Review: MINI Amplified Edition – Character Modification

Any petrol head worth his salt would have at some point in his life watched the movie Christine. The 1983 flick based on Stephen King’s book of the same name which tells the story of a haunted 1958 Plymouth Fury and its socially awkward owner Arnie Cunningham.
What started out as a story of a teenage boy and his first car, slowly developed into a dark obsession filled with rage and anger. And anyone who would come between Arnie and prized ride inevitably would face fatal retribution. Regardless of all the damage it sustained during various brutal attacks, Christine would “repair” herself back into ship-shape for her next attack. The movie comes to an end with Christine causing Arnie’s death, and meeting its own demise battling an excavator piloted by Arnie’s best friend, who failed to save him in time.
Despite Christine’s malevolent intentions, the movie effectively characterises the profound relationship between car and driver, and how some cars, for better or worse can influence the way we drive and act behind the wheel.
Just like one doesn’t get behind the wheel of a Rolls-Royce Ghost and decide to tear up a mountain pass, one doesn’t drive a MINI Amplified and decide to head out for a serene cruise. As the name suggests, if there’s one thing the MINI Amplified does better than anything else is intensify every corner, every route, and every minute behind the wheel.
Overview
Launched earlier this year
, alongside the MINI Urbanite Edition (based on the MINI 5-door), the Amplified Edition is based on the MINI Cooper S 3-door and boasts upgraded visual highlights, both on the outside and inside, and a considerable boost in power.
Visually, the MINI Amplified includes the John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit, a rear spoiler, new Piano Black grille, and matching headlight and taillight trims, racing stripes, as well as 17-inch JCW alloy wheels.
On the inside, the MINI Amplified is fitted with John Cooper Works Racing Seats with integrated headrests designed in Alcantara Leather with contrasting Red Dinamica leather. Besides the Anthracite headliner, the MINI Amplified features accents in Glowing Red, which was only available on the John Cooper Works Hatch previously. The MINI Amplified Edition also comes with Comfort Access, Black Chequered interior trim, and an updated rear view camera which provides parking guidance lines and obstacle marking that detect and mark stationary objects.
Under the hood lies a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine which produces 211 hp and 300 Nm of torque, up from 192 hp and 280 Nm (in the standard Cooper S model) courtesy of a John Cooper Works Tuning Kit.
The Amplified in its name most likely comes from the addition of the John Cooper Works active exhaust valve system, which features a new “Track mode” that can be activated via the John Cooper Works Bluetooth controller.
Specifications for MINI 3-Door Amplified Edition
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder transverse, turbocharged, petrol
Power: 211 hp at 4,700 - 6,000 rpm
Torque: 300 Nm at 1,250 - 4,750 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed torque converter automatic, front wheel drive
Performance: 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, top speed: 233 km/h
Safety: Six airbags, electronic stability and traction control, reverse camera, ISOFIX, ABS with BA and EBD
Price: RM 248,888 excluding insurance
Assembly: Fully imported from Plant Oxford, UK
Exterior
The design (of this current F56-generation) has slowly evolved from the first-generation R50 “neo-MINI”, but the iconic shape and compact proportions ensure there is no shortage of style and presence. It still turns heads – and if you’re a guy, trust that females, both young and old are truly smitten by it.
The Amplified version adds a JCW bodykit, rear spoiler, and piano black grille which adds a touch of aggression and ultimately bodes well with the overall character and performance of the car.
The high gloss black wheels are a must in my opinion, as it beautifully contrasts the Pepper White exterior colour which is spiced up with racing stripes on the bonnet and rear hatch – I suspect it’s much the same with the other two colour options, Chilli Red and Midnight Black (the black exterior colour gets red stripes).
The standard fit LED headlights and taillights and LED daytime driving lights, are perhaps nothing to shout about in this day and age, but they do lend a nice technical look, which gets even nicer to look at when it gets dark.
Interior
For those who have not experienced a MINI interior before, it’s snug – to say the least. The seats, the proximity of the dashboard, and the thick door cards create a focussed cabin that cocoons you tightly, without feeling too claustrophobic.
Once you get your seating position spot on, you feel integrated with the car, which makes the driving experience all the more involving and enjoyable. The steering wheel is superb to hold, as is the tactility the paddle shifters and various other switchgear within the cabin.
The Amplfied’s gloss black “Chequered” interior trim oozes style and gives the cockpit an overall racy feel. Another badge on the passenger side marked “Amplified” adds a further touch of exclusivity.
The seats, clad in Alcantara leather grip you in place even in tight corners and offer adequate thigh and lumbar support. For the most part, while the MINI Amplified will accommodate four people if needed, I wouldn’t recommend journeys that are longer than an hour, as it can get pretty tight for rear occupants.
Also, the rearview camera is a boon for any driver regardless of competency levels. Because this is a MINI, which also means limited rear view visibility, not to mention those egg-shaped wing mirrors that are styled for looks rather than function. The updated rearview camera with guidance lines is a welcome addition.
Driving Experience
In a nutshell, it’s glorious. Two hundred and eleven horsepower has never been used so effectively, and rarely inspires so much intensity and fun on almost any road. The JCW Tuning program which increases both power and torque helps create a solid middle ground offering between the regular Cooper S and manic
JCW Cooper
. Yes the JCW is more powerful and track focussed, but the Amplified is probably all you’ll ever need on normal roads.
It rarely runs out of steam, pulling hard and linear from 2,200 rpm all the way to its 6,500 rpm redline, and flies through it's closely stacked gears. Given the quick shifting and responsive six-speed automatic and the assurance of torque almost anytime you put your right foot down, its easy to exploit every straight and dart from corner to corner rapidly, where proceedings get even more exciting.
In the corners, superb body rigidity and a stiff but surefooted suspension setup ensure the MINI Amplified attacks every corner like a Pitbull Terrier on a fresh steak. The steering is quick and extremely precise – almost instantaneously helping the driver build confidence with the car. After which it’s just a matter of picking your driving line and hugging the virtual apex of every corner. Mid-corner balance and traction getting out of corners are about as good as it gets for a car with such a short wheelbase.
The immense grip afforded by the tyres also meant that regardless of the corner, I always ran out of guts before I ran out of grip – even with rather small-ish Pirelli Cinturato P7s, it’s not hard to imagine what it could do with a sticky set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubbers.
The downside though is that the MINI Amplified is best enjoyed on short blasts, which you can and should don on a regular basis. Driving it on long distances however, is a bit like using garden rake to sweep your living room; you could, but perhaps shouldn’t. Ride comfort is a MINI's forte, but the driving experience is something that few can match.
The brakes are also powerful and respond predictably every time – which normally means very late braking points and an adequate window for threshold braking into corners.
And quite possibly, the best thing about the MINI Amplified is its active exhaust system: just a click on the Bluetooth controller and the engine note morphs from a humble rumble to a naughty bark. MINI will tell you that the "loud" mode is for use on a track, but trust me, I could not do without it. It sounds even better when under heavy engine load and also spits out nice raspy notes on trailing throttle – which is what I found to be most addictive about the whole setup.
Conclusion
Just for the way it makes you feel, the MINI Amplified will justify its price tag every day of the week. Unlike the
Volkswagen Golf GTi
 which has gotten too refined, too grown up, and in some cases, a little boring – the MINI still exudes a funky effervescence which has such an effect on our character whenever we get behind the wheel. And aren’t all hot hatches supposed to do just that?
In terms of its performance, noise, and handling – and I know I’m saying a lot here – it captures some of that raw precision and character of the
(FK8) Honda Civic Type R
, albeit with much less power. And being a MINI, there is that bonus of looking snazzy and stylish in a way that it gets attention from the ladies. It's not an apple to apple comparison but let’s face it, a Honda Civic Type R is only going to attract boys.
If a car could indeed influence the person behind the wheel, like the infamous red Plymouth Fury in Christine – after an hour in the MINI Amplified, one would get out laughing incessantly while doing cartwheels in a three-piece suit. Just don't expect this to be your weapon of choice for a long distance drive.


Geneva 2017: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Compact SUV To Debut

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) is set to debut its new all-new Eclipse Cross compact SUV at the upcoming 87th Geneva International Motor Show. The Eclipse Cross is developed from the ground up as a global strategic model, which will be delivered first in Europe, starting September of this year followed by Japan, North America, Australia and other regions.
The Eclipse Cross all-new compact SUV coupe will join MMC's global line-up of crossover SUVs, namely the ASX compact SUV and the Outlander and Outlander PHEV mid-size SUVs.
The name (Eclipse) is derived from Mitsubishi’s coupe model of the early 90s, sold in some markets like North America while 'Cross' is short for crossover.
The Eclipse Cross is Mitsubishi’s latest take on a crossover, combining sharp coupe looks, updated connectivity features and practical SUV mobility.
The Eclipse Cross measures 4405mm in length, 1805 mm in height and 1685mm in width, with a wheelbase on 2670mm. In terms of a comparison, the Eclipse Cross is 110mm longer, 35mm higher and 70mm wider than the Mitsubishi ASX compact SUV. The wheelbases of the Eclipse Cross and ASX are identical.
Mitsubishi have announced a choice of two powerplants for the Eclipse Cross, a 1.5L direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine, mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and 2.2L turbo diesel paired with an eight-speed automatic.
Power will be sent to all four wheel through an electronically controlled 4WD system, that feeds the optimum amount of torque to the rear wheels as required by the driving situation and surface conditions. MMC's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) integrated vehicle dynamics control system incorporates brake-activated, Active Yaw Control (AYC).
The addition of a 3-point strut tower brace at the front, and the strategic use of structural bonding at the rear, in particular, have increased body rigidity of the Eclipse Cross. The tougher body and optimised suspension claim to offer precise handling and added vehicle stability.
The Eclipse will also boast improved connectivity features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Touchpad Controller, situated in the centre console combines with a Heads Up Display allow the driver to handle and interpret different types of information more easily. It also allows the driver to operate the Smartphone Link Display, and navigate functions such as the radio, and Apple CarPlay.


Queue Cutting Which Leads To Silly Road Rage And Battered Bumpers

Mother Teresa once said, “Without patience, we will learn less in life. We will see less. We will feel less. Ironically, rush and more usually means less”. Well, both the drivers caught in this dash cam recording perhaps lacked a lot of patience and we can only hope, that after incessant horn blaring and battered front bumpers, are now slightly wiser.
The incident allegedly starts at the exit ramp which leads to Jalan Pantai Baharu from the Federal Highway, KL bound, where the driver in the silver Mahindra SUV cuts the waiting queue from the outer lane. The driver of the ‘dash cam’ car clearly did not want to allow this – which results in a dicey game of chicken as both drivers jostle to command the lane once traffic starts moving.
From the recording, it’s easy to surmise there as a fair bit of paint swapping and swearing before the driver in the Mahindra decides to come to a dead stop in the middle of the road, not once but twice, which resulted in the second car ramming the rear end of the SUV.
The cat and mouse antics go on for another few hundred meters before the second car comes to a stop on the road shoulder.
To be unbiased, cutting the queue is a very inconsiderate thing to do, and sometimes can lead to situations such as these, but, should the second car have simply allowed the Mahindra to pass?
At least no one was hurt and the only things that were bruised were front bumpers and egos. You might want to turn down the volume for this one.


Motorcycle Accidents Account For Highest Deaths On Kuala Lumpur Roads

This new statistic probably will not come as a surprise when compared with accident victims in cars in most cities, but for Kuala Lumpur at least, motorcyclists are still very much at risk by an considerable majority, writes Bernama.
During the first seven months of this year (January to July), there were 131 deaths. That number matches the road fatalities over that same period in 2014 almost exactly, with the split between motorcycle and car accidents split similarly as well.
Kuala Lumpur Road Safety Department director Subashini Jane Anthony was at the 2015 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, an annual event celebrated around the world on the third Sunday of November to commemorate traffic accident victims.
She said to reporters: “Based on that figures, the number of fatalities due to motorcycle accidents recorded from Janaury to July this year were 85 cases compared to 79 cases during the same period last year, an increase of six cases,”
“This is a worrying trend, there are various factors that contribute to these cases but personally I think road users themselves have to change their mentality and attitude on the roads.”


Zeekr premium EV brand is coming to Malaysia

Geely's premium EV brand,
Zeekr
, will be coming to Malaysia soon and it has been confirmed by several folks, including Malaysia's MITI Minister, Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

Locked under Proton's move into the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) segment, this announcement came to be following the Zeekr factory visit by Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), in China earlier this week.

Located in Hangzhou Bay, Ningbo, China, the Zeekr Intelligent Factory visit by the MITI Minister was joined by some of the top guns from Proton as well as DRB-HICOM. Tours, discussions, and test drives were arranged, and cements the follow-up from the Heads of Agreement (HOA) document signing between DRB-HICOM and Geely as part of their 'commitment to jointly invest, manage, and develop the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) in Tanjung Malim into a smart city and hub for Next Generation Vehicles (NxGV)'.

As for the timeline, we're most likely looking at 2024 considering the fact that the first model launch from smart Malaysia will commence in the final quarter of 2023. No details on which Zeekr model will arrive first on our shores, but Tengku Zafrul seemed to take a liking to the Zeekr 001 in his Twitter post.

According to Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Chairman of Proton, "I am pleased to highlight after five years into their partnership, Proton and Geely have made great strides in bringing new products, technology, and investment to Malaysia."

"Following the signing of the HOA in Beijing on 1 April, it is now clear AHTV has great potential to attract RM32 billion of investment and today’s visit to Ningbo demonstrates the Proton and Geely partnership will continue to prosper with the future implementation of NEV programmes," added Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal.


Nissan Kicks Could Be Assembled In Thailand For ASEAN

Nissan introduced the affordable
Kicks
 compact SUV about a year ago in Brazil, aimed at the Honda HR-V and Mitsubishi ASX.
Initially,
Kompass Otomotif
 believed that the Kicks could be imported from Mexico or India. However, Budi Nur Mukmin, General Manager of Marketing & Strategy at Nissan Motor Indonesia said that importing the Kicks from India or Mexico won't be cheap. He added that sourcing for the Kicks within the ASEAN region makes more business sense.
However, Budi was unable to confirm that the Kicks will be produced in Thailand, as he mentioned that Nissan's Thai counterpart is still studying the possibility. With that said, it won't be a surprise if Nissan decides to utilize its Thailand facility for the Kicks, as the Kicks shares its Nissan V Platform with the Almera and Note, both of which are also assembled at Nissan's Thailand production facility.
Depending on market, the Nissan Kicks can be had with a 1.5- or 1.6-litre engine, which sends drive to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission or Xtronic CVT-type automatic. The Nissan Kicks isn't available with all-wheel drive variant.
As for Malaysia, we understood that the Nissan Kicks could make a debut early next year, likely locally-assembled.


SPYSHOTS: Mysterious Toyota Spied In Thailand, And Two Reasons Why It Could Be Exciting For Us

Circulating around a few forums in Thailand and brought to our attention by our colleagues over at
Autospinn
, here are a few spyshots of a new
Toyota
 model spotted there, believed to the new Toyota Sienta.
The Sienta has thus far been a Japan-only model, and represents a five-door, seven-seater MPV powered by the same 1.5-litre (1NZ-FE) engine found in the Toyota Vios.
Strangely, these spyshots show a slight dissimilarity to the Japanese-only model, which features two windscreen wipers – here, there’s only the one.
Two rumours make this vehicle being in Thailand particularly interesting to us:
Firstly, could Toyota be looking to launch the Sienta in Thailand?
Secondly, would it be to replace the slow-selling Avanza?
With the Avanza only doing particularly well in Indonesia (as its top-selling model, mind you), it would make sense for the Japanese carmaker to possibly shake things up in Thailand, where the Avanza isn’t received as successfully, as well as Malaysia, where it has been upstaged by the more sophisticated Nissan Grand Livina.
Now, don't get us wrong. This isn't a direct replacement for the Avanza, not a successor to it. It is a totally different model, but it could take over from where the Avanza left of, assuming that it is leaving. However, would you like to see a Toyota Sienta officially on the market by UMW Toyota?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
Image Source: Pee71, Facebook


Volvo’s EX30, the baby EV, unveiled with up to 420hp, 480km of range and 3.6s to 100km/h!

The just-unveiled Volvo EX30 compact crossover, which serves as the company's new entry-level model, will play a vital role in Volvo's transformation into an exclusively electric vehicle manufacturer. Its purpose is to attract a younger customer base and serve as a cornerstone for the brand's reinvention.

Volvo's primary focus in developing the EX30 has been to reduce the total cost of ownership and appeal to a new demographic of urban buyers, particularly younger individuals. Volvo CEO, Jim Rowan, aims to make premium, fully electric mobility accessible to a wider audience.

Volvo expects that approximately 75% of EX30 buyers will be new to the brand, with many purchasing it as a secondary vehicle.

Despite its emphasis on affordability and attracting new customers, the EX30 does not compromise on Volvo's renowned commitment to safety. In fact, it boasts the smallest lifetime carbon footprint of any Volvo model to date. Additionally, the EX30 offers impressive performance, making it the fastest-accelerating Volvo vehicle yet, with a 0-62mph time of 3.6 seconds in the top-spec Twin Motor Performance variant.

Based on Geely's SEA platform, which is also utilised by the Polestar 4 and Smart #1, the EX30 measures 4233mm in length, making it slightly longer than the Avenger but shorter than the Polestar 4.

The EX30 bears a distinct resemblance to the flagship EX90 large SUV, featuring a closed-off grille and Volvo's signature 'Thor's Hammer' headlights. It will be available with wheel options ranging from 18 inches to 20 inches and offered in five colours, including a new Moss Yellow inspired by lichen found on Sweden's west coast rocks.

The interior design of the EX30 follows Volvo's traditional form, featuring a dominant 12.3-inch vertically mounted touchscreen on the dashboard. The infotainment system runs on Volvo's Google-based platform, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Instead of conventional door-mounted speakers, a sound-bar resembling home audio systems extends across the entire width of the dashboard.

The interior also prioritises storage, including a multi-function centre console resembling a dashboard glovebox in the front and a removable storage box at the back of the tunnel console.

Volvo will offer four distinct interior designs, referred to as 'rooms,' all incorporating recyclable and renewable materials. One of these designs utilises up-cycled denim fibre in the dashboard.

In Europe, the EX30 will be available with three powertrain options and two types of batteries. The entry-level Single Motor versions feature a rear-mounted 268hp motor paired with a 51kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, providing a claimed range of 345km.

The Single Motor powertrain will also be offered in Extended Range form, incorporating a 69kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery. Priced from roughly RM221,000, it extends the range to 480km with a claimed efficiency of 6.5km per/kWh.

The top-spec Twin Motor Performance model, utilising the same 69kWh NMC battery, adds a second 154bhp electric motor on the front axle for a combined output of 422bhp. This model, priced from roughly RM235,000, offers a range of 460km.

The entry-level LFP battery can be charged at a peak rate of 134kW, while the NMC models can accept charge up to 153kW.

Volvo has made significant efforts to reduce the CO2 footprint of the EX30, claiming it to be less than 30 tonnes over 124,000 miles of driving. This achievement encompasses both production and operation, achieved in part through the use of 25% recycled aluminium, 17% recycled steel.

There’s no word yet on when the EX30 will reach our part of the the world but given the Malaysian appetite for sleek Volvo products, and especially given Geely’s local presence, we suspect it won’t be an especially long wait until this newest Swedish stunner reaches our shores.


Renault Talisman Estate Revealed: Retains Sedan's Dimensions, Adds On Practicality

Last month,
Renault
 unveiled its
latest D-segment model, the Talisman
, but now, the French carmaker has introduced an estate version of the Talisman.
In terms of dimensions, the Talisman Estate is almost exactly the same in terms of length (4.85m), width (1.87m), and height (1.46m) as the sedan. Even the wheelbase length of 2.81m is retained here as well. The clear difference is of course the estate’s body shape which features a sweeping roofline with polished aluminium roof bars running across the top.
One of the benefits of an estate is added practicality. By default, the Talisman Estate offers 572 litres of boot space up to the parcel shelf and a maximum object load length of 1,116mm. Fold the rear seats down and this increases the load length to an impressive 2,010mm while boot space equates to a substantial 1,700 litres. Access to the boot is made easier thanks to a powered lifegate – activated by waving your foot underneath the rear bumper for hands-free opening.
The interior space of the Talisman Estate is similar to that of the sedan with the benefit of an extra 30mm of headroom at the rear, extending it to 886mm. Everything else remains the same for the front headroom (902mm), front elbow room (1,512mm), rear knee room (262mm), and 25 litres of cabin stowage.
Other features include electric front seats that are adjustable up to ten settings and provide a massage function, four-way lumbar adjustment, adjustable headrests, and heated seat cushions. The seats also come with integrated ventilation for greater comfort in hot weather and ‘Cover Carving Technology – strong, semi-rigid, lightweight shells incorporated into the front seat backs, freeing up extra space for rear passengers.
Infotainment is handled by the R-Link 2 system, available in either a seven-inch or 8.7-inch touchscreen display, which not only oversees the vehicle’s driving aids but performs standard duties as well. Audio playback is done through a BOSE Surround Sound system.
Engine options for the Talisman Estate are the same for the sedan version with two petrol engines (Energy TCe 150 and the Energy TCe 200) and three diesel engines (Energy dCi 110, Energy dCi 130, Energy dCi 160), with transmission options that include a seven-speed dual-clutch EDC automatic, six-speed manual, and a six-speed dual-clutch EDC automatic.
Renault’s 4Control chassis with active damping is found here as well with Multi-Sense that allows drivers to select from four pre-programmed settings with a fifth being fully configurable. A wide range of driving aids are included as well – Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Active Emergency Braking System (AEBS), and many others.
The
Renault
 Talisman Estate will go on sale in Europe during the first half of 2016 but will make a stopover at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show for its first public appearance.


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Announces Raya Deals For 2017

One of the greatest perks of living in a multicultural society are the number of public holidays we get. Usually with these major public holidays, car companies will roll out deals for a limited time- and some of these offers are really quite good. Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has just announced their upcoming promotions in the form of exclusive deals and cash bonuses for the upcoming Raya celebrations, which are just a couple of weeks away.
The models under this promotion are the Mitsubishi ASX 2WD GL, Mitsubishi Triton, and Mitsubishi Outlander. In the case of the ASX, it is going for RM 99,000 with a 5-year warranty during this period, which is roughly RM 10,000 less than the normal price of RM 110,300. For the Triton, there are cash bonuses available worth up to RM 9,000. For the Outlander, there are two different packages available: either you opt for the Outlander with a free accessories package (including rear seat entertainment, a digital driving video recorder, and GPS tracking) with cash bonuses of up to RM 4,000, or you take the regular Outlander and have a cash bonus worth up to RM 7,000.
Existing Mitsubishi customers will also benefit from Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia's service campaign from 1st June to the 15th of July, 2017. Those who service their cars at authorized Mitsubishi Motors service centres will enjoy e-vouches and free air fresheners while stocks last. The free maintenance package offers complimentary maintenance on parts, lubricants, and labour costs. If you're interested, you can test drive these Mitsubishi models at our
upcoming Drive event
 on the 13th and 14th of May.


Ibu Bapa Perlu Halang Kanak-Kanak Daripada Berlumba di Jalan Raya – MIROS

Ibu bapa perlu memainkan peranan untuk menghalang kanak-kanak aktiviti berlumba di jalan raya lebih-lebih lagi pada waktu malam atau awal pagi.

“Tiada sebab untuk kanak-kanak berada di jalan raya pada awal pagi dan ibu bapa perlu sentiasa memantau aktiviti anak-anak supaya mereka tidak ditimpa kecederaan,” kata Pengerusi Institut Penyelidikan Keselamatan Jalan Raya Malaysia (MIROS), Prof Dr. Wong Shaw Voon

Ibu-Bapa Jangan Benarkan Anak-Anak Berlumba

Susulan pengumuman
hukuman penjara dan denda
 yang dikenakan keatas pemandu wanita yang melanggar mati 8 kanak-kanak yang bermain basikal lajak 6 tahun lalu, Wong menegaskan ibu bapa tidak seharusnya membenarkan anak-anak berlumba atau berbasikal lajak di lebuh raya pada awal pagi.

*Kredit foto: Utusan

Tambahnya, aktiviti berbahaya itu perlu dihalang kerana ia bukan sahaja menyebabkan mangsa menderita, namun ia juga akan dirasai oleh ahli keluarga sekiranya kemalangan berlaku.

Tambahnya, perkara tersebut merupakan aktiviti yang tidak disokong oleh
MIROS
 kerana lebuh raya tidak dibina untuk kegunaan lumba
basikal
. Aktiviti berbasikal yang ekstrem seperti basikal lajak perlu diadakan di kawasan khas yang lebih sesuai.

Tanggungjawab Besar Terhadap Pemandu

Sementara itu, seorang peguam bernama Lim Wei Jiet berkata keputusan mahkamah itu mengecewakan kerana ia meletakkan tanggungjawab yang besar kepada pemandu kerana mereka mesti sentiasa berhati-hati di jalan raya walaupun tidak mengambil alkohol atau melebihi had laju.

Baginya, dalam kes ini ibu bapa harus lebih bertanggungjawab dan tidak membenarkan anak-anak keluar selewat jam 3 pagi.

Pengajaran Terhadap Ibu Bapa

Pengerusi Perikatan Komuniti Selamat, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye juga berkata kemalangan tersebut merupakan pengajaran besar kepada ibu bapa dan penjaga supaya tidak membenarkan anak-anak keluar bermain pada awal pagi.

Menurutnya, tiada siapa yang menyangka bahawa di sebalik jalan raya yang tenang pada jam 3 pagi, terdapat sekumpulan kanak-kanak berkumpul untuk berbasikal lajak di situ.

“Adakah mereka keluar tanpa kebenaran ibu bapa mereka? Bagaimana pula dengan tanggungjawab ibu bapa terhadap mereka?” soal Lee.

Beliau mahu kes itu diadili dengan sebaik-baiknya memandangkan ia kes serius yang meragut nyawa 8 orang kanak-kanak.

“Jika mereka berkata 'memandu melulu', bagaimana mereka mentakrifkannya? Pada kelajuan wanita itu memandu? Dalam masa yang sama, kita tidak pernah menyangka kanak-kanak boleh berada di sana pada waktu itu, di cerun dan sedang berlumba,” tambah Lee.

Kepentingan Kamera Dashcam

Susulan kes ini, warganet mengesyorkan orang ramai untuk memasang
kamera (
dashcam
)
 di dalam kenderaan mereka untuk memudahkan proses mempertahankan diri di mahkamah di masa hadapan jika kemalangan berlaku.

Mana tidaknya, jika pemandu terlanggar seseorang, sama ada berada di betul atau salah, pasti ada individu yang akan mengamuk dan mengambil tindakan sendiri terhadap pemandu. Sekurang-kurangnya dengan kamera
dashcam
, anda mempunyai peluang yang baik untuk mempertahankan diri serta boleh digunakan untuk menyokong kenyataan anda.

*Kredit foto: Kosmo

Fenomena Basikal Lajak

Basikal lajak merupakan satu fenomena yang menjadi ikutan golongan budak-budak muda zaman sekarang. Aktiviti itu sering mendapat persepsi yang negatif daripada masyarakat dan ianya semakin membimbangkan kerana jika tersilap langkah, maut akan menanti memandangkan basikal lajak tidak menggunakan brek ataupun penunggangnya helmet.


Jakarta 2017: Honda Launches FK8 Civic  Type R In Indonesia

The Indonesian market is getting a treat from their local Honda distributor (Honda Prospect Motor, or HPM). At the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show, HPM has launched the Civic FK8 Type R for the local market- following the Philippines and Singapore within the ASEAN region. It's going for a pretty hefty IDR 995,000,000 (or just over RM 320,000), and is available in four different colours: Rallye Red, Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic, Championship White, and Sonic Gray Pearl. It comes with full LED Headlights and LED Fog Lights, 20-inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels, and Triple Exhaust with Finisher.
You can read our first impressions of the Civic FK8 Type R
here
. While the Civic FK2 Type R was the first Type R to feature a turbocharged engine, it was more of a test bed for the Civic FK8 Type R. As we are unlikely to see the NSX in our corner of the world, outside of grey imports, the Civic FK8 Type R will be the most powerful (and most lusted after Honda product) officially available in our region. Unfortunately, it seems that the Indonesian version is slightly detuned at 310 PS- as opposed to the 320 PS version offered in Europe and Japan.
This is exciting new for us as well, because hopefully it means that we'll get the Civic FK8 Type R for our own market in the coming months. Based on the Civic FK8 Hatchback, this Type R variant is a global model and is sold everywhere from the United States to Europe, and the rest of Asia as well. Even Japan will be getting a few units- and it's a little funny given that this generation of Civic Type R is no longer produced in Japan itself.


Crouching Alex And Hidden 2022 Civic Hatchback Shows Funny Side Of Leaked Pictures

While picture leaks are part and parcel of the hype surrounding unrevealed new cars, this particular leak of the new 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback must be one of the funniest ever!

A member of the
CivicXI

forum posted a picture of the 2022 Civic Hatchback wearing no disguise, revealing its rear interior and exterior look. But that's not all that was posted because one leaked image practically showed the whole rear of the car! (Source: YouTuber
Alex On Autos
)

This posting is a bit weird because if the person who leaked the photos really wanted to leak the rear image of the car, we're pretty sure they could have posted a picture of the car, instead of a picture of a YouTuber crouching behind the car.

Some have called this picture a tactical leak by Honda, while others have called it a publicity stunt by said YouTuber, but whatever it is, this must be one of the funniest leaked pictures ever to be released.

If this picture has given you an appetite for the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback, you don't have to wait long for the complete look because the covers come off for real this Thursday (June 24).

A couple of days ago, the 11th generation Honda Civic Sedan officially went on sale in the US. The
Civic Sedan was the first variant to be sold in a series
 of new 11th-generation 2022 Civic models.

Soon it will be joined by a hatchback, high-performance Si and Type-R models making up the most comprehensive model lineup ever. However given the
market-specific localisation of the Civic
 (and the fact that we will get the sedan version) and not the hatchback such as Japan and Europe, it is likely that the new model will only reach ASEAN shores in 2022, perhaps in the first half of the year at the earliest.
Singapore might get it even sooner
, but as their cars are fully imported, it doesn't really count.

In terms of power, the US-market naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine develops 158hp, mated to a CVT-type transmission. The more powerful 1.5L-turbo four-cylinder – now with exhaust-side variable-valve timing (VTEC) produces 180hp (up by 6hp) and 240Nm (20Nm more than its predecessor) – also mated to a CVT-transmission that’s been retuned for better response. The power numbers of the 1.5-litre turbo engines for the US are indicative of what other markets; even Malaysia could receive later on.

Given the scale and capability of Honda’s operations in Thailand, they will receive the model typically 4-6 months earlier than Malaysia, therefore, we are possibly looking at a timeline of Q3/Q4 of 2022 for a local market launch of our
very own C-Segment leading Honda Civic
.

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

Check out all the best new & used car deals in Malaysia at
Carlist.my.

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

Get the latest new car promotions at
New Car
 website now.


KLIMS 2018: New Toyota Vios Previewed, Q1 2019 Launch

Alongside the
all-new Toyota Camry
, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd has previewed the new Vios, which is slated to go on sale in the first quarter of 2019. Bookings are opened as well, for those interested to get this new model.
While the exterior of the Vios is mostly new, it is actually built on the previous generation model's platform. In terms of dimensions, the new Vios is 5 mm longer (4,415 mm) and 30 mm wider (1,730 mm) than the outgoing model, while maintaining the same height (1,475 mm) and wheelbase (2,550 mm).
Under the hood lies the same familiar 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i four-cylinder petrol engine as the outgoing model, outputting 107 PS and 140 Nm. This engine is mated to a CVT-type automatic that sends power to the front wheels. A drive mode switch that allows drivers to select Sport or Eco mode is fitted as standard.
Standard equipment of the new Vios includes (J variant, estimated price from RM 77,200):
LED DRLs
Automatic air-conditioning with digital display
Eco, Sport or Normal drive modes
Headlights with follow-me-home function
15-inch wheels with 185/60 R15 tyres
7 airbags
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
4-speaker audio system
For an estimated RM4,000 more, the mid-spec Vios E adds (estimated price from RM 81,200):
LED tail lamps with light-guide
Front fog lamps
Acoustic glass front windshield
Auto-fold side mirrors
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
6.8-inch touchscreen display audio with USB mirroring (4-speakers)
Panoramic View Monitor (PVM)
Digital Video Recorder (DVR) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
As for the range-topping Vios G, this variant with an estimated price of RM 87,300 adds this equipment:
Projector-type head lamps
16-inch wheels with 195/50 R16 tyres
Leather seat upholstery
Optitron meters with 4.2-inch colour Multi-Information Display (MID)
Paddle shifters
Electrochromic rear view mirror
6 speakers
Five colours will be made available, which includes Dark Blue Metallic, Red Mica Metallic, Attitude Black, Silver Metallic, and Super White II.
In addition to the regular Vios, UMW Toyota Motor also showcased the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) version of the new Vios.


Seven Years Left For Petrol Powered Ford Mustangs

Say goodbye to fossil fuels, pony car.

The current-generation
Ford
 Mustang was a pretty huge leap for the iconic pony car lineage - no, it's not a muscle car - but the next form it takes maybe even more extreme and as radical of a departure. We're talking full-electric for the seventh generation Mustang, and the fact that Ford declines to comment on these statements means it carries some weight.

Perhaps it was all part of
Ford
's plan with the
Mustang Mach E
, in an effort to either gauge public reception for an electric-powered "Mustang" or to see if they could convert fans and consumers into electric vehicle lovers. Whichever it is, it seems that the next generation of the Ford Mustang has been pushed back to 2028 - and it's to do with electric vehicle supply chains not being able to keep up with the demand.

Electric cars are inevitable, and they are definitely going to be the way of the future. Unfortunately, what they gain in performance and efficiency, they lose tenfold in terms of character and aural pleasure. As we've mentioned many times before,
synthetic fuels
 are on their way and in development - but we just hope it hits the market at a reasonable price point before we're doomed to an all-electric future.

As a day to day proposition, an electric car is an absolutely wonderful idea. Pair it with fully autonomous driving features and you can sign us right up - because we have zero care for the mundane procession that is traffic and people who should have no business behind the wheel. But on a weekend, with an open stretch of road - we would without a doubt prefer to be wringing the life out of an
internal combustion powered machine
.


October 2018 New Vehicle Sales – Returned To Normal Level

After the
meagre performance
 of September, new vehicle sales in Malaysia have returned to a normal level of over 40,000 units for the month of October.
Data collated by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) revealed that the Total Industry Volume (TIV) in October 2018 hit 47,273 units. The TIV up to October 2018 is thus 502,244 units, which is over 29,500 units more (or 6.2%) than the same period last year.
While the new sales tax structure resulted in
lower vehicle prices (compared to GST era)
, many automotive companies offered plenty of promotions to keep consumers interested in new vehicle purchases.
Further to add, some companies such as
Mazda absorbed
 the increase in price during deliveries of new vehicles that were booked during the three-month zero GST.
Thanks to the resumption of Perodua Myvi production, which was zero units in September, the company manage to shift a total of 19,528 units (Myvi, Axia, Bezza, and Axia) in October.
The total production output in October also returns to the 50,000 units-level, a rare occurrence during the tail end of the year.
Mazda meanwhile is on course to achieve another strong year, as sales in the first ten months of 2018 have reached 12,698 units, surpassing their 2016 total annual sales of 12,493. The company achieved their best annual sales in 2015 with over 14,000 units delivered to customers.
Strong deliveries (755 units) of the Nissan Serena and Grand Livina saw the make overtake Honda BR-V (734 units) in the MPV segment. Toyota with the Innova and Sienta models meanwhile managed to register total sales of 778 units.
The MAA has reiterated that the TIV for 2018 will be 585,000 units. The figure is well within the range given that an average monthly sales of 41,400 units is not too challenging now.


2019 Hyundai Veloster All Set for Hollywood Debut In Marvel’s Ant-Man And The Wasp

The 2019 Hyundai Veloster which first broke cover at the
Detroit Auto Show in January
, is gearing up for its Hollywood debut in conjunction with Marvel’s upcoming flick, The Ant-Man And The Wasp.
During the world premiere of Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and The Wasp, the Veloster from the film will be dressed as a packaged toy car that has been enlarged and displayed at the red-carpet event. Hyundai will also be sponsoring the premiere live stream that runs on Marvel’s digital platforms.
The live stream will feature two segments hosted by Marvel’s on-air personalities, will explore more of the backstory behind Hyundai’s placement in the movie, as well as fan reaction to what’s happening on the carpet.
Shortly after the movie hits theatres, Hyundai will also air The Ant-Man and The Wasp-inspired ad, titled “Stoplight Standoff” which features a miniaturised version of the Veloster’s on-screen counterpart.
In the ad, two police officers and a Veloster driver exchange in a very awkward standoff at a stoplight, as they each think the other is suggesting a race. Little do they know, a tiny Veloster based on the vehicle featured in the movie is the cause of confusion and is burning rubber between their cars.
Designed collaboratively by Hyundai designers in South Korea and the U.S., the second-generation Veloster retains its signature asymmetrical two-plus-one door configuration and offers an updated interior, powertrain packages, and improved infotainment and connectivity features.

The Veloster is offered with a choice of two engines, a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder (147 hp /179 Nm) and a 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder with 201 hp and 264 Nm of torque. The 2.0-liter engine is coupled with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged variant is paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT).

The most powerful version, the Veloster N, is powered by a 2.0-litre, direct-injected turbocharged powerplant which develops 275 hp and up to 352 Nm of torque, mated to a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox with rev-matching.
Production of the Veloster started in March 2018 in Ulsan, Korea, with the earliest cars slated to hit U.S. dealerships in the second quarter of 2018.


2018 Ford Mustang Pony Package Introduced For US Market

Ford has released the 2018 production year visual updates for the U.S. domestic market Mustang, dubbed the 'Pony Package' – adding key visual highlights that offer a retrospective nod to the original cars of the sixties. The 2018 visual package comes after the
facelift model
 was introduced in January of this year.
The Pony Package for the 2018 Mustang – offered with EcoBoost engine variants highlights the nameplate heritage with its ‘pony-in-corral’ badge design, mounted on the front grille. The iconic Mustang logo will be surrounded in a chrome corral for the 2018 Pony Package cars as it did, over 50 years ago.
The badge design first appeared on Mustang in the mid-1960s when the car was still in concept phase. It has appeared in various forms since and was last used as part of an anniversary package for 2015.
In addition, the Pony Package also adds 19-inch polished aluminium wheels, new window trim, lower body trim decals and ‘Tri-bar’ pony badge on the rear boot. On the inside, the Pony Package adds premium floor mats and embroidered pony logo.


Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia Announces New Managing Director

It’s normal for European brands to have directors that rotate in and out like a revolving door, but Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is a relatively new operation. Their latest appointment is Mr. Erik Winter, who will be the new Managing Director of VPCM with immediate effect. He replaces Mr. Alin Tapalaga, who will be returning to Europe for health reasons.
Winter will oversee both Brand and Human Resource operations, and he will join Mr. Florian Steiner who is VPCM’s Managing Director for Aftersales, Information Technology, and Finance. Winter has had 16 years of experience serving under Porsche Holding Salzburg’s various business units globally. His last posting was in China where he was handling the retail operations for one of their brands.
For now, his job in Malaysia is to increase VPCM’s market share and strengthen their dealer network, but most of all to enhance the aftersales service. The announcement of Volkswagen’s goodwill program for the DSG is likely only the first of many more to come under Winter’s direction for the brand.


KL Likely Submerged If Not For SMART Tunnel

Klang Valley, by virtue of it being a valley, certainly faced the brunt of
last weekend’s heavy downpour
, but the situation in Kuala Lumpur might have been far worse if not for the SMART Tunnel.

The water diversion system was activated and placed on Mode 4 at 7:45 pm on December 18th until 12 pm, December 20th - more than 40 hours later - drawing water away from Sungai Klang and Sungai Ampang into the Taman Desa reservoir.

In that time, the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) was responsible for diverting 5 billion (BILLION!) litres of water (or 5 million cubic metres of H2O) from entering the nation’s largest and most densely populated city, as confirmed by Water and Environment Ministry (KASA) secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang.

No diversion exercise in the tunnel’s history was ever carried out in Mode 4 that exceeded the 3-hour mark. Construction began in late 2003, but since its opening in 2007, the system has been invaluable in preventing floods by diverting water into the 9.7km bypass tunnel.

However, though it greatly mitigated the damage done, it was not enough to spare the city entirely from the effects of last weekend’s flooding with numerous areas still finding themselves submerged before long. Among the more shocking were the images of housing areas reduced to mere rooftops.

The freak floods that ravaged many states in Malaysia certainly caught us off-guard and ill-prepared for the sheer volume of rising water that would wreak havoc on so many local communities and lives, the result of the Tropical Depression 29W that formed in the South China Sea last week.

Nearly all of Peninsula Malaysia was hit with incessant rainfall as early as December 16th, continuing (without pause in some areas) until the evening of December 19th. In states west of Banjaran Titiwagsa where most of the population resides, it was a particularly rude awakening from the clear blue skies usually expected at this time of year.

Dr Zaini also said that the sheer volume of water seen unloaded over Kuala Lumpur alone over this past weekend was more than the average rainfall experienced by the city in an entire month, adding that this occurrence is well beyond expectations and “only occurs once every 100 years.”

Currently, many areas in Malaysia remain in crisis and are yet to recover from the damaging effects of the resulting flood, so far causing astronomical amounts of damage to property and infrastructure.

Crucially, it has caused unquantifiable suffering and emotional toll on the people that were unfortunately caught in the water’s path, causing thousands of homes to be evacuated while stricken motorists were either stranded or
forced to abandon their vehicles
.


Do You Remember Your First Proton Or Perodua?

Do you remember your first Proton or Perodua? Did it leave an indelible mark on your motoring experience? Your first vehicle, most likely a Proton or Perodua - probably had more smiles-per-miles potential than we give them credit for.

Malaysians these days might not appreciate how much of a raw driving experience a basic car can give you, which was likely the vehicle a lot of us kicked off our ownership journey on.

For a lot of us, in addition to gaining ultimate freedom and an embarrassing ‘P’ sticker,
getting our driver’s license
 also meant that our earliest cars never quite measured up to the faster, more expensive ones we actually wanted.

Ours were slow, sparsely equipped, somewhat underpowered, usually chosen for price, fuel economy, and were more often than not sourced from the used market. However, what some of us would soon learn is how much raw potential these ‘budget’ starter cars had behind their creaky doors and oxidised paint.

Malaysians are also a pretty creative bunch and paired with our limited budgets at that age, this forced us to
‘get good’
 with these first cars we had. We might fit the odd upgrade, but the frequency depended on how much we were willing to starve.

We all know cars like the
Satria GTi, Neo R3
, and the Proton Putra are coveted for their drive and fun factor, but raw driving thrills were always available to the majority of Malaysians, as we were often pleasantly surprised at how many smiles our less-renowned models had to offer up.

Listing down the cars that most of us equate with the
pinnacle of driving fun from a local automaker
 is relatively easy and can probably comprise of a few select two-door models from Proton, proudly showing off its ‘Handling by Lotus’ badge.

For a relatively small country (or huge compared to Singapore), we have a rather expansive road network that totals more than 250,000km. Naturally, we drive a lot, and consequently have found ways to enjoy these roads - winding or straight - in any car we happen to be driving. It’s just lucky that so many of our ‘starter’ cars, though basic, were so much fun to drive.

It was a final
golden age,
of sorts.

Things haven’t stayed this way, unfortunately. They can't. Manuals are close to extinction, there are stricter laws on emissions and modifications, cars are now bigger and more burdened with safety technology and nanny-state features, making even entry-level cars in 2021 quite well-stocked (and heavy) by comparison. Things were a little more lawless a decade or two ago, and consequently more fun.

Let’s run down some of the unsung and unexpected driver’s cars to come out from Malaysian automakers:

Perodua Kancil EX850

Until the Perodua Viva and Axia took over, this was probably what a good chunk of the Malaysian adult population used as a learner driver. This was a very good thing as the Kancil was a great little car to drive, and
can take massive abuse
.

Now that I have driven many other cars over the years, the Kancil stands out even more as a template of analogue control and the pleasures of basic motoring. During the driving tests, I would always seek out the oldest pre-facelift examples as I noticed their clutches were much nicer to actuate and had better weighted steering, making passing the road test a breeze.

About 6 months later, after my own car (more on that later) was spending extended stays in the workshop, I borrowed a friend’s hand-me-down Kancil 850EX for a week and fell in love. It was a two-tone 1999 pre-facelift model with the larger 3-cylinder Daihatsu engine mated to a manual gearbox. The shifter was notchy and the engine did shudder a little unnervingly at low revs, but pulled fairly hard everywhere else.

The puny hatch was such a delight to chuck into corners, it felt like a little go-kart with more gears to play with. Its past-due Silverstone tyres would shuffle in and out of adhesion, but that too felt so controllable with barely 650kg in flux and quick steering. I was probably doing a mere 60km/h with a crazy amount of body roll, no power steering, and barely any brake assist. Cheap thrills like that are the most exciting.

Proton Satria 1.3GLi

Back in the day, while everyone raved about the ‘Lotus-tuned’ range-topper, the entry-level Satria might’ve felt a little left out. Budding enthusiast buyers of lower-tier variants might have gone the route of heavy modification, but might have missed out on a pretty great package from the showroom.

The 3-door hatch was still pretty good looking and even came with alloy wheels for such a bottom-barrel price. And with the smaller 4G13 engine from Mitsubishi mated to a closely spaced 5-speed manual, weight was kept even lower. Seriously, there was so much empty space in the Satria’s relatively large engine bay it was laughable.

Great handling characteristics already permeated its Colt-derived underpinnings, so there wasn’t too much to complain about when it came to agility. But here the 1.3-litre engine proved so eager with bulletproof reliability, it almost cancels out its relatively limp on-paper outputs thanks to a rigid chassis.

The suspension was a little soft but direction changes were snappy and confidence inspiring, making the humble Satria 1.3GLi a fun thing to drive - perhaps just a suspension upgrade or two away from perfection.

There was no tachometer on these base-spec versions either, so all the shifting would have to be done by listening to the engine, making each drive an education in itself, especially for a first-time car owner.

Proton Gen 2 1.6 CamPro/CPS

After the Satria GTi
, this is probably the best-to-drive Proton the company has ever produced. Yes, I’m including the Satria Neo and Neo CPS in that comparison too, which felt a little too twitchy and tightly wound by contrast.

It’s a close call, though I might never be able to prove its superiority or fully explain it, the Gen 2 was such a superb thing to steer and corner carve that it was hard to believe that Proton expected it to be a family car.

The Gen 2’s driving magic is in its ability to balance being such an effortless thing to track through some twisty corners alongside its rather pliant ride, which is a very Lotus-like characteristic. If our local engineers learned any of that at Hethel, this is the car where that quality is most evident.

Its seating position probably helped too, with the entire dashboard being rather sunken relative to the driver’s H-point, meaning that you would have a pretty expansive view of the road ahead, adding to that sense of assuredness.

Things were a little undone by its powertrain package, though, as the first-generation CamPro petrol engines suffered from poor calibration, an infamous torque dip, lacklustre power delivery, and an odd-behaving 4-speed automatic option despite decent overall refinement. That said, even those early batches of engines have stood the test of time as surprisingly reliable units.

In its latter year, the updated Gen 2 CPS retained all the driving prowess but fixed most of the engine’s foibles and interior idiosyncrasies while adding a more contemporary exterior look. Definitely a bargain on the used market, even today.

Proton Savvy

The Savvy was pitched as Proton’s answer to the Myvi, Perodua’s then-most recent runaway hit. It came with a punchy looking exterior and a marketing campaign painting it as “Built tougher than you think.” In 2021, hindsight tells us that it did nothing to slow the would-be
King Myvi
’s rise to the throne.

Like the Tiara it spiritually succeeded, the Savvy had French roots with a powertrain lifted from the
Renault Clio
 at the time. The 1.2-litre SOHC four-cylinder engine was full of pep, and the car itself was a much better handler than the Perodua it was going up against.

More than any other Proton, this felt like a real go-kart on the road, a notion reinforced by the tinny construction and thin panels that barely insulated the cabin from external disturbances. Vibrations and engine noise dominated the driving experience when going quickly, lending it a certain raw sports-car like feel that matched its sharp dynamics. But yes, it also felt cheap.

Bias disclaimer:
The Savvy was my first car. As in, under my own name, so that’s a big-ish deal for me. Even when choosing it,
mistakes were made
. A manual example was hard to find and the AMT gearbox would allow my relatives to borrow it, should the need arise. The price was alright and cheaper than a used Myvi of the same year.

At age 18, I had no objections as all I cared about was that this 2006 model year Proton Savvy (3 years old at the time) was bright green, came fitted with the R3 bodykit, and allowed me to go anywhere I wanted, whenever I wanted. I would later regret, yet also appreciate, these oversights.
Mistakes were made
.

The Penang-registered car drove back to KL without any drama but soon that luck would turn sour, leading to numerous towed trips to the workshop for issues related to that damned transmission, an Automated Manual or AMT, either due to hydraulic or electrical problems.

In the end, with mounting repair bills, the happy compromise I found was to have a car that would require me to ‘manually’ engage the shift via the Tiptronic-style gear lever. If I left it in ‘automatic’ mode the shifts would be quite rough and will eventually seize the transmission up, dumping it in Neutral until I pulled over and restarted the car.

Making matters worse was a broken speed sensor that is inside the gearbox housing. An expensive item to rectify, so I made do without a working speedometer and used the crude velocity approximation from a cheap Blackberry app. It was 2009, after all.

The result was a car that I had to really pay attention to just drive normally, way more than if I had a conventional three-pedal manual gearbox. I would have to plan my gearshifts in advance at stoplights, lifting off the throttle slightly while the gearshift took place but leaving just enough actuation to maintain torque for a smooth shift. Downshifts were even trickier but usually would just result in jerkiness over it giving up and dumping me in Neutral if I hadn’t balanced the throttle, engine speed, and brakes just right.

It was a car I had to spend time and brainpower to actively master, and I am convinced I came out a better driver for it, which is at least some consolation given all the frustration my first car ownership experience brought with it. Ironically, all these issues could be alleviated by driving aggressively,
which I did most of the time.

Did We Miss Any?

Of course, we did.

There are
plenty more examples
 of fun budget-friendly local (new) cars that are both older and newer than those featured here, but these four stand out as the most worthy of mention, in my opinion. They still remain fresh in memory as driving them seemed to be like getting away with some type of crime, like they were this fun behind the wheel through some happy accident, and that we were reaping the benefits.

They usually weren't very safe, either, which was a contributing factor. Danger is exciting. By comparison, cars today, even entry-level ones, are fitted with much more potentially life-saving features as standard since consumers now regard them deal-breaking inclusions. Additionally, they generally have softer suspensions, vague electronic steering, non-negotiable automatic transmissions, and are tuned to understeer at any aggressive input.

Are they better cars? Probably. Are they more fun? Rarely.


Review: Continental ComfortContact 6 (CC6) and UltraContact 6 (UC6)

To echo that famous quote by 19th-century writer and artist, John Ruskin, “Quality is never an accident, it is always the result of intelligent effort”. Thus, improving on existing quality is understandably more complex and painstaking.

A feat that has been comprehensively achieved by Continental with the introduction of their all-new Generation 6 range of tyres. The new range hits the ground running with the ComfortContact 6 (CC6) and newcomer UltraContact 6 (UC6) models.

The new products are the result of thorough R&D efforts and have been designed based on an extensive understanding of the needs and driving habits of motorists in the APAC region.

Cameron Wilson, Managing Director of Continental Tyres Malaysia adds “With state-of-the-art technology, the two brand-new Generation 6 products deliver a perfect all-around performance and an ultimate driving comfort with the added benefits of high mileage, high safety and decreased noise levels. The launch of the Generation 6 products marks an important milestone in the history of Continental Tyres and proves to be another testament of our relentless pursuit of customer satisfaction and commitment to the local customers”

The ComfortContact 6 takes over from the well-known and widely applied ComfortContact 5 (CC5) model. The UltraContact 6 will bridge the gap between the CC6 range and the more performance orientated MaxContact 6 (MC6) once the MC6 range goes on sale in due course.

The highlights of Continental’s new tyre range is as follows:

Continental ComfortContact CC6:

Best for drivers who consider comfort a priority in their tyre's performance.

Low noise levels: Positioned on the inner shoulder of the tyre pattern are Harmonic Comfort Chambers. Based on the “Helmholtz resonator” principle, it cancels out unpleasant noise frequencies.

The “Whisper Compound” of the CC6 features polymers which adapt to the rough surface of the road, resulting in the reduction of vibration and less tyre noise.

Flexible compound absorbs road bumps: The selected “Whisper Compound” also supports the damping effect to provide improved rolling comfort.

High mileage durability: With the advanced Sulphur network in the compound acting as an enhanced bond for the polymers, the product delivers greater efficiency in mileage performance.

Sizes: Available for rims with diameters of 13 to 16 inches.

Driving Impression

In line with the Continental CC6’s claim of increased comfort and reduced noise levels, a closed testing course was set up during the media demonstration – two
Volkswagen Vento
 sedans, fitted with the older generation CC5s and new CC6s tyres respectively were driven over a rough patch of tarmac.

To keep the findings as consistent and scientific as possible, each car was accelerated to 50km/h and the allowed to coast over the rough tarmac patch (around 60 meters) – interior noise was recorded via a smartphone decibel reader. The car variants and even the smartphone models were kept exactly the same to produce repeatable results.

On average, over multiple runs, the CC6 tyres produced average readings of approximately 74.6dB, some 1.0 - 1.4dBs lower than in the car fitted with the CC5 predecessors. The numerical values don't appear to be much, but, the differences in the audible signature are quite noticeable from within the car's cabin.

On the outside, the difference of tyre roar is quantifiably more substantial, proving the effectiveness of the CC6’s Harmonic Comfort Chambers thread design and softer Whisper Compound which is able to adapt to the inconsistencies of the road surface.

Continental UltraContact UC6:

Featuring advanced German technology and innovative tread design, UltraContact UC6 provides superior ride and a perfect all-around performance.

High safety levels maintained even on wet roads: Aqua Drainage channels enhance wet grip and reduce aquaplaning. In addition, the Diamond Edge Pattern of the UltraContact UC6 prevents the “rolling-in” effect of the pattern blocks for short braking distances. The chamfered angle also wipes the water film away on wet roads, ensuring extreme short braking distances in wet conditions.

Combines grip and mileage: The Diamond Blend Compound, consisting of short-chained grip-polymers and long-chained mileage-polymers have been further improved. This enables a high grip level for braking and cornering, combined with the provision of longer mileage.

Decreased noise levels: UltraContact UC6 lowers the noise level further by introducing Noise Breakers 2.0, an enhanced version of the well-known Noise Breaker concept to interrupt the noise waves in the grooves.

Sizes: Available for rims with diameters from 15 to 18 inches, covering a wide range of passenger car vehicles.

Driving Impression

During a leisurely drive down to Melaka, media participants were allowed to sample the UltraContact 6’s performance under real-world driving situations, the tyres were fitted to
Nissan’s D-Segment Teana sedan
.

Taking into account that the Teana is an inherently comfortable and refined sedan – the UC6 tyres served to accentuate these traits further. On the smoothest highway surfaces, there was relatively no noticeable tyre roar. On rougher concrete patches, tyre roar is present but never to the point that it becomes intrusive within the cabin.

The Diamond Blend Compound proves is able to soak up the smaller inconsistencies of the road – like that of a soft compound tyre, yet be charmingly controllable and tractable at high speeds owing to its stronger rib construction.

On the test course, cars fitted with the UC6 tyres were subjected to full throttle acceleration sprints into hard ABS braking – in both dry and wet conditions. Here, the Diamond Edge Pattern of the thread is dual-purposed.

It prevents the ‘rolling-on’ effect, caused when the thread block shape distorts due to friction between the rubber and road surface, no longer maintaining its dimensions and hence contact patch on the road.

In the wet, it acts as a wiper, providing added surface area between the tyre and tarmac, pushing water away towards the sides. This provides a better surface for the thread blocks to grab on to.

This was demonstrated when cars consistently stopped just 1.0 meter further in wet braking conditions than when compared to the bone dry surface

During a special slalom test with UC6 tyres fitted to a
Volkswagen Jetta
 – the tyres proved to provide substantial traction during acceleration regardless of the sandy tarmac surface. It was pleasingly sharp on the brakes but perhaps most impressive was its progressiveness through the corners.

Owing to its strengthened rib construction, it's able to remain flat around corners and communicate its adhesion rates rather well – almost as much as a performance orientated tyre. The UC6 truly befits its premise of being a tyre that combines both comfort and refinement with poise and impressive traction levels.


Bangkok 2017: Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept Points To The Next PHEV Pajero

First shown at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, the Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept seen here at the on-going 2017 Thailand International Motor Expo is preview to Mitsubishi’s upcoming high-end off-road capable SUV.
Based on the descriptions, we would assume that it points in the direction of the next generation Pajero, itself an aging model that’s overdue for a replacement but it wouldn’t be wrong to say that it can also refer to the next generation Outlander.
Conceptualized as a ‘grand tourer’ SUV, a lot of attention is create a comfortable, luxurious and refined cabin. The genuine leather upholstery and trimmings and roof are colour coordinated in Burgundy colour. The centre console is positioned high up to create a cockpit that wraps around the occupants.
Like all upcoming Mitsubishi SUVs, electric drive is a key focus and the GT-PHEV is powered by a tri-motor plug-in hybrid drivetrain. With that many motors (one for the front axle and two for the rear), naturally the GT-PHEV is also an off-road capable all-wheel drive SUV, with Mitsubishi’s signature Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) integrated within.
Claimed electric-only driving range is 120 km and with the assistance of the petrol engine, total driving range can reach up to 1,200 km.


We Wonder How Chevrolet Feels About Jose Mourinho Partnering with Jaguar, Again

Jaguar
and the manager of Manchester United Football Club Jose Mourinho have once again teamed up for an ad by the British carmaker, promoting the
XJ sedan
.
“The special one”, as what Mourinho is also known as, is seen being driven around in the XJ, which is Jaguar’s flagship model, around the streets of Manchester while the man talks about his passion for winning, what inspires him, and everything in between.
Towards the end of the ad, after explaining how it is important to surround oneself with people and things of great quality, Jose even cheekily acknowledges how Jaguar makes him feel “special”.
This is not the first time Mourinho has joined forces with Jaguar as he has already worked together with the brand a few times prior to this.
The first time was when he became the first customer in the UK to receive the
F-Type Coupe
 two years ago. Last year, Jose became one of the first people in the world to sample the new
 F-Pace SUV
 on snow in Sweden.
Other than these, there have been a few promo videos involving both parties as well.
Although Manchester United is being sponsored by Chevrolet, it is funny how there have been more videos of Jose in a Jaguar.
Or is he hinting at a possible switch from the American brand to British?


How The New Mazda CX-30 Got Its Name

When Mazda released images of their new compact SUV at Geneva last week, not many were surprised by how it looks, given that it pretty much looks like a sleeker CX-5.
The model naming, however, caught many of us by surprise. It was expected to be called the CX-4, given that it nicely slots in between the CX-3 and the CX-5, but Mazda had other ideas.
Reading through the entire press release twice also did not reveal the reason for this new naming convention. What about the future? Is the rest of the line-up going to change to double-digit moving forward?
After the excitement from the launch at Geneva Motor Show debut has settled down, a few publications managed to speak to representatives from Mazda on the reason behind the use of
CX-30
 model naming.
The first reason we found from
Car
.watch
 Japan
 was that Mazda basically wanted to expand their SUV line-up as global demand for the body type is on a yearly growth. More new models require more new names, and as such, a switch to double-digit naming will be able to accommodate an expanding product line-up.
Across the Atlantic Ocean,
Caranddriver.com
 representatives meanwhile were told that Mazda could not justify having the existing CX-4 naming on two incredibly-different, separate vehicles.
The CX-4
 is exclusively designed and made in China for local consumption. Having an all-new global model with the same name would cause confusion for consumers and added marketing complexities.
So, with those reasons, we can definitely expect more high-riding models from Mazda in the coming future with the new double-digit naming convention.


MINI Confirms New John Cooper Works GP Debut In 2020, Limited To 3,000 Units Worldwide

MINI today announced that next year, it will be unleashing its most powerful road legal model yet - the John Cooper Works GP.
Powered by MINI’s TwinPower Turbo powertrain, the JCW GP, which will be kicking out more than 300 hp, will be produced in a limited number of just 3,000 units for worldwide sale.
Presented for the first time in Frankfurt in September 2017, the MINI JCW GP comes with many unique features like the large front and rear aprons, a striking roof spoiler, and the extensive use of lightweight materials.
According to MINI, the design study picked up where the previous two John Cooper Works GP production models left off.
Serial production development of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP is now entering its crucial phase – namely on the race track, where whole-vehicle testing is set to be carried out in the coming months.
It is said that the suspension developed specifically for this model will be precisely adapted to the exceptionally high output of the new engine.
While the Nürburgring-Nordschleife lap time achieved by the outgoing 2012 model, which was limited to only 2,000 units was 8:23 minutes, MINI expects the upcoming model to do it even quicker.
The demand for the previous JCW GP models was so high that MINI actually released a John Cooper Works GP Kit for the Cooper S, which has since become much-coveted collector’s items.
So, it is no surprise that the new model is already being keenly anticipated by fans of the MINI and John Cooper Works brands.


Post-SST: Cheaper CKD Volkswagen Models, CBUs Up

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced the revised prices of all Volkswagen models with the implementation of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) on the 1st of September 2018. With the exception of CBU models, the new prices of Volkswagen cars are now lower than previous prices with 6% GST.
Additionally, the VPCM Price Protection Scheme (PPS) is still applicable for all models registered by the 15th of November 2018 and while stocks last.  Since the introduction of the PPS, VPCM has seen a rise in demand for Volkswagen models. While VPCM is doing its best to meet the demand, stocks are very limited and customers are urged to not delay placing their bookings.
Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM said, “In line with the Government’s initiative, we are very pleased that the new tax structure has allowed us to be more competitive with our prices. With the new tax structure, the reduction of Volkswagen prices ranges from 1.5% (for the Tiguan Comfortline) to 2.6% (for the Vento Highline) compared against the previous tax structure with GST. We believe that the new prices, as well as our recently-introduced Price Protection Scheme makes owning a Volkswagen even more attractive to Malaysians.”
“As for aftersales service, the prices are determined by the service tax rate, and customers can download the revised service pricing guide on the Volkswagen website,” he added.
Below are the updated prices for Volkswagen models. Do take note are recommended retail prices and does not include road tax, registration fee, inspecting and handling fees, number plate fee, and hire purchase ownership endorsement fee.


Infiniti Prototype 10- Karim Habib’s First Infiniti Concept Car

Infiniti has showcased their latest concept car, the Prototype 10 at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The new concept follows two other design studies revealed by Infiniti in the last year- the
open-wheeled predecessor Prototype 9
 and the more conventional
Q Inspiration
.
The Prototype 10 is the first project under the direction of the company’s new Executive Design Director, Karim Habib. Previously with BMW Design, Habib said the Infiniti Prototype 10 echoes the layout and design of early speedsters as the period saw the creation of some of the most evocative car designs of all time.
“Our new concept speaks of an electrified future, something which is reflected in its form and details. It is appropriate that we found inspiration in an optimistic bygone era in which cars were characterized by the simple love of driving.” Habib added.
Infiniti is planning to revamp their product line-up with more focus on electrification. From 2021, new models will offer a mix of pure electric vehicles and e-Power vehicles. Infiniti believes electric motors can deliver vehicles with incredible off-the-line acceleration, while the
unique range-extender hybrid system in the e-Power
 can provide “range confidence” for longer journeys.
Roland Kruger, President of Infiniti said, “Prototype 10 highlights the shift towards powertrain electrification for Infiniti. In the near future, our cars will offer high performance, extended driving range, and the intelligent management of energy.”
Purely a design study at this stage, Prototype 10 nevertheless hints at the inherent flexibility of Infiniti’s approach to blend electrified vehicles with high performance and memorable design.


Updated Proton Exora Makes First Public Appearance

While the big news today was that
 the Proton-Geely strategic partnership has officially begun
, our national carmaker also had another surprise for us during the ceremony this morning – the updated Exora MPV.
Shown to the public officially for the first time, the updated Exora sports a number of subtle updates from the earlier model.
The first few things we noticed were the new Ruby Red paint from the Perdana, the blacked out roof, front grille, side mirrors and rear spoiler, the new black lip on the front bumper, the black side skirting, as well as the new wheel design (from the Inspira).
Inside, the updated Exora gets leather seats, the same steering wheel as the Preve, a two-din audio head unit with USB connectivity, as well as a roof-mounted screen for rear passengers.
Besides the above, things appear to remain unchanged in the Exora including the powertrain package.
The MPV will be powered by the same 1.6-litre turbocharged CFE engine and CVT gearbox as the current model.
Since no further details were revealed earlier by Proton, we can expect official announcements very soon since the MPV was already shown fully.


BMW Australia Confirms Sale Of BMW X2 and X7, In Showrooms By 2019

BMW Australia have confirmed that they will be bringing in the BMW’s X2 crossover and X7 flagship SUV models by 2019 to boost the brand’s SUV range. According to a report by Australian website,
GoAuto
, BMW Group Australia CEO Marc Werner has confirmed that the seven-seater X7 SUV and X2 crossover will roll into Australian showrooms within the next two years.

Werner confirmed this while speaking at a local media event, that the decision to bring in the X2 is an easy one – given the steady sales demand of BMW’s bigger X4 and X6 coupe crossovers siblings, notching up sales of 1734 and 588 units respectively in 2016.

However, those numbers are a far cry from the more traditional X3 and X5 SUVs which accounted for 3824 and 4181 units respectively, within the same period. In Australia, the BMW X1 range starts with sDrive18d (FWD, diesel) which starts off at AUD 49,500 all the way to the xDrive25i (AWD, petrol) priced at AUD 59,900.

The X2 is expected to command a price premium spec-for-spec over the X1, which BMW Australia say will go on sale in 2018. In September last year,
BMW teased
 the concept form of the X2, widely expected to be underpinned by the BMW’s UKL platform, that currently underpins the front-wheel drive,
(F48) X1
 and (F45) 2 Series Active Tourer, although details are limited at this point.

In Malaysia, the BMW X1 entry-level crossover is available with two engine choices – the sDrive20i 2.0-litre turbo priced at RM230,800 or the xDrive20d 2.0-litre turbodiesel priced at starting at RM255,800.

As for the seven-seater X7 flagship SUV, internally codenamed G07, GoAuto reports, that the model is still some years off; reportedly only reaching showrooms sometime in 2019. Werner adds “Arguably this is something we would have liked to have seen much earlier, but it’s the way it is, but the car is coming, and that’s the good news. It’s confirmed for Australia.”

The X7 is of course slated to
go up against rivals
 such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS and Range Rover. In Australia, the GLS starts off with the GLS 350d at AUD 116,615, and ends with the AUD 217,615, GLS 63 AMG.

The X7 is expected to be powered by a range of six-cylinder petrol and diesel engine, including a possible V8 powered, BMW ‘M’ model; a Plug-In-Hybrid configuration is also understood to be in the pipeline.


Bangkok 2018: All-New BMW X5 M Sport Previewed, 620 Nm From Turbodiesel

The fourth generation G05 BMW X5 was just unveiled back in June. At the ongoing Thailand International Motor Expo 2018, BMW Group Thailand not only took the wraps off the
M850i flagship coupe
 but also the all-new BMW X5, with both models in right-hand drive placement.
The local BMW distributor said it was only previewing the all-new BMW X5 and with one single variant, xDrive30d M Sport.
The distinctive M Sport design marks out the all-new X5 with the M aerodynamics package, roof rails in gloss black, and large kidney grille bars finished in matte aluminium.
This display unit has also been fitted with M Sport brakes and 22-inch M light alloy wheels.
The familiar split tail gate is now powered, with the lower door retracting inwards at the touch of the closure switch.
Behind the new design theme kidney grille that is large and almost square in shape lies a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel engine with outputs of 265 hp and 620 Nm peaking briefly from 2,000 to 2,500 rpm.
An eight-speed automatic transmission continues to be present together with the intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive system. The xDrive30d M Sport can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and the top speed is 230 km/h.
Handling and ride comfort duties are tasked by the adaptive M suspension system with non-height-adjustable coil springs.
The interior meanwhile continues with the current theme of new generation BMWs with a fully digital instrument panel and control display that share same the graphics and design.
Other interior features include a panoramic glass roof whose clear surface is 30% larger than the outgoing model. Advanced driving assistance features include a surround view camera system and a new reversing assistant.


Frankfurt 2017: Mercedes-Benz Concept EQA – Stuttgart's Electrified Hot Hatch

In an effort to bring electric mobility to the compact class, Mercedes-Benz revealed the Concept EQA at the Frankfurt Motor Show yesterday.
Featuring a minimalist, curvaceous exterior design, the car comes with laser fibre light technology, spiral light signets, and a unique virtual radiator grille which shows what driving mode has been selected by the driver.
For instance, in the "Sport" drive program, the grille depicts a flaming wing in horizontal format, while in "Sport Plus" mode - vertical struts in the style of a Panamericana radiator grille are displayed.
Powered by two electric motors - one at the front axle and one at the rear, the compact car has a system output of over 200 kW and achieves a range of around 400 kilometres.
According to the folks at Mercedes-Benz, the drive characteristics can also be altered by varying the permanent all-wheel drive's front to rear torque distribution.
Capable of being charged via induction or a wallbox, the Concept EQA is part of Mercedes-Benz’s new EQ electric mobility sub-brand, offering a comprehensive electric mobility ecosystem of products, services, technologies and innovations that include electric vehicles, wallboxes, charging services, and even home energy storage units.
While the first series-produced model of the new EQ range is the EQC which is set to be produced from 2019, the production version of the Concept EQA is expected to be released by the year 2022.


Toyota: Back To The Future’s Mr. Fusion Is Already Here

October 2015 is not only the 119
th
 anniversary of
the world’s first motorised truck
, but it is also the month where the second part of the Back to the Future trilogy was centred around.
For those of who didn’t grew up in the ’80s, here’s brief recap of the movie. The second chapter of the Back to the Future trilogy sees Doctor Emmett Brown and Marty McFly traveling 30 years into the future - from 23-October 1985 to 21-October 2015 - using a modified version of the nuclear-powered electric Delorean DMC 12 seen in the first chapter of the movie.
Having travelled into the future earlier, Doc Emmett Brown made a few conversions for his time travelling Delorean DMC 12 using technology available in 2015 – giving the DeLorean a ‘hover’ conversion, and installed Mr Fusion – a funky eco-friendly device that turns garbage into energy, replacing the Delorean’s original plutonium power source.
Today 21-October is the day that the fictional film was set at. While we didn’t have
hoverboards (which by the way, Lexus did try to replicate)
, flying cars, flying Citroen DS taxis, or robotic arms that fuel our cars, we do have however have Mr. Fusion – sort of.
While the Toyota Mirai might not have a flux capacitor and can’t travel through time, or even, it can run on energy generated from garbage, just like Doc Emmett Brown’s Mk2 DeLorean.
Watch the video below. This short 5 minutes clip is full of ‘easter egg’ hidden messages that pay homage to the original movie. Fans of the movie will certainly be able to pick up the subtle hints in the dialogue, returning casts (including Einstein the dog), shooting locations and props used.
The Toyota Tacoma used in the Mirai video is also painted in the same livery as the Toyota Hilux used in the movie.
Steven Spielberg’s Back to the Future is one of the most important cultural icons of the ‘80s. The three beautifully shot video below tells a story of how the movie had influenced these three car enthusiasts.
And here's more Back to the Future goodies. Looks like it's time to dig out the DVD from my collection.


Myvi 2022 Hadir Dengan Ciri Pintar - Elak Kenderaan Terkeluar Lorong Tanpa Sengaja

Myvi 2022 didatangkan dengan ciri keselamatan yang menghalang kenderaan dari terkeluar dari lorong dengan sengaja. Canggih kan!

Perodua antara pengeluar kereta yang konsisten dalam menawarkan
Sistem Bantuan Pemandu ADAS
, yang diberi nama Advanced Safety Assist atau ASA. Bantuan Pemanduan Selamat (ASA) ini ditawarkan pada hampir kesemua model Perodua dan Myvi 2022 semestinya tidak terkecuali.

Bagi Myvi 2022, kesemua varian G+, X, H dan AV dilengkapi
ASA 3.0
 yang pertama kali diperkenalkan dalam Perodua Ativa pada Mac lalu. Namun, varian AV mempunyai ciri keselamatan yang lebih berbanding varian yang lain.

ASA 3.0 vs ASA 2.0

ASA 3.0
 kini berfungsi pada kelajuan yang lebih tinggi sehingga 120 km/j untuk kenderaan dan sehingga 60 km/j untuk pejalan kaki. Berbeza dengan
ASA 2.0
 terdahulu yang hanya berfungsi sehingga 100 km/j untuk kenderaan dan 50 km/j untuk pejalan kaki.

Bagi ASA 2.0, anda perlu menghidupkan semula enjin kenderaan untuk
system restart
 sekiranya Pre-Collision Braking (PCB) diaktifkan melebihi tiga kali. Namun bagi ASA 3.0, penggunaan sistem PCB adalah tanpa had (unlimited) jadi, anda tidak perlu menghidupkan enjin semula.

ASA 3.0 juga boleh mengesan kenderaan beroda dua (motosikal dan basikal), berbanding hanya kereta dan pejalan kaki untuk ASA 2.0.

Jika ASA 2.0 hanya berfungsi pada waktu siang, kini ASA 3.0 boleh berfungsi pada waktu malam, dengan syarat lampu belakang kenderaan di hadapan anda menyala.

Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA)

Selain ASA 3.0,
Myvi 2022
 dilengkapi ciri keselamatan PSDA untuk memberi bantuan pemanduan yang berasaskan kamera dan sensor bagi mengurangkan titik buta, mengurangkan risiko merbahaya di jalan raya dan meningkatkan tahap keselamatan ketika pemanduan.

Varian tertinggi AV dilengkapi PSDA
 yang juga memenuhi sistem pemanduan Autonomi Tahap Kedua iaitu:

Kawalan Pelayaran Adaptif (ACC)

Kawalan Pengekalan Lorong (LKC)

Paparan Titik Buta (BSM)

Amaran Lintasan Trafik Belakang (RCTA)

Kawalan Pelayaran Adaptif (ACC)

ACC adalah sistem kawalan pelayaran pintar yang membantu melaraskan kelajuan kenderaan anda seiring dengan kelajuan kenderaan di hadapan anda

ACC juga memastikan jarak yang selamat antara kenderaan anda dengan kenderaan di hadapan menggunakan sensor yang terdapat di hadapan kenderaan anda

Untuk
Myvi 2022
, anda boleh menetapkan jarak selamat dengan kenderaan di hadapan dalam tiga peringkat jarak, misalnya 25 meter, 40 meter dan 50 meter

Anda juga boleh menetapkan tahap kelajuan kenderaan dari 30 km/j hingga 125 km/j

Setelah menetapkan pelarasan, anda hanya perlu mengemudi stereng dan membiarkan sistem ACC untuk mengawal brek serta kelajuan kereta anda

Jika ada halangan seperti kenderaan di hadapan mula perlahan, membrek atau menukar lorong, sistem ACC akan mengesan kelajuan kereta tersebut dan membuat pelarasan mengikut jarak dan kelajuan yang anda telah tetapkan

Butang ACC terletak pada sebelah kanan stereng dan perlu diaktifkan untuk menggunakan sistem ini

Kawalan Pengekalan Lorong (LKC)

Sistem LKC menyokong operasi stereng kereta untuk memastikan ia berada di lorong jalan yang dipandu

Ia akan mengesan garisan putih atau kuning pada kiri dan kanan jalan raya

Jika kereta dikesan terlalu menghampiri garisan tersebut (kurang dari 3 meter), LKC akan mengemudi stereng untuk kembali ke dalam lorong pemanduan

LKC berfungsi bersama dengan ACC untuk pengesanan kelajuan penuh sebelum bertindak dalam sebarang situasi jalan raya

Jika ACC tidak diaktfikan, LKC tidak akan berfungsi

Paparan Titik Buta (BSM)

Mengesan kenderaan yang berada di luar sudut pandangan (titik buta), menggunakan sensor pada cermin pandangan sisi

Sensor akan berbunyi dan menyala jika mengesan kenderaan yang sedang bergerak laju menghampiri kenderaan anda

BSM membantu anda menukar lorong dengan selamat

Amaran Lintasan Trafik Belakang (RCTA)

Sistem ini membantu anda semasa mengundur kenderaan dengan mengesan kehadiran kenderaan lain di belakang anda

Sensor akan berbunyi dan menyala dalam jarak 5-20 meter dari kenderaan yang menghampiri kenderaan anda apabila RCTA diaktifkan

RCTA membantu anda keluar parkir dengan selamat

Varian G+, X dan H pula didatangkan dengan
ciri keselamatan PSDA
 berikut:

Amaran Keluar Lorong (LDW)

Kamera mengesan garisan putih atau kuning pada kiri dan kanan jalan raya pada kelajuan 60 km/j ke atas

Sensor akan berbunyi dan menyala jika mengesan kenderaan melencong keluar daripada lorong pemanduan

Penghalang Keluar Lorong (LDP)

Jika pemandu tidak bertindak balas kepada sensor amaran, sistem LDP akan menggunakan sedikit daya pembetulan pada stereng untuk membantu pemandu ‘tersedar’ dan memastikan kenderaan masuk kembali lorong asal

Pada pandangan penulis, varian AV adalah pilihan utama dan paling cun dari aspek keselamatan pemanduan. Tapi kalau bawa kereta macam 'pelesit' dan tidak mematuhi peraturan jalan raya, tidak boleh salahkan sistem ADAS kereta andai berlaku kejadian yang tidak diingini.

Seperti namanya Sistem Bantuan Pemandu, ADAS hanya dapat membantu pemanduan agar lancar tapi yang mengemudi jentera itu adalah anda. Jadilah pengemudi yang berhemah ya!


Audi Debuts E-Tron In ASEAN, Thailand First Nation

In the build-up to the upcoming Bangkok International Motor Show 2019, Audi Thailand has just released the price of the fully-electric (EV) Audi e-tron.
With this move, Audi managed to be ahead of market leader
Mercedes-Benz
 to be the first premium brand to introduce an EV to the Thai market.
Audi Thailand has managed to obtain a very competitive price for the fully-imported e-tron too, with prices starting from 5.099 million Baht. Compared to its sporty Q8 sibling, the Audi e-tron is significantly cheaper, undercutting it by a full 1.7 million Baht, while delivering more power.
 Key highlights in
the Audi e-
tron
 include a system output of 408 hp from the dual-motors, a range of over 400 kilometres, and the Virtual Side Mirrors.
There is not much information on the charging facility though, as the
massive 95 kWh lithium-ion battery
 pack is designed for quick charging through a new high-power charging (HPC) 150 kW DC-supply system.
A home charger with 11 kW and 400-volt three-phase AC system will require over 8 hours to fully charge the battery, compared to a mere 30 minutes through the HPC infrastructure.
As the Bangkok International Motor Show is just two weeks away, perhaps Audi Thailand will share more information on the charging infrastructure in due time.


Two Proton SUVs Coming In 2020, Company Aims To Sell 132k Cars This Year

At a recent media event, Proton CEO Dr. Li Chunrong announced that Proton has big ambitions for 2020, which hopes to see the annual sales figures rise to 132k units in 2020.

Ambitious, some might say, but considering the company capped off a stellar 2019, delivering 100,821 units in total, an increase of circa 55 percent over the same period in 2018 – we’d concur that their 2020 goals are not just optimistic speculation.

But how are Proton going to achieve this?

The major growth drivers will be the official introduction of the
locally-assembled X70 (CKD)
, and the launch of the smaller Proton X50 B-Segment SUV, which was also confirmed to come in the second half of 2020.

The Proton X50 is based on the
Geely Binyue
 and will go up against the likes of the Honda HR-V and Mitsubishi ASX.

Elsewhere, sales will be buoyed by the strong resurgence of the Proton Saga, following a
comprehensive facelift in 2019
, and other strong performing models such as the Exora and Persona.


Mercedes-Benz G 500 4x4² Revealed

Few manufacturers have the outright cheek to go the wacky route, to build things that defy convention - but
Mercedes-Benz
 has been doing just that for a while now. Adding more and more outrageous engines to road ordinary cars and compact cabriolets. Other waves of audacity include what they’ve been doing with their

Geländewagen (or
G-Class
 as its now known): the G63 AMG, G63 AMG 6x6, and, now, the G500 4x4² - also referred to as the G-Class Squared.
These vehicles fill no particular need but nearly every illogical want, especially for those of the masculine persuasion. A huge hulking truck with the loudest, most powerful road car engines Mercedes-Benz can throw at it - it just screams confrontation.
So what have we got, then, in this bright green monster? It appears this is Mercedes’ way of toning things down. Really. For those who felt that the 6x6 was brilliant but just a little too far on the scale of crazy, Mercedes has listened to you. The 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 from the AMG GT makes an appearance here, outputting 416 bhp and 611 Nm of torque to all four wheels through a revised version of Mercedes’ 7G-tronic automatic gearbox. There are three mechanical differential locks as well that can be engaged or disengaged while on the move.
Despite being primarily aimed at tackling off-road terrain, the nearly three-tonne truck can sprint to 100 kph in just 6.5 seconds on the road with a top speed of around 137 mph (or 218 kph).
On the outside, you get very pronounced bodywork to set you apart from the standard G500 on which its based. It gains wider tracks and a more robust chassis initially developed for the 6x6. The standard tires measure 37 inches and contain special two-piece 18-inch beadlock wheels. That combination allows the G500 4×4² a 450mm ground clearance, a fording depth of 1000 millimeters, and an incline departure angle of 54 degrees.
Mercedes-Benz is planning a full unveil of the G500 4×4² at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and, like its 6x6 brethren, is expected to be available in limited numbers once it goes on sale later this year.


Collapsed Flyover En Route to KLIA Is Still A Tourism Sight To Behold After Three Years

How would you feel if you were a tourist visiting Malaysia and saw a collapsed road on your way to the airport and only to returned several years later to find it still under construction?
Well, that's the unfortunate case of the Cyberjaya flyover which was previously reported to be closed on Nov 2012 for repair works and later collapsed in Feb 2013.
According to
The Malaysian Insider
, the flyover was supposed to be rebuilt eight months after the three weeks of clean up. Last I checked the calendar, its year 2015 already.
Today the neglected bridge is still closed, traffic from Puchong, Cyberjaya, and the ELITE highway are still being diverted around its ruins, and when I was on my way to the airport last week, the area is still being barricaded for construction. Since 2015 is the Malaysia Year of Festivals, is this really what Malaysia wants to promote to our fellow foreign tourists who just landed in KLIA and passed by the amazing roads and absorbing one of their first amazing moments in this amazing tropical land we call home? Won't somebody please think of the children?!
Sinar Harian
 reported back in April that the flyover is scheduled to be completed in 2016.  I think the biggest question here is why is it taking so long? The link was a project by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) that begun in Oct 2007 and completed two years later and was handed over to Projek Lebuhraya Utara Selatan (PLUS) Malaysia in March 2012 but these claims were denied by PLUS which stated that PKNS was responsible for the maintenance of the highway.
Carlist contacted the PKNS office earlier today for a deadline on the restoration, but was told the person in charge was away at a meeting and none other staff have details of the project.
An article by
The Star
 in 2014 quoted the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) public relations manager Ishak Hashim saying: “Construction work is expected to start in April 2015 and it will take 12 months to complete.”
He also added: “Soil investigation needs to be completed first before the design of the new bridge and structural work can commence."
Aren't the safety of the highway structure supposed to be evaluated before its construction? If this is the standard timeline of a road restoration and these are the developments of an important interchange in the Malaysian Silicon Valley, what hope do we have for other collapsed highways and potholes around the city?