the industry’s widest collection real world accidents involving motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
By 2020, the Traffic Accident Research Team would be marking half a century of operations, and Volvo’s vision is to reach that milestone by ensuring that nobody should be killed or seriously injured in a brand new Volvo by that time. It is a lofty goal, and Volvo is powering ahead to meet that challenge with evermore pioneering safety technologies that aid the driver to hopefully avoid a collision or if one becomes inevitable, mitigate and protect the occupants.
Today, all Volvo cars come standard with
City Safety
, which is a low speed collision mitigation and avoidance system primarily aimed towards queue type collisions. The system is active up to 50 km/h and has the possibility to avoid collisions where the relative speed between the two vehicles vehicle is no more than 15 km/h; above that, the impending collision will be mitigated with far less severe consequences.
Volvo’s latest generation of
City Safety
 technology is now able to detect not just vehicles, but also
pedestrians
 and
cyclist
s. It assists the driver in the case of an imminent collision by an intuitive warning strategy and brake assist. If the driver fails to act, the system then brakes the vehicle autonomously. The new model is fitted in the S60 T6, XC60 T6, and all-new XC90 T8. Moving forward, will be standard fitment for all Volvo cars built on the new SPA modular platform.
Helping to minimize instances of accidents caused by unintended lane departure, the XC60 T6 comes standard with
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
 that generates a warning if the vehicle’s forward-facing sensors detect that it is drifting into another lane from 65 km/h and above. The S60 T6 and all-new XC90, meanwhile, steps it up with
Lane Keeping Aid (LKA)
 that actually helps the driver to stay in lane by applying an additional steering wheel torque on the steering column when the vehicle is about to leave the lane shortly.
Braking in Intersection
 becomes the latest innovation to join the ranks of Volvo’s lengthy list of safety-inspired innovations. A world first from Volvo Cars and currently only available in the all-new XC90, Braking in Intersection looks out for oncoming cars at intersections and automatically applies the brakes to help mitigate or prevent an impending collision.
Sure, Volvo might be a pioneer in automotive safety, but it’s not the only car company that scores well in safety ratings, and certainly not the only brand to incorporate advanced driving aids into its cars.
What separates Volvo from the rest is its motivation. The safety engineers at Volvo see themselves as carrying out a moral duty. It’s the same motivation that led Volvo to give away its patent to the three-point seatbelt – the most important safety invention in the history of the automobile – for free.
Volvo has more holistic view of road safety, which goes beyond safety ratings and incorporating features that “sell”. The brand has a far more benevolent goal that has been ingrained since its inception by founders Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson: “Cars are driven by people, the guiding principle behind everything we make at Volvo therefore, is – and must remain – safety”
Coupled with Scandinavian design ideals, these safety elements are seamlessly integrated into the car without being too conspicuous. The only assurance the driver needs is the emblem on the steering wheel.
It is having peace of mind knowing that your Volvo will do its very best to protect you and other road users in the event of a collision. It is knowing that the safety technologies incorporated in your Volvo is not primarily motivated by compliance to regulations, but to actually save lives.
The Swedes call it Sinnesro and it is a luxury you never knew you wanted.


LA 2018: All-New Mazda 3 Revealed – Powered By SkyActiv-X

After teasing us since July with bits of information with regards to its new generation 3, Mazda has finally pulled the covers off the all-new model at the ongoing 2018 Los Angeles Motor Show.
One of the key highlights of the all-new Mazda 3 is the
new SkyActiv-X
 powertrain. In short, the new SkyActiv-X engine utilizes
compression ignition
 as opposed to regular spark ignition, which allows the engine to offer improved fuel efficiency with better engine response. Apart from the new SkyActiv-X engine, the all-new Mazda can also be had with the regular SkyActiv-G or SkyActiv-D engines.
Another highlight is the SkyActiv Vehicle Architecture that underpins the new model. This new platform is set to be the basis of future Mazda models moving forward.
Underneath, Mazda has replaced the multilink rear suspension set up with a simpler torsion beam design. But wait - according to Mazda, they claim that the new torsion beam design features the world’s first progressively thickening diameter from the middle to the sides. Mazda also added that the new torsion beam design is less complicated as it has fewer moving parts, allowing for better control of mechanical noise and vibration, while at the same time retaining the high level of control that the multilink set up is famed for.
Technical stuff aside, Mazda also redesigned the exterior and interior of the all-new 3.
Up front, the all-new Mazda 3 now gets slimmer headlights flanking a slightly more angular grille, akin to the refreshed Mazda 6. Also similar to the Mazda 6 are the chrome strips that extend from the bottom of the headlights into the front grille.
The sides have also been redesigned, though changes are more apparent on the hatchback. Unlike the model of yore, the all-new 3’s C-pillar is more pronounced, with a roofline that tapers off more aggressively than the older model. The sedan also receives similar treatment to the hatchback with its aggressively-tapering roofline, replacing the outgoing model’s more gradually-tapering roofline. The signature character line that runs from the front to the rear along the sides is also present on the all-new model.
Perhaps the more drastic change is at the rear, as the all-new Mazda 3 receives a pair of redesigned tail lights, inspired heavily by the Kai Concept. These new tail lights are slimmer, giving the all-new Mazda 3 a sportier appeal. Mazda has also relocated the position of the number plate recess on both the sedan and hatchback, moving it to the bumper. This gives the tailgate a much cleaner look than the earlier 3.
Moving inside, the all-new Mazda 3 gets a completely revamped cabin. The entire dashboard looks more driver-centric, with dual air vents angled towards the driver. Passenger air vents are partially hidden under the multi-layer dashboard, giving it a very clean look.
A free-standing infotainment display sits on the centre of the dashboard, which now looks more integrated. The air-conditioning controls are hidden neatly below the infotainment display, further emphasizing the cabin’s simplicity.
Mazda’s rotary control knob for the infotainment system can be found behind the gear lever, alongside the electric parking brake toggle and other buttons.
Depending on the market, Mazda will sell the all-new 3 as a sedan or as a hatchback. The all-new 3 is set to compete against other C-segment sedans, including the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta, and Toyota Corolla when sales starts in 2019.


All-New 2017 Mazda CX-5 To Be Previewed At November’s Los Angeles Auto Show?

First introduced in late 2012, the Mazda CX-5 is running close to the tail-end of its lifecycle, which typically lasts for around five to seven years for passenger vehicles. Considering that the new
facelifted CX-5
 has just been launched not long ago, we are quite surprised to learn that rumours of an all-new CX-5 model, purportedly due in 2017, have begun circulating among Japanese social media groups.
The rumour alleges that a concept model previewing an all-new 2017 Mazda CX-5 will be making its debut at this November’s 2016 Los Angeles Motor Show.
It also claims that the turbocharged SkyActiv-G 2.5T engine that currently powers the recently revealed all-new CX-9 will be joining the CX-5’s range of engines.
Assuming that the unverified sketch of unknown origin is a reliable indicator, the all-new CX-5 will borrow a lot of styling cues first seen in the
all-new CX-9
, which will go on sale in the USA in later half of 2016. Introduction in other countries have yet to be confirmed.
In terms of dimensions, the rumour claims that the all-new model will more less about the same size the current CX-5.


Nissan To Make New Replacement Parts For The Skyline GT-R

Owners of Nissan Skyline GT-R cars in Japan, especially the R32, can have a sigh of relief as Nissan has announced a program that will make new replacement parts available for the car.
The parts will go on sale in Japan next week as part of the new Nismo Heritage program, a joint activity of Nissan, Nissan Motor Sports International, Autech Japan, and also their suppliers.
While the first phase of the Nismo Heritage program will only offer parts for the R32 Skyline GT-R which was made between 1989 and 1995, the scope will be broadened to include the R33 and R34 GT-R models in the near future.
The parts sold under the program will comprise mainly of components that are indispensable for the car to drive or to pass regular vehicle inspections in Japan, which includes harnesses, hoses (tubes), emblems and exterior components.
According to Nissan, parts that can't be reproduced due to operational difficulties at original suppliers will be substituted with Nismo-tuned parts, rebuilt or overhauled.
That being said, the heritage parts are on display at the ongoing Nismo Festival at the Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka, Japan.


Bridgestone Helps "Relay For Life" Cancer Awareness Campaign Gain Traction

One of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers, Bridgestone, has engaged in many public service and social responsibility activities across the globe, and this time has pooled its efforts in the fight against cancer as well.
Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has, in conjunction with its 15
th
 anniversary, contributed RM75,000 to the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) and has sealed its post as the primary sponsor for their “Relay For Life Malaysia” cancer awareness charity event.
“Relay For Life” was first initiated by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and has since mushroomed into a franchised campaign which runs in over 20 countries worldwide.
The Kuala Lumpur branch of the event will be held at Dataran Petaling Jaya from 6pm on September 5
th
 to 10am the following day. There, cancer survivors, caregivers, a team from Bridgestone Malaysia will take turns the walk the track throughout the 16 hours in support of cancer awareness, and invites all members of the public to join in for the cause.
Mr. Jo Takekawa, Managing Director of Bridgestone Malaysia said, “The Bridgestone Group commits itself towards contributing to society, not only through its business operations, but also through good corporate citizenship. In our efforts to support the local communities, we undertake initiatives directed towards addressing local issues, such as to help promote cancer awareness. By lending our support, we hope to create a better understanding of cancer which may in turn lead to prevention and early detection. We believe that charitable events such as “Relay For Life” organised by NCSM offers the much needed support and hope to cancer patients and their caregivers through the challenging times.”
According to Dato’ Zuraidah Atan, Chairperson of “Relay For Life” and NCSM Honorary Advisor, the funds raised during the “Relay For Life” event will be channelled to educate the community about the life-saving benefits of early detection to the prevention and cure of cancer as well as provide suitable care for cancer patients by giving them easy access to screening facilities.


High-Tech Automotive Valley or AHTV Launched By Prime Minister

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob launches High-Tech Automotive Valley or AHTV, wants Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris to be an advanced automotive and research training centre.

At the launch of
Tanjung Malims's
 High-Tech Automotive Valley or AHTV, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob further suggested that Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, located within the AHTV valley, has the potential to be a Centre of Advanced Automotive Research and Training (CAART).

Centre of Advanced Automotive Research and Training (CAART)

He said if the right resources and facilities are available at the university, they can nourish talent there to meet the country's needs for a highly trained workforce for the automotive industry.

"CAART will be equipped with lecture rooms, accommodation facilities and a high-tech laboratory that will focus on research, skills training, human resource development and maintenance related to the latest automotive technology," said Sabri

MOHE ready to support AHTV and CAART

Reacting to Sabri's statement, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) is ready to realize and support the proposal of the Prime Minister to develop a training and research centre known as the 'Center of Advanced Automotive Research and Training' (CAART).

Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, said the recommendation was significant in meeting the need to
develop a trained workforce
 and education and research in the latest automotive fields such as hybrid, autonomous, and electric vehicles.

"Because of its strategic location within the High-Tech Automotive Valley (AHTV) region, MOHE is confident that Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) is the best choice to help Malaysia achieve its automotive trained workforce goal.

"This effort can also contribute to the government's aspiration to make AHTV a hub for electric car development, thus achieving the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals while helping make Malaysia a carbon-neutral country by 2050," said Noraini.

How do they plan to do it?

"In terms of implementation, this initiative will be successful with the cooperation of technical universities that have expertise in the field of automotive such as Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and DRB HICOM University."

She also said the development of the training and research centre is expected to realize the aspirations of university and industry collaboration as contained in the Malaysia Education Development Plan 2015-2025 (Higher Education).

What is the High-Tech Automotive Valley/ AHTV?

AHTV is DRB-Hicom's development, where national new technologies and systems in the automotive industries can develop. They will mainly focus on electrification, artificial intelligence, autonomous tech and advanced connectivity.

According to Sabri, AHTV could be the new hub for EV production
for the ASEAN market
.

"If other countries like the US can be proud of Detroit — famous for its automobile manufacturing industry — it's not likely that one day, Tanjung Malim will be known as the region's great motor hub," Ismail Sabri said during the launch of AHTV in Tanjung Malim as reported by The Malaysian Reserve.

To ensure that AHTV is a success, DRB-Hicom has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd (Geely) to develop AHTV and
collaborate with local vendors and investors for the hub.

"As such, we are confident that AHTV will be able to draw on expertise and markets from China to achieve AHTV's objectives successfully," said DRB-Hicom chairman Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin.

"AHTV is expected to generate 370,000 jobs during the construction phase and 160,000 jobs when it is operational".

He further added that AHTV would also have a research university to create an educational framework to nurture a new generation of engineers for the automotive industry.


Dubai Police Gets A BMW i8 To Fight Crime And Carbon Emissions At The Same Time

If you haven’t seen the stunning fleet of patrol cars that belong to the Dubai Police,
head on over here now
. Now, they have yet another car to add to their already magnificent fleet with this, a
BMW
 i8. So now, not only can they tackle crime, they can also reduce their carbon footprint while doing so with the performance plug-in hybrid vehicle.
In these photos and videos from
ArabGT.com
, we get to witness the BMW i8 being formally handed over to the high-ranking officers within the Dubai Police, obviously with much glee.
As a refresher, the BMW i8 is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine paired to an electric motor, providing 357 hp and 570 Nm torque. 100 km/h is met from a standstill in just 4.4 seconds.
Even though the Dubai Police has such an impressive fleet of exotics and what not, they are rarely used in crime fighting like in high speed car chases even though it would be the coolest thing ever
ala
 Need For Speed Hot Pursuit. Instead, these vehicles spend most of their time as tourist attractions and to engage with the community.


Spyshot: All-New G20 BMW 3 Series, Caught With Supra And Z4 In Tow

The all-new BMW 3 Series, codenamed G20, has been caught during winter testing alongside the new generation
BMW Z4
 and
Toyota Supra
.
In terms of design, the G20 BMW 3 Series is expected to carry an evolutionary step forward from the current F30 generation 3 Series. As seen on the G30 5 Series, BMW tries to avoid introducing dramatically different design languages transitioning from one generation to another.
From the spyshots, the front of the G20 BMW 3 Series appears to sport a more muscular front kidney grille flanked by a pair of production-ready LED headlights with more angular LED daytime running lights than the F30 model it replaces.
Also spotted on the front of this test mule are active grille shutters plus a radar module on the lower front bumper and cameras near the rear view mirror, hinting that the variants of the new model could feature Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Departure Warning.
Moving to the rear, the new G20 3 Series also dons production-ready tail lights, featuring what appears to be L-shaped LED light bars, though the turn signals are now located in the lowest part of the light assembly.
Considering that BMW’s current line of B series engines are relatively new, we expect BMW to continue to offer the same engine choices when the G20 3 Series is launched in 2019. A plug-in hybrid variant plus as hotter M3 is also expected to be introduced later.


2016 Mercedes-AMG A 45 Facelift Revealed With 475Nm!

Benefitting from all the new goodies in store for the
facelifted A-Class range that was just unveiled
,
Mercedes-Benz
 have also rolled out its new baby AMG: the A 45.
No longer a Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG, the new
A-Class hatch
 from Affalterbach is aptly known now as the Mercedes-AMG A 45: in-line with the Daimler company’s new naming strategy for its powerhouse range of vehicles: such as Mercedes-AMG GT, Mercedes-AMG C 63, etc.
Back to the car, and the changes seen on the new facelifted A-Class are all apparent here: new front and rear bumper design, new front and rear light designs, new interior Dynamic Select option for new driving modes, you know the drill. The A 45 specifically gets a few more black aerodynamic fins all around, as well as a unique front bumper and rear diffuser.
Mind you, the car you see here is still without its Edition 1 styling kit, which we haven’t heard of from Benz yet.
But what’s most special about the hottest hatch of them all is its new power: yes, the world’s most powerful series production 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine (a.k.a. The Beast) has been tuned for more.
Specifically, it’s 21hp and 25Nm of torque more than the previous model, which totals to 381hp @ 6,000rpm and 475Nm of torque between 2,250 and 5,000rpm from the hand-made AMG turbo engine.
On the road, that translates to a claimed 0-100km/g sprint in just 4.2 seconds! We know the pre-facelift A 45 to claim 4.6-seconds, with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s driver trainer, Peter Hackett once telling us that they’ve even repeatedly hit 4.3 seconds on their runs. With the new one claiming 4.2 seconds, could trained drivers push into the sub 4-second mark? That’s well into supercar territory.
"We never rest on our laurels, but constantly strive to develop our products further," says Tobias Moers, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. "The A 45 still had so much improvement potential that we felt compelled to realise it to the full. Our brand claim simply obliges us to."
Other improvements to the A 45 include modifications to the transmission and suspension: shortening 3
rd
 and 7
th
 gear in the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT-7 dual-clutch transmission for better acceleration, and offering a new AMG Dynamic Plus package as an optional extra.
The AMG Dynamic Plus package adds a newly developed, mechanical front axle locking differential, which significantly improves traction when driving the A45 hard. The advantages show themselves during fast acceleration out of bends, where the locking differential allows maximum grip and high rates of lateral acceleration. Moreover, the A 45 is stabilised even more effectively during load changes and at high speeds.
The package also includes AMG Ride Control with sports suspension: a two-stage, adaptive damping adjustment. The system operates fully automatically, adapting the damping forces for each wheel according to the driving situation and road conditions.
Drivers may also manipulate the Ride Control feature themselves via the available driving modes, that will then include an fifth “Race” mode should the Dynamic Plus package be specified.
In “Race” mode, the response characteristics of the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and the accelerator are now even more immediate, with the exhaust system, suspension and steering remain at "Sport +" level, while 3-stage ESP® changes to "Sport Handling Mode" and allows wider drift angles – yes, the A 45 can drift now.
The transmission activates "Race" mode, which is configured to maintain an optimum engine speed in the lowest possible gear when driving at racetrack speeds. "RACE" mode is rounded off by rapid and responsive gearshifts.


CKD 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, C 200, C 250 Launched In Malaysia From RM270k

Mercedes-Benz
 Malaysia has officially launched the new locally-assembled (CKD) 2015
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
 in Malaysia with prices starting from RM269,888.
Buyer’s Guide:
The same two variants which were initially available when the C-Class first arrived here as a CBU model are retained, namely the C 200 Avantgarde and C 250 Exclusive, priced as such (OTR inclusive of GST but without insurance):
C-Class C 200 Avantgarde: RM269,888
C-Class C 250 Exclusive: RM299,888
This makes the C-Class even more affordable than before as compared to the CBU units with a price reducition of up to RM16,000 for the C 200 Avantgarde and RM15,000 for the C 250 Exclusive. Buyers will also be pleased to know that both variants of the CKD C-Class will retain the same specifications and equipment line of the previous CBU model.
(Check out our review of the Mercedes-Benz C 250 Exclusive here
)
More Affordable Price, Same Spec And Equipment Line:
Performance-wise, the same M274 2.0-litre direct-injection turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine can be found under the hood of both variants, providing an output of 184hp/300Nm on the C 200 and 211hp/350Nm on the C 250, paired to a 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
From the outside, no changes have been made to the overall exterior design. The C 200 gets the Avantgarde line trim with
17-inch five twin-spoke light alloy wheels
while the C 250 gets the Exclusive line trim with the AIRPANEL grille, and Mercedes-Benz star ornament resting on the hood. LED headlights are still found on both variants as well.
Inside, the cabins of both variants are unchanged as well. The C 200 still gets the piano black finish with various aluminium trim pieces while the C 250 has a glossy wood grain finish instead.
Infotainment is handled by Mercedes-Benz’s Audio 20 CD interface with Bluetooth, USB (2), internet capabilities, and a host of social and navigational apps, controlled through a touchpad system and control dial beneath it.
 Other interior features include electric-powered seats
with memory function and a sunroof for the C 250.
The impressive safety features list is still here as well with seven airbags,
Electronic Stability Program, Pedestrian Protection with active bonnet, ABS,
Adaptive Brake, Brake Drying, and Hill-Start Assist. Also included is
Mercedes-Benz's Intelligent Drive, consisting of several safety and assistance systems:
 ATTENTION ASSIST, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, and Active Parking Assist.
For the full specifications list, you can refer to the ones provided here (click to view larger):
C 200 Avantgarde
C 250 Exclusive
Mercedes-Benz Dealer Openhaus:
In conjunction with launch of the locally-assembled (CKD) Mercedes-Benz C-Class, MBM will also be inviting members of the public to get up close and personal with the new model at Mercedes-Benz dealerships nationwide. Test drives will be available at these locations along with various fun activities and gifts in store.
The Mercedes-Benz Dealer Openhaus schedule is as below:
25 & 26 April 2015
Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (Mutiara Damansara)
Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (Petaling Jaya)
Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd (Kuala Lumpur)
NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd (Klang)
2 & 3 May 2015
MBSA Automotive Malaysia Sdn. Bhd (Malacca)
9 & 10 May 2015
Asbenz Motors Sdn Bhd (Kedah)
Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd (Balakong)
Lowe Motors Sdn Bhd (Juru Autoworld)
NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd (Bangsar)
16 & 17 May 2015
BR Jaya Sdn Bhd (Batu Pahat)
Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (Johor Bahru)
Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (Tun Razak)
NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd (Johor Bahru)
23 & 24 May 2015
Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (Glenmarie)
Mofaz Exotic Car Sdn Bhd (Kota Bahru)
Mofaz Exotic Car Sdn Bhd (Kuala Terengganu)
NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd (Kuantan)
30 & 31 May 2015
Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd (Jalan Ipoh)
Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd (Kinrara)
Ipoh Motors Sdn Bhd (Ipoh)
Minsoon Credit Corp (M) Sdn Bhd (Seremban)
6 & 7 June 2015
Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd (Kota Kinabalu)
Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd (Kuching)


Man Suffered Minimal Injuries When Trailer Rammed Into His Car

Luck alone isn't enough to describe the survivor of this accident. Mr Eddie Wong was driving his Toyota Corolla Altis along the Tuas highway in Singapore when a Malaysian trailer suddenly swerved into his lane.
He was lucky, as the only injury he suffered was bruises to his fingers, as he tried to find for his phone.
According to
Straits Times
, he was on the way to meet a customer when the trailer abruptly swerved into his lane.

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"At first when I came out from my car I was still not so scared, just a bit blank and went into the ambulance. I didn't realise it was so bad until some of my friends told me about the picture afterwards and told me it's so bad. Everyone is very stunned after seeing the picture," he said.
Insurance claim might be an issue for him, as his insurers informed him that he had to claim his own insurance in order to get back the market value of his Corolla.
"Thank God, I've managed to survive this accident. And thanks to my family members and friends for their concern. Drive safe and be happy always," he said in his Facebook profile.


2015 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Facelift Appears Online, From RM219k

Seemingly just in time to defend its previously unique position against the all-new
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
,
Mercedes-Benz
 Malaysia has decided to introduce its facelifted 2015
B-Class
 B 200 Sports Tourer – dropping the BlueEFFICIENCY title.
Priced identically as before at RM218,888 (without insurance, inclusive of GST), a quick glance over the spec sheet made available on MBM’s local website reveals that while its price hasn’t changed, the sole variant of the B-Class does offer quite a few improvements over the out-going model.
So what’s new?
For starters, there are the minor changes introduced by
Mercedes-Benz back in September
 last year, which saw the B-Class adopt a new front bumper, new LED headlamps, new belt-line chrome strip, a chrome strip around the rear and new LED taillights.
When the facelift made its debut in 2014, it was also the first time Mercedes-Benz offered the B-Class with two of its latest exterior design lines: Urban line, and an AMG line. In Malaysia, MBM have specified the more elegant Urban line for customers here, and it’s a pity that the sportier AMG line is nowhere to be found.
*image above does not reflect local-spec B-Class facelift
EX
TERIOR:
 The front grille now features a two-bar arrangement over the out-going three-bar grille, while the daytime running lights are now integrated into the LED headlamps, rather than feature on the lower bumper – resembling what you’d find on the newer A-Class. The front bumper has also been re-sculpted.
One other significant change for the B 200 in Malaysia is with its wheels, where gone are the seven-spoke 17-inch alloys, and in are a set of 18-inch five twin-spoke light-alloy wheels, wrapped in runflats.
INTERIOR:
 Inside, lots of subtle changes have been poured into the new B-Class, one standout feature being the larger 8.0-inch floating display screen, displacing the previous 5.8-inch unit. The infotainment has taken a boost courtesy of an updated Audio 20 USB player, adding the obvious connectivity to what was already on the pre-facelift B 200.
Also added to the media display screen is a reverse camera display, something the pre-facelift B-Class lacked.
Other updates found inside the car include a new instrument panel with silver coloured round dials and red needles, a new shift lever in perforated leather with contrasting topstitching, a rear armrest and a double cup holder. Omitted from the fully-imported model is however the heated front seats feature – not that we’d need that in Malaysia, anyways.
SAFETY:
 Largely carrying forward its lauded safety systems, the B-Class benefits from the latest version of its Collision Prevention Assist feature, and also additional airbags (knee bag) for the front passengers.
PERFORMANCE:
 Under the bonnet, the same 1.6-litre turbocharged engine fitted before (also on the A 200, CLA 200 etc.) is retained, and continued to be paired with a 7G-DCT seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that drive the front wheels.
Power figures are still rated at the previous 156hp @ 5,300rpm and 250Nm of torque between 1,250 to 4,000rpm. 0-100km/h is listed at 8.4 seconds, alongside a top speed of 200km/h.


Harley-Davidson Nightster vs Harley-Davidson Sportster S

In the current Harley-Davidson 'Sport' line-up, you'll find the
Nightster
 and the
Sportster S
. But which one should you buy?

Ah yes, the question that some of us have been wondering and asking, especially since the two are priced quite closely here in Malaysia. The big bro Sportster S can be yours from RM99,900, while the recently-launched 'new kid on the block' Nightster made its debut earlier this month at the
2022 Art of Speed Malaysia
 with a price tag of RM93,900.

975cc or 1,250cc?

As mentioned in our previous article covering the
Harley-Davidson Dirt.Road.Track experience
 in Pattaya, Thailand, both of these models (and the Pan America) represent the new age and evolution of the 'bar and shield' brand.

The H-D Sportster S comes ready with the 1,250cc Revolution Max 1250T V-twin engine that produces 121hp and 125Nm of torque. Its little bro, the Nightster, is not half bad with 90hp and 95Nm of torque on tap thanks to its slightly smaller Revolution Max 975T V-twin engine. Very much different from the powertrains you're used to seeing in the older Harley models.

Simply put, both of these bikes can offer that H-D riding experience up to a certain point, but if it's more power you're looking for, then the Sportster S is the way to go. On the short front straight at the Bira Circuit, some of us clocked in at 180km/h. Yes, it can handle the tortures of track riding.

What if you're new to H-D?

The Sportster S is meant for those with a fair bit of experience on bigger bikes, it can be quite intimidating for newer riders. Solely because of this reason, the Nightster was born - a model that can hopefully bring in some new and younger blood into the picture.

As a Harley bike, the Nightster is more approachable thanks to its slightly lower power output as well as overall nimbleness and agility. It's a relatively easy bike to pick up and ride, and newer riders won't have to struggle much (or for long) to truly enjoy what the bike has to offer.

Plus, the electronic riding aids available in the Nightster (and even the Sportster S) allow for more forms of control like power delivery, engine braking, ABS, and traction control based on the available riding modes.

Want to ride 'santai' or 'sporty'?

We can wholeheartedly agree that both the Nightster and Sportster S can handle the usual
'santai'
 ride, more so on the Nightster. This beauty we can logically see as a badass daily bike to commute to and from the office.

The Sportster S is a more serious machine because it's essentially a sports bike in cruiser form, and it demands respect and experience before you can truly jump the gun (and come out safe on the other side). It's one hell of a machine to cruise along the highways, even on all the winding B-roads of Malaysia.

But, if it's a bike that can fairly handle all riding situations with little to no drama, the Nightster is the safer bet. It's smoother in my opinion, and it still has that grunt of a Harley, despite being the new 'baby' of the family.

'Mencari Konklusi' - Nightster or Sportster S?

While both bikes are priced relatively close, the question that you should always ask yourself is what is the bike going to be mainly used for. If it's a daily that you're looking for that can have some fun during the weekends, go for the fuss-free Nightster.

If you've been riding for a while and you're looking for something that's more serious in terms of power and rideability (but not for daily commute), the Sportster S can surprise you in more ways than one, even in track conditions (just get the optional mid controls if you're planning to rip through corners).

There is, however, another choice if you want something that's a bit more versatile - the
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
 (photo on top). It's the brand's first-ever adventure-tourer with the same engine as the Sportster S, but outputs 150hp and 127Nm of torque. With this bad boy, you can even go off-road.


No Hoon For You - Lamborghini Says Rear-Wheel Drive Can't Handle The Aventador

For those who really really want to see the biggest and baddest
Lamborghini
 be introduced as a hoontastic rear-wheel drive model at any point in time will have to deal with disappointment, as the Sant’Agata  supercar maker have ruled out the possibility altogether.

The statement quashes any hope gained from the new rear-wheel drive
Huracan
 LP580-2 and, prior to that, the
Gallardo
 Balboni. Apparently, Lamborghini feels that channeling the
Aventador
’s 690hp V12 exclusively through the rear wheels would diminish the car’s drive, with all that power being too much for the car (and the driver) to handle.

During a conversation with Autocar, Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini’s research and development director, said: “The Aventador can only be four-wheel drive because we have so much power and torque to manage; only with four driven wheels are you able to manage this. This is mainly due to the state of the art of the control systems that we have on the car today. So when we plan Aventador derivatives, we maintain four-wheel drive.”

We’ll concede that Mr Reggiani knows more about this issue than we do in addition to having an amazing job finding out such information. But let it be said that we do think it’s a shame given how the Aventador’s competitors - with comparable power and torque figures - happen to be rear-wheel drive and are better for it. Notably, the
Ferrari

F12
 Berlinetta and
McLaren
 650S.

Speaking of which, both marques have introduced hybrid hypercars with rear-wheel drive, the LaFerrari and P1, respectively, that are considerably more powerful than the Aventador even in its highest SV configuation, which boasts 740hp.

While we still believe Lamborghini about where the lines between power, drivability and safety lie for its flagship supercar, positing that the Aventador is just too powerful for rear-wheel drive seems like a tenuous claim in light of the more powerful cars that do not have anything more than two driven wheels. Maybe it’s their Audi genetics that prefer the added traction and manageability that all-wheel drive provides.

For all the people itching to see a more extreme Aventador, with its wailing V12 sending more raging Italian power to its rear wheels than the rubber knows what to do with in a beautifully chaotic frenzy - well, it’s not happening. At least until the Aventador is succeeded.


Ultimate Man Cave – We Go Inside BMW Group Classic In Munich

It’s hidden in plain sight and yet the location couldn’t have been any more obvious. Apart from a discrete signboard that says BMW Group Classic Munich, there is nothing to suggest that this unassuming two-storey building sitting on the intersection between Moosacher Strasse and Lerchenauer Strasse, is keeping BMW’s most precious collection of cars.
In fact, No. 66 Moosacher Street, Munich, 80809, Germany is BMW’s oldest address. This is where BMW built its first manufacturing plant in 1918, when the company made aeroplane engines.
Considering the shocking value of classic cars that are kept here, it’s surprising that this place is not guarded like a high security vault. Apart from a simple security boom gate, there is nothing to suggest the value of what’s kept inside beyond the beautiful arch fronting the main street.
What’s more ironic is that every day, many tourists, including casual BMW fans unaware of this location, bypass this building to head towards Olympia Park further down, where the BMW Welt and BMW Museum (below) are located.
At the moment, the Group Classic centre is not yet open to the public, but you can take a stroll around the publically accessible area, it is after all just a 15 minute walk from BMW Welt and Museum, which you must visit if you are in Munich.
You are welcomed to have coffee at Café Mo 66 and watch the Group Classic’s expert technicians go about their work restoring and servicing beautiful BMW classics inside one of the two glass walled workshops next door.
If you are lucky, you will be able to see trailers transporting rare classics in and out of the centre. Some of them owned by BMW themselves, on their way to various exhibitions while others are customer-owned cars sent in from various countries around the world for restoration work.
Within Café Mo 66 is a small gallery featuring various BMW memorabilia, including rare examples of BMW cookingware. Yes, cookingware. In the dark days for BMW after World War 2, the had to do whatever that it could to survive, including making pots and pans to stay afloat. Let that sink in a for a moment, the type of humility the early pioneers of BMW had to swallow. Not long ago, they were winning races on the Nurburgring.
There’s also a helmet that Hans Stuck Senior wore when he won the 1960 German Hill Climb Championship in a BMW 700, a victory which spurred his son Hans-Joachim Stuck to race for BMW.
You can also marvel at the original license plates and steering wheel frame used by Elvis Presley’s BMW 507, which BMW had recently acquired and restored. Elvis had a 507 when he was serving the US Army’s outpost in Germany, before shipping the car back to USA.
There’s also replica copies of the original company registration document, dating BMW’s founding to 7 March 1916.
Later this year, BMW plans to include the Group Classic as part of a premium guided tour for visitors of the BMW Welt brand showcase centre and the BMW Museum.
Carlist.my was deeply humbled to be given early access to the collection hall, a strictly off-limits area typically only accessible to ranked priests and priestesses of BMW Group Classic, formerly known as BMW Mobile Tradition.
As an owner of a classic E30, the visit is so special to me that I had to make another trip back to Munich, at my own cost, to have a second look at the facility. An odd request which Benjamin Voss, spokesperson for BMW Group Classic, was kind enough to accommodate.
The best thing about the Group Classic’s collection hall is that the cars are often on the move. Some cars might be off to the Mille Miglia classic car race, while others might be at concourses at Pebble Beach or Amelia Island or Techno Classica in Essen.
So no two visits to the collection hall is the same, thus explains the different position of the same cars in the accompanying pictures here.
But first, a short mandatory lesson in the history of No. 66, Moosacher Strasse, München 80809.
Planes before cars
In 1916,
BMW was known not for cars but aeroplane engines
. The Mossacher Strasse plant, built in 1918 was their first manufacturing plant.
After World War 1, BMW was barred from making war planes and the company, along with the Mossacher Strasse plant was sold to train brakes maker Knor-Bremse in 1920.
At the same time, Gustav Otto, the son Nikolaus Otto, the inventor of four-stroke engine used in nearly all modern cars, had on March 1916 reorganized his aeroplane engine company Otto Werke into Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke (BFW).
Camillo Castiglioni, the financier of the previous BMW company that was sold to Knor-Bremse, had bought over BFW and renamed it into BMW.
In 1922, the new BMW restarted manufacturing work by repurposing BFW’s plant in Oberwiesenfeld, located less than 1 km away from their former location in Mossacher Strasse. The Oberwiesenfield plant will continue to operate until today as BMW’s Munich plant, producing the 3 Series and 4 Series. The plant is also open to tourists and reservations can be made at BMW Welt.
For over 90 years, BMW’s first factory remained in the hands of Knor-Bremse but in 2014, BMW managed to buy back a portion of the building, which was promptly turned it into the Group Classic centre that you see here today.
However Knor-Bremse still keeps the other half of the building. This explains why the Group Classic centre and Knor-Bremse’s factory next door are separated by a fence. However if you look at the archived photos, you will see that they used to be one building.
Where possible, BMW retained the building’s original design but in some areas, reconstruction had to be done as the building was no longer safe.
Today, the Group Classic Centre houses the company’s archives, classic car workshop and its collection of cars. The centre is not a museum, but it complements the museum as it's not possible for the BMW Museum to house and maintain this extensive collection of classics.
There is just so much history in each of the exhibit here that it’s quite impossible for us to explain every car in the collection.
Here are just some highlights, and a brief overview of their significance to BMW’s illustrious history.
E32 BMW 750iL 6.7-litre V16 – Project Goldfish, the only V16 BMW in history
This has to be one of most thought provoking car in BMW’s collection. This E32 7 Series prototype packs a 6.7-litre V16 engine under the hood, and because the engine is so huge, the radiator is installed in the boot, which explains the odd intake ducts in the rear.
Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission from an 8 Series.
In the ‘80s, BMW upstaged Mercedes-Benz by unveiling the V12 powered 750iL. It was the first V12 by a German car company since World War 2. The engineers at BMW were expecting the ever proud Mercedes-Benz to stage a counter-attack, probably in the form of an even larger V16 engine. This V16 7 Series is BMW’s counter-defense.
Thankfully, both BMW and Mercedes-Benz were sensible enough to stop at a V12, and this V16 7 Series never made it to production.
James Bond E38 BMW 7 Series
Those of you old enough to remember Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond Tomorrow Never Dies will remember that 007 had a BMW that can be controlled from his Ericsson handphone. To achieve the effect, this film car has been modified so a stunt driver can drive the car from back seat, with a tiny cameras hidden within the side mirrors providing video feed to a display monitor for the driver to see.
Yes, this is the actual car used in the movie. There are several identical looking units used throughout the filming but this is the only one where the steering and pedals have been moved to the back seat to allow the cameramen to shoot the car driving 'driverless.' Notice what car the bad guys drive in the video below?
In 1997, the idea of driving your car using your handphone sounds very outlandish but who would knew that in 2016, BMW would actually launch a 7 Series that allows you to do just that – not exactly with your phone, but your key fob.
Available in some markets, the
G11/G12 generation 7 Series
 can be driven forward or reversed at low speeds via remote control functions on the key fob, allowing occupants to get and out of tight spaces easily.
Not only that, the latest
G30 generation 5 Series’s
 Remote 3D View function uses a similar camera array hidden around the car, including the side mirrors, to remotely provide remote video feed to the driver.
Who would have guessed that Bond’s car would be a preview of things to come?!
E12 BMW M535i
Although it’s not the first full-on M Series model (that honour goes to the M1), this M535i is closer in relation to today’s M Series cars than the M1 ever did, simply because it’s based on a standard 5 Series.
The E12 M535i was the origin of BMW’s ‘sleeper’ performance sedans – packing a huge 3.5-litre inline six-cylinder engine within an unassuming, almost standard looking body.
It laid the foundation for the E28 M5 – the first M Series sedan.
BMW Turbo Concept, 1972
Before BMW sold the M1, it produced two examples of the Turbo Concept. Powering this gullwing-door sports car is a turbocharged engine from the BMW 2002 Turbo but the main highlight is its radar-based collision warning system, a precursor to the Driver Assistance features fitted in today’s BMWs.
BMW E30 M3
The motivation behind every single AMG-badged Mercedes-Benz, RS-badge Audis, F-badged Lexus models today can be traced back to this car.
It’s not exactly the first high performance variant of a sports sedan. Prior to the M3, Ford already had RS-badged Escorts while Alfa Romeo had Cloverleaf-badged cars but none of these were part of a cohesive marketing exercise, and there was limited trickledown effect to the regular bread and butter cars.
The consistency and deft management of the tri-colour BMW Motorsports brand taught everyone else on how to use halo cars to create desire and uplift the image of the rest of the model range.
BMW 2002 GT4 Frua
If you are familiar with BMWs, you would’ve read about the 2002. But it takes a special kind of BMW nerd to know about the 2002 GT4 Frua.
If you are looking for a rare BMW, it’s hard to top this, because only 2 units were ever made. One is kept by BMW, the other is reportedly owned by a collector in Japan.
The 2002 GT4 Frua is one of the best examples of what happens when German engineering meets Italian styling.
Based on the 2002 coupe, two units were built by Pietro Frua between 1969 and 1970, with the hope of impressing the bosses at BMW to secure a large order contract.
However BMW had other ideas for a two-door 2002 wagon, and the GT4 Frua never went into series production.
BMW 3200 Micheloti Vignale
The 2002 GT4 Frua was rare, but this 3200 Micheloti Vignale is even rarer, as this is the only unit in the world.
Built in 1958 by Giovanni Michelotti as a design study of sorts for the next generation BMW 507. But as we all know today, BMW lost a lot of money on the 507 and the model would not be replaced until the Z8 was made in 1999.
Despite being penned by an Italian, the 3200 Micheloti Vignale was aimed at the American market and the car’s angular styling is a reflection of that.
BMW 2002 tii, manufactured in 2005 (no it’s not a typo)
To prove a point regarding the wide selection of brand new parts for classic BMW models that are available for order at BMW Group Classic, BMW produced this ’70s era 2002 tii - the one that started the 3 Series's lineage - model in year 2005.
It is not a restored car, but a car that was built in 2005. The vehicle’s documentation lists the car’s manufacturing year as 2005, making it the ‘newest’ 2002 tii in the world.
The basis for the car is an original body shell from the ‘70s, but the car was finished using new parts provided by BMW Group Classic. For the small number of parts that were not available, they were either taken from a donor car or were remanufactured.
Thanks to BMW's close working relationship with many German parts suppliers, many of the original mouldings for major components are still kept either by BMW or the supplier. If needed, BMW can restart production of most components.
As long as there is demand for at least 10,000 units of a particular part, BMW Group Classic can restart production. For some very rare models like the 507, where there are only few hundred units surviving, it doesn’t make sense to produce the 10,000 units of a part so this is where 3D printing comes in.
BMW have yet to adopt 3D-printing on a bigger scale, but they have adopted this method to produce parts like a door handle for very rare models like the 507.
Speaking of 2002 models, this 2002 Turbo is the most famous of all 2002 variants.
McLaren F1
It’s the only non-BMW Group model in the collection, the McLaren F1 was an icon of the ‘90s. Designed by legendary F1 car designer Gordon Murray. Between 1998 and 2005, the McLaren F1 held the title of the world’s fastest production car, beaten only by the Bugatti Veyron in 2005.
The top-speed of 386 km/h was made possible by the BMW Motorsport-built 6.1-litre V12 engine that developed (depending on variant) over 620 PS of power.
The Sharks – E9 3.0 CSL and E24 6 Series
Said to be one of the most beautiful coupes ever, the E9 generation 3.0 CSL and its successor the E24 M635 CSi, were commonly known as the sharks.
The E9 C.0 CSL, also referred to as the ‘Batmobile,’ laid the foundation for BMW Motorsports, a precussor to today’s BMW M GmbH. The 3.0 CSL was BMW’s first homologation special car. Its success in the European Touring Car Championship paved the way for the legendary E30 M3 to stake its dominance in European racing circuits.
The E9 was succeeded by the E24 6 series.
Today, pristine examples of the E9 and E24 are highly coveted among collectors, especially the 3.0 CSL and M635 CSi variants.
BMW M1 Procar
The BMW M1 Procar was one of the best racing series ever. It pitted top racing drivers from F1 and the European Touring Car Championship in an identical car. With everyone driving the same car, it’s the fairest way to settle debates on who is the best racing driver. Nikki Lauda won the 1979 championship while Nelson Piquet won in 1980.
It was a short-lived series though, created only as a preview to BMW’s entry into F1 as an engine supplier to Brabham.
The BMW M1 was the first BMW to wear the M badge. Originally intended to be built by Lamborghini, but poor management and subsequent financial woes forced BMW to go at it alone. Urban legend has it that BMW personnel had to literally break into Lamborghini’s factory to recover the blueprints for the car.
BMW 3/15 – BMW’s first car
Originally made by Automobilwerk Eisenach and sold under the Dixi 3/15 name, it was a clone of Britain’s Austin Seven. When
BMW bought over  Automobilwerk Eisenach
in 1928, the Dixi 3/15 became the BMW 3/15.
Its name might sound odd today, but it was logical to German customers in the late ‘20s. The 3 was in reference to its vehicle tax category (3 PS of taxable horsepower), while 15 is the engine’s output (15 PS).
There are many more stories of icons of BMW's 100-plus years history that we would like to share, but as it is, this article is bordering on becoming TLDR, So we hope you can enjoy the gallery below.


March 2017 Car Sales - Upward Trend Continues

Malaysia's automotive industry continues to see the upward trend going strong, as March 2017 have charted more vehicles sold than the past two months.
For March, the total industry volume (TIV) was recorded at 53,717 units, a healthy 11,262 or 26.5% increase over February. Even when comparing on a YoY basis, sales for March 2017 saw a slight 7.3% improvement, or an increase of 9,588 units, bringing the year-to-date TIV to to 140,839.
Honda Malaysia continues to top Malaysia's non-national car sales, with 10,994 units sold. This figure is a strong 42.9% increase from the month before. To date, Honda Malaysia has sold 27,283 units. As of March 2017, Honda Malaysia has saw more than 10,650 bookings for the
BR-V
, with 6,800 units registered. The recently-facelifted
Honda City
 has recorded bookings close to 4,500 units, with registrations close to 3,000 units.
With 19,459 units sold in March 2017,
Perodua
 remains as the nation's number one car manufacturer. The company saw an increase of 2,856 units or 17.2% versus February 2017. At the moment, Perodua has a market share of 35.9% with 47,200 vehicles registered. “The increasing in number of sales is due to the introduction of the new Axia facelift and also due to aggressive promotions for other Perodua models,” said President & CEO Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh.
Toyota also recorded a growth of 36% in March 2017, with 6,162 units sold. Despite having a commercial vehicle range, Toyota's lack of a strong crossover lineup meant that sales performance continues to fall behind Honda. On top of that, the ageing Shah Alam plant is limiting Toyota's output capacity, which is set to be remedied when their new production plant opens in 2019.

The premium car segment also continues to see encouraging growth. Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW and Volvo all saw good growth in March. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia recently introduced the
locally-assembled W213 E-Class
 whilst BMW Malaysia launched the
seventh-generation 5 Series
, both of which are expected to drive sales figures upwards in the coming months. Volvo Malaysia's line up was also refreshed with the introduction of the S90 and V90.


Goodwood 2017: Honda Celebrates 25-Years Of The Type R and Fireblade Badge

Honda celebrated a rather special anniversary at last weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (FoS), celebrating 25 years of its pioneering sports brands, the Type R, and Fireblade.
Honda’s historic display of
Type R vehicles
 included the original 1992 NSX Type R, Integra Type R, Accord Type R and all Civic Type R models.
The celebration coincided with UK launch of the 2017
Civic Type R
 - the current
FWD lap record holder
 around the Nurburgring Nordscheliefe.
In addition, Honda’s Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle made its UK debut at Goodwood.
The grand selection of Type R models participated in a parade lap up that ascends up a tight 1.86km stretch through the Goodwood Estate.
The Type R and Fireblade names are synonymous with Honda's racing heritage and history as a vehicle manufacturer.


Top 8 Cars To Be Your First

It’s an exciting time to be in when you come to own your first car. Granted, it might not be you who is paying the bank every month, especially if you’re still young and/or studying. But even for parents who are ready to give the gift of freedom in four-wheeled form, this time can indeed be fun - in a terrifying kind of way.
But it doesn’t have to be. Not at all. Not if you know what to look for. The fact is, the privilege to drive is a rite of passage, one of the few we have left in today’s society. Access to the open road, to freedom as far as your tank will take you (a point in favour of the the frugal car).
In Malaysia, there are some very clear contenders in this space. For the uninitiated, let’s treat these cars all fairly as equals, comparing metrics and objectivity over sheer market dominance. Here we go:
Perodua Myvi
Where else could we start, really? This compact car has been so prevalent on Malaysian roads since its introduction in 2005 that it’s difficult to not spot at least one (or twelve) on a typical local road. And with good reason.
The
Perodua

Myvi
 has been proven as a staple selection for the Malaysian masses for its affordability relative to what it offers: a roomier-than-it-looks interior, decent build quality, and great value for money. It recently went through a facelift, too.
Prices start from RM41,262 for the base G variant and the top-spec Advance will cost you RM58,368. It is offered in either a 1.3-litre KEV3 four-cylinder engine that’s good for 90hp and 117Nm of torque, or a 1.5-litre four-cylinder 3SZ-VE engine producing 102hp and 136Nm of torque – both of which were brought over from the pre-facelift Myvi. A new addition is the e-AT transmission that’s offered along the 5-speed manual option, meaning the auto variant’s gearbox is now electronically controlled.
However, only two airbags are offered, even in the most expensive variant. And anti-lock brakes (ABS) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) is not standard across the range – available in Premium X and higher. On a positive note, ISOFIX child restraint system is standard in all Myvis.
Perodua Axia
The
Axia
 is
Perodua
’s most basic offering, but for the price remains a solid contender nonetheless. Being the most affordable new car in Malaysia as well as the successor to the
Viva
 does raise the eyebrows of the more budget-conscious of us, but at the same time Perodua’s omissions raises the concerned eyebrows of others, particularly those who emphasise safety.
Playing second fiddle to the Myvi, you’re bound to expect certain features reserved for its more expensive sibling. And you’d be right, particularly in the areas of engine, creature comforts, and safety.
Prices start from RM24,837 for the Standard E variant and can go as high as RM42,377 for the Advance variant. The 1.0-litre 1KR-DE2 3-cylinder engine produces 66hp and 90Nm of torque. Although that will surely return some frugal fuel consumption figures and will likely be adequate for city driving, we suspect it’s a little underpowered for the highway.
In terms of space, the Axia’s A-segment interior is almost as commodious as the bigger Myvi. Just like the Myvi, too, is two airbags standard across the range. ABS and EBD are only available Axia SE variant and up. If you can afford it, do splurge for the extra safety features. We promise it’s money well spent.
Proton Iriz
This is Proton’s newest car that’s been built from the ground up, and its entrance to a segment that has been, so far, dominated by the Myvi. Not content with letting Perodua run away with it,
Proton
 puts up a strong fight with the
Iriz
.
Looks might be subjective but it’s safe to say that Proton did place that as a high priority when developing the car. It’s not the most handsome car on our roads, but it would certainly make a few Myvi owners a little jealous. Equipment, too, is well provided in the Iriz - material choices are of high quality (for the price) and modern interior comforts are not lacking here.
Prices start at RM41,076 for the 1.3 Standard variant and go up to RM62,168 for the 1.6 CVT Premium, matching the pricing tiers of the Myvi very closely.
Under the hood, you get either a 1.3-litre four-cylinder producing 94hp and 120Nm of torque or a 1.6-litre unit with 107hp and 150Nm of torque. The Iriz is a departure from other Proton Models (besides the Inspira) in that it does not use a CamPro engine. Instead, we find Proton’s all-new engines with Variable Valve Timing (VVT). These engines are mated to a 5-speed manual or a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).
The Myvi’s Achilles heel is where the Iriz comes in to capitalize. Dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, EBD, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist are among the safety features that come as standard across all Iriz variants. The top-spec 1.6 Premium, however, comes equipped with a generous six airbags.
Proton has done well to produce a car that can stand toe-to-toe with the Myvi, and in some areas surpass it – at least on paper.
Proton Saga
Proton
’s
longest-running model
 and entry-level sedan offering has become quite a favourite with first-time car owners and was the main local alternative to the Perodua Myvi before the Iriz came along, winning points for it affordable price and ample boot space.
For new current iteration of the second generation
Saga
, the FLX, prices start at just RM33,242 for the bare-bones 1.3 SV variant up to RM49,094 for the highest spec 1.6 CVT SE. Power comes from either two CamPro IAFM engines – the 1.3-litre producing 94hp and 120Nm of torque while the 1.6-litre puts out 108hp and 150Nm of torque. Both engine options can be mated to either a 5-speed manual or a Continuously Variable Transmission automatic option.
The base SV (Super Value) model is, as expected, quite barren of features and was made to offer a no-frills car at a no-frills price, but does include central locking and standard immobilizer, reverse sensors, LED turn signals, and a CD player, but not much else.
On the other end of the spectrum, the SE Executive CVT comes with leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, full body kit, electric door mirrors, 15-inch alloy sport rims, and a multimedia head unit that supports MP3, USB, and AUX audio sources.
In regards to safety, it’s par for the course with two airbags across the range while ABS and EBD are only made available in the more higher priced variants. As always, we recommend spending that extra amount to get the added safety, if possible.
Kia Picanto
The
Picanto
 is the smallest car you can get in Malaysia from Korean automaker
Kia
, but that doesn’t mean you’re getting any less for your money, as the little hatchback is packed with features you’d normally have to spend more for – even with local manufacturers.
While it’s not the first thought when it comes to looking for a first car, the Picanto does offer some uniqueness in the sea of obvious choices. And Kia has updated it’s styling to be quite fun and upbeat-looking.
There’s two variants, with the manual option (1.2MT) priced at RM54,888 and the automatic (1.2AT) at RM59,888, which gets front fog lamps chrome-coated outer door handles. While that price point does put it head-to-head with the higher Myvi variants, the Picanto brings quite a lot to the fight. Well, besides out-and-out interior space.
Powering the Picanto is Kia’s 1.2-litre Kappa CVVT four-cylinder engine producing 85hp and 120Nm of torque, which is adequate for city driving but won’t set any highways ablaze, mated to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.
Safety and equipment are where this car punches above its weight. It comes with disc brakes all around, LED daytime running lights, 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchor.
Inside there is an audio system with MP3, AUX, USB, and Bluetooth support. However, keyless entry comes with the 1.2AT variant, so does steering controls and six speakers compared to four in the 1.2MT.
Honda Jazz
Here we are, now onto the Japanese. The sensible would immediately spring for a car from the land of the rising sun, and for good reason. There’s lot’s on offer.
First up, we have the
Jazz
 – the smallest and most affordable
Honda
 you can buy in Malaysia. Despite that more accessible price point and smaller size, the Jazz offers a commodious cabin and comforts to match the other cars in Honda’s line-up. It shares the same platform as the Honda City, after all.
Spaced across three variants – S, E, and V – the base Jazz is priced at RM69,223 while the most expensive V comes in at RM84,020. All three get 1.5-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder engine that’s good for 118hp and 145Nm of torque and mated to a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT), a drivetrain package shared, also, by the City. This makes for a good match of compact size and manoeuvrability with power and fuel efficiency.
Over the course of its three generations, the styling has been updated to deliver a snazzier and more streamlined appearance which does well so separate it from the other subcompacts in the market.
In terms of safety, all variants come standard with dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), brake assist, and reverse sensors, among others. The top-spec V gets six airbags, however.
Honda City
The
Honda

City
, like we’ve said before, shares quite a bit with the Jazz, primarily the engine and transmission. This B-segment competitor is the most affordable sedan offered by the Japanese automaker in Malaysia.
There are four variants on offer, an entry-level 1.5S costs RM74,007 while the top range 1.5V will set you back RM89,467. The 1.5-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder motor returns here, producing 118hp and 145Nm of torque with power reaching the front wheels through a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
For safety, dual front SRS airbags are standard across the range, together with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, as well as four-corner reversing sensors. The 1.5E variant or higher gets you Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and hill start assist.
15-inch alloy wheels are standard for the lower variants, as are black fabric upholstery, the USB and AUX compatible audio system and power adjustable side mirrors.
Stepping up to the top-spec 1.5V buys more bells and whistles, of course. You get larger 16-inch wheels, side and curtain airbags, front fog lights, cruise control, eight-speaker sound system, and seven-inch infotainment panel, among other things.
Of course, all those features are to be expected from a Honda. The pull of the brand’s vehicles are also their famed reliability, high resale value.
Mazda 2
The
Mazda

2
 lands in the more sporting side of the B-segment spectrum but that doesn’t detract from anything bring to this little round-up. And although those sporting looks and dynamics come at a premium compared to its direct rivals, it does in many cases end up upstaging them.
Priced from RM85,466 for both the sedan and hatchback variants – which are otherwise identical – you’ll get a 1.5-litre four-cylinder Skyactiv-G petrol engine that delivers 114hp and 148Nm of torque. A Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic channels that drive to the front wheels.
On the outside, Mazda’s ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ design language is very noticeable, flanked by 16-inch alloy rims, daytime running lights, reverse camera, and electrically retractable side mirrors with integrated turn signals, among others.
Its interior is very well appointed, especially for the price. Leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, fully automatic air conditioning, drive mode selector (Normal and Sport), paddle shifters, a head-up display (Active Driving Display), and a seven-inch display that houses the MZD Connect infotainment system with AUX, Bluetooth and USB input support. GPS navigation, however, is a RM1,200 optional extra.
Features aside, the interior feels very well put together, with details placed with thought and consideration. From the material choices to the contrasting red-on-black stitching. The cabin is a nice place to be.
On to safety: the Mazda 2 features dual front airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) with Brake Assist (BA), keyless entry, and Hill Launch Assist – an impressive list.