New Honda Jazz Debuts In Japan – Can You Spot The Difference?

While Honda of America is busying itself with the tenth generation
all-new 2016 Honda Civic Sedan
, Honda Japan has quietly launched a new Honda Jazz – which looks nearly identical to the outgoing model.
At a glance, you can hardly tell the difference between the two. The only notable difference in the facelifted Japanese market Honda Jazz (sold in Japan as the Fit) is a new radiator grille.
Squint your eyes hard enough, and you will notice a thin chrome strip at the upper part of the grille, while the other chrome strip on the lower part of the grille has been moved lower down.
The Japanese-market only hybrid model gets a new aerodynamically enhanced wheel cap.
Other than these two items, the new Jazz is nearly unchanged from the previous model. Considering how well the car is selling and how good it looks, we think it’s the right decision. Don’t mess about with a formula that already works so well.
Inside, the Japanese-market Jazz’s air-conditioning system has now been upgraded with odour-reducing Plasmacluster technology – standard on all Japanese-market Jazz models except the Jazz Hybrid.
This, and some other minor adjustments on availability of cruise control, navigation, cargo area lamp, and alarm – features whose availability differs from country to country anyway, wraps up the updates on the Jazz facelift.
Note that most Japanese-market Jazz are sold with a smaller, 1.3-litre engine. A 1.5-litre engine is only available in the Fit RS variant. Our locally-assembed Jazz is only available with a 1.5-litre engine.


Geneva 2019: Mercedes-Benz Debuts All-New CLA Shooting Brake

Fancy a sporty Mercedes-Benz but unwilling to compromise practicality?
Well, Mercedes-Benz has the answer for you in the form of the just-announced all-new CLA Shooting Brake at today's opening of the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
Now in its second generation, the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake carries over most of the design elements of the predecessor model, including the signature sloping roofline. Unlike the predecessor’s rather awkward-looking tail lights, the all-new CLA Shooting Brake receives a pair of tail lights that are reminiscent of the all-new CLS.
The all-new CLA Shooting Brake has also grown in terms of dimension over its predecessor. The all-new CLA Shooting Brake’s comes in at 4,688 mm (+48 mm) long, 1,830 mm (+53 mm) wide, and 1,442 mm (-2 mm) tall. The wheelbase of the all-new CLA Shooting Brake is also longer than the model it replaces, coming in at 2,729 mm, a 30 mm increase over the previous generation model.
Inside, the all-new CLA Shooting Brake features the updated Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX). New to the MBUX system on the all-new CLA Shooting Brake is the system’s ability to differentiate between the driver and front passenger’s commands. For example, the MBUX system knows which seat massage function needs to be activated, be it the driver or front passenger.
The ability to distinguish voices is further improved on the all-new CLA Shooting Brake. "The voice assistant no longer gets confused by other passengers talking, rather it only answers the command of the person who last activated the system with 'Hey Mercedes'", Sajjad Khan said, Deputy Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Cars for CASE and head of Digital Vehicle & Mobility.
At launch, the most power variant of the CLA Shooting Brake is the CLA250, which outputs 225 hp and 350 Nm, sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed 7G-DCT transmissions.
When the model goes on sale in September, Mercedes-Benz say that more powertrain options will be available, including a range of diesel and petrol engines paired to manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission.


2017 Kia Rio Set For Indonesian Debut Soon

PT Kia Mobil Indonesia (KMI) is set to debut the fourth-generation Kia Rio in Indonesia later this month.
According to Lawindri Liu, Public Relations Manager & Customer Relations Manager at Kia Mobil Indonesia, the company will introduce the fourth-generation model on 21 April.
Currently, the outgoing Kia Rio is powered by a 1.4-litre engine that does 107 hp and 153 Nm. Buyers in Indonesia can choose between a six-speed manual. No word on what powertrain combination will be fitted to the upcoming model.
We
understood
 that the new Kia Rio is also destined for Malaysian soil, though it is currently unknown what powertrain combination will be offered. Naza Kia plans to push sales up by another 25% this year with the introduction of several new models this year. The company unveiled the
Kia Grand Carnival
 back in March.


MIROS Perhalusi Cadangan Had Laju 30km/j Di Bandar Dan Kampung Untuk Kurangkan Kemalangan

Had laju standard 30km/j telah dicadangkan oleh
Institut Kajian Keselamatan Jalan Raya Malaysia (MIROS)
 bagi kawasan bandar, kediaman dan desa sebagai sebahagian daripada Pelan Keselamatan Jalan Raya Malaysia 2021-2030.

Ketua Pengarah Institut Penyelidikan Keselamatan Jalanraya Malaysia (MIROS) Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim berkata had tersebut dicadangkan bagi membolehkan orang ramai menguruskan tahap
keselamatan jalan raya
 dengan lebih baik. Selain itu pergerakan bawah 30km/j akan membolehkan masyarakat mewujudkan satu kawasan yang selamat, sihat, hujau dan sesuai untuk didiami.

Tambah beliau, perbincangan lanjut mengenai perkara ini akan melibatkan beberapa pihak berkepentingan seperti
Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ)
,
Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR)
, majlis tempatan, pihak
polis
 dan pihak berkuasa lain yang berkaitan.

Oleh kerana ianya salah satu daripada Pelan Keselamatan Jalan Raya Malaysia 2021 – 2030, Khairul menjelaskan bahawa cadangan had laju tersebut akan dikemukakan kepada lembaga pengarah MIROS untuk memperhalusi pelan keselamatan jalan raya dengan pelbagai pakar keselamatan dan pihak berkepentingan sebelum membawanya ke kementerian pengangkutan.

Pada masa ini, Pelan Keselamatan Jalan Raya Malaysia 2021-2030 masih dalam proses pembangunan. Satu siri bengkel akan diadakan untuk menentukan strategi bagi menyelesaikan cabaran dalam meningkatkan keselamatan jalan raya di Malaysia. Pelan ini juga merupakan rancangan berterusan dan akan terus disesuaikan untuk mencapai tujuan mengurangkan kematian dan kecederaan akibat kemalangan jalan raya.

Malaysia merupakan salah satu negara terlibat dalam mandat 18 resolusi keselamatan jalanraya di dalam Deklarasi Stockholm (persidangan menteri) yang berlangsung pada Februari 2020. Sebanyak 80 menteri terlibat telah berjanji untuk mengurangkan kadar kematian jalanraya hingga separuh menjelang 2030. Oleh itu, menteri-menteri terbabit telah sebulat suara mencadangkan untuk melaksanakan had laju 30km/j di kawasan terdapat gabungan aktiviti motosikal, kereta, pejalan kaki dan penunggang basikal.

Baru-baru ini, Ketua Pengarah Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus menyeru kerajaan seluruh dunia untuk melaksanakan had laju baharu ini dengan kadar segera. Cadangan ini juga merupakan sebahagian daripada kempen “Street for Life” di bawah Minggu Keselamatan Jalanraya Global PBB ke-6 (UNGRSW). Kempen tersebut menggalakkan komuniti di Asia Tenggara untuk melaksanakan had 30 km/j di kawasan yang terdapat pejalan kaki dan pengguna jalan raya lain.

*Kredit foto: Bernama

Meskipun jumlah kenderaan di jalan raya seluruh dunia menurun secara keseluruhan ekoran wabak COVID-19 yang melanda serta arahan bekerja dari rumah, namun WHO melaporkan statistik kematian masih tidak menurun dengan jumlah relatif yang sama kerana pengguna jalan raya memandu dengan kelajuan yang lebih tinggi apabila jalan kosong.

Baru-baru ini, sebuah video kemalangan tular di media sosial dimana seorang kanak kanak cedera parah di bahagian kepala dan kaki apabila dilanggar oleh sebuah
Perodua Kembara
 dari arah bertentangan. Berdasarkan video, kanak-kanak yang dilanggar itu berlari melintas jalan tanpa memerhatikan kenderaan dari arah bertentangan.

Kemalangan mungkin dapat dielakkan atau impaknya dapat dikurangkan sekiranya kereta-kereta di kawasan bandar, perumahan mahupun kawasan kampung bergerak dibawah had laju 30km/j. Bukan apa, bila bergerak perlahan, anda akan ada lebihan masa untuk bertindak seperti memberhentikan kenderaan atau mengelak sebarang halangan atau bahaya dengan lebih tenang.

Sebagai langkah keselamatan, cadangan had laju 30km/j di kawasan bandar, kampung dan kawasan perumahan yang dipenuhi dengan motosikal, kereta, pejalan kaki dan penunggang basikal ini dilihat sebagai satu cadangan yang bernas dalam usaha menurunkan kadar kemalangan di negara ini.

Adakah anda daripada golongan pandu cermat jiwa selamat atau jiwa kelajuan? Sebagai pengguna jalan raya, apa pendapat anda tentang perkara ini? Sokong atau bangkang?


Rolls-Royce’s All-New Ghost Is Now As Bespoke As It Should Be

The first Rolls-Royce Ghost can trace its production history all the way back to 2009, but it’s a car that still carries that certain high prestige just as well as it did 11 years ago. For 2020, however, we’re treated to an all-new version of the British luxury machine, pipped as the most advanced car the marque has built to date.

Without question, the Phantom remains at the top of the Rolls-Royce food chain, but that only meant the Ghost could fill roles that did not particularly fit the brand’s flagship, and in the process became their most popular model - a success story they plan to carry forward into this second-generation version.

Unlike its predecessor’s BMW underpinnings, this all-new Ghost is built on the ‘Architecture of Luxury’,  an all-aluminium space frame bespoke to Rolls-Royce and which is shared across the
Phantom
 VIII and
Cullinan
. Weight is cut down, while structural rigidity is improved alongside the numerous enhancements to ride and refinement made possible by the new platform.

It also happens to be larger than the outgoing model, growing 90mm longer and 30mm wider, not that its size was lacking in the first place. Another new piece of hardware coming to the all-new Ghost is its engine. Rather than a repurposed version of BMW’s 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 from the 7 Series, we have the same 6.75-litre bi-turbo V12 from the Cullinan and the Phantom VIII, bringing yet more uniformity across the entire Rolls-Royce lineup.

Interestingly, however, that power plant swap hasn’t yielded any difference to the car’s power output, which is unchanged from the 2009 Ghost at 570PS or 563hp. Peak torque, meanwhile, has seen a 10 percent increase to a colossal 850Nm, resulting in a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.8 seconds (the mind boggles). Drive is sent through a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels with rear-axle steering for better low speed manoeuvrability and high speed stability.

In terms of its design, the all-new Ghost doesn’t fall far from the branches already grown in by the other new members of Goodwood stable and actually does deftly carry over some visual DNA from the first-generation predecessor while looking fresh and minimal, which is exactly what Rolls-Royce seeks to embody through their concept of ‘Post-Opulence’.

Its front end is an amalgamation, blending a softer version of the Phantom’s chiseled jawline, slimmer headlights, and pronounced single-piece Pantheon grille which meets flush with the bonnet, leading to the brand’s (retractable) Flying Lady emerging from dedicated central slit.

Inside, the Ghost has been put through an extremely rigorous acoustic engineering program to eliminate any and all hindrances to supreme comfort and refinement, an undertaking that would have been impossible without the new aluminium architecture. Apart from the 100kg of sound insulation materials, Rolls-Royce even went so far as to tune every component to a specific resonant frequency, a tone which they term ‘the whisper’, that’s barely audible to the human ear but enough to not leave the cabin disorientingly void of all noise.

We won’t comment too much about the interior flourishes given how extensively each car can and will be customised by an owner, but the overall base design is quite simple and free from unnecessary visual noise. Everything seems as integrated as it could possibly be with just enough contrasting elements to not fall into monotony.

There are a whopping 338 trim panels in total which need to be finished to perfection to match each other - while factoring in those owner customisations - 20 leather half-hides have been used in each Ghost cabin, on average. Naturally, there’s also Rolls-Royce’s signature ‘starlight’ headliner.

Despite this, the all-new Ghost features numerous advanced functions across infotainment, communication, safety, and active assist that are controllable by either the driver or the rear passengers, requiring complicated actions be relayed through simple and intuitive controls. The 18-channel premium stereo system can pump out audio at up to 1300W but more impressively can separate certain portions of the car through use of microphones for spatial audio cancellation and isolation.

In addition to all the luxury-oriented advancements made, the second-generation Ghost has been designed and crafted to boast nimble handling - or as much as humanly possible without major sacrifices. The front overhang has been drastically reduced to improve direction changes, handy for navigating narrow city streets, leading to a more rearward engine placement and a 50:50 weight distribution, or so they say.

The suspension system, the self-levelling air-sprung set up you’d typically expect from Rolls-Royce but which has been calibrated for quicker response, as has the steering. Fewer interruptions through the chassis also inspires additional driver confidence, which is why a stereoscopic front camera called Flagbearer is constantly scanning the road ahead for surface inconsistencies and imperfections at up to 96km/h to constantly adjust spring and damper rates to suit.

Even prior to its official launch, production on the all-new second-generation Ghost has already been ramping up in preparation for an expedited delivery schedule to customers worldwide. Apparently demand has already been quite lively since the car’s official announcement.


Volkswagen ID2all concept - finally another 'affordable' EV not from China!

It’s plainly evident that the Volkswagen ID 2all concept is an EV-ified Polo, from the size to its obvious visual similarities and the fact that it sits under the ID.3, a car commonly pegged as the electric equivalent of a Golf.

The most interesting thing here isn’t its refreshingly unassuming design but that fact that VW themselves say its pricing will be very similar to that of a typical combustion-powered Polo, earmarked at under 25,000 Euro or roughly RM120,000.

It’s nice to see more automakers other than ones from China start to tackle fully electric models that mere mortals can see themselves being able to afford. Of course, the closest European contender to the ID 2all should be the e-208 from Peugeot, though the car might have evolved a new form by the VW’s 2026 expected launch.

The car is the first to use the VW Group’s much anticipated MEB Entry platform which will go on to underpin a fair few cars from Skoda, Cupra, and SEAT. This debut was initially planned for the ID Life crossover but reevaluated following its relatively lukewarm public reception.

Other than that it’s also meant to be a showcase for the brand’s future electric models. This is part of a major brand revamp that's intended to, in the words of CEO Thomas Schäfer, “make Volkswagen a genuine love brand”.

As for specification, the ID 2all should be available with either a 38kWh or 56kWh batteries with the latter supposedly being able to propel it for 450km in real world conditions before needing to be recharged.

Power figures are said to be 225PS and in a front motor-only configuration, enough to boast a 0-100km/h acceleration time of under 7 seconds - on par with a present day Golf GTI.

Speaking of which, there’s plenty of design DNA from past Volkswagen hatchback greats in the ID 2all, all but cementing it as a crowd pleaser. DC charging speeds are also confirmed to have an impressive maximum rate of 125kW, enabling a 10-80% replenishment in just 20 minutes or so.

Dimensionally the far lengthened wheelbase means it also beats any Golf on interior space handily while boasting a commodious 490-litres.

Inside, the ID 2all’s cabin can be defined as quite stark with straight lines and a very minimal number of control surfaces scattered throughout with just the copious amounts of ambient lighting strips to break the monotony. Still, remember this is still just considered a concept car.


All-New Honda Accord Set For Q1 2020 Malaysian Launch, Bookings Now Open

The all-new
Honda
 Accord is here! Well, almost. Its Malaysian launch has been teased to be within Q1 2020, and while that isn’t very specific, we therefore know it must be somewhere in the next 6 weeks. Booking is now open.

Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Toichi Ishiyama said: “To further excite the market and the segment, Honda Malaysia is introducing the All-New Accord with class-leading and highly-competitive advanced technology features,"

"The much-anticipated All-New Accord is set to move the yardstick for next generation sedans with its unmatched performance, stylish and premium design as well as cutting-edge technology and safety features.”

Now in its 10th-generation, the all-new Accord was unveiled back in 2017 with the North American market being one of the first to receive the D-segment sedan, which has sprouted a dramatically sleeker ‘liftback’ profile and sloping roofline.

Closer to home, the car made its ASEAN debut in Thailand in early 2019 followed by Indonesia, Singapore, and even Vietnam later that year. Now that we’re nearing its much awaited local launch, at least we no longer have to glance enviously at our Southeast Asian neighbours.

Honda Malaysia says that the all-new Accord will be powered by a 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo petrol four-cylinder that delivers 201PS (about 198hp) and 260Nm. It’s a power plant well known to Malaysians as it’s also found in the CR-V and Civic, albeit in a lower state of tune.

The company says the smaller displacement motor is gutsier than the naturally aspirated 2.4-litre unit used previously while improving on fuel efficiency and power distribution. In other regions, only the more powerful 2.0-litre turbo option (essentially a detuned FK8 Civic Type R engine) is fitted with a 10-speed automatic, leading us to believe that the incoming Malaysia-spec Accord will use an Earth Dreams CVT, a transmission not unlike the unit fitted to the aforementioned Civic and CR-V.

Not much is yet known about the rest of the next Accord’s set of features, but headlining the equipment list is the newest Honda Sensing safety suite which includes Collision Mitigation Braking, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Keep Assist, among others.

Additionally, each Accord will also be fitted with the Multi View Camera System that gives the driver a 360-degree view of the car’s surroundings, full LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, and Adaptive Cruise Control.


AirAsia Ties Up With Skyports To Develop Air Taxi Infrastructure In Malaysia

AirAsia has signed a letter of intent with Skyports to explore and encourage the development of the air taxi infrastructure in Malaysia,
starting with the Kuala Lumpur
.

To be more specific, the document was inked between Skyports Infrastructure, an advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure developer, and the Advanced Air Mobility unit of AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd, the aviation arm of Capital A Berhad.

In a statement, the airline operator said that this “is an important next step in establishing a fully operational vertiport network in the country.”

AirAsia to develop air taxi infrastructure in Malaysia

It is unclear how (if at all) this factors into AirAsia’s
plan to lease some 100 e-VTOL
 (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft from Avolon’s future fleet of 500 units, all manufactured by Vertical Aerospace.

The units of VX4s coming into temporary possession of AirAsia’s fleet uses an electric powertrain developed by Rolls-Royce that generates
1 megawatt (1,341hp)
, has a claimed range of 160km, and a top speed of 325km/h while carrying a maximum of 4 passengers as well as a pilot.

As the statement continues, it is revealed that Skyports’ involvement mainly surrounds the advancement of regulatory development by close collaboration with the relevant regulatory bodies and standard-setting organisations.

The planned 1-year partnership will also heavily emphasise feasibility studies for the integration of air taxi vertiport infrastructure, the identification of potential vertiport sites, and the development of operational requirements and frameworks to ultimately implement a vertiport network in Malaysia.

Captain Ling Liong Tien, Chief Safety Officer and Head of Advanced Air Mobility, said: “Following the announcement of our venture into the urban air taxi service earlier this year, we have been working around the clock to explore its feasibility in Malaysia,”

Urban air taxis in Malaysia - Now Everyone Can Fly?

“This partnership with Skyports will accelerate the review of the infrastructure including vertical take-off and landing platforms in the country as well as strengthen our potential as a zero-emissions ultra-short-haul air travel provider in Southeast Asia.”

Mr Yun-Yuan Tay, Head of Asia Pacific, Skyports said, “We are excited to be partnering with AirAsia, a powerhouse airline operator that brings great synergy to our work at Skyports. This partnership highlights the steady progress of AAM development and interest in Malaysia and the wider APAC region,”

“With innovative and forward-looking partners like AirAsia, we will be able to take concrete steps towards the realisation of a safe, efficient, and fully-integrated air taxi network which brings real benefits to the people and communities it serves.”

Hmm...Let's see how this goes.


Perodua 2016 Sales Surpasses 150,000 Units; 20,000 Bezzas Delivered

Perodua has sold 150,900 vehicles in the first nine months of 2016, spurred by strong demand for its
newly-launched Bezza
 sedan.
Despite shrinkage in its year-on-year sales volume, which stood at 157,500 in the corresponding period of 2015, Perodua continues to command 36.1% of the overall market.
“On a year-to-year comparison, we are cautiously optimistic that we will further reduce the sales deficit gap which currently stands at 4.2%,” said Perodua President and CEO, Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid Salleh.
Standout performer of the Perodua line-up is none other than the
all-new Bezza
, which Perodua already registered 20,000 units of since its launch on 21 July 2016. It is the highest ever delivery rate recorded by any model in the first 90 days since its launch.
As recently as 30 August 2016, Perodua had delivered
10,000 units of the Bezza with 25,000 orders in its books
.
The Bezza’s strong performance is nevertheless insufficient to prevent a year-on-year decrease of third quarter sales. This year, Perodua sold 45,300 vehicles from July to September, compared to 49,000 vehicles during the same period last year.
As a result of the softened demand, Perodua’s production output has accordingly contracted by 9%, dropping from 168,300 in the first nine months of 2015 to 153,700 vehicles over the same period in 2016.
“We believe the fourth quarter of the year will continue to be challenging due to the current economic conditions as well as competitors’ sales activities,” Aminar said.


Hyundai targets 2 million annual EV sales by 2030

Hyundai Motor Company
 plans to boost its annual EV sales goal to 2 million units annually by 2030.

The 'upgraded' plan was unveiled during the 2023 CEO Investor Day in Seoul earlier this week which comprised a multitude of business strategies as well as financial plans. In short, Hyundai is going big and all out to dominate the EV market.

A part of the 'Hyundai Motor Way' strategy includes the transition into electrification by leveraging its vast experience in vehicle production and sales. This will also include the brand's upcoming Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA) that will replace its Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

In order for this to work smoothly, Hyundai is also looking at securing a gargantuan investment figure of KRW 109.4 trillion (around RM393 billion) in the next 10 years. This will not only be used in developing its new EV platform but also in other interesting aspects such as autonomous driving, hydrogen, robotics, and advanced air mobility (AAM).

Going back to the second-gen EV platform, the new Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA), Hyundai will kick things off by using it to produce 13 new EV models for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis by 2030. They also expect the IMA to further reduce the EV development complexities and costs, which in turn will boost other key areas like production capacity as well as selling price.

The IMA platform will also offer greater flexibility in developing a wider range of vehicles compared to the current E-GMP platform which only covers mid-sized SUVs. In other words, expect to see other exciting EVs from Hyundai from large SUVs to pickup trucks and even flagship models for the Genesis brand.

Other aspects that Hyundai is looking to greatly improve in the coming years are battery tech and range, AI-based battery management system, software architecture compatibility, autonomous driving of Level 3 and beyond, plus many more.

Right now, we're already very impressed with what they have going on right now with sexy EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Just imagine the things that they'll accomplish a few years down the road.


Volkswagen T-Roc Interior And Exterior Details Teased Ahead of Global Debut

Volkswagen is all set to expand its SUV lineup with the introduction of new T-Roc compact SUV in just eight more days.
So, in order to keep the hype going, the brand has released a couple of new sketches and a teaser video which gives us a glimpse at the SUV’s exterior as well as the cabin.
The crossover, which according to Volkswagen, boasts crisp proportions, a progressive design and a wealth of innovations, will be underpinned by the brand’s Modular Transverse Matrix MQB platform, mimicking the Golf’s 2,640mm wheelbase which is 41mm shorter than the Tiguan.
Dubbed as the ‘Golf Crossover’, the T-Roc is expected to offer similar powertrain packages as the Golf - an entry-level 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo with 115bhp, a 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI turbo petrol engine, four-cylinder 1.6 and 2.0 litre turbodiesel mills, and also a GTI version utilising the direct-injected and turbocharged (EA888) engine producing around 240bhp.
Exterior features include a wide radiator grille with integrated dual headlights, bumper-mounted DRLs and cornering lights, a protruding liftgate which links up to chunky C-pillars, and a raked window.
The interior architecture is expected to look a lot like the concept, offering similar colour theme as the exterior, a unique dashboard design, a 9.2-inch infotainment screen which will support speech and gesture controls, VW’s Active Info Display similar to the new Passat and Tiguan, and a centre console that was inspired by a motorcycle helmet.
Here to take on models like the Audi Q2, BMW X1 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA, the T-Roc, which could be offered in either two-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations, will sit  underneath the existing Tiguan, aimed at those who want a raised, more practical version of the Golf.


Pics of 2016 Volvo V90 Leaked Ahead of Geneva Debut

So the folks at
Autocar UK
 stumbled upon a set of studio shots of what appears to be the all-new 2016 Volvo V90, an estate version of the upcoming S90 sedan, which has already been previewed at last November’s Detroit Auto Show, and will go on sale in major markets around the world starting mid-2016.
While the authenticity of the images cannot be verified yet, they do look like the real deal, and appear to be very similar to pictures of a die-cast scale model V90 leaked by
CarNewsChina.com
 late last year.
To recap, the all-new Volvo V90 will be making its global debut on
February 18 in Stockholm
, but this is likely to be a digital realm-only launch only, and the actual car will only be unveiled in March, at the Geneva Motor Show.
Engine options are likely to be similar to what’s offered to the
S90
 - two diesels (D4 and D5), two petrol (T5 and T6), one petrol-electric plug-in hybrid (T8), all 2.0-litre capacity, using modular construction and class-leading innovations to extract more horsepower from the same amount of fuel than their German peers.
Turbochargers, superchargers, electric compressors with compressed air boosting, and bespoke engine management software are used to different one engine from another.
The petrol and diesel engines share the same block. Even the pistons are similar, with different machining of the piston’s top to accommodate different compression ratios.
Looking at the pictures, we have only one thing to say:
Too bad estates are not popular in Malaysia. Volvo Car Malaysia used to sell the V70 here, but the model has since been discontinued and we don’t expect to see the V90 here anytime soon. The S90 however, is almost certain to be making a comeback here, succeeding the S80.


Honda Civic: 10th Generation vs 11th Generation - What are the differences?

Whatr are the key differences between the 11th generation Honda Civic and the 10th generation Civic Sedan?

Just a few days ago, Honda in the Land of Smiles launched the
11th-Gen Honda Civic Sedan
. Malaysian Honda Civic fans must be excited because when Honda Thailand launches a car, we typically follow suit in a few months. It seems, Singapore will also be
launching
 the Civic Sedan this Thursday, so does it mean we will be next?

Unfortunately, the answer is not so soon. Although it would only take Honda Malaysia a few months to set up a CKD production in Melaka, the launch of the facelift FC-generation model (10th generation) tells a lot about when we will be getting the 11th-gen Honda Civic Sedan.

Malaysian political affairs in 2019/ 2020 delayed the launch of the facelift FC Civic in Malaysia. As a result, it was finally launched in February 2020, a year and a bit after it debuted in Thailand. Traditionally, a facelift Honda model is sold for a couple of years at least before it's moved on, which means we will only be getting the 11th-gen Civic Sedan next year.

With the flip-flopping of national recovery policies and government personnel, it's probably safe to say that Honda Malaysia will play it by ear and wait it out till things are a bit more certain, which means a delayed launching to next year - we predict Honda Malaysia will launch the 11th-gen Honda Civic Sedan in Q4 of 2022.

With this in mind, there is still no harm in aspiring to own the
11th-Gen Honda Civic
, but what are the key differences between it and the
10th-Gen Civic
? Let's take a look.

Exterior Design- More like a baby Accord?

At the front, the 11th-gen Civic sports the latest three-dimensional wide front grille, flanked by sleek headlights with an L-shaped DRL light signature. Round the sides, the car's glasshouse has been pushed back (at the front) and stretched at the rear (much like the Accord) to give the Civic a low-slung coupe-like silhouette. The characteristic kink in the bodyline just before the C-Pillar is another nod to the Accord's design cues.

Goodbye ketam lights, hello grown-up streamlined taillights

Honda has ditched the love it or hate it C-shaped "
ketam
 taillights
" for a cleaner, more streamlined rear lights with L-shaped graphics. The rear also features a curved duck-tail boot edge for an extra dose of sporty. The US market also receives contrasting coloured, or dual-tone finished wheels depending on variant.

Interior- Probably the most premium looking Civic interior ever

On the inside – the interior has been redesigned for a far more premium outlook than the 10th's stylistic approach. A detailed honeycomb mesh accent now runs the dashboard's width, which neatly integrates the air-conditioning vents. Up top, the touchscreen infotainment system is offered in 7- and 9-inch sizes depending on the variant.

Down the centre, the centre console features a main cubby space with an integrated Qi-
wireless charge port
 (specific variants), and further back, the gear shifter and usual drivetrain controls are accompanied by two cupholders. The new Civic also benefits from a new front-seat design. The new-generation seat frame firmly holds the body, enhancing comfort on long drives using Honda's Body Stabilizing Seat approach.

Engine - bye-bye N/A, turbo is the talk of the town

If we use the Thai launch as a benchmark, it seems that the 11th-gen Honda Civic will not be made available with the venerable 1.8-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC four-cylinder engine. Instead, all variants will be equipped with the 1.5-litre VTEC turbocharged mill.

Interestingly, the Thai market Civic produces 4hp less than the American and Japanese Civics, coming in at 176hp and 240Nm of torque. However, it seems like they have chosen to prioritise torque over horsepower as the engine features 20Nm more torque than its JDM and North American equivalents.

Transmission - CVT with a sporty character

The engine will be paired with an updated continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) from the 10th generation model. The revised CVT enhances fuel efficiency by using a more robust electric hydraulic pump which reduces the load on the mechanical pump, and a ball-bearing secondary shaft to reduce friction. In addition, the transmission has been programmed to provide early downshifts during braking and stepped-gearshifts during hard acceleration to simulate physical gear changes for more driver engagement.

Safety - All variants senses danger now

Once again, looking at the Thai launch, all Civics now come standard with the
Honda Sensing suite
 of driver assistance systems. Currently, only the highest spec (1.5 TC-P) 10th generation Honda Civic in Malaysia gets the Sensing Suite. The
standard-fit Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance technologies
 uses a new single-camera system that provides a broader field of view than the previous radar-and-camera based system. Combined with software advances and a new, more powerful processor, the system can more quickly and accurately identify pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vehicles, along with road lines and road signs.

The
Honda Sensing ADAS suite features
 the following safety features:

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF)

Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)

Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Auto High-Beam (AHB)

The system now adds Traffic Jam Assist. In addition, the new camera-based system improves existing functionality, such as more natural brake application and quicker reactions when using Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).


Jakarta 2017: Toyota Sienta Ezzy – Special Bodykit For The Indonesian Market

The stylish Toyota Sienta MPV gets an injection of sportiness and sophistication in the form of the Toyota Sienta Ezzy that is being showcased at the ongoing Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show 2017 being held in Jakarta.
Mechanically unchanged from the regular
Sienta 1.5 that we are familiar with
, the Sienta Ezzy is a local initiative by Toyota’s Indonesia distributor Toyota Astra Motor (TAM).
From the already funky-looking regular Sienta, the Sienta Ezzy gains an even more distinctive appearance with its unique TAM Design all-round bodykit along with new design alloy wheels.
The nose is revamped with an enlarged grille, more angular styling cues, and swathes of silver-accented inserts to give the front end more substantial road presence. Skirtings are added to either side, and the roof is given a white contrast finish.
Less is altered at the rear, though the lower bumper area still gains a more elaborate diffuser-style treatment.
No significant differences are observed inside. The vehicle gets the same black-brownish two-tone interior colour scheme that is similar to what we get in our market. Only noteworthy difference is that the vehicle on display is a 6-speed manual shifter whilst Malaysian cars are exclusively fitted with a CVT.
Like in Malaysia, the Indonesia-spec Sienta is powered by Toyota’s 1.5-litre 2NR-FE four-cylinder petrol engine with Dual VVT-i. Outputs are identical at 107 PS and 140 Nm.
Read our review of the Malaysia-spec Toyota Sienta here:
Review: 2016 Toyota Sienta 1.5V – Let There be Excitement for Once


Toyota Vios 2019- How Much Has It Improved Vs Honda City?

The current generation Honda City (GM6) has been a sales hit since its launch in 2014. A facelift in 2017 that increased standard specifications and reduced prices further pushed its market leadership in the non-national sedan segment in Malaysia.
It’s key rival, the Toyota Vios, has now been
refreshed with more standard features together with more advanced safety features
. We take a look at how the top two sedans fare against each other in equipment levels.
The entry variant Toyota Vios 1.5J has increased its basic specification level that focuses on safety. Standard safety features now consist of seven airbags (including driver’s knee airbag) and its Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) now also offers a Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) feature.
The Honda City 1.5S, Mazda 2 Mid-Grade, and Nissan Almera VL only offer two front airbags.
Given that the Honda City 1.5S is a good RM3,364 cheaper than the Vios 1.5J, it also offers better specification value compared to the aforementioned main competitors.
The Honda City 1.5S comes standard with more engine power, a better-looking meter panel, automatic-folding side mirrors, steering wheel audio switches, and a steering column with telescopic adjustment function.
The updated Vios 1.5J meanwhile has automatic on/off head lamps with follow-me-home function, automatic air-conditioning system, USB charging ports for rear passengers, and a manual mode for the CVT-automatic transmission at the shift lever.
One feature that still faithfully stays in the Malaysian specification Vios is the number of modes in the air-conditioning system. Even when fitted with an automatic climate control system, the air-conditioning system is only limited to two direction modes- face and a mix of face-and-foot.
This means the Vios still does not offer a front demister function, something which some drivers appreciate when their front windscreen mists up during the wet season with cool temperatures.
However, for just a mere RM4,000 more, upgrading from the J to the Vios 1.5E gets you a whole lot more niceties. Additional features include: side mirrors with power folding function and indicators lamps, front fog lamps, LED tail lamps, panoramic view camera, blind spot monitoring, display audio system, and rear armrest.
Click here for the Vios 1.5E photo gallery
The interior is also brightened up by silver trimmings on the air-conditioning vents and shift lever surround in piano black finishing.
This variant should also be quieter too thanks to the fitment of the front acoustic windshield that cancels out exterior noise.
Let's take a quick look at how the Vios G compares to the City V and Mazda 2 High-grade. A high percentage of buyers now opt for the top-variant due to the small differences in monthly repayments.
Four items that stand out in the all-new Vios G-variant are the auto dimming rear view mirror, acoustic glass windshield, panoramic view camera, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (the last three are already available in the E-variant).
Note that none of these are available in any of the competitors, placing the all-new Vios well ahead in interior features.
The Honda City V meanwhile is the only vehicle in its segment to offer cruise control, rear air conditioning vents, and highest audio speaker count of eight. The Honda City V (as well as Mazda 2 High-grade) also shines ahead with its LED head and front fog lamps, both which are traditional halogen bulbs in the Vios G.
The Mazda 2 High-grade carries the highest price tag (RM95,170) due to the fully-imported sourcing, which does not enable the product to enjoy the
tax incentives that encourage local assembly
. Bermaz Malaysia, however, provides some value to new owners by taking care of the scheduled maintenance (labour, lubricant, and parts) for up to five years or 100,000 kilometres. The warranty coverage mirrors that said time span and mileage.
Given a budget of RM80,000, the Vios 1.5E offers the most complete package, covering style, safety features, as well as comfort features.
In terms of warranty coverage, both the Vios and City have the same 5-year, unlimited mileage coverage. Honda has also reduced the cost of ownership by providing free labour charge at six pre-determined service intervals.
All vehicles also have varying differences in driving experience. The all-new Vios has
 the quietest cabin in the segment
 in our opinion, while the Honda City feels most spacious and responsive.
The Mazda 2 is the most engaging to drive but the lack of interior space is a major setback.
Meanwhile, the Almera is the only B-segment sedan that offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity at this price point (VW Vento has it too, but it is priced from RM85,430), but lacks many modern active (no ESP) and passive safety features (1 airbag). The powertrain is also the least efficient, in power maximum outputs as well as fuel consumption.
Learn more about the:
All-new Toyota Vios 1.5G: The Best Vios Ever
Honda City 2017: Homerun Returns
Mazda 2: Jinba Ittai Goodness
Nissan Almera: Can A Facelift Lift Its Fortunes?


Jualan Mitsubishi Naik 66% - Top 3 Pengeluar Automotif Bukan Nasional

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM)
 tetap mengakhiri tahun 2021 dengan jayanya meskipun terkesan selama 2 tahun akibat pandemik, banjir, kekurangan cip dan alat ganti.

Syarikat tersebut menjual 19,217 unit pada Tahun Kewangan (TK) 2021 yang mewakili peningkatan sebanyak 66% meskipun jumlah Industri (TIV) menurun sebanyak 6.7%  berbanding tempoh sama pada TK 2020 (April 2020 – Mac 2021).

Top 3 Pengeluar Bukan Nasional

Pencapaian baik syarikat itu meletakkan mereka selesa berada dalam kalangan top 3 kategori pengeluar automotif bukan nasional.

Mitsubishi XPANDER
 terus mendominasi segmen MPV bukan nasional di Malaysia, dan juga menerajui jualan untuk jenama Mitsubishi Motors.
Crossover
 tujuh tempat duduk ini telah menutup tirai TK 2021 dengan 9,065 unit dijual, yang menyumbang 47.2% kepada jumlah keseluruhan jualan syarikat.

Mitsubishi Triton
 juga mengekalkan bahagian pasaran yang kukuh dengan hampir 21.4% dan kekal sebagai salah satu pilihan kegemaran dalam segmen trak pikap walaupun menerima cabaran dari pesaingnya yang baru dilancarkan. MMM telah menjual 9,420 unit Triton pada TK 2021 iaitu peningkatan 24% berbanding TK 2020.

Dua tahun lalu, sukar bagi industri automotif untuk bertahan kerena berdepan dengan peningkatan kes Omicron,
banjir
 yang menjejaskan Lembah Klang dan wilayah Pantai Timur serta
kekurangan alat ganti
 atau cip elektronik.

Walau bagaimanapun, prestasi jualan MMM terus berkembang dan menunjukkan kejayaan yang ketara bagi syarikat tersebut.

Pengecualian SST

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, Shinya Ikeda berterima kasih kepada kerajaan Malaysia kerana memulakan dan melanjutkan pengecualian SST untuk beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini. Ini memberi pelanggan lebih penjimatan serta syarikat lebih masa untuk memenuhi semua tempahan yang dibuat.

Tambahnya, MMM akan terus bergerak ke hadapan dengan momentum yang kukuh untuk 2022 setelah menyedari bahawa sebilangan besar pelanggan mereka menyasarkan untuk membeli kereta mereka sebelum pengecualian SST tamat tempoh pada akhir bulan Jun.

MMM telah meningkatkan kapasiti pengeluaran sambil mengekalkan tahap kualiti produk yang tiggi dalam memenuhi tempahan supaya dapat memberikan pelanggan kemudahan yang terbaik di samping memberikan keyakinan terhadap syarikat.


Tokyo 2017: Others Display Concepts, Nissan Is Displaying An Ambulance And A Fridge

At times, it feels like all manufacturers bring to motor shows are wild concepts that won't see the light of day in production form for the next few years. That's why it's a little refreshing when you find concepts that are a little less far-fetched, a little closer to home, and a little more practical. At this year's Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan will be putting two concepts on display: the Paramedic Concept is an ambulance based on the NV350, and the other is an all-electric e-NV200 Fridge Concept.
The Paramedic Concept would be the fifth generation in a line of ambulances from Nissan. The NV350 Caravan was chosen as the basis for this for its ample room, giving paramedics more space to work and carrying life-saving equipment. An onboard lithium-ion battery helps to power all of this equipment when on the move, also allowing the vehicle to operate without running its engine. This vehicle is especially important in more remote areas where it may take a while to get to a hospital, providing interim care and helping to stabilize patients.
As for the e-NV200 Fridge Concept, it's an emissions-free vehicle courtesy of that all-electric drive. There's a 24 kWh battery for the vehicle itself, with an additional 12 kWh battery for its refrigerated cargo area.
This is important because it's a compact refrigerated delivery vehicle, making it ideal for tighter areas where larger refrigerated lorries cannot pass through or unload. There is also tech like the intelligent Around View Monitor system to make deliveries that little bit more convenient.
The ambulance is expected to go on sale in the 2018 fiscal year, and Nissan aims to double the annual sales of this vehicle compared to its predecessor. Also showing on display at Nissan's booth year will be the plain-jane NV350 Caravan that was launched in Japan earlier in the year.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Launches New AMG GT R and GT C, RM 1.7 Million and RM 1.5 Million

It’s hard to believe that the Mercedes-AMG GT has been around since 2014, as its sharp looks and styling still looks relevant and fresh today. That being said, it’s about time for a mid-life update – and both the new GT R and new GT C have finally been launched by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. Pricing is an eye-watering RM 1,712,888 for the GT R, and RM 1,558,888 for the GT C – but you do get a lot of car for the money.

While both cars are based on the AMG GT, they are geared for different purposes. They are both powered by twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engines, with the GT R seeing outputs of 585 hp and 700 Nm of torque from 2,100 rpm, and the GT C getting a little less at 557 hp and 680 Nm of torque through the same range.

Paired with the AMG Speedshift DCT 7-Speed transmission, accelerations and top speed figures are similar too, with the GT R clocking a 3.6 second century sprint time and a 318 km/h top speed, while the GT C hits 100 km/h from a standstill in 3.7 seconds with a 316 km/h top speed.

So what then, is the difference? Well, the GT R has always been a little more track focused with some really trick equipment – including its main party piece in the form of a 9-stage motorsport-grade traction control system. More downforce, better aerodynamics, more air vents, and lower weight are all tenets of a track-focused car. There’s even an active air dam that reduces front end lift at higher speeds to keep the car glued to the road.

Naturally this also means the GT R comes with the stiffer suspension setup, as well as lighter underbody components for lower unsprung mass and spherical bearings for better precision. If that sounds intimidating, that’s exactly why the GT C exists – being the most powerful variant of the GT C short of the GT R while retaining most of the road-going comfort-biased characteristics expected of a grand tourer.

In that way, the AMG RIDE CONTROL adaptive suspension system also works in two different ways for these two cars. For the GT R it is more to tailor the car to specific tracks by controlling dive and roll, while the system in the GT C monitors road conditions and adapts to maintain an expected level of comfort and compliance.

The roof is also a clear distinction between the two models, with a carbon roof for the GT R and a panoramic sunroof for the GT C. Both models get the revised headlights that made their debut with the GT 4-door, and both models get the swankiest new interior in line with Mercedes-Benz most current models – a 10.25-inch multimedia display front and centre, and a wide 12.3-inch screen in place of the instrument cluster. Shift up prompts flash bright and clear as well to keep you in control of the powertrain.

If you happen to purchase the GT R and want to take it even further, there is the AMG Track Package that adds roll-over protection, a four-point harness, and a two kilogram fire extinguisher – which is great if you really plan to hit the track and offers an extra safety net. Even better is the fact that the GT R comes loaded with the AMG TRACK PACE system that turns the COMAND head unit and smart phone into a personal race engineer, with plenty of data logging for better review when taking a break between laps.

Looking for a new Mercedes-Benz model? Click
here
 to find the best deals.


REVIEW: 2021 Honda City 1.5V - Better At Everything, Master At Nothing

The Honda City has gone from
strength to strength
 over the past couple of decades, with both new and recurring loyal customers helping to grow its market share. Though it remains on the B-segment throne as far as non-national makes go, has it done enough to keep its hungry rivals at bay?

Under the Honda umbrella, the City is one of the automaker’s longest-serving nameplates, having been around since 1981 with the first-generation version. Back then, it was sold solely as a hatchback (and a sort of cabriolet), but it did tick the box as far as being able to offer a surprising amount of cabin space for its size.

Times have changed, and coincidentally, the world has a new
City Hatchback
 to enjoy.

But we’re here with the
2021 Honda Cit
y 1.5V, which is a variant that previously sat at the very top of range but has now been dropped to second rank with the arrival of the hybrid RS. Still, it does get the majority of its tech and some safety toys, and there’s still plenty to like about its more conventional power plant.

Still, for RM86k (RM86,561 at the time of writng), this new City should feel every bit the range-topper that the previous 1.5V did, but with some very welcome changes to patch up some of its predecessor’s shortcomings.

Exterior

Before we dig into that, though, let’s examine this car’s more surface-level aspects. Despite being classified as an all-new generation, Honda clearly did intend for it to share a strong visual resemblance to the model that preceded it. Both share a near identical silhouette in profile, though the front end has been thoroughly reworked to match the fascias of the Civic and Accord, replete with the ’flying wing’ grille.

Even the choice of 16-inch wheels on this 1.5V looks awfully close to the previous top-end City. Obviously, Honda had little reason to distance themselves from a winning formula, even if it meant being a little predictable. They’d like everyone to recognise it as a
City
, even at first glance.

Interior

Space is ample thanks to the same 2,600mm wheelbase as before, especially with rear legroom and headroom, but there is a much larger sense of sophistication present here that the older model lacked. From the driver’s perspective, the control placement seems much more natural - that feeling of sitting behind the wall-like dashboard or too high over the car is pretty much gone.

It’s 520-litre boot sounds huge on the spec sheet, but when compared to other rivals in the segment in a head-to-head test, it proved only middling when asked to swallow up a mock collection of cargo. This is despite the new City boasting a 110mm increase in overall length and a 54mm increase in width.

The instruments (which remain analogue) are sharp, as is the overall ambiance with plenty of bright off-white ‘Ivory’ trim accents to bounce around more light. This alone adds so much more airiness that it will be a little hard to go back to a City with a fully black interior.

In terms of upholstery, we get leather on the seats, steering wheel, and gear knob, while the rest is a clever mixture of soft touch plastics, glossy finishes, and solidly tactile buttons and knobs. Touch points generally feel good under the finger and there aren’t any jarring material combinations to speak of.

Like the car it’s replacing, this City does acquit itself very well to feel about as well put together and just as
expensive
 as the Civic, minus the size. However, where that feeling of quality was undone by the older model’s low-rent infotainment/media system, this new version’s 8.0-inch touchscreen unit is about a big a step forward as you could ask for.

It’s small-ish size isn’t even noticeable when sat within the City’s petite dimensions. This, like the Civic’s, is underpinned by a certain Google-made operating system, but the interface is smooth, intuitive to navigate, and packed with a good selection of features, including support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Engine and Transmission

Unless you spring for the new flagship
City RS e:HEV
 with its fancy i-MMD hybrid powertrain, every other variant below retains the familiar naturally aspirated 1.5-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine.

Rather than seeing it as a negative, and apart from saving about RM20k, some might understandably prefer the reduced complexity of a conventional combustion engine, and Honda’s small capacity units have held up as some of the most dependable and consistently fuel-efficient in the business.

That being said, there’s still a surprising amount of punch and eagerness on offer here. This little motor gains a dual-overhead camshaft design and a few other internal alterations, but is otherwise very similar to the unit that powered the older car.

Its
121PS and 145Nm
 peak power and torque output are about par for the course in this class, but its delivery is almost creamy smooth when paired with that CVT, and especially if you drive at an unhurried pace, letting the car settle into its own patterns. Don’t worry, you’ll keep up with highway traffic just fine.

In normal operation, it is refined and pulls relatively well at low revs, returning pretty commendable fuel economy even if you've got a heavy right foot - what else could you really want? Pushing it hard, unfortunately, won’t yield a sudden turn of speed, so it’s hardly worth bothering to use the manual override ratios, at least most of the time. For best results, just keep calm and leave it in 'Econ' mode.

Behind The Wheel

Honda has made some fuss about their measures to improve the overall comfort and refinement levels over the previous City, and we’re glad to say that their troubles have been worthwhile.

Though this isn’t something that we thought was a particular pain point with the older car, this newest evolution is a substantial step toward blurring the line between B-segment contenders and larger, more ‘luxurious’ cars. Road noise, ambient disturbances, and echoes within the cabin itself are all nicely muted, allowing for a more relaxed journey for both driver and passenger(s).

Steering is quick, light, and nicely judged but, as before, a little too far on the assisted side for my own tastes. While that does give the City a somewhat vague feel through the front wheels, it does mean very little effort is needed to dart the car around, making tight manoeuvres and parking a real breeze.

Safety

As standard, the new City 1.5V comes with 6 airbags as well as anti-lock brakes (ABS), Vehicle Stability Assist, Brake Assist, and Hill Start Assist, along with rear ISOFIX mounting points and decently clear reversing camera with multi-angle view and dual reversing sensors.

There’s even Honda’s LaneWatch system to mitigate other vehicles from coming up in the passenger-side blind spot. However, the big omission here is the full inclusion of the Honda Sensing suite, which is exclusive to the range-topping City RS. This would have added active driver aids such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (or Collision Mitigation Braking System, in Honda’s terms), Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Auto High Beam, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

There’s no reason to feel unsafe in the City, however. Historically, it has proven to be a very soundly designed and constructed vehicle that’s held up well in collisions both major and minor. ASEAN NCAP rates its crash safety at 5 stars, which is great, though we'd expect nothing less from Honda.

At no point during our time with the new City 1.5V was there a glaring moment where the lack of these additional safety systems made the car seem inferior on the road, but we suppose the whole point of active safety is to only spring into action when human error overtakes us.

As a buyer, you will need to make the judgement if the features within the Sensing suite are worth the step-up to the RS. Unfortunately, if you wanted a ‘conventional’ Honda City with active safety but
without
 the extra powertrain tech, you’re out of options - at least in Malaysia.

Conclusion

Honda has clearly worked very hard to preserve whatever essence that made the City so popular, and during our review, it became clear that the car fared extremely well at being a solid jack of all trades.

Armed with a classier interior, sharper looks, and improved refinement, it quite convincingly quashes the most common criticisms levelled against its predecessor. However, in their pursuit to round out any remaining imperfections, the City’s more defining characteristics have been smoothened out in the process.

Undoubtedly, the car has evolved to be the most deserving of retaining the B-segment crown, but there isn’t a particular category here that we found the City to excel at. It isn’t the fastest, or best looking, or best handling, or most spacious for rear passengers, neither does it have the biggest boot, or longest list of equipment and tech.

Rather, it comes in at a close second or third spot in all these rankings. It’s a strong performer on all fronts, and if we’re playing a game of averages, then yes, the City again emerges the champion.

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2020 Hyundai Elantra (CN7) SmartStream 1.6L MPI Previewed – Launching Soon!

The hotly contested C-Segment sedan market is about to have a new challenger with the all-new (CN7) Hyundai Elantra, slated to be launched in the next few days.

Following the official preview, we have confirmation of the sole fully-imported (CBU) variant; dubbed SmartStream 1.6L MPI, which boasts an entirely new, angular design language, a latest-generation drivetrain unit, and a full suite of active safety features.

Starting with the powerplant – the Elantra is powered by the company’s ‘Smartstream G’ 1.6-litre, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder which outputs 123PS and 154Nm at 4,500rpm. The compact engine is mated to a first of its kind Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) with 8-speed virtual ratios.

According to Hyundai, though the IVT might have the working principles of a typical CVT- type transmission, the IVT is designed to work and feel more like conventional auto.

The striking exterior design is characterised by Hyundai’s new design language for the Elantra “Parametric Dynamics” which embodies the use of triangular shapes to create a futuristic design. The ‘Parametric Jewel Pattern Grille’ is flanked by LED headlamps; uniquely, the turn signals are embedded into the grille, and not part of the main headlight assembly.

Along the flanks – the Elantra is fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels to complement its fastback silhouette. At the back, a light tube that runs the width of the boot, connects the LED combination lights at either end, further accentuating the width of the car.

Another crafty detail is the light signature also forms an “H-pattern” when lit.

However, it’s on the inside that Hyundai has pulled out all the stops. The spacious interior – which now boasts an additional 58mm of rear legroom (
over its predecessor
) is trimmed in either Light Grey or Black with a mixture of fabrics for added texture. The light grey interior option uniquely covers the driver’s side door panels, grip handle in grey upholstery to give it a cocooning ‘cockpit-like’ feel for the driver. Ventilated, heated/cooled seats are offered for both the front driver and passenger.

Elsewhere, the Elantra is supplied as standard with a 10.25-inch Supervision TFT LCD instrument cluster, 8-inch central infotainment display with Android Auto and Apple Carplay. Elsewhere, the cabin features dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

The Elantra also features the complete suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which puts it on par with its rivals from
Honda
 (Sensing) and
Toyota
(Safe-T).

The Elantra’s “SmartSense” ADAS suite carries the following features:

Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) with Lane Following Assist (LFA)

Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)

FCA with Avoidance Assist Junction (FCA-JT)

Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)

Rear Cross Traffic-Avoidance Assists (RCCA)

Safe Exit Warning (SEW)

Driving Attention Warning (DAW) with Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA)

The FCA-JT works when the driver turns (into a junction) on the right – if the system detects an oncoming car, it will automatically apply the brakes. Both the BCA and RCCA systems are also capable of intervening if the driver doesn’t react in time.

The Elantra will be supplied in four different exterior colours – Polar White, Electric Shadow, Amazon Grey and Intense Blue.

The Elantra is currently open for booking, the official pricing is expected to follow in the next few days, along with warranty and aftersales packages.

Does Hyundai have a genuine contender on their hands? Let us know in the comments.

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Bentley Teases The Interior Of Its Bentayga Luxury SUV

The
Bentley

Bentayga
 will be the brand’s first luxury SUV slated to be revealed later this year. We can roughly make out how it will look from the outside based on all the spyshots floating around on the interwebs but the interior is a total mystery, until now because Bentley has dropped this teaser video to show us what we might expect to see in its upcoming creation.
From the video, we get to see just some of the technologies that makes its way into the luxury SUV. We are first introduced to the vehicle’s dynamic mode selector that surrounds the start/stop engine button which allows the Bentayga to be set up in order to tackle off-road terrain.
A heads-up display that shows the driver not just the current speed but directions from the navigation system is seen as well. The driver’s digital instrument cluster also features a small display screen for the night vision mode.
Being part of the
Volkswagen
 Group, Bentley has adopted the MLB Evo platform to serve as the Bentayga’s underpinnings. The same platform is also utilised in the all-new
Audi
 Q7.
Bentley
 won’t be the only newcomer to the luxury SUV market with
Rolls-Royce
 starting
development of their own model
 to compete with the Bentayga.


All-New BMW 3 Series Commercial Focuses More On Tech Instead Of The Usual Driving Stuff

Following its
regional debut in Singapore
, BMW Group Malaysia has since hinted that the all-new BMW G20 3 Series will be making its way here within the next few weeks. The brand's official Facebook page had recently posted a compilation of the evolution of the
3 Series' signature kidney grille
 over the years.
Having said that, BMW's official global Youtube channel had recently uploaded a new video commercial for the all-new 3 Series, is actually quite unique compared to what we normally get from the brand.
While 3 Series commercials in the past centred mostly on the driving feel and dynamic capabilities of the cars, the latest promo video of the G20 focuses mainly on the gadgetry like the BMW Intelligent Assistant infotainment system and its suite of advance driver assistance features.
The first tech bit shown to us is the BMW Digital Key that allows you to unlock your car using your smartphone, followed by the new Reversing Assistant feature, and finally, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant feature.
All the features were shown within a very youthful and hip theme, with a lot of music and dancing. As unusual as it may seem, the commercial clearly shows the expanding scope of the BMW 3 Series' appeal.
Coming back to the car itself, G20 3 Series is available in a few powertrains, but the line-up in Malaysia will most likely consist of the 330i and 320i.
Both engines are turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, with the former delivering outputs of 258 hp and 400 Nm of torque, while the latter achieves 184 hp and 300 Nm of peak outputs.
The 330e plug-in hybrid variant on the other hand, is scheduled for production in Germany only in July, thus we should not be expecting it to reach our shores until the end of the year, assuming that the incentives for locally-assembled hybrids will remain. The industry is still waiting for more clarity from the government with regards of the new National Automotive Policy, which was last said to be announced within this quarter but doesn't seem to be happening soon.


The Perodua Bezza Is The Best Selling Sub 1.0-litre Sedan In Sri Lanka

The Perodua Bezza has made headway in the two years it has been on sale in Sri Lanka, becoming the island nation’s best-selling sub-1.0-litre sedan.
In the first seven months of 2019, the Perodua Bezza even led the sub-1.0-litre class in Sri Lanka in terms of new vehicle sales, across all bodystyles.
Priced at Rs 3.69 million (RM86,200) upon its launch in June 2017, the Perodua Bezza has found some 1,500 Sri Lankan buyers to date. This places it among the fastest-selling models Perodua has ever offered there, together with the Perodua Axia, which has sold some 3,000 units since 2015.
Sri Lanka is the Perodua brand’s biggest overseas market, where local distributor Unimo Enterprises has sold over 15,600 Perodua cars since 1997.
The sole Bezza variant on sale in Sri Lanka is offered with the (1KR-VE) 998 cc (VVT-i) engine which is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.
Unimo Enterprises Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Mr. Mahesh Gunathilake added, “Buyers love the Perodua Bezza and Axia for their compactness, practicality, quality, reliability, durability and fuel efficiency. Both are also surprisingly roomy for their size. In particular, the Perodua Bezza has quite successfully introduced the compact sedan segment to Sri Lanka, a market long dominated by hatchbacks. Our customers really appreciate the bodystyle, increased comfort, and cavernous 508-litre boot,”
Perodua aims to export a total of 3,270 cars this year – a considerable 50% more than last year’s 2,184 units. Over 80,000 Perodua vehicles have been sold outside Malaysia to date.


Geely’s Vision Starburst Previews Ultra Sleek Future Designs

Over in Shanghai, it seems Geely is feeling very contemplative, restless, and even a little starry-eyed. They’ve even made up a proper name to express this certain creative surge of inspiration: ‘Expanding Cosmos’. The result of all this is the Vision Starburst. No, it’s not a new brand of soda.

As you can probably guess immediately, this vehicle falls squarely into the concept car category with its ultra-sleek futuristic looks and the general impracticality of its geometric design. In particular, that front end with its single-strip LED illuminator and pronounced grille element, does remind me of any number of show cars by Cadillac, compounded by the fact that both brands have similarly shaped logos.

Geely says the car is meant to push “the boundaries of technology and innovation in the new digital age”, inspired by the stellar phenomena happening above us all the time: “where brilliant nebulas and magnificent elements come together, merging, fusing and finally bursting into new stars. Every new design concept is the result of the combination, fusion, and eruption of different ideas which become new star products that enrich the market.”

Meanwhile, Guy Burgoyne, VP of the automaker’s Shanghai design division, explains: “The Expanding Cosmos philosophy serves as a constant inspiration for our designers to discover a new and holistic design language that satisfies our ever-expanding and increasingly diverse range of customers,"

In search for this DNA in the new digital age, we have pushed the boundaries of technology and innovation. Like the birth of a new star, the ideas from our talented team of global designers combined, fused, and erupted, resulting in the birth of a new design expression, a new vision, our Vision Starburst." Woah. Far out, dude!

It’ll be very interesting to observe how the visual cues brought about in the Vision Starburst will trickle into Geely’s production vehicles over the next few years as it’s a very different style when compared even to recent concepts like the ICON and its “less is better” design ethos. Clearly, they now reckon more is better.

Underneath that 23rd century body, the overall shape of the Vision Starburst does resemble
the Zeekr 001
 in terms of its wheelbase and sloping roofline that seems to merge coupe with wagon.

There are more visual curiosities to be found inside, too.

Accessed via four dihedral doors, the entire cabin is dressed in a dark tone with accents of bright colours bleeding through a curated array of sources, obviously meant to convey the colours and tones captured by collapsing nebulas and stellar nurseries.

Its instrument cluster and dashboard are just a series of lines while a very 21st-century (floating) touchscreen is angled in the centre.

The Vision Starburst seems to be a purely visual exercise with some loose connections made to the future of sensor-driven autonomous mobility. Very little thought is seemingly put into its powertrain if any. If we were to hazard a guess, though, the Vision Starburst would obviously be powered by nuclear fusion, just like the stars and cosmic energy that inspired it.

Would love to see this thing in the flesh.


Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing – Masihkah Kau Ingat?

Masihkah kau ingat dengan Model Proton yang paling gah dan paling
rare
,
Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing
?

Sebelum 49.9% pegangan Proton diambil alih oleh
Geely
 pada 2017, Proton terlebih dahulu telah membeli saham
Lotus
 pada tahun 1996. Hasilnya? Proton telah menerima pelbagai sumber berharga daripada Lotus untuk digunakan pada model-model keretanya pada ketika itu.

Pada tahun 2010, Proton telah memperkenalkan model
hot hatch
 termahal yang pernah dijual oleh Proton iaitu Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing. Lebih menarik, hanya 25 unit Neo R3 Lotus ditawarkan bersempena dengan 25 tahun ulangtahun Proton. Tapi apa yang buat kereta ni mahal sebenarnya?

Pertama sekali, Satria Neo tersebut telah dibangunkan oleh pasukan
R3 (Race, Rally, Research)
 sendiri. Model edisi terhad ini hadir dalam warna hijau ikonik Lotus bagi meraikan penglibatan Proton bersama Lotus Racing dalam perlumbaan
Formula One (F1)
. Pelbagai jajan serta peralatan prestasi telah diberikan pada Neo R3 Lotus Racing ini. Bayangkan pada 10 tahun lalu, kereta ini telah dijual pada tanda harga RM115,000!

Jadi apa yang best dengan Neo R3 Lotus Racing?

Exterior

Bonet hadapan jenis karbon fiber dan fender FRP (fibre-reinforced plastic) yang digunakan telah berjaya mengurangkan sekitar 62kg pada berat keseluruhan kereta. Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing ini mencatatkan berat sebanyak 1,150 kg sahaja. Selain itu, ia turut hadir dengan skirt sisi yang lebih labuh, bampar belakang yang diberikan liang udara serta diffuser yang lebih garang dan spoiler bumbung.

Di bahagian sisi kereta, Neo R3 Lotus menerima rim 16-inci pelbagai-jejari khas yang lebih ringan serta dibaluti
tayar
 berprestasi tinggi Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE001 205/45R16 secara standard dari kilang.

Interior

Di bahagian dalam, tempat duduknya dibaluti dengan balutan tempat duduk kulit Nappa. Selain itu, terdapat juga sulaman Lotus Racing pada perehat kepala sementara beberapa kemasan di bahagian lain seperti papan pemuka, panel pintu, perumah tuil gear diberikan highlight hijau.

Meskipun ia dikenali sebagai kereta berprestasi tinggi, namun ia tidak hadir dengan stereng Momo. Sebaliknya, Neo R3 Lotus Racing menerima stereng asal Satria Neo yang dilengkapi dengan airbags.

*Kredit foto: Speedhunters

Enjin dan Prestasi

Bagi bahagian enjin pula, Neo R3 Lotus Racing masih menggunakan enjin yang sama seperti enjin CPS standard. Walaupun enjin sama, namun enjin tersebut telah dikemaskini dan ditambah baik oleh pasukan R3 sendiri dengan pemadanan aci sesondol dan sistem ekzos istimewa bersama header yang dihasilkan dari titanium serta kotak angin untuk sistem kemasukan diperbuat dari gentian karbon serta talaan kotak komputer yang telah diolah, membolehkan kuasa asal 125 Nm/150 Nm melonjak kepada 145 Nm dan tork maksima 168 Nm.

Bukan itu sahaja, cam profile enjin kereta rare ini juga telah dinaiktaraf di mana gear 1-4 yang ditukar kepada ratio yang lebih pendek melalui ECU yang telah diprogramkan semula. Meskipun enjin tersebut masih dipadankan dengan transmisi 5-kelajuan manual, gearbox kereta ini turut telah ditambahbaik dengan nisbah gear yang sesuai.

Proton Satria Neo Lotus Racing ini mampu mencatatkan pecutan 0-100 km/j dalam masa 9.2 saat sahaja. Difahamkan, kelajuan maksimum kenderaan ini mampu mencapai 200 km/j. Kalau dah boleh bergerak laju, sistem brek kereta hadapan kereta ini telah digantikan dengan cakera dan angkup 4 silinder yang jauh lebih besar keluaran AP Racing. Bagi yang tidak tahu, AP racing ini merupakan jenama kayangan yang juga merupakan brek
OEM
 bagi Lotus.

Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing ini juga terkenal dengan pengendaliannya yang sangat berbeza dengan Satria Neo lain. Ini dibantu oleh pemadanan penyerap hentak bersama spring boleh laras sepenuhnya dari sebuah jenama perlumbaan terkenal dari Sweden, Öhlins. Dengan ini, selain menjadi kereta trek, Neo ini juga sesuai dijadikan kereta untuk kegunaan harian.

Melihat ciri-ciri istimewa pada jentera lagenda Proton dulu-dulu, mampukah Proton menghasilkan kereta hot hatch berprestasi tinggi seperti Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing pada masa kini setelah bekerjasama dengan Geely? Mungkin inilah masanya untuk memperkenalkan
Proton Satria
 semula. Apa kata anda?


Mazda BT-50 Di Carlist.my DRIVE 2021 - Harga Dari RM124,000

Mazda Malaysia secara rasmi membuka tempahan bagi model trak pikap generasi baharu
Mazda BT-50
 untuk pasaran Malaysia.

Model generasi ketiga ini dipertontonkan kepada umum di Carlist.my DRIVE Auto Fair 2021 di Setia City Convention Centre bermula dari 3 hingga 5 Disember 2021.

Meskipun BT-50 kini menggunakan platform daripada trak pikap
D-Max
, Mazda BT-50 serba baharu ini masih mengekalkan DNA Mazda melalui reka bentuk Kodo yang sudah tidak asing lagi buat model-model Mazda.

Ia boleh dilihat menerusi gril hadapan yang agak menonjol di mana Mazda berjaya menyatukan identiti mereka pada trak pikap ini, diikuti dengan lampu utama yang lebih tirus,
kluster lampu kabus
 dan uniknya, lampu signal yang diposisikan secara menegak untuk BT-50 baharu ini.

Mazda pada ketika ini memperincikan lima varian yang ditawarkan iaitu BT-50 1.9L Single Cab MT, 1.9L Mid MT, 1.9L Mid AT, 1.9L High AT dan 3.0L High Plus AT.

Varian 1.9L dikuasakan oleh enjin RZ4E-TC 1.9 liter empat-silinder turbodiesel yang mampu menghasilkan 148 HP dan 350 Nm, sementara versi 3.0L High Plus pula menggunakan unit 4JJ3-TCX 3.0 liter empat-silinder turbodiesel yang mampu menghasilkan 188 HP dan 450 Nm. Varian 1.9L Single Cab MT dan 1.9L Mid MT dipadankan dengan transmisi manual enam kelajuan (MT), manakala varian 1.9L Mid AT, 1.9L High AT dan 3.0L High Plus AT dipadankan dengan transmisi automatik enam kelajuan (AT).

Secara standard, Mazda BT-50 mendapat unit lampu depan Bi-LED dengan pelarasan automatik,
lampu nyalaan siang (DRL)
, kombinasi lampu mentol di belakang, rel bumbung, pemijak sisi dan penyeka kaca dengan fungsi penderia hujan.

Sementara ruang kabin pula mendapat kelengkapan seperti paparan kluster instrumen 4.2 inci TFT, skrin sentuh infotainmen sembilan inci dengan sokongan Apple CarPlay dan Android Auto,  tempat duduk pemandu boleh laras lapan cara, tempat duduk penumpang depan boleh laras manual, kawalan pendingin hawa dua zon, corong pendingin hawa pada baris kedua dan cermin pandang belakang anti silau.

Varian 1.9L mendapat balutan fabrik pada tempat duduk, sementara varian 3.0L High Plus pula mendapat kemasan kulit.

Ciri keselamatan yang dimuatkan pada model BT-50 termasuk tujuh beg udara, ABS, Agihan daya brek elektronik (EBD), Bantuan Brek, Kawalan kestabilan elektronik (ESC), Sistem Kawalan Cengkaman, Bantuan Mula Mendaki, Bantuan Menurun Cerun, cagak ISOFIX, serta tambahan dua ciri termaju iaitu sistem pemantauan titik buta (BSM) dan amaran lintasan trafik belakang (RCTA).

Varian 3.0L High Plus pula mendapat tambahan ciri keselamatan berikut:

Bantuan suluhan tinggi (HBA)

Sistem amaran keluar lorong (LDWS),

Amaran pelanggaran depan (FCW),

Brek kecemasan automatik (AEB)

Kawalan jelajah adaptif (ACC)

Untuk pasaran Malaysia, harga jualan Mazda BT-50 2022 (tidak termasuk insuran) bermula dari RM124,179 untuk varian 1.9L AT High dan RM143,218 untuk varian 3.0L AT High Plus.

Model CBU dari Thailand ini termasuk jaminan lima-tahun atau 100,000 km jaminan pengeluar. Pengecualian SST ketika ini tidak terpakai untuk model ini, kerana BT-50 adalah trak pikap dan dikategorikan sebagai kenderaan komersial.


18 Colours For The End Of The BMW i8

It was the first of its kind from BMW, and may be the last. The BMW i8 came out roughly seven years ago to a world that was fast embracing vehicle electrification.

It was also one of the most ambitious projects by BMW, to create an entirely new model from the ground up, and an entirely new powertrain as well.

Over 20,000 units later and BMW is bidding farewell to their plug-in hybrid sports car with 18 specially painted and customized units. These units have all found homes, being either roadster or coupe variants, and are almost entirely bespoke as many components both inside and out were never offered over the course of production.

Colours that were available included Le Mans Blue, Austin Yellow, British Racing Green, and a variety of other options that make these 18 units unique as they roll off the factory floor in Leipzig, Germany. No two units are identical, meaning that these last 18 customers are in for a truly unique, truly special model.

It’s sad to see the BMW i8 go without a successor on the horizon, but times are especially tough for automakers and belts have had to be tightened. Niche products like the i8 were inevitably going to be dropped in favour of more mass market models, and BMW’s budgeting is now split between full on electrification and the development of their more performance oriented models.

We bid a fond auf wiedersehen to the i8, danke!


Influx Of Cullinan Orders Has Rolls-Royce Working Double Time

When times are tough, luxury car brands get to building SUVs. It never fails, because the market snaps them up faster than they can be made - literally, in the case of Rolls-Royce. With the launch of their Cullinan SUV, their order books have never been so full and they have been struggling with the immense demand for the British brand's first ever SUV. What's more amazing is that the model has been around for four years, and yet new customers are still coming in harder and fast.
There is but one production plant for the Cullinan, and it's in Goodwood, England. There's a tricky decision that Rolls-Royce has to make with regards to production facilities, as orders are backed up until July - which is a bit of a problem when it comes to the big spenders in the luxury segment. As an interim, Rolls-Royce hired another 200 employees to increase total head count to 2,000 at their production site.
The other benefit of introducing something as radical as an SUV to the Rolls-Royce line-up is the fact that they gain a number of conquest customers in the process - that is to say, customers who have never owned a Rolls-Royce before. Roughly half of all Cullinan owners are new to the brand, while the other half looked to Rolls-Royce to satisfy their garage's need for an SUV. There is an increasing number of female buyers, as well as younger buyers on the whole.
While there's a relatively new Phantom available at Rolls-Royce dealers, it's the Cullinan that is spurring sales for the brand and ultimately there is trickle down in effect. Dealers, especially in the United States, are investing heavily in renovation and upgrades to their facilities - which is a good sign and keeps the brand looking fresh and relevant. After all, there's no point having a shiny new car if the showroom isn't up to scratch either.


Zeekr Is Geely’s New Premium EV Brand, Plans Sustainable World Domination

Nowhere in the world is there more of a concentration of electric car brands than China, but the majority of these have sprouted up relatively recently. Geely certainly isn’t the oldest automaker in the country, but its rapid expansion has garnered it considerable recognition on the international stage.

They obviously have dipped their toes in electrification, especially so after their acquisition of Volvo, which was followed by their creation of
Lynk & Co
 as well as spinning off
Polestar
 as an electric-focused high-performance marque.

Even more present-day, Volvo has announced their commitment to becoming
a zero-emissions automaker
 within the next few years, meanwhile, their newly acquired
Lotus Cars
 arm is finishing work on the Evija, a fully electric hypercar claimed to be the most powerful road car ever produced.

However, as notorious and prosperous as they’ve been over the past few years, the Geely Group’s higher-ups know there is only so far they can take the core Geely brand, particularly when it comes to facing off against
EV carmaker Tesla
 as well as the many others from North America and Europe, most of them being legacy marques that have invested heavily in transforming themselves as a post-combustion vehicle and lifestyle figurehead.

In light of this, Geely has decided to form a wholly new brand into which to funnel and focus their considerable financial and engineering resources toward gaining a solid foothold in the premium electric vehicle space.

Rather than being kept on a short leash, the newly formed automotive subsidiary will also be given the freedom to operate relatively independently and without any bearing relative to Geely’s other EV-focused -
but mass-market
 - brand Geometry, which made its debut a lifetime ago in 2019.

According to their statement to the press, the first Zeekr vehicles are expected to be delivered in the 3rd quarter of 2021, which is a shockingly expedited timeline given that this is the first time we’re hearing about this new automaker and know very little about what their line-up of cars might entail.

We don’t even have a logo for which to visually associate, but let’s hope that the new name doesn’t resurrect the horrible/cringe
vowel dropping
 trend that plagued internet brands from the mid-2000s.

Naturally, production will be undertaken
by parent company Geely
 alongside their other vehicles, at least until the new brand is established enough to warrant the opening of a dedicated facility. Zeekr isn’t about to enter this highly competitive market flat-footed either and plans to storm out of the gate with a new EV model each year for the next 5 years. Ambitious.

These vehicles will all use Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) as a base upon which to engineer unique EVs, complete with Zeekr’s own battery technology, battery management systems, electric motor tech, and EV supply chain network. A standout advantage of using an existing platform such as SEA is the ability to utilise its Over the Air upgradable software capability.

Instead of gunning directly for other automakers and their luxury EVs from the get-go, Zeekr’s initial market strategy will involve a heavy focus on securing
success in the Chinese market
. At the same time, the company’s top brass will formulate a more global rollout strategy while also working to accelerate Geely’s overarching plans for more widespread adoption of sustainable transport technology and mobility services.

Given their self-imposed timeline, it shouldn’t be a long wait before we start to see and hear much more about Zeekr and their new premium electric vehicles. Just don’t expect any of them to trickle into something wearing a Proton badge before hell freezes over.


Boleh Ke Beli Perodua Ativa Dengan RM1,200 Gaji?

Dulu orang tanya gaji RM1200 boleh ke beli
Proton X50
, sekarang pulak persoalan dia can a monthly salary of RM1200 get you the
Perodua Ativa
?

The talk of the town as far as Perodua enthusiasts are concerned is of course the new Perodua Ativa SUV, and with prices from RM61,500, the national SUV is one of the most affordable SUVs in the market.

Although the
turbocharged
 Perodua Ativa seems budget-friendly, affordability is of course a subjective matter, because it all depends on your financial situation.

Depending on who you ask, It's been generally suggested that you can only afford a car that is either 12 times your monthly salary or one-third of your monthly paycheck, so for the sake of entertaining the questions of "Boleh ke gaji RM1200 beli
Ativa
?", we shall attempt a quick calculation to see whether it is feasible.

Needless to say, if we use the suggestion that you can only afford a car that is 12 times your monthly salary, then the Ativa would most certainly be out of the question as the accumulative figure based on a monthly pay of RM1200 only equates to RM14,400. You'd be short of RM47,100, and even if you chose the base model (Perodua Ativa X), and even then you'd be spending your whole monthly wage on the car, which means you'd probably be starving and have no money to fuel the car up.

As far as the suggestion of spending only 1/3 of your monthly salary on a car, a salary of RM1200 a month would mean that you would only be able to spend RM400 a month on a car. After paying a 10 per cent down payment, and an interest rate between 2% to 3%, our estimate is that you would need to pay between RM600 and RM700 per month over a period of nine years for a base-spec Ativa. Unfortunately, this theory too further corroborates that you would not be able to afford the much
in demand
 SUV.

The only way really to facilitate the purchase of the Perodua Ativa with this monthly salary figure is to put a hefty down-payment down, but really, do you want to be spending all your hard-earned savings on a car?

If on the other hand say you earned RM2,400 a month. That would make your annual earnings RM28,800, still way below the Ativa base price of RM61,500. If we instead use the 1/3 equation, it would mean that you could spend RM800 on a car monthly. From the calculation above we observe that with 10 percent downpayment over 9 years your monthly commitment would be RM600-RM700 for the base spec
Perodua Ativa X
 tapi wajarkah berbuat demikian? Is it a smart financial decision?

The purpose of this article is not to demotivate you from owning a Perodua Ativa, our colleague Arvind thinks it's a really good car and value proposition tapi tepuk dada tanya selera, think about the pros and cons of your decision and decide wisely. Kalau tak sekarang beli nanti pun takpe, boleh jimat duit sket or why not purchase a Proton Saga or a Perodua Axia? Yes, they are not as
sophisticated
, but at least you'll have extra cash to indulge in other things as well as enjoy a new car.

You can read Arvind's review of the 2021 Perodua Ativa
here
.

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

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.

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BMW M8 GTE Ready For Le Mans 24 Hours Debut

BMW Motorsports will make its competitive return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend after a seven-year absence. The last time a BMW race car featured on the grid was back in 2011, with the BMW M3 GT2.
BMW Motorsports, through BMW Team MTEK, will field two new BMW M8 GTE race cars in the 86th running of the most famous and perhaps the most demanding motor race in the world.
Competing in the highly competitive GTE Pro class, the BMW M8 GTE number 81 will be piloted by Martin Tomczyk, Nick Catsburg and Philipp Eng, while car number 82 will have veteran BMW Motorsport drivers of Augusto Farfus, Antonio Felix da Costa, and Alexander Sims.
Other competitive models in the GTE Pro class include the Porsche 911 RSR, Ferrari 488 GTE Evo, Ford GT, and Chevrolet Corvette C7.R.
Jens Marquardt, the BMW Motorsport Director, is obviously very excited and said, ”We have worked intensively towards the 24 Hours of Le Mans in recent months. It is the biggest endurance race in the world – and is also closely associated with the history of BMW in motorsport. We are now returning to this iconic circuit with the new BMW M8 GTE.”
The BMW M8 GTE is powered by the P63/1 engine, a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine mounted up front that has performance range of 500 hp to over 600 hp (depending on the race regulations) that spins to a 7,000 rpm redline.
The cylinder blocks (89 mm bore) and cylinder heads are taken from the production engine
 (as per series regulations) and are produced in the light alloy foundry at the BMW Group plant in Landshut, Germany.
Over the course of the 24-hour motor race, a single BMW M8 GTE is estimated to cover nearly 340 laps on the 13.626-kilometre circuit, making the total race distance of over 4,600 kilometres.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans will start at 3 pm local time (9 pm Malaysia time) this Saturday, 16th of June 2018.


Honda Achieves its Best Sales Record in the Asia & Oceania Region in 2017 - 707,951 Units Sold

Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., the regional headquarters for Honda vehicles in the Asia & Oceania (A&O) region have recorded its best-ever automobile sales record in 2017, with total sales in the A&O region of 793,636 units.
The figure represents a 12% increase from 2016 sales volume of 707,951 units. Honda A&O has also set all-time annual sales records in five countries - Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Pakistan.
The main contributor to A&O sales was the Indonesian market, with approximately 180,971 units sold, accounting for 23% of Honda’s overall 2017 A&O sales.
Indonesia is followed closely by India and Thailand with 179,451 units and 127,768 units respectively last year. Representing a growth in sales of 9% in India and 19% for the Thai market.
The Malaysian market sales was a
record 109,511 units
, the first time ever that Honda achieved sales of more than 100,000 units in the country. Marking an overall sales increase of 19%, up from 91,830 units recorded in 2016.
Another market which performed well in 2017 was Pakistan, which recorded sales of 47,424 units, a 49% increase from the previous year. The Honda Civic sedan proved the most popular model, achieving an 88% increase over the previous year.
No.
Country
2017
2016
Growth
1
Indonesia
180,971
   190,229
-5%
2
India
  179,451
  165,337
9%
3
Thailand
127,768
  107,342
19%
4
Malaysia*
  109,511
    91,830
19%
5
Pakistan*
    47,424
    31,780
49%
6
Australia
    46,783
    40,838
15%
7
Taiwan

33,978
    27,241
25%
8
Philippines
   31,758
    23,199
37%
9
Vietnam
   12,358
    11,227
10%
10
Korea
    10,308
     6,644
55%
11
Singapore
      7,164
     7,067
1%
12
New Zealand
      4,631
      3,954
17%
13
Others
      1,531
      1,263
21%

Grand total
 793,636

707,951
12%
Honda also recorded its highest all-time sales results in Taiwan, the Philippines, and Vietnam, with 33,978 units, 31,758 units, and 12,358 units respectively.
In terms of model-specific sales figures - the Honda City made the greatest contribution to 2017 A&O regional sales, with 169,124 units sold. Global models such as the HR-V and Jazz were also very well received across the region, with strong sales of 102,182 and 99,534 units respectively.
No.
Model
2017
2016
Growth
1
City
169,124
159,803
6%
2
HR-V
102,182
104,183
-2%
3
Jazz/Fit
99,534
110,077
-9%
4
Civic (Sedan,
Hatchback, Type R)
89,850
59,313
51%
5
BR-V
71,924
60,466
19%
6
Brio
65,325
51,704
26%
7
CR-V
62,987
43,947
43%
8
Mobilio
39,376
50,579
-22%
9
WR-V
37,031
0
0%
10
Amaze
31,236
42,147
-26%
In terms of the growth ratio from the preceding year, the all-new Civic recorded the highest jump in sales in the region with impressive growth of 51%, followed by the all-new CR-V, which achieved an increase of 43%.
Honda plans to sustain its sales performance within Asia & Oceania region with attractive, high-quality products to maintain its momentum into 2018.


BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Is Here To Take On The Panamera And CLS

Barely a month after unveiling the M8, BMW has unveiled yet another variation of the 8 Series – the 8 Series Gran Coupe.
Developed alongside the 8 Series Coupe and the M8 GTE endurance racing car, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is the four-door version of the 8 which is here to take on cars like the Porsche Panamera as well as the Mercedes-Benz CLS.
All set to make its world premiere in just a few more days at the BMW #NextGen event in Munich, the 8 Series Gran Coupe will be available in four variants:
BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupe (530 hp / 750 Nm, 4.4-litre TwinPower Turbo V8)
BMW 840i Gran Coupe (340 hp / 500 Nm, 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo straight-six)
BMW 840i xDrive Gran Coupe (340 hp / 500 Nm, 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo straight-six)
BMW 840d xDrive Gran Coupe (320 hp / 680 Nm, 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo straight-six diesel)
All engines are mated to an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission, and BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system (except the BMW 840i Gran Coupe which is rear-wheel driven).
Measuring 5,082 mm in length, 1,932 mm in width, and 1,407 mm in height, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is 231 mm longer, 30 mm wider, and 61 mm taller than the Coupe. The 3,023 mm-long wheelbase is also 201 mm longer than the coupe.  In terms of weight, the Gran Coupe is only about 70 kg heavier than the Coupe despite the significant difference in size.
Dimensions aside, the rear half of the car has been redesigned, featuring a stretched roofline which merges smoothly into the tail with a fin‑shaped transition.
Other differences include the windscreen frame which is wider than the coupe’s, and a rear window which is steeper than the 2-door versions.
The Gran Coupe also comes with very muscular, sculpted shoulders around the C-pillars, as well as extremely wide tracks which really emphasise the width of the car, giving it a very sporty stance when seen from the rear.  The Hofmeister kink is also very upright in form.
As for the front, the Gran Coupe is identical to the Coupe up to the point where the A-pillars start. Other than that, standard features include Adaptive LED headlights, full LED taillights, 20-inch tyres, 19-inch M Sport brakes, as well as an exclusive BMW Individual Frozen Bluestone metallic paint.
Inside, standard specification includes sports seats, Vernasca leather upholstery, ambient lighting, full leather-clad instrument panel and door shoulders, individual rear seats with integral head restraints, as well as a smaller third rear seat which is suitable for short journeys.
The car also offers more legroom than ever in a BMW coupe, and large door apertures make getting in and out easier. There has also been a considerable increase in shoulder room in the rear, and more headroom in all seats than in the two-door members of the new BMW 8 Series range.
Also standard is the BMW Live Cockpit Professional instrument panel which comprises of a navigation and multimedia system, plus a fully digital, high-resolution instrument cluster behind the steering wheel with a 12.3-inch screen, and a 10.25-inch central display on the dashboard.
All of these are powered by BMW Operating System 7.0, which allows the driver to access the infotainment system, driver assistance features, and other configurations via the control display’s touchscreen functionality, the iDrive Controller, the steering wheel buttons, voice control, or even gesture control.
A four-zone automatic climate control system and electric sun blinds for the rear side windows and rear window are also available exclusively for the 8 Series Gran Coupe.
The car’s luggage-carrying setup can be varied with ease courtesy of the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats which can be folded from the boot using a lever. With a capacity of 440 litres, the boot is big enough to accommodate three golf bags.
Last but not least, standard driver assistance features in the 8 Series Gran Coupe include a Head-Up Display, the Driving Assistant, Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Change Warning, Speed Limit Info, rear crossing traffic warning and rear collision warning.
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