Bargain Basement Coupes: 5 Sporty Cars That Could Reignite That Coupe Love Affair

Cheap fun coupes should not be swept underneath the carpet, but then again, can you even get one for around RM30k?

Coupes. The one car body type that gets the heart pumping, girls chasing and haters hating. To say the least, that's what it once was, because these days, people have gone all mad and gone head over heels for boxes on stilts - what is the world coming to?

The classic coupe is dead, and instead of it, we now have hybrid coupe body shapes on vehicles from SUVs to luxury four-door sedans. The only place you can search and buy anything coupe-ish is the premium market, and that's a shame because once upon a time, cheap sports coupe was all the rage.

Honda was practically the king of that segment coming out with fantastic cars like the Integra, Prelude, Civic Coupe, CR-X and even the Accord Coupe. It was at a time where four-door cars were meant for parents and old-age pensioners. These days however, it seems to be the opposite with the young opting for utility instead of flashiness.

Despite this, we still like coupes but are there any cheap coupes out there? You bet there is and you can probably own one for around RM30k. With that in mind, here is a list of coupes that can potentially put a smile on your face for the same price of the cheapest new econobox.

Proton Putra
 - RM20K

The one and only coupe that Proton ever produced still lingers strongly in the heads of many petrolheads. The Proton Putra was manufactured between 1996 to 2001, and it featured a Mitsubishi derived 1.8L 4G93P engine that produced 138bhp and 164Nm of torque. The Putra was essentially a two-door Wira and it was a very quick machine for its time.

There was no performance variant to purchase throughout its production life, but towards the end, there was a rally-prepped unit developed by Prodrive in the UK to compete in the WRC – ultimately it never managed to, but it was a cool experiment nonetheless.

Prices for the Putra are starting to climb as they become rarer by the day, and it’s definitely a fun front-wheel-drive car to pick up and mess around with if you’re looking for a project. Leave it stock, and you've got a fun and reliable coupe that you can daily drive. Be quick if you're interested, there are not many good ones left.

Mercedes Benz CLK230 Kompressor (W210)
 - RM23K

Okay, buying an old Merc is always risky but if you know what to look out for, you could potentially buy one of the finest machines ever built. The first generation CLK was first introduced in 1997 and continued production up until 2002. Although it was mostly a C-Class underneath, the CLK opened up a new market for Mercedes-Benz. Initially, the CLK only came in two guises, with the CLK200 (134bhp) coming in as the entry-level car and a more powerful CLK230 Kompressor with 194bhp topping the range.

To purchase the CLK200, you would need to have a lot of patience as the power is lacking. The CLK230 on the other hand has enough power to keep up with modern day traffic and that's all thanks to the supercharger (Kompressor in Mercedes speak). Although it has forced induction, the power delivery is smooth and not like an on and off switch like some turbo cars. It really gels well with the car's overall luxurious and sophisticated feel.

The vehicle is mechanically sound but electrical gremlins are its main Achilles heel. So be sure to check that our before proceeding with the purchase.

Hyundai Coupe FX Second Generation
 - RM24K

We must admit, we were not the biggest fan of this car when it was brand new, but at RM23,888 and in a market where cheap coupes are hard to find, the Hyundai Coupe starts to become appealing. It's also been said that the Hyundai Coupe in some angles looks like the Ferrari 456GT.

We can see what people are talking about but you'd really have to squint your eyes to see the similarities. Nevertheless, one thing is for sure, the Hyundai Coupe is probably more reliable than the Ferrari and will not have the Ferrari's running cost. With a modest 2.0-litre 136hp engine, it's not going to win any races, but chuck it down some B-roads and you can still throw it a bit about and have some fun.

Despite the sharp-ish handling, the Hyundai Coupe is more about that sports coupe looks, and being a Hyundai, it'll probably be as rugged as the Proton mentioned earlier. For those looking for a good looking coupe at cheap running cost and purchase price, it's hard to beat the Hyundai Coupe. If it can impress Richard Hammond, we're pretty sure the car is alright.

BMW 318Ci (E46)
 - RM39K

Fair enough, this car is not around the RM30k mark but if you can just beg, borrow and steal a bit more money then you should really consider the BMW E46 Coupe. Unfortunately, at this price range, you will only be able to buy ones with a small engine but that's okay because the slower you go, the more time it gives bystanders to appreciate the sweet and sexy lines of this Munich masterpiece.

The Ci models are generally mechanically reliable (except for the normal BMW failures like oil leaks) but the ones to avoid is the 2.0-litre engines (facelift or LCI in BMW language) as they have oil build-up issues and weak head gaskets. However, the 1.9-litre in the pre-facelift car is robust, so better aim for those. We're sure that there's plenty of playing around that can be done with the 180Nm of torque anyways.

KIA Forte Koup
 RM35K

KIA has always been underrated in Malaysia, but the most underrated KIA vehicle that we have come across when it comes to KIA vehicles in Malaysia is the KIA Forte Koup. The Forte that the Koup was based on can be considered as one of the most robust vehicles that have landed on our shores. Give that vehicle two doors, lowered roofline as well as sleek coupe body lines, you now combine sleek and robust together.

The KIA Forte Koup was designed at the time when legendry Audi TT designer, Peter Schryer joined KIA, so it's no surprise that together they produced one brutishly handsome coupe. With a reliable and good performing 2.0-litre engine with 154hp and around 200Nm of torque, the Koup was not the slowest car on the road nor was it the fastest. If we had to describe the performance in one word, we would say it is adequate.

It also never really presented any mechanical problems but if it ever does, parts might be just a little bit pricier than what is expected of a KIA. Nevertheless, at the price of RM35K, this Koup can be considered a steal, so all that is left to do is make sure it has not been in an accident. The KIA Forte Koup really is a homage to the cheap sporty coupes that were made in the nineties.

And there you have it, five coupe options with the latter two just above RM30k. If you're in the market for some coupe fun and you're hovering in the 30-40k range, then give any of the above a test drive and one might just leave you smitten. Happy hunting!


Nismo Heritage Parts Program Extended To R33, R34 Skyline GT-R Models

Last year, we reported that Nissan was setting up Nismo as a separate business entity, parking the then-new Heritage Parts Program under the Nismo banner. At launch, the Heritage Parts Program had a catalogue of almost 80 parts for the R32 Skyline GT-R.
More recently, parts for the R33 and R34 Skyline GT-R have been made available, including exterior, powertrain, electrical, and various mechanical components. The Heritage Parts Program has also added more parts for the R32 model, including hard-to-find components such as new weather stripping and power window switches.
This brings the total number of available parts to 160, which makes the Heritage Parts Program the largest selection of parts for the Skyline GT-R models in Japan.
As Nismo continues to foster a close relationship with Skyline GT-R owners, more parts may be added to the catalogue based on owner input and requests.


Volkswagen: Software Update Sufficient For Majority Of TDI Models

A software update is sufficient to correct the exhaust emissions for the majority of Volkswagen and Audi models affected by the emissions scandal, says Volkswagen AG. In some instances, additional hardware upgrades might be necessary.
"In many instances a software update will be sufficient. Some vehicles, however, will also require hardware modifications. We will keep our customers constantly informed about the measures and arrange workshop appointments," said CEO Mr. Matthias Müller, who added that details of the corrective measures will be made public after it gets the necessary approvals from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
Mr. Muller acknowledged that the corrective measures are expected to have a huge impact on the company’s financial standings, something which he admits is not possible to quantify at this point in time.
Related links:
Volkswagen’s Brand Value Slipped 9 Percent
Toyota Is World’s Most Valuable Automotive Brand, BMW Leads Premium League
Volkswagen AG Announces Action Plan To Resolve 'Dieselgate' Scandal
Martin Winterkorn Is Back At VW! Sort Of…


7 Inisiatif Tambah Baik LRT Kelana Jaya – Menteri Pengangkutan

Ekoran pelbagai masalah yang dihadapi oleh LRT Kelana Jaya sejak akhir-akhir ini, Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong berkata tujuh daripada 23 inisiatif jangka panjang bagi menambah baik perkhidmatan LRT laluan Kelana Jaya sedang giat dijalankan dan dijangka siap akhir tahun ini.

Pada 24 Mei lalu, sebuah tren LRT Kelana Jaya gagal berfungsi kerana bekalan kuasa terputus pada 8.36 pagi menyebabkan perkhidmatan tren mengarah ke Putra Heights di Stesen Taman Jaya terhenti sementara yang menyebabkan kesesakan bagi pengguna yang mahu keluar ke tempat kerja.

Kalau diikutkan, ini adalah kali ketiga perkhidmatan LRT ini mengalami gangguan pada bulan ini. Dengan masalah jalan raya yang makin sesak dan perkhidmatan pengangkutan awam yang semakin teruk, Wee tampil menjelaskan segala perancangan untuk memastikan tahap keselamatan dan kebolehpercayaan penumpang pada
pengangkutan awam
 dapat ditingkatkan.

7 Inisiatif Jangka Panjang Tambah Baik LRT Kelana Jaya

Menurut Wee, sebanyak RM450 juta telah diperuntukkan untuk memastikan peristiwa
pelanggaran tren LRT
 dalam terowong laluan Kelana Jaya pada 24 Mei tahun lalu tidak berulang. Insiden tersebut telah menyebabkan 166 penumpang cedera ringan manakala 47 lagi parah.

Oleh itu, peruntukan tersebut digunakan untuk menambah baik sistem laluan Kelana Jaya yang menggunakan sistem lama.

Daripada RM450 juta, sebanyak 80% atau RM350 juta adalah untuk sistem pengesanan tren elektronik
time-out
 dan tren boleh dikesan dari jauh.

Kursus latihan dan pensijilan semula secara berkala bagi mengekalkan kecekapan pengawal pusat kawalan operasi (OCC dan
hostler
).

Melaksanakan kajian dan penilaian RAMS (kebolehpercayaan, ketersediaan, penyelenggaraan dan keselamatan) ke atas sistem tren dan aset
Prasarana
 serta Rapid Rail.

Memperkenalkan
hot-button
 untuk mempermudahkan kawalan OCC ke atas tren semasa situasi kritikal.

Pemasangan kamera litar tertutup di dalam OCC (siap pada Julai 2021)

Meningkatkan tahap boleh lihat penanda sektor landasan dan pemasangan papan tanda di dalam terowong (siap pada November 2021)

Menaik taraf sistem komunikasi radio kepada digital sepenuhnya yang akan bermula pada suku keempat tahun ini.

*Kredit foto: Harian Metro

Insiden pelanggaran kedua-dua tren LRT pada tahun lalu merupakan kemalangan pertama yang berlaku di laluan Kelana Jaya sejak perkhidmatannya bermula pada 1998 dan diharap tidak akan berulang lagi.


New Mazda SkyActiv Diesels Enter Malaysia – Mazda 6 and CX-5

The
much-anticipated

diesel offensive
 by
Mazda
 in Malaysia starts today, with the simultaneous introduction of diesel-powered variants for two models – namely the
Mazda6
 and
CX-5
.
Powered by Mazda's latest-generation 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D four-cylinder turbodiesel, both the Mazda6 and CX-5 have access to 175PS @ 4,500rpm and 420Nm @ 2,000rpm. In our market, the CX-5 Diesel has no natural rivals, although the Mazda6 does have to contend against superior firepower from the
Peugeot 508 GT
, which packs 206PS and 450Nm in its armory.
Designed from ground up by Mazda, the 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D engine is notable for its 14.0 compression ratio, a design trait that helps reduce nitrogen oxide emissions as well as lower physical stress on the engine’s components. Mazda's engine is in fact able to comply to Euro 6 emission standards without the need for costly NOx after treatment systems.
A smaller 1.5-litre variant of this engine is also available, powering the Mazda2 and CX-3. Both these models are in Malaysia as well, but yet to officially go on sale; the vehicles are still undergoing internal performance evaluation by Mazda personnel.

Just as their petrol equivalents, both the Mazda6 and CX-5 Diesel send power to the front wheels via Mazda’s in-house 6-speed SkyActiv-Drive automatic transmission. There are no plans at this stage to introduce an all-wheel drive version of the CX-5 Diesel.
Equipment-wise, the diesel models share identical trim levels with their range-topping petrol-powered counterparts. The CX-5 is locally-assembled in Kulim, whilst the Mazda6 comes fully imported from Japan.
Both the Mazda6 and CX-5 2.2 SkyActiv-D come loaded with Mazda's iActivSense autonomous and active safety features that include lane departure warning (Mazda6 only), rear cross-traffic alert, autonomous emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring.
OTR pricing without insurance for the diesel-powered Mazda models are as follows (price difference against highest grade petrol variant shown in parenthesis):
Mazda6 2.2 SkyActiv-D Sedan: RM203,792.30 (RM7,589 more than 2.5 Sedan petrol)
Mazda CX-5 2.2 SkyActiv-D FWD: RM161,929.10 (RM6,762 more that 2.5 FWD petrol)
Click
this link
 for our first impressions review of the CX-5 Diesel which we recently drove in Thailand. We will be following up with reviews of other members of the Mazda diesel family in due course. Stay tuned.


New Proton Saga and Persona Make Brunei Debut

Proton just announced that the
all-new Persona
 and the
new Saga
 have been officially launched in Brunei by the company’s main distributor in the country - PAD Motors Sdn Bhd.
It is said that Brunei consumers are the first outside Malaysia to experience the two models that were launched here in second half of last year.
While the Persona will be offered only in the 1.6L Executive CVT variant in Brunei, the new Saga will come in 2 variants - 1.3L Executive CVT and 1.3L Premium CVT. Both variants come in an array of 6 exciting colours to choose from.
“We are pleased that the Persona and Saga, which are very well received in Malaysia, have generated the interest of the consumers in Brunei. The all-new Persona has evolved significantly in terms of the features, advanced technology, design and built including a more refined ride and handling as well as reduced noise vibration and harshness (NVH). For its class, it is really a pleasure to drive the all-new Persona,” said Dato’ Fuaad Kenali, CEO of Proton.
Unveiled by Puan Rafedah binti Abdul Aziz, the deputy High Commissioner of the Malaysian High Commission in Brunei Darussalam, the new Persona and Saga are available for test drive and bookings at all Proton outlets in Brunei.


50 Geely GC9s Delivered For China's Diplomatic Fleet

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Service Bureau would continue to use Geely’s flagship GC9 sedan in its diplomatic fleet. The new fleet, consisting 50 units of the GC9 were delivered to the Beijing Diplomatic Service Bureau, which will be used during to ferry official guests, diplomats, and other dignitaries during their visits to China.
The Chinese government enacted a series of official car policy reforms starting in 2012, aimed at promoting the use of Chinese car brands for state use. Geely and its GC9 sedan were selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Service Bureau to be used as part of their diplomatic fleet in China. On March 20, 2015, the first batch of 20 Geely GC9 official diplomatic vehicles was delivered for state use.
This development is noteworthy because Geely wasn't initially supported by the Chinese Government.
The Geely GC9 is a sales leader in the Chinese domestic market and has outperformed most foreign D-segment offerings. Geely claims the GC9’s success was partly due to its status as a national diplomatic vehicle.
Beijing Diplomatic Service Bureau Director General, Yuan Weimin comments, "Two years ago, we selected Geely GC9 after careful consideration to be our diplomatic fleet vehicle. Since then, they have completed their tasks without fault, all the while showcasing Geely’s passion for quality and technology.”
He added, “The performance and reliability of the vehicles have improved our reputation and quality of service. Our experience with the previous Geely GC9 model has given us confidence in the strength of the new Geely GC9”.
The GC9 is Geely’s first flagship sedan of their 3.0 generation range and was first launched in 2014. The platform and chassis of the GC9 were developed together with Volvo, while suspension fine tuning being undertaken by Australia’s Prodrive. The GC9 is offered with either a 1.8-litre turbo or 2.4 and 3.5-litre naturally aspirated engines.
The facelifted 2017 model (like the ones delivered) has since received an aesthetic facelift, tweaks for better handling, an updated 1.8-litre turbocharged engine, upgraded infotainment and better NVH performance.


Review: New Hyundai Tucson Turbo – For The Simpler Things In Life, Now Boosted

Shopping for an SUV has never been more complex, with the arrival of many new models of late. However, there is one gripe of earlier SUVs and it is the common fitment of the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine.
With Malaysia’s excise duties plus annual road tax that punishes displacement, many automakers by default offer a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine to balance price, cost of ownership, and performance.
Common feedback of having a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine include adequate performance and higher-than-usual fuel consumption. A larger displacement engine meanwhile fetches a higher price range and many feel the additional RM 20,000 for the circa 25 PS increment is not good value for money.
Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia (HSDM) has introduced a turbocharged engine in the popular Tucson SUV, following the decision by Honda Malaysia to offer a downsized turbocharged engine in the new generation CR-V.
Thanks to the incentives by the government, turbocharged (thus fuel efficient) SUVs are now priced as competitively as previous generation models with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine. Together with a substantial cosmetic facelift, the new Hyundai Tucson Turbo offers really good performance for those who prefer something unpretentious.
Specifications of the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 Turbo:
Price: RM 143,888 (OTR without Insurance)
Engine: Gamma 1.6-litre, Inline-4, Turbocharged
Power: 177 PS at 5,500 rpm
Torque: 265 Nm at 1,500 – 4,500 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch automatic, Front-wheel drive
Safety: 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Reverse Camera, Hill Descent Control
Origin: Locally-assembled in Inokom Assembly Plant, Kedah
Overview
Prior to the introduction of
the facelifted Tucson
, HSDM offered quite a wide range of powertrain options for the model. Customers could even choose a turbodiesel engine in their Tucson.
The line-up has since been simplified from four different powertrain variants to just two petrol variants and power is sent only to the front wheels.
The 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine paired with a 6-speed conventional automatic transmission is priced from RM 123,888, while our test model – the Tucson Turbo – is priced from RM 143,888.
Apart from an increase in engine output and a faster 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), the new Tucson Turbo includes:
LED head and tail lamps
Cascading front grille in bright chrome and gloss black finishing
Power-adjustable driver’s seat
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning
Coloured 4.2-inch multi-info display
Eco, Comfort, and Sport drive modes
Electric parking brake
Smart tail gate
6 airbags
Exterior
The refreshed looks of the new Tucson Turbo has made the SUV a lot sharper. Everything at the front end is new, apart from the carried-over bonnet and fenders.
The Smart tail gate in the Turbo variant is not only power-assisted but comes with an enhanced proximity sensor. Should a person with the smart key stand behind the tail gate for over three seconds, the tail gate opens. No need to dangerously stand on one foot trying to activate the bumper sensor, as seen on competitors.
The exhaust outlets look sporty too, with the facelift model now having the two large exhaust tips protruding outwards instead of downwards. The design of the 17-inch rims are carried over but two-tone finishing adds a form to the side profile.
We noticed the tyres are from Goodyear too, with their latest EfficientGrip Performance SUV pattern.
Interior
The interior of the new Tucson now follows a new styling theme is now seen in many new Hyundai models: a large floating-type high-resolution screen that allows for seamless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity.
The top half of the dashboard is also new, complementing the new infotainment screen with a higher quality look and feel (soft touch leather with double stitching wrapping is only available in the Tucson Turbo).
At night, the interior is uninspiringly dark though, as both the dashboard and seats are in black, with no contrasting colours to break the monotone.
We once again sing praises for the ease of use in the new infotainment system. Maps and navigation are loaded within seconds, while music is played immediately through the Android Auto connection. No need for a SIM-card or apps for mirroring, as this is truly the best integration of key apps from our mobile phones into a vehicle.
Another highlight in newer Hyundai models is the ‘stalk-position’ read-out. The coloured multi-information display (MID) will repeat the position of the lights and wiper stalks for better notification for the driver.
This feature is especially appreciated during drives in the rain, with the information appearing in the MID rather than peeping over the steering wheel spoke.
Driving Experience
The Tucson Turbo continues to offer a familiar driving experience of an Asian SUV. Ride comfort is well sorted, with a good balance of comfort and some agility. The steering speed is sporty (turns in fast, well weighted, and responsive) to suit the great straight-line acceleration.
However, it is still not as brilliantly tuned as the Toyota C-HR which seems to just ride with amazing comfort and yet handle the curvy bits of tarmac with so much enthusiasm.
There is plenty of punch from the turbocharged engine and thanks to the drive mode and tyres, the Tucson Turbo is quite quiet on the highway. The dual-clutch transmission also performed incredibly well in start-stop traffic jams, enabling a smooth ‘creeping’ function.
Switching the drive mode to ‘Sport’ brought plenty of engine noise into the cabin. We are not sure if it is artificially augmented, but it’s a good reminder to the driver and passengers that everyone is in for a very spirited drive.
Cost of Ownership
For after-sales, the Hyundai Tucson continues to be covered by a three-year / 50,000 km free service package together with Hyundai’s five-year / 300,000 km warranty.
During our period with the Tucson Turbo, just under 21 litres of the fuel was used over the 235-kilometre drive, thus returning an average of 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres. This figure places the Tucson Turbo one of the best we have achieved among our SUVs test drives.
While the majority of the drive was done on arterial highways, we also spent a fair amount in the usual traffic congestion. The ‘Eco’ mode also proved to be effective when conditions do not require such responsive performance from the turbocharged engine.
A large fuel tank size of 62 litres also allows for fewer visits to the fuel station together with a further range in between.
Conclusion
The exterior facelift has provided the Tucson Turbo with a much sharper look, with the reworked dashboard improving its perceived quality and overall cabin ambience.
In the ever-growing SUV segment, the Tucson Turbo places itself as a solid left-field alternative for those who seek straight-line performance in a more contemporary package.
Given how competitive this segment is, the addition of Advanced Driving Assistance features such autonomous emergency braking should have been offered as an option at this facelift phase for a more complete package to customers.


Frankfurt 2017: Honda Unveils Urban EV Concept

In a slightly unexpected left-field move, Honda has pulled out something rather special for the Frankfurt Motor Show. They call it the Urban EV Concept, and it's a compact hatchback that's deisgned to be the car of the future- powered, as you would expect, purely by electrical energy.
It's built on a completely new platform with a completely new powertrain, and it is expected to go into European production by 2019. Needless to say it will be a long time before a product like this goes global, what with the differences in infrastructure across the world.
As you can probably tell from the photos, it's quite a tiny car- and one can't help but notice it bears resemblance to the original Honda City hatcback. Its compact dimensions and styling are a welcome change to what we've seen around on the market these days, although you can expect there to be numerous regulation-meeting changes between this and the final production model.
The doors in particular are interestingly enough rear hinged, which is also a feature that probably won't see the light of a production line. The compact car is designed to take 4 occupants across 2 bench seats. Wood and fabric feature heavily in the interior, with a free floating dashboard that is fast becoming the norm for electric cars. Wing mirrors have been replaced with cameras feeding displays in the doors.
Perhaps most interesting are the introduction of the Honda Automated Network Assistant concierge and the Honda Power Manager. The former is a system that learns from the driver's inputs and automatically makes new suggestions and choices. The latter is used to control the transfer of energy, both to and from the car.


Mazda Plans To Upgrade Its Thailand Powertrain Plant For Hybrids By 2020

With Mazda announcing that all of their passenger cars and SUVs will either have a hybrid system or be pure electric by 2020, their plants the world over also need to be upgraded to be able to produce these new powertrains. As
Bangkok Post reports
, Mazda is planning to upgrade their Thai engine and transmission facility before the end of the decade to meet these demands- but it is dependent on Thailand's automotive policies.
As Thailand still has vague definitions when it comes to hybrid-powered cars, Mazda has to wait until the policies are adjusted to account for their future products and make Thai production a viable solution- both for domestic and export purposes. As it is now, Thailand's policies define a semi-electrified vehicle as one that has a 60-Volt battery in their system in order to take advantage of the 10% duty provided the car meets a 100g/km CO2 emission standard. Cars produced in Thailand will enjoy a further reduction in duty to 5%.
For now, Mazda's mild hybrid products are running a 48-Volt system- and this is fast becoming an industry standard. Unless Thailand adjusts their policies to account for this, Mazda's products will be taxed at a 30% rate or a 14% rate if it meets Ecocar II rules and regulations. The hopes are that the policy changes in time for the up-coming Mazda 3, which will feature the Skyactiv-X powertrains that are expected to be mild hybrids as well, along with the Mazda 2.
As it is now, the Mazda 2 is already built to Thailand's Ecocar II regulations as it produces no more than 100g/km of CO2- and if the policy changes to acknowledge this it could be taxed as low as 5% with hybrid incentives in place. As many automotive engineers will explain, CO2 emissions are proportional to fuel consumption, and as a result cars which meet this specific standard should also be acknowledged as fuel efficient.
The BT-50 is the exception as it already enjoys a 3% excise duty for local production, as Thailand has unique regulations for pickup trucks. With the
shift of the BT-50's production to Isuzu's production facilities
, this will allow Mazda's Rayong plant to up production for other Mazda passenger cars and SUVs.


Would You Buy An RM800k AMG C 63 With A 4-Cylinder Hybrid?

This is the end. Hold your breath and count to ten.

As fresh as it still may look, the current W205 C-Class turns 7 years old this year, which makes it ripe for a direct replacement. The German automaker is indeed almost done with that successor, the W206, but alongside an
updated design and fancier digitalised interior
, it will miss out on a couple of things.

For a few years now, there have been persistent rumours that this current generation will be
the final hoorah
 of a different kind with a planned transition coming that will phase out many, if not all, non-four-cylinder engines. It started with the notion that Mercedes-AMG will start to propagate its M139 2.0-litre turbocharged engines over its larger displacement alternatives, even in cars that used a longitudinal engine layout and were rear-wheel driven.

Like all other AMG motors, it is hand-assembled by a single person. That particular engine, found in
their A 45
, GLA 45, and CLA 45 models, also currently holds the
title of being the most powerful
 production four-cylinder by specific output - as high as 420PS and 500Nm. High on praise, it was understandable that they not officially deny the conjecture.

AMG purists shrugged off the prospect initially, with many insisting that such a culling, though inevitable, was still years away. Turns out, it’s about to happen much sooner. According to a report by
Car and Driver
, the W206 will be powered by four-cylinder engines only, ditching all other formats such as a V6, inline-6, and V8.

Of course, that pertains most to the high-performance versions rolled out by AMG in Affalterbach. But in a way, this move could be seen as a spiritual return to Mercedes-Benz’s original performance compact saloon, the W201-based 190E Cosworth, a cult classic of the late 1980s and early 90s that preceded the first proper AMG-fettled C-Class.

The American publication had recently been granted limited access to a prototype W206, which was still partially concealed behind camouflage stickers to obscure its front and rear end design. Its wheelbase has been increased, confirming the retention of rear-wheel drive at least.

There’s nothing to stop Mercedes-Benz/AMG from adding 6-cylinder variant at any point down the line, but all indication points to a firm doubling down on their small displacement petrol and diesel engines. Expect the usual spread of C 200, C 250, and C 300 with rear or all-wheel drive depending on region.

All versions of the upcoming C-Class will feature a higher emphasis on electrification too with a 48-volt mild hybrid system being standard, though plug-in hybrids will also be more plentiful. Speaking of which, this brings us to the
latest range-topping C 63S
, which launched in mid-2019 for around RM770k.

Though a 420PS figure is expected to remain for the M139 engine in this upcoming car, its electric motor pairing gives it a default all-wheel drive layout and should bump its total system output to beyond 500hp, according to the report. That’s plenty to give its closest rival, the
BMW M3 (G80)
 plenty to worry about in terms of out-and-out pace.

However, buying into the AMG experience means so much more than power and speed. Much of the appeal stemmed from the charismatic powerplants that gave each car a somewhat unhinged personality. It set their cars apart and was something that couldn’t be replicated by BMW M or Audi Sport, even when their hero engine was downsized from 6.2-litres to 4.0-litres and gained two-turbochargers.

Of course, extracting the same big go-fast numbers from a smaller displacement engine, forced induction, and electrification certainly is possible, even trivially easy, but just knowing that your C 63 (if it will even be called that anymore) shares a heart with the A 45 does sour its prestige.

C-Class AMGs of the past, in addition to being logically named according to their engine displacement, was also about making a statement. A huge and thuggish V8 engine in the body of a small executive saloon was so bonkers that it made those cars impossible to hate.

They were brutes, true, but also honest and simple machines that could make the biggest cynic smile even at low speeds. I doubt that same charm can be carried over to these new cars, regardless of how many pops and farts and bangs it's programmed to spit out or how quickly it can shoot off the line. The best AMGs were never about ultimate speed, and going forward the sensory aspect of these cars will be severly diluted.

Mercedes-Benz’s closest rivals haven’t exactly been lagging behind their own electrification efforts, but may have wisely understood the unique appeal high-performance cars present to customers and have so far not chosen to keep these opposite poles separated instead of this hybrid halfway house. For example,
Audi Sport
 is independent of
Audi e-tron
, and the same goes for
BMW M
 and
BMW i
.

So. Would you pay close to RM800k for a C 63 if it had a four-cylinder hybrid?


Child Safety In A Car – All You Need To Know

Your child is the most precious thing in life. As parents we try to ensure that they have the best nutrition, healthcare, and access to education so that they may reach their full potential in life – so it’s troubling, that in Malaysia, still not enough is done to ensure a child’s safety while in a vehicle. Children are at their most vulnerable when travelling in a car because their bodies are not designed to withstand the forces that are exerted in a collision.
As of next year, the government will
fully enforce child seat usage
 for children so in this video we cover the basics of restraining your child properly in a car.
We also establish why you need a child seat in the first place, with a not-so-scientific but effective demonstration we call the rice bag test. Later we go into the various child seats that are widely available in the market and clear up some common misconceptions along the way.
We also challenged ourselves to see how many child seats we could fit into the humble little Honda City. The Honda City is widely known for its practical and roomy cabin, but no one expected just how spacious it could be. Watch the video till the end to find out. We also discuss the benefits of having a sliding-door MPV such as Honda Odyssey to transport your children.
We hope to impress on our viewers that child safety is as much about culture, awareness, and habits of the end user as it is about having a proper child seat. Drive safe!


Illegal Plate Numbers, Window Tints Dominated By T20 Owned Cars

We’ve all seen cars that have obviously
illegal number plates
 and window tints that do not conform to regulation (way too dark or just a weird colour), but now we have numbers to support this phenomenon….at least in the Klang Valley.

A recent study conducted by KL-based behavioural research firm Centre for Governance and Political Studies (Cent-GPS) proves what we, as motorists on Malaysia’s roads, have known to be true: that there are those of us who love to ‘customise’ their vehicles through number plates and window tints, and that they usually appear on those ‘orang kaya’ cars.

'Atas' Cars Only?

These would include any number plates that do not conform to the standards set by the JPJ and use incorrect spacing, colours, backgrounds, and/or fonts. Vehicles found in violation of this
can be fined between
 RM300 and RM3,000.

According to their findings, observed over a pool of 1,256 cars (they did not take motorcycles into account) with relevant violations, an estimated 56% of cars “that had illegal plate numbers” are worth RM160,000 or higher based on current new-car pricing, which Cent-GPS is categorising as those belonging to the T20 economic class.

Meanwhile, the remaining 44% were broken down into brackets of between RM120,000 to RM160,000, RM80k to RM120k, RM50k to RM80k, and lastly RM50k and less. Of that, none of these lower tiers accounted for anywhere near as many illegal plate numbers as the cars worth RM160k and up.

The firm then also took a different look at the same data set and calculated that an estimated 58.5% of the cars observed with this violation belonged to individuals in the T20 group while the M40 were responsible for 25.6%
and the B40 took
 15.9%.

This was determined by assuming each car was purchased with no downpayment and with 5-year hire purchase financing. The firm also arrived at these numbers with the assumption that the owners were financially literate and did not spend more than 24% of their monthly income on loan repayment for said vehicle.

Continental Cars vs Everything Else

Here’s where it gets a little more interesting, though, as Cent-GPS also found that, at 51%, the majority of the cars found with illegal number plates were from ‘Asian’ automakers, which we take to mean those from brands such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan and others.

Contrary to our own expectations, ‘Continental’ cars such as those of European and North American brand origin account for 33.4%. Lastly, Malaysian cars made up the remaining 15.6%, though even Cent-GPS admits that most of them could be narrowed down
to the Proton X70
.

That’s pretty hilarious. Guess if you aren’t quite ‘atas’ enough to be in the T20, you can aspirationally pretend to belong there by mimicking their higher tendency to disregard JPJ regulations such as those surrounding plate numbers and window tints.

Speaking of which, the firm also found that 52.8% of cars observed with illegal driver side tinting were worth over RM160,000, making them also fall under the T20 group. Interestingly, they did break down their results by individual brands unlike those for illegal plate numbers, revealing that Toyota owners top the chart and accounting for 22% alone.

In the runner up spots with around 15% and 13%, respectively, were Honda and Perodua owners. Who knew buyers of cars from those two other brands would be extra inclined to violate JPJ regulations so blatantly. We’d hazard a guess that over 80% of those Toyotas are
made up of Alphards and Vellfires
, but had reckoned Honda owners were above such disgraceful decisions.

We’ll end on the closing comments from Cent-GPS, which they used at the end of a series of tweets:

“With cars over MYR 160,000 dominating both categories of cars with illegal plate numbers and illegal tinted windows, we must ask why our society treats the ‘seemingly rich’ with more privileges, allowing them to think that they can get away with clear violations of the law,”
 they said, adding that
“it begs the question on our policy-making and rule of law: if something as simple as car plate number laws are not being obeyed by certain segments of our country, how are we going to enforce more complex laws in the future?”


Pemandu Nyaris Rempuh Polis Trafik Di Selekoh Flyover - Tips Keselamatan Di Selekoh

Malang tidak berbau, seorang pemandu nyaris sahaja merempuh dua anggota polis di selekoh sebuah flyover.

Salah satu sebab mengapa anda perlu berhati-hati semasa melalui
selekoh
 adalah kerana anda tidak akan menyangka apa yang ada di hujung selekoh tersebut. Dalam kes ini, terdapat dua anggota
polis trafik
 sedang bertugas mengawal lalu lintas di situ.

Berdasarkan sebuah video
dashcam
 yang tular di media sosial, seorang pemandu sedang memandu keretanya untuk menaiki sebuah flyover sebelum melalui sebuah selekoh. Namun pemandu itu dikejutkan dengan kehadiran 2 anggota polis trafik bermotor bersama sebuah kon betul-betul di kawasan selekoh berkenaan.

Terkejut dengan kehadiran anggota polis, pemandu tersebut telah bergegas menekan
brek
 kereta untuk memperlahankan kenderaannya. Pemandu tersebut nyaris sahaja menghentam anggota yang sedang bertugas mengawal lalu lintas di kawasan selekoh namun situasi berjaya dikawal.

Polis telah menasihati pemandu terbabit untuk sentiasa memerhatikan keadaan di hadapan dan berhati-hati semasa memandu. Menurut polis berkenaan, faktor jalan licin menjadi sebab mengapa mereka berada di situ untuk mengawal lalu lintas. Berdasarkan daripada video terbabit, terdapat seperti tumpahan minyak di kawasan berkenaan.

Walau bagaimanapun, video yang tular ini telah menarik perhatian banyak pihak. Meskipun tindakan anggota tersebut amat mulia kerana menjalankan tugas, namun beberapa
aspek keselamatan
 perlu diambil serius bagi mengelakkan kejadian yang tidak diingini daripada berlaku. Terdapat beberapa tips perkongsian daripada netizen yang boleh diambil oleh semua pengguna jalan raya ketika berada di selekoh.

Ketika melalui sesebuah selekoh, elakkan daripada memecut laju kerana anda tidak nampak apa yang ada di hadapan anda. Sekiranya terdapat sebuah
kemalangan
atau halangan di hadapan, anda mungkin tidak sempat untuk memberhentikan kenderaan.

Seperti kes ini, pemandu dalam video tersebut berjaya memberhentikan kenderaannya meskipun polis tersebut berada betul-betul di kawasan yang terlindung daripada penglihatannya di selekoh kerana kelajuan yang digunakan pemandu tersebut adalah memadai.

Walau bagaimanapun, anggota polis berkenaan sepatutnya meletakkan kon tersebut di laluan lurus sebelum memasuki kawasan selekoh itu supaya lebih jelas untuk dilihat oleh pemandu lain. Mujur sahaja pemandu berkenaan tidak memandu dengan laju di selekoh tersebut. Kalau tidak lain pula ceritanya.

Ada juga yang memaklumkan mungkin anggota terbabit merupakan anggota bantuan kecemasan yang baru sahaja tiba untuk mengawal lalu lintas ekoran tumpahan
minyak
 disitu. Silap-silap mereka pun baru sahaja sampai di kawasan berkenaan dan hanya mengambil kon terbabit di bahu jalan sahaja memandangkan kedua-dua anggota ini menaiki motosikal.

Jika benar seperti itu, salah seorang daripada anggota terbabit boleh saja meletakkan motosikalnya sebelum memasuki selekoh berkenaan untuk mengawal lalu lintas dan memberi amaran kepada pemandu tentang bahaya di hadapan sekaligus menambahbaik aspek keselamatan. Bukan apa, nyawa anggota polis ini pun penting. Jika kita boleh elakkan punca kemalangan, kita elakkan.

Artikel ini bukanlah bertujuan untuk mengecam anggota polis berkenaan sebaliknya artikel ini merupakan peringatan kepada semua pengguna jalan raya yang terkandas di selekoh supaya tidak mengulangi perkara yang sama. Letaklah kon atau apa-apa tanda amaran sebelum memasuki selekoh supaya mudah dilihat oleh pemandu lain.

*Kredit Video: Shah1234

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New York 2017: 2017 Honda Civic Si Debuts - 205 HP, 260 Nm, 6MT

Honda has officiated the 2017 Civic Si at the 2017 New York International Auto Show, designed to sit above the regular Civic Turbo but below the hot Civic Type R.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder with dual variable cam timing (dual VTC) mated to a short-throw six-speed manual transmission. Peak power is identical to its predecessor, coming in at 205 hp. The maximum torque of 260 Nm is produced from 2,300 rpm and is sustained from 2,100 to 5,000 rpm. In comparison, the regular Honda Civic Turbo does 170 hp and 220 Nm.
Weight has been significantly reduced, though the body is far more rigid than the outgoing model. Compared to the regular Civic, the Civic Si receives a dual-pinion adaptive electric power steering system with variable ratios, sport-tuned suspension, an adaptive damper set up, a helical limited-slip differential (LSD), larger 12.3-inch front brake rotors and wider 235/40 R18 tires. Two driving modes are available: Normal and Sport, with the latter adjusts damper, steering and throttle response for a more direct driving experience.
Visually, the 2017 Honda Civic Si gets 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels with dual-tone finish, chrome center-mounted polygonal exhaust finisher, deck lid spoiler with LED third brake light for the Si Sedan. The Si Coupe gets a full-width light bar and a tall rear spoiler. As for the interior, both the Si Coupe and Si Sedan will receive exclusive bucket seats with red stitching and Si logos. The red stitching continues to the doors, steering wheel and leather shift boot. For that added sporty appeal, the driver's TFT display and audio system illumination is also red. Last but not least is the aluminum sport pedals and Dry Metal Carbon instrument panel trim.
Units bound for North America will be produced ay Honda's plant in Ontario, Canada, with the turbocharged engine produced in Anna, Ohio.


CES 2016: Volkswagen BUDD-e Concept – Simultaneous preview of zero-emission and autonomous mobility

Whilst the CES in Las Vegas is known for being a trade show focused on electronics and technology, it is also often used by car makers in recent years as a platform to showcase some really neat and advanced innovations that could potentially define our motoring experiences of the future.
The latest CES concluded just last week, and amongst notable displays of the show was Volkswagen’s BUDD-e minivan concept, a vehicle that fully showcases the Volkswagen Group’s advancements in vehicle electrification, autonomous driving, and on-board connectivity.
The vehicle you see in these pictures may or may not manifest into a series production model, but the hardware underneath it most certainly will. It is underpinned by an all-new modular platform developed by the VW Group specifically for usage in electric vehicles.
Called the Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB), this new architecture has no relation with existing Volkswagen platforms including the latest MQB and MLB configurations.
Freed from familiar constraints faced by traditional models for internal combustion engines, the new MEB toolkit completely re-writes the rules of vehicle design and packaging. The vehicle’s bodily measurements reflect this – at 4,597mm long, the BUDD-e is shorter than the
Jetta
 by nearly a metre, but its wheelbase of 3,151mm stretches longer than that of a
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
.
Much of the BUDD-e’s propulsion system is contained under its floorboard. It is driven by the combined efforts of two electric motors, one driving each axle – 100kW/200Nm up front, 125kW/290Nm at the rear; 225kW combined – a setup claimed to help the minivan along to accelerate from rest to 96km/h in 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 180km/h.
A crucial breakthrough is made with the batteries, which Volkswagen managed to cram entirely under the floorboard and is able to cover 533km of travel per full charge. The battery can either be charged by plugging it into a power socket or by inductive charging. If charged with 150kW of direct current, the battery is 80 percent charged after about 30 minutes.
Not having to make room for a bulky engine and transmission with driveshafts, the MEB platform offers plenty of room for designers to maximise a vehicle’s interior volume. The area where we typically find an engine in a conventional car houses only the vehicle’s climate control system. As shown in the BUDD-e, the conventional dashboard is entirely dispensed with, replaced by screens that respond to touch and gestures.
Information for the driver is delivered in a user-configurable massive curved display with three individual sections that merges the traditional roles of the instrument panel with the centre display screens. Through these monitors, readouts from the vehicle’s navigation system, on-board computer, vehicle status, and other infotainment content are presented.
A new level of connectivity is also introduced in the BUDD-e, which enables its users to access their homes and workplaces from their cars to perform tasks such as controlling the air-conditioning, switching the lights, or just to check on the CCTV.


VIDEO: Mercedes-AMG Teases Something Fast Is Coming

Mercedes
-AMG, the bunch of madmen who bring you the likes of the
AMG GT
 and the SLS AMG before that, are looking busy yet again.
It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly is coming next, but they’ve released a teaser video that only lets us listen to something we angry-sounding, being driven hard around the Hockenheimring in Germany.
The text on the video only says that, “Something Fast Is Coming,” but in what world would AMG cook up something slow?
Some reports are suggesting that an
AMG-GT
 Black Series is what the AMG crew are teasing, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it was.
In any case, do have a listen and enjoy your morning coffee to the sounds of a proper V8. Enjoy.


McLaren Speedtail Wraps Testing At Kennedy Space Centre, Tops 400km/h

The McLaren Speedtail has just concluded some of its last testing sessions before the final version begins production at the automaker’s Woking facility in the UK. Specifically, these are to trial the car’s incredible top speed, hence the name.

Conducted at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, Speedtail prototype designated ‘XP2’ has utilised the NASA location’s Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds and its nearly 5km runway where the hypercar achieved a top speed of 403km/h.

The high speed validation runs were conducted more than 30 times, consistently achieving its goal of a 250mph maximum speed, handily surpassing its spiritual predecessor, the legendary McLaren F1. In XP2 form, top whack runs were also carried out in other locations such as in Spain and Germany.

“It’s fitting that the Speedtail’s high-speed test programme concluded with multiple maximum-speed runs at a location strongly associated with pushing the boundaries of extreme performance and engineering excellence,” commented McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt.

“The Speedtail is a truly extraordinary car that epitomises McLaren’s pioneering spirit and perfectly illustrates our determination to continue to set new benchmarks for supercar and hypercar performance,” he continued.

Combining cutting edge aerodynamics and material science, McLaren sought to engineer the most lightweight and least air resistant vehicle possible while ensuring maximum stability at high speeds. Despite this singular focus on speed, the car is shown to have a decently plush interior as well.

Called the Hyper GT in its early design stages, the Speedtail’s 5.2 metre long carbon fibre body is meant to cut through the air with as small a ripple as possible while its three-seat layout is a direct callback to the F1 of the 1990s, McLaren’s original road car.

Mounted amidship is the twin-turbocharged V8 that’s become a mainstay of the marque. Displacing 4.0-litres, it is paired to a non-plug-in hybrid power unit for a combined output of 1,055hp and 1,150Nm, allowing truly remarkable acceleration and straight line speed.

More details of the powertrain itself are kept secret for now, but power is presumably sent exclusively to the rear wheels (good luck, tyres) via some permutation of the dual-clutch transmission currently being used by cars like the Senna and 720S. McLaren says that, from rest, the car is able to sprint to 300km/h in less than 13 seconds.

With these final test concluded, the first 106 examples of the Speedtail are now being prepped for hand-assembly in Woking with initial deliveries expected to start in February 2020.


10-year driving licence won't stop JPJ's enforcement - Anthony Loke

Malaysian Transport Minister,
Anthony Loke
 assures that the new
10-year driving licence renewal
 will not hinder the enforcement efforts of the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

He stated that the JPJ has effective methods to prevent individuals with suspended licences or those who have committed serious traffic violations from driving. Even if motorists have renewed their licences for up to 10 years, JPJ will have access to information about the offenders and will enforce the necessary actions via methods which have yet to be specified.

In response to concerns about challenges in suspending those who commit serious traffic offences under this new policy, Loke also highlighted that the benefits of the 10-year renewal policy far outweigh the number of serious traffic offenders.

Additionally, Loke revealed plans for the 10-year licence renewal to be done at post offices nationwide. Pos Malaysia will upgrade its system to integrate with JPJ, and this is done, motorists will have several options to renew their licences apart from going to the JPJ kiosks.

*Image credit: RinggitPlus

Loke adds that individuals whose driving licences expired since 2018 will also be permitted to renew their licences for up to 10 years. This flexibility is offered due to circumstances like the Covid-19 pandemic and being stranded abroad.

However, this campaign will only remain in effect until December of this year. For those who have failed to renew their licences after three years, you're left with no choice but to re-apply for a new licence all over again.


Nationwide MCO 3.0 Starting May 12 to June 7 – Three To A Car, All Interstate Travel Banned

Putrajaya has announced a nationwide
MCO 3.0
 that will be enforced starting May 12 - June 7, 2021. This bars any and all interstate travel excepting certain exceptions.

The decision was made after the latest National Security Council meeting, which took place earlier today. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin however (and with some ambiguity) said that all economic sectors are allowed to operate as usual.

The exceptions for interstate travel include:

Travel for emergencies, medical reasons,
work
, economic reasons, vaccination appointments and for long-distance couples.

The latest range of restrictions are as follows:

Maximum of three occupants in a vehicle except for commercial vehicles

All gatherings banned (except for Akad Nikah with mandatory cap on participants)

All sporting activities except for activities conducted individually such as jogging and cycling

All educational institutions closed except for students facing international examinations, pre-school, and daycare

No dining in, take away allowed

No more than 30 percent of management staff allowed in the office

No house visits,
 rumah terbuka
 and gravesite visits during Hari Raya celebrations

Congressional Aidilfitri prayers allowed – (50 pax or less for (normal) venue capacity of more than 1,000, 20 pax or less for any (normal) venue capacity of less than 1,000.

Prayers/occasions at non-Muslim places of worship will be restricted (guidelines will be announced)

These measures, according to the Prime Ministers are in response to newer, and more contagious variants of the COVID-19 virus and data and science are behind Putrajaya’s latest wave of restrictions.

Additionally, the Prime Minister reportedly also announced further “special measures” of the latest
MCO
 3.0 for the states of Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.

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Volkswagen Jetta Sports Edition Review – Sporty by Name, Sophisticated by Nature

Long ago it wasn’t just about space and rear legroom that were the main selling points of big luxury cars. Back then big cars did ride more comfortably because they were more stable at high speeds and its longer wheelbase resulted in a ride that was generally smoother and more settled. Also their size and expected premium allowed manufacturers to squeeze more refinements in than they would on smaller cars for the average buyer.
As time passed, cars have not only grown in size, but the democratisation of technology has allowed for more gadgets and gizmos to be fitted on board. Even so, there is a prevailing impression that big cars are inherently more comfortable, after all it isn't as though you can replicate the stable riding characteristics on a smaller and lighter car. Though that being said, it is now a point that is rendered moot with the Volkswagen Jetta.
Volkswagen Jetta Sports Edition Specifications
Price: RM126,888
Engine: 1,390cc 4-cylinder Twincharged petrol
Power: 160hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 240Nm @ 1,500-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch, front-wheel drive
Safety: 6 Airbags, stability control, ABS with EBD and brake assist, hill-hold control, ISOFIX child seat anchor points
Origin: Locally assembled from Pekan, Pahang
Exterior – Unadventurous, but Timeless
Stylistically the Jetta won’t be turning many heads as it looks as straight forward in its design as the sketch of a traditional three-box sedan as you can get. There are no swoops on its bonnet, no intricate curves that run along its body, or complex surfacing that has become the norm these days.
And yet, the more you look at it, the more you begin to appreciate all the fine details that is found in its styling. Its handsome proportions is defined with straight and crisp lines that were drawn to millimetre perfection, lending it a shape that will wear its years far longer than its peers. It is as handsome as a tailor made Armani, an understated beauty that appreciates with time. This being the Sports Edition however, the Jetta’s sublime looks is somewhat spoilt by the addition of the Sports Edition’s 5-piece Zubehör Aerokit extensions. Nevertheless those striking 17-inch Silex alloy rims are a fine fit for the Jetta.
Interior – The Quality of Functionality
As interiors go, there isn’t anything in particular to shout about the Jetta’s cabin. Swathed in black from dashboard to floorboard, it is sober in its appearance rather than imaginative. Instead the Jetta’s interior was designed to be functional, and in that sense it is job well done with every switch and button placed well within the driver’s reach. Though the cabin does feature any neat or exquisite details, it feels solidly well built. Every panel and switchgear has a solid and hefty feel, lending an impression that the car is hewn rather than assembled.
Exclusive to the Sports Edition is a new 7-inch multimedia touchscreen headunit that comes courtesy from Blaupunkt. The headunit comes fully-loaded with multimedia file playback support, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation, and is well integrated with the car’s steering wheel controls.
In terms of practicality the Jetta isn’t short on storage bins, which comes a welcomed surprise as cabin storage is often a shortcoming with the interiors of European makes. For the Jetta there is plenty of space under the centre console as well as in the door pockets to store all your travel needs.  As for luggage space, the Jetta has a 510-litres worth of bootspace, which is enough to easily pack in a weekend’s worth of luggage for a whole family.
How Does it Drive?

As unassuming as the Jetta might seem, its strength lies with its on road manners, especially on long highway jaunts where
 the Jetta's autobahn-storming nature is in a class of its own. At high speeds, the Jetta has a rock steady demeanour and excellent cabin insulation which keeps all manner of noises suppress, allowing it to cruise comfortably, pushing triple digit speeds without much fuss
.
That being said, the Jetta isn’t honed just for highway duties. As it turns out it is surprisingly adept at taking on twisting country lanes just as well. Its electromechanical steering has a very precise and weighty feel to it, whereas its chassis is well sorted to take on any sort of road, giving drivers the confidence to make the most of what its 1.4-litre engine has to offer.
As expected of Volkswagen’s 1.4-litre twincharged petrol engine, the Jetta isn’t for want in the power department, despite the diminutive size of the engine it is packing. The Jetta can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 8.3 seconds, with the effortlessness of a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, and more poke than a naturally-aspirated 2-litre unit. With such power squeezed from such a small displacement, there is one drawback to be noted, which is that at engine speeds of below 2,000rpm there is notable amount of turbocharger lag.
Even though the 1.4-litre engine comes strapped to a supercharger to serve up generous amounts of torque from the get-go, there is a noted pause near the 2,000rpm mark, just before the turbocharger is spooled up. If left to its own devices, the Jetta’s dual-clutch transmission has a propensity to keep the revs below that mark in an effort to improve fuel efficiency, which can catch you off-guard on those crucial moments at roundabouts or junctions. It isn’t all that much of a major bugbear as the situation can be easily remedied by switching the gearbox over to manual control.
With seven speeds on hand, the Jetta's dual-clutch transmission has a good spread of ratios to facilitate low-speed response, and coupled to a tall seventh gear, which allows drivers to stretch the legs of its twincharged engine.
How Comfortable Is It?
If the interior gives one the impression that it is hewn from something hard, the suspension and seats seem to reinforce that notion. And yet, though it might not have suspension that is made of soft pastry nor seats that let your body sink into its folds, the Jetta is better suited for those who have to spend hours behind the wheel.
Its firmer suspension setup gives the Jetta a confident feeling on the road, cancelling out wayward body roll and keeping a taut and steady ride. That being said, even with low-profile tyres wrapped around large 17-inch rims, its dampers still does a fine job at absorbing any nooks and crannies on the road. As for the seats, its dense cushioning offers better body support that would keep you refreshed and focused, even on long journeys.
Rear occupant space for the Jetta is as expected of a C-segment sedan with ample leg and head room for the average sized Malaysian. While the Sport Limited comes pre-installed with Llumar window tinting, there are generously sized air-conditioning vents to send some cooling aid to the rear quarters. An especially welcomed addition for those particularly hot days.
How Economical Is It?
It may have the on-road demeanour of a top-flight executive sedan, and plenty of power from its diminutive engine, but the Jetta sips fuel like a saint. On our drive around town and speedy highway runs, the Jetta yielded a fuel consumption figure of 8.5L/100km.
According to Volkswagen the maintenance cost of the Jetta over a 5-year period amounts to RM3,828.51, with yearly servicing costs ranging between RM469 and RM1,207. The Jetta’s service interval is every 15,000km. Like all Volkswagen models from Volkswagen Malaysia, the Jetta comes covered with Volkswagen’s 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and 5-year Mobility Guarantee.
Safety Features
Built with European standards of safety in mind, the Jetta comes with a full complement of six airbags, traction and stability control systems, with electronic brake assistance systems, and ISOFIX child seat anchor points. Also with the addition of front and rear parking sensors, manoeuvring the Jetta in tight spaces is made exceptionally easier, even though a car of its size doesn't really need them.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a hotted up Jetta, the Sport Limited won't bring any added performance cred to its hat other than its name. Nevertheless it isn't as though the Jetta needed to be any quicker or any hard sprung to improve its appeal. After all the Jetta had always traded on its
very hushed ride, engaging drive, and big engine effortlessness coupled with small engine thirst, strengths that one would appreciate on long journeys day in, and day out.
The Sport Limited instead retains the all of the Jetta's unique characteristics, while adding on five-figures worth of kit in the form of the
Zubehör Aerokit, 17-inch Silex rims, and Blaupunkt multimedia system. Even with all of the extras strapped on, the Sport Limited is priced at the standard Jetta's asking price of RM134,888, making it a proposition that is hard to resist.


What Is The DNGA Platform In The Perodua Ativa (D55L)?

We hear it being used for the upcoming
Perodua Ativa
 D55L, but what exactly is the platform going to be used for?

While we hear many automotive manufacturers using the term "platform", the actual definition is fairly ambiguous and open to interpretation. In fact, it wasn't even a common part of Japanese manufacturers' press material - they would admit that certain cars share components and floorpans, but to speak of a platform is a relatively modern occurrence.

For some manufacturers, a platform is a framework that can be stretched and shrunk to fit different cars - allowing for greater economies of scale because of common chassis components, while meeting size requirements for different segments. For example, the Volkswagen Group MQB platform is used in everything from the Audi A1 to the
Volkswagen Golf
, and even the
Volkswagen Tiguan
 crossover.

Closer to the point of this article is Toyota's
TNGA
, which has seen use in the current generation
Corolla
 and
Camry
, while actually making its debut with the C-HR crossover. Mazda uses its
Skyactiv
 chassis across a number of their models, allowing for a consistent ride and handling quality that does in turn make for a slightly more expensive product.

With
DNGA
, the applications aren't as numerous yet - though the platform hasn't been around for very long. The acronym stands for Daihatsu New Global Architecture, and of course, it comes in a few different flavours for different applications - but all wear the DNGA name. Besides the upcoming
Perodua Ativa
 and its
Daihatsu Rocky
 sister, DNGA is only used for compact Kei vans like the Daihatsu
Tanto
 and Taft.

That being said, the applications could be a lot broader - especially if
Perodua decides to adopt it
 for future models. DNGA's focus is to prepare models for connectivity, autonomous driving, sharing (we assume this means ride-sharing), and electrification. The standardization of a platform allows for cost savings and common parts, with parts sharing being over 75% between models.

In addition to this, the standardized architecture means that the both lead time and cost for creating new models drop drastically. A new model can be cranked out on the same platform 1.5 times quicker than before, with a cost reduction in the development of up to 30% - all of which works to the benefit of customers. Daihatsu intends to expand the platform for use in 21 different models across 15 body styles, and a global annual production figure of 2.5 million units by 2025.

The full spectrum of DNGA's capabilities may be hidden away in Japanese Domestic Market models and may take a while to show up in models destined for the rest of the world, but it's impressive that even a relatively small manufacturer like Daihatsu would have such forward thinking when it comes to creating a framework for their next half decade or so of models.

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BMW 328 Hommage To Be Shown At Malaysia's First BMW World Exhibition

In mid-April 2015, specifically between the 17
th
 to 19
th
, BMW will be hosting their first ever
BMW
 World exhibition for the first time in Malaysia at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort.
There, the entire swath of the BMW Group’s offerings will be on display which includes MINIs and BMW Motorrad as well as the entire range of BMW cars as well. The tagline “Innovation In Motion” sure does make us wonder exactly what they have in store for us but we're guessing the BMW i8 and i3 will make an appearance as BMW seems intent on emphasising its technological and design prowess.

All that aside, what's most intriguing is that BMW will be showcasing the stunning BMW 328 Hommage concept there, making its first appearance in Asia. Its a car designed to commemorate the 75
th
 anniversary of the 328 racer of the late 1930s that was class winner at the Mille Miglia. To be able to see that gorgeous reimagination of an icon in the flesh is worth the RM18 ticket price alone.
Save the date, people, BMW is bringing out the big guns for this exhibition with some amazing machines on display. To know more and to purchase tickets, go ahead and visit
www.bmwworld.com.my
.
BMW fans, you know what to do.


Mazda 3 CKD Specifications And Tentative Price List Revealed: Introduces Hatchback Variant

Following our report on the leaked initial specifications of the coming 2015
locally-assembled (CKD) Mazda 3 SkyActiv
, Bermaz has now officially released the final specifications that will be released in mid-April 2015.
Tentative prices have also been confirmed in
accordance to what we reported earlier
:
Mazda 3 SkyActiv CKD Sedan Mid : RM 105,000
Mazda 3 SkyActiv CKD Hatchback Mid+ : RM 119,000
Mazda 3 SkyActiv CKD Sedan High : RM 125,000
The full specifications list can be found here
(click to enlarge)
:
A comparison with the Mazda 3 CBU can be found here
(click to enlarge)
:
In summary, the CBU Mazda 3 Sedan specs has been transferred to the CKD Mazda 3 Sedan High - with the exclusion of the sunroof and i-ELOOP. Performance for all variants of the M3 is courtesy of a SkyActiv-G 2.0-litre petrol engine, which develops 162hp @ 6,000rpm, and 210Nm of torque @ 4,000rpm when paired with a SkyActiv-DRIVE six-speed torque converter automatic  transmission.
As a bonus, you gain additional features in the form of:
Heads-up display (HUD)
Smart City Brake System (SCBS)
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
Rear Vehicle Monitoring (RVM)
High-Beam Control System (HBC)
Cruise control
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Reverse camera
Auto wipers
Leather seats
Power-assisted driver seat
Paddle shifters
Navigation system
The entry-level CKD Mazda 3 Sedan Mid loses out on the items mentioned above, but maintains crucial safety features including the six airbags, electronic stability control, and traction control. Interior features are still modestly equipped including the seven-inch infotainment touchscreen display.
In between the two CKD Mazda 3 sedan variants, comes the introduction of the Mazda 3 Hatchback Mid+, also locally-assembled. Specced to fit between the two sedan variants despite being priced closer to the high-spec sedan, the M3 hatch features a navigation system to the MZD Connect infotainment unit, paddle shifters, LED taillights, bi-xenon headlamps, smart keyless entry, and 18-inch alloy wheels just like the range-topping sedan.
Prices for the Mazda 3 CKD variants are also inclusive of Bermaz Motor's three-year or 60,000km free maintenance service.
Remember, the Mazda 3 SkyActiv 2.0L is expected to launch this year, mid April 2015. So stay tuned for more.


Toyota Australia Makes Their Warehouse Somewhat Autonomous

While this may not exactly be new in terms of technology or process, adding autonomous vehicles to a factory or warehouse is an important step in improving efficiency. Following set routes to assigned locations is not something you need a human driver for, which is why Toyota Australia has started implementing autonomous autopilot vehicles in its Altona warehouse from 2020. The fleet will consist of six Autopilot Tow Trucks and one Autopilot Reach Truck, manufactured by Toyota Material Handling Europe.
It's important to remember that while Toyota is perhaps most known for their road cars over the last few decades, they are also heavily involved in industrial equipment and commercial vehicles. After all, the company's roots were in sewing machines and looms, which is a testament to their understanding of both mechanical processes and manufacturing processes.
Most important is the hybrid functionality of these machines. They are able to be operated manually as well as autonomously, with the same levels of reliability and serviceability of their all-manual predecessors. Their autonomous functionality includes obstacle detection to reduce the risk of collision, while fleet management with emergency stop buttons as well as warning sounds and lights are all integrated for better safety. These autonomous vehicles are powered by Lithium-Ion battery technology, with the ability to automatically charge when not in use.


Michael Jopp Is Mercedes-Benz Cars' New Head Of Sales & Marketing For Malaysia And SEA II

It's amazing how quickly four years can fly by. Mark Raine, a man we have come to know as the driving force behind Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's aggressive marketing campaigns, has come to the end of his tenure in Malaysia and has taken up the new position of Vice President of Product & Marketing at Mercedes-Benz South Korea - a market that's showing excellent growth considering they even have their own AMG Speedway - the first of its kind.
Replacing Mark Raine will be Michael Jopp, with the official title of Head of Sales & Marketing for Mercedes-Benz Cars in Malaysia and Southeast Asia II. His background includes 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, taking up various roles within the Daimler and Mercedes-Benz groups in Germany.
Before taking up this position, Jopp was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing in India for a three year tenure, helping to grow their local presence and introduce digital initiatives to help modernize the purchase experience and streamline the process. Through his work, Mercedes-Benz India topped JD Power's Sales Satisfaction ranking, as well as maintained a lead in the luxury vehicle segment, ending 2018 as India's highest-selling luxury carmaker for the fourth year running.
Dr. Claus Weidner, Head of Region Southeast Asia II said “We are excited to have Michael Jopp join our Mercedes-Benz Malaysia family. With his rich industry experience and decades of expertise in Sales & Marketing functions, we are confident that he will be able to lead the market and maintain our No.1 position in the Malaysian premium automotive market. Jopp will also play a key role in our customer centric strategy, taking on a holistic approach to automotive excellence by providing our customers a brand experience with our strong product portfolio”.


Porsche’s New 650PS 911 Turbo S Is (More) Speed Without Compromise

Every generation of the
Porsche
 911 has to be accompanied by a Turbo to crown the range, so the pattern goes, and about a year after the first of the 992-generation car was unveiled, the automaker has rolled out their newest one yet.

Seen here in Turbo S guise, basically a slightly more powerful and better specified version of the Turbo, re-engineered and evolved over its immediate predecessor to offer a sizeable bump in performance that’s more dramatic than the expected Porsche-style incremental.

Case in point, its 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six now pushes out 650PS (around 641hp) and a mammoth 800Nm thanks to a new cooling and intake system as well as a pair of new turbochargers. Importantly, sustained delivery of peak outputs on overboost is sustained for longer and is available on-demand, unlike before.

The result of that 70PS and 50Nm rise in power and torque is a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 2.7 seconds (0.2s better than the last Turbo S), though this is also thanks to the improvements made to the all-wheel drive system and 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Wearing a body that’s instantly familiar but bearing the subtle changes that the 992 introduced over the 991, this newest Turbo/Turbo S has also been made wider.

With a front track that’s 10mm wider at the rear and 42mm wider up front, the car measures almost 2 metres across - a far cry from the compact dimensions of its earliest ancestor.

To improve aerodynamics at speed, Porsche has also fitted the Turbo with an extendable front splitter and a rear wing combo that promises 15% more downforce than the outgoing model.

Of course, this being the commonly regarded flagship in the 911 family, there’s luxuries such as a full leather interior, the full suite of tech and convenience features, and even a BOSE Surround Sound system. And there’s a Cabriolet version, too, if that’s your thing.


All-New Subaru WRX S4 And WRX STI Launched In Japan

Fuji Heavy Industries the manufacturer of
Subaru
models has launched the all-new WRX S4 and its higher performance twin, the
WRX STI
 in Japan. The performance-biased
2014 Subaru WRX STI
 is already available in Malaysia, but there is a difference between the Japanese market model compared to
what we get here
.
 The more comfort-biased WRX S4 however, is very different than the
regular WRX
 that it is based on.

Japanese Spec WRX STI
 The only difference between the Japanese-spec WRX STI compared to ours comes from its engine. It is powered by the 2.0-litre EJ20 turbo Boxer engine that outputs 308hp and 422Nm, whereas ours is powered by 2.5-litre EJ25 motor that develops 8hp and 15Nm less. Besides that, the rest of the car is similar to what we get here.

All-New WRX S4
 The all-new WRX S4 may look like our local-spec WRX, but it has more power and better equipment. Compared to the WRX STI, the WRX S4 is more luxury-focused, with better safety and comfort features Powering the S4 is the same 2.0-litre direct injected turbo (DIT) FA-series engine found in the regular WRX. In the S4 tune, it pumps out 300hp and 400Nm, which very close to the
2014 Subaru WRX
 STI we get here. Power is sent to all four-wheels via a Sport Lineartronic CVT gearbox.
 Thanks to new front bumper and new 18-inch wheel designs, styling wise, the new model now looks far more aggressive and sporty. It's also the first WRX model to be equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist system, which improves safety. Other features include electronic parking brakes, Active Lane Keep, Pre-Collision Reverse Throttle Management, Adaptive Cruise Control and Brake Light Recognition.
 The cabin is pretty much similar to the regular WRX, while leather seats are however available on certain trim levels. As of now the WRX S4 is only available in Japan; if or not it becomes available to other market is yet to be known. This article first appeared on our sister-site
Live Life Drive
.


Hyundai opens 2S GDSI centre in Malacca

The first Hyundai GDSI showroom in Malaysia opened its doors back in 2014. GDSI, or Global Dealership Space Identity, was a new standard for Hyundai’s corporate image that aimed to provide a more premium feel for the Korean brand’s stores. The fifth addition to the Hyundai dealership network in Malaysia has just opened in Malacca- a 2S Centre operated by Premium Autoworld.
GDSI centres have very specific styling cues and features to bring them in line with Hyundai’s global identity. There is a heavy emphasis on floor-to-ceiling glass panels and greenery, which complements a modern exterior design. The floor space is populated with lounge chairs and warm tone lighting to provide customers with a more comfortable feel.
Improving Hyundai’s network of outlets was rationalized as there has been a shift in customer purchases towards the higher end of Hyundai’s model range, which in turn means that service has to reflect the premium feel. Even though this centre is not as large as 3S or 4S outlets, it still comes with a lounge and complementary high-speed internet. Those who make a prior appointment can benefit from pickup and delivery services if they are unable to make it to the centre themselves. Owners can also renew their insurance and road tax at the centre if needed.
Until the 31st of May, the centre will also have a few special deals available for customers. For customers who no longer have warranties on their cars, they can enjoy free labour charges on a lubricant change. All customers are entitled to a free 22 checkpoint inspection on weekdays. First time customers have the benefit of a 50% discount on labour charges for a Hyundai Basic service package, as long as they register through the Hyundai Car App available for smartphones.
Premium Autoworld’s 2S GDSI centre is located at No 1, Jalan PK 8B-1, Taman Perindustrian Krubong, 75260 Malacca. The service and parts centre is open from Monday to Saturday from 8am–5pm except on public holidays. Customers can call 06-3322553 to find out more about the services offered here. The company also owns a GDSI showroom located at T199, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, 75100 Malacca. Visitors are welcome to visit this new outlet from 10am-6pm every day.


Ferrari Museum in Maranello Reopens With Two New Exhibitions

The Ferrari Museum in Maranello has reopened its doors after a sizeable expansion of its spaces with the launch of two new exhibitions, dubbed “Under the Skin” and “Infinite Red”.
The Ferrari Museums enjoyed a record year in 2016 with more than 478,000 visitors, of whom 344,000 came to Maranello, Ferrari's other museum is located in Modena. To cope with the growing numbers, the Maranello museum's spaces have been expanded by more than 600 square metres (sq.m) to a total of 4,100 sq.m now.
A new wing that connects to the existing structure now offers a new glass façade, a (300sq.m) multifunctional space for events and a completely new Ferrari Store.
The two new exhibitions, “Under the Skin” and “Infinite Red”, celebrate Ferrari on its 70th anniversary and recalls the founder (Enzo Ferrari) and the evolution of the company’s innovation and style, the latter exhibition covers the company’s history through its models.
“Under the Skin” was created in partnership with the London Design Museum, recounts the creative and engineering development of Ferrari through the years, through the years, beginning with the 125 S, the marque’s first car.
Some technical drawings from the historical archives and the engines on display reveal the design process of cars of all eras. A parallel exhibition itinerary strongly linked to the first one reminds us of the main biographical stages – the exhibition moves to the London Design Museum from November.
The “Infinite Red” exhibition celebrates the 70-year history of the Prancing Horse marque with some of Maranello’s most exclusive creations for track and road. The Formula One cars on display have a long series of victories to their name: from the 500 F2, with which Alberto Ascari won for Ferrari the first world drivers’ title in 1952, to the F2004, the Ferrari that won the most GPs in history - 15 in one season, and took Michael Schumacher to his seventh Formula 1 World Championship.
Visitors can also check out Ferrari’s GT cars – various models from the 250 family, such as the 250 GT Berlinetta “Tdf”, which dominated races in the second half of the 1950s, its evolution, the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB and the priceless 250 GTO. The exhibition also features a number of limited special series such as the F50, Enzo and the LaFerrari, also present in the non-homologated FXX K version for exclusive use on track.


RE-VIEW: Last Round With Ketam - Farewell To The 10th-Gen Honda Civic

With the full Malaysian launch of the
11th-generation Civic just around the corner
, we take one final look back at the car that it evolved from. By contrast, this 10th-gen Civic (FC), was a big departure for Honda, one that managed to become the undisputed C-segment champion by breaking so many of its own rules.

Though most of us have not yet had the chance to sample the newest model (called the FE), it’s pretty clear that it does build upon many of the attributes that its 10th-gen forebear was known for while fixing its shortcomings where possible. It looks like Honda has another winner on its hands, but as impressive as the FE might be, can it fully eclipse its predecessor?

To find that out, I borrowed the same test car I used
for a review back in May 2021
, which had arrived in facelift 1.5 TC-P guise while sporting Honda’s Sensing active safety tech, just to keep the impressions fresh in my mind and reaffirm the car’s positives and negatives points.

It also gave me the rarer opportunity to just “live with it” at a more relaxed pace without necessarily finding things to nitpick about.

How It Started

Years ago, while on a tiring road trip to Phuket and back, my eyes sharpened up when I first saw the 10th-generation Honda Civic (FC) for the first time on the North-South Expressway somewhere between Alor Setar and Bukit Kayu Hitam.

This was back in late 2016, and though it was freshly launched at the time, the FC already had its share of detractors that were bashing its exterior look. Apparently, not everyone was a fan.

Sure, it did not resemble its predecessor in the least, but was objectively a better, more confident design than the FD/FB in my opinion…and didn’t look like a flattened Jazz.

The FC also definitely looked better in person and, next to the Ford Fiesta I was driving back from Phuket, was even a little imposing with its striking lines and sleek coupe-like roofline. After that strong first impression, its quick rise to become a bestseller in its class came as little surprise.

It wasn’t until a few months after that highway encounter that I managed to sit in and drive one. Without a longstanding emotional attachment to a high-revving VTEC, it was easy to embrace the low-RPM eagerness of that 1.5-litre turbo, an engine that was also surprisingly refined.

I echoed this in my 2021 review of the Civic FC, concluding that it was an excellent all-rounder that combined taut handling with comfort, brisk performance, solid build quality, and shocking versatility for a four-door saloon. It was a hard car to fault, both on paper and in person. It still is.

How It’s Going

Over the intervening 5 years since its Malaysian debut, the Civic FC dominated its class, bashing its rivals in sales volume to a degree that it contributed to a few of them - such as the Ford Focus and Peugeot 308 - being pulled from the market entirely.

It’s not that the absence of robust competition left the reigning C-segment king complacent, however. Toyota still puts up a strong fight with the Corolla, which is better than ever, but more pressing was the threat posed by urban SUVs of similar size….and price.

Though the sales
impact of the Proton X70
 on the Civic is hard to quantify, it must be significant due to the value posed by the national automaker’s first high-riding offering. It had more space, more power, and more features for less money than even its unproven track record. Its Chinese origin did little to deter interested buyers.

That said, the Civic’s all-round prowess is still hard to walk away from, even next to comparable SUVs. And even in 2022, it could have remained very competitive should Honda have needed more time to perfect its successor.

We’ve no doubt that the 11th-gen car is going to be very impressive, but it’s worth pointing out that it’s only able to reach these new heights thanks to standing on the shoulders of a giant. This one.

Should You Buy One?

That’s the big question. Everyone’s going to be focusing on the newest Civic FE (11th-gen) so much that there’s surely some tempting deals to be had on the remaining inventory
of brand new or lightly used examples of the FC
. New pricing, for reference, starts from
RM109,326 for the 1.8 S
 to
RM134,661 for the 1.5 TC-P
with the sales tax exemption applied.

Given how much value it offers as a well-rounded package, the right price could make them quite the steal. Still, it’s hard to predict how steeply (or not) such reduced prices will fall to, especially in the short term.

While it may lack some of the newer model’s flourishes, there are actually many more instances of feature parity than there are dissimilarities, at least on paper. Worth keeping in mind is that the materials, tolerances, and fit and finish on the FE are
reported
 to be even tighter and more ‘premium’.

The familiarity, however, starts with that shape, which carries over the FC’s more slanted, coupe-like roofline that extends almost all the way to the boot lid. That signature sharpness has been softened as the FE adopts more rounded elements and contours. Gone, too, are those crab claw ‘ketam’ tail light housings in favour of a far less contentious, but also much less distinctive pair of rear illuminators.

Under the FE’s bonnet, we find another familiar sight - the same
L15B7 VTEC Turbo 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
 from its predecessor and hooked up to the front wheels via a CVT. The newer FE does see power bumped slightly to 182PS and 240Nm (a 5PS, 20Nm increase) thanks to tweaks to improve turbocharger efficiency and the addition of variable valve (exhaust) timing, but is otherwise the same engine.

Though
the CVT is just exactly that
, numerous upgrades made here deliver a smoother, more refined experience and quicker ‘shifting’ between its virtual ratios. These are very welcome, for sure, but hardly enough to render the outgoing car’s drivetrain obsolete.

During daily driving, it’s hard to say that the incremental improvements will be especially noticeable, which is why I would definitely still recommend the FC as an outstanding point to point machine that’s also able to deliver impressive driving engagement on the occasional blast.

Then again, if you’re the kind of driver that’s more attuned to your car, it might be worth test driving the FE to determine for yourself if the dynamic improvements are sufficiently convincing, specifically in the sportier RS spec.

Hmm…decisions.


Review: 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC – The Practical Choice

When it comes to a diverse product portfolio, Mercedes-Benz is pretty high up there. They’ve had a pretty extensive model range, catering to a multitude of segments, and took the crossover trend like ducks to water. So perhaps it wasn’t too surprising when they managed to split their MFA platform, first seen in the A-Class back in 2012, and produce the CLA-Class and GLA-Class models. This trio of front-wheel drive compact cars was arguably the reason for the three-pointed star’s return to popularity, at least in our market.
Since the introduction of these compact cars, their model variants have expanded up to include everything from the A180 to the AMG GLA 45. You can have the MFA platform in any style you want, with or without all-wheel drive, and with a range of engines. But perhaps the best bang for buck, the one that you should pick if you’re looking for a good all-rounder, is this particular model: the GLA 250 4MATIC.
Specifications for 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC
Engine: 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged
Transmission: 7G-DCT (7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission), all-wheel drive
Power: 211 hp at 5,500 rpm
Torque: 350 Nm from 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
Safety: Seven airbags, Collision Prevention Assist, Pre-Safe System, Attention Assist, Blind Spot Assist, ESP
Price: RM269,888 (on the road, without insurance)
Overview:
For 2017, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia introduced the facelift models for the GLA range. While the changes are largely cosmetic, perhaps the most important change is the dropping of the Sport suspension in the GLA 250 4MATIC, instead coming with an off-road Comfort suspension variant.
This is a necessary change, as the compact models of the Mercedes-Benz range were heavily criticized for having harsh ride quality. The GLA 250 4MATIC is also the most powerful of the GLA models short of the actual Mercedes-AMG GLA 45. If there was ever a good mix of performance, practicality, and luxury- this would be it.
Exterior:
When the GLA was first released a couple of years ago, it may have been a bit difficult to accept a crossover based on the A-Class hatchback- but perhaps it was a little ahead of its time. The GLA seems to fit in a little better with its surroundings, being not uncommon in the urban jungle. The high ride height doesn’t seem all too ridiculous when crossovers are quickly becoming the popular choice, and rather than wondering if a GLA owner couldn’t decide on a particular body style, you’re more likely to commend him on a practical choice.
While the changes between the pre-facelift model and this current GLA are largely aesthetic, they are also very subtle differences. Where the GLA 200 gets the Urban Line trim package, the GLA 250 4MATIC comes with the AMG Line package instead. You would be hard pressed to the difference between pre and post facelift models unless you parked the two cars next to each other- things like the redesigned grill and the 19-inch AMG-line wheels would then become immediately obvious, but otherwise not a night-and-day difference. The older model’s bi-xenon headlamps and tail lamps are replaced with LED units as well, which help a great deal in the dark.
Interior:
On the inside, things are again largely the same as before. The instrument cluster is slightly different, but the overall layout and functionality is the same. In some respects, the interior may look a little less cutting-edge and luxurious as it did 5 years ago, but it is still very much a pleasant place to be. The Mercedes-Benz COMAND system is still a little frustrating to use, but with new Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality things should be a little more streamlined.
The AMG-line package that the GLA 250 4MATIC comes with adds some small touches like AMG floor mats and side sills. The seats are also finished in a leather-fabric mix, and there is an additional off-road display on the infotainment system.
In terms of actual usable space, the GLA-Class does have a slight edge over the regular A-Class and definitely remains roomier than the CLA-Class. While there may not be a long boot on the level of the CLA-Class, the GLA-Class ensures rear occupants aren’t suffocated with a tapering roofline. It could very easily fit a family of three comfortably, with luggage, even on a long distance journey.
How does it drive?
To be fair, you don’t buy a GLA 250 4MATIC and drive it like a hot hatchback. It’s possible but it doesn’t mean that you should. That being said, the GLA 250 4MATIC isn’t too shabby in the performance and handling department. Performance from the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine is more than adequate, although gear ratios may seem a little long at times and shifts can be particularly sharp in some of the more aggressive drive modes. It’s not nearly as quick as a Golf GTI, but neither is it a slouch when you need to be someplace quick.
The 4MATIC system is not a performance all-wheel drive system, nor does it pretend to be. It works when you need it to- which is to say it helps in low grip situations or in the rain, or to stabilize the car when you’re in a situation that a GLA 250 4MATIC really shouldn’t be in to begin with. It doesn’t rotate the car or generate yaw, so you can’t fault the car for not being razor sharp on its feet.
The suspension itself is soft, but the body remains well controlled. The GLA 250 4MATIC will still tends towards understeer when provoked, and it doesn’t particularly like lateral weight transfer either, but in the right hands it can carry some serious speed. Just remember that this isn’t what it was designed to do.
How comfortable is it?
This is where the GLA 250 4MATIC sits head and shoulders above its brethren. The extra stroke of the off-road suspension gives it an extra level of pliancy, allowing it to soak up uneven roads and potholes with hardly any fuss. This is becoming more and more important as our road conditions worsen, which is one of the most valuable points for this car. While it may be a little firmer than the larger Mercedes-Benz sedans and SUVs, it is reasonable comfortable for a compact crossover.
How fuel efficient is it?
If you’re light footed with the GLA 250 4MATIC it’s possible to get pretty decent fuel consumption out of it. It’s important to remember that it is lugging the extra weight of the 4MATIC system and has extra rolling resistance as well, so you can’t expect it to be nearly as fuel efficient as its front-wheel drive siblings. We managed to return between 10 and 12 litres per 100 kilometres depending on how hard you drive it, in a mixture of town and highway driving. If you keep the pedal to the metal it can get as high as 16 litres per 100 kilometres, but this is standard fare for any turbocharged engine.
Conclusion
The GLA range may have been a little out of place when it was launched, but as mentioned earlier it has become increasingly relevant with each passing year. The GLA 250 4MATIC may not be as explosive as the GLA 45, but it still packs enough punch to keep life interesting while maintaining the ride quality and practicality you expect of a crossover. Its compact dimensions make living with it easy, while the practical aspects make you glad you’re not in something smaller when you call upon them.


BMW M2 Competition Pops 79 Balloons In A Minute, Sets New World Record

Two years ago, the world record for the most balloons popped with a laser in 60 seconds was set by Ashrita Furman, the man who breaks Guinness World Records for fun.
To date, Furman has set more than 600 records of all sorts, and still holds 226 of them.
Using a hand-held focusable blue laser pointer, he popped a total of 63 balloons in 60 seconds, registering his name into the Guinness World Book of Records.
Fast forward two years, the record was smashed yesterday. The interesting thing here is that it was not by person, but a car – the BMW M2 Competition.
In less than 60 seconds, the M2 Competition popped 79 balloons which were positioned in a way that they created the ‘M’ logo, using a laser positioned behind the grille.
According to BMW, this was not only a showcase of speed, but also the agility of the M2 Competition which is powered by a 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-six engine producing 410 PS and 550 Nm, which is 40 PS and 85 Nm more than the regular M2.