What Can We Hope To See With Geely and Mercedes’ JV To Build Smart Cars

In January of this year, giants Mercedes-Benz AG and Zhejiang Geely Holding inked a deal to formally establish a global joint venture for the production of future electric Smart vehicles.

The total registered capital of the Joint Venture will be RMB 5.4 billion (at RMB 2.7 billion from each company) to transform Smart into a leading player in the premium-and intelligent electrified vehicle space. The global headquarters of the new joint venture has been set in Hangzhou Bay, Ningbo with operational sales functions based in China and Germany.

The board of directors of the new smart joint venture will be made up of six executives, three from each company, with Tong Xiangbei appointed as the new global CEO to oversee sales, marketing, R&D, production and after-sales operations.

Daimler AG Chairman Ola Källenius stated “The joint venture will bring the next generation of zero-emission smart electric cars to the Chinese and global markets. We look forward to continue our collaboration to bring desirable products and services to customers around the world.”

Under the JV it is understood that Geely (given its ties with Volvo) will manage the powertrain R&D, manufacturing, and the supply chain, while Mercedes will lead the design and styling.

Autocar previously reported that the model expansion will include the introduction of a B-Segment model, as the brand makes its premium push.

In May of this year, Geely Chairman Li Shufu said that Geely is
exploring deeper cooperation
 with Mercedes, so this is interesting times indeed for Geely, and certainly for the Smart car company.

By concentrating their production in China, and their sales and marketing efforts in China and Europe it’s easy to understand that the joint company is playing it safe by introducing these future electric Smart cars (slated to be introduced starting in 2022), in Left Hand Drive markets where the Smart is well known and well-accepted. In truth, Smart cars have had little success anywhere else.

However, with their intention to globalise and expand the brand – it could very well include introducing models for Right Hand Drive markets such as in the ASEAN region.

In which case an all-electric “B-segment” premium hatch may very well be the right product to take on the likes of the Nissan Leaf, BMW i3S, and Mitsubishi i-MIEV.

Its daring conjecture at this point, but Geely’s ties to Proton could very well give it the manufacturing resources it would need to cater for the growing EV market.

Having a premium EV brand in Malaysia would undoubtedly tap an entirely new marketplace of young owners ranging from trendsetting urbanites to affluent car buyers, and first car owners with a view to sustainably powered motoring.

A local premium EV offering would also take advantage of the current EV friendly tax exemptions and not too mention allows major advancement in tech and knowledge-sharing between Geely and their local counterparts, Proton.

Time will tell.


Volkswagen Scirocco GTS Will Debut At The 2015 Shanghai Auto Show

The new
Volkswagen
 Scirocco GTS will make its official debut at next week’s 2015 Shanghai Auto Show.
Firstly, some history. The
Scirocco
 GTS has existed since way back in 1982 and was related to the Golf GTI of its time, both technically and visually. In the case of the new Scirocco GTS, it gains a visual package only because the current-generation Scirocco is already offered with the Golf GTI’s engine of the same output.
And that engine beneath that distinctive GTS-striped hood is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with direct injection, providing 220PS. As standard, the engine is paired to a six-speed manual transmission with the option of a six-speed DSG one as well.
Both the manual and DSG will get the Scirocco GTS to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 6.5 seconds but will go on to achieve different top speeds – 246 km/h in the manual and 244 km/h in the DSG. Volkswagen also claim the manual gearbox allows the GTS to achieve a fuel economy of 6.1 litres/100 km while the DSG does 6.4 litres/100 km.
The visual enhancements begin from the outside with a GTS stripe that runs from the front of the car all the way to the end of the rear hatch. 18-inch ‘Norwich’ alloy wheels will come as standard while larger 19-inch ‘Lugano’ ones will be available as an option. Red-painted brake callipers are also visible as well along with ‘GTS’ badging.
Volkswagen’s Scirocco GTS comes with the R-Line package which adds on a body kit comprising new bumpers at the front and rear, gloss black grille and side mirrors, side skirts, and roof spoiler. Six body colours are available: Deep Black, Indium Grey, Urano Grey, Pure White, Oryx White and, Flash Red.
The interior sports contrast red stitching on the black interior and more notably, a golf ball gear knob that is commonly found in the Golf GTI. Elsewhere, various areas are finished in ‘black piano lacquer’ and the ‘GTS’ logo can be found on the seats, side panel mouldings.


MANUAL G28 M4 Now Offered In Thailand - Jealous Much?

BMW customers in Thailand just received a treat as the MANUAL M4 is now offered in Thailand.

When it was
launched here
 at the end of last year alongside the (G80) M3, BMW Malaysia offered the
big-nosed
 BMW M4 Coupe (G82) in Competition form either as base-spec (RM685k) or a specced up model with the Innovation Package (RM741k).

As much as that sounds like a significant sum of dosh, the launch of the M4 in Thailand in March to the tune of 9,999,000 baht (RM1,340,000) shows that the M4 we get here is value for money, despite it having lesser things such as the laser lights and Head-Up Display.

Although this price comparison makes us feel good, we are still jealous of BMW M4 fans and buyers in Thailand as they can now buy a basic M4 that has a smaller price tag of 7,999,000 baht (RM1.024 million), with a manual transmission.

This basic model is the M4 Coupe which is equipped with a 3.0-litre straight-six S58 twin-turbo engine that delivers 480 PS and 550 Nm of torque sent to the rear wheels (30 PS and 100 Nm less than the Competition).

However, the big headline is the manual transmission, as you can buy the car with a six-speed manual tranny, instead of the Competition's eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic.

Aimed at driving enthusiasts, the six-speed manual transmission really changes the car according to those who have experienced it, with many stating that it reminds them of how good it is to pair a manual gearbox with a straight-six engine.

According to those who have taken it for a test drive, the throws on the short and thick gear lever is splendid, and each gate has a satisfying notchiness that makes shifting up and down pure joy.

Back to Malaysia, those who had purchased the M4 Competition back in December 2020 from BMW Malaysia should just be about getting their cars now, but their cars won't be the first M4 to reach our soil as the first
2021 (G82) BMW M4 Competition
 arrived in July, delivered to an authorised dealer, Wheelcorp Premium Setia Alam.

Just in case you’re wondering, yes
BMW Malaysia officially launched the G80 M3 and G82 M4
 in Malaysia back in December 2020, but perhaps due to supply details and
well-documented delays in customs approvals
, only now are these units reaching dealerships in Malaysia.


Shanghai 2017: Mercedes-Benz Concept A Sedan Teased Ahead of Premiere

While many of us thought that
the facelifted S-Class
 was going to be the only highlight at Mercedes-Benz’s booth at the upcoming Auto Shanghai 2017, the brand today released a teaser video of another vehicle it is going to reveal at the show – the Concept A Sedan.
Featuring many design cues that look like they were inspired by the GT Concept, the Concept A Sedan is dubbed as the “herald of a new generation” by Mercedes-Benz, as it previews what the next generation models from the brand could look like.

From what we can see, the concept features a more conventional notchback design to differentiate it from the current CLA Coupe.
Despite the new design philosophy, it is said that Mercedes’ next generation compact cars will ride on an updated version of the MFA front-wheel-drive platform found in the current cars.
The company said that the platform will come in two lengths, with the A-Class sedan likely to utilize the longer version.
No other details were revealed yet, but we since prototypes of the new A-Class hatchback have already been spotted testing in Europe, we expect the car to be launched either later this year or next year.


The All-New Rio Sedan Makes Its Malaysian Debut From Naza Kia For RM72,888

Naza
Kia
 Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia vehicles here in Malaysia, has brought in the Kia
Rio
 in an all-new sedan body style. The Rio in this guise was first seen locally at last year’s edition of the ASEAN Auto Show, and with it due to hit showrooms very soon, will offer prospective buyers more practicality if they’re on the fence about the Kia hatch.
On looks, the Rio Sedan’s exterior is pretty much identical to that of the hatch, with the obvious exception of the longer boot and smaller wheels. It does retains the hatch’s tiger nose front grille and fascia, taillamp design and two-dimensional proportions (rear facing), but it’s only from walking up to it that the extra length becomes apparent.
Even the angle of the rear windscreen looks shared from the hatch, but is actually more squared off at the lower edges and is missing the the hatch’s subtle roof spoiler - obviously, the sedan is meant to appeal to the pragmatist, those who aren’t interested in such superficialities.
Powering the Rio Sedan is the same 1.4-litre MPI DOHC CVVT engine found in the Rio hatch, producing 109PS and 137Nm of torque, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Also like the hatch, the suspension setup uses Macpherson struts (front) and a coupled rear torsion beam (rear).
For passenger and driver comfort and convenience, the Rio Sedan has a six speaker audio system  that accepts auxiliary, USB with a 800mb jukebox, and Bluetooth inputs in addition to the usual FM radio and CD player functions.
In terms of safety, the Rio Sedan has been fitted with six airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), tyre-pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management (VSM), hill-start assist control (HAC).
Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group Chief Operating Officer, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings, said: “The Rio has consistently been the world’s number one bestselling Kia having sold over 2,000,000 vehicles sold since its global introduction and it is no different here in Malaysia. Its striking modern design, impressive levels of safety and intelligent use of spacehas made it critical and commercial success locally. With a sales target of 1,403 units, we expect the Rio Sedan to contribute significantly to Naza Kia Malaysia’s sales performance in 2016 of 6,107 units total sales,”
“For a closer look at the Rio Sedan, customers may visit the Karnival CNY Kia at Kia PJ Red Cube this 15th to 17th January for exciting deals on new models and genuine parts,” added Dato’ Samson.
As with other Kia models, the Rio Sedan comes with a five year warranty that includes unlimited mileage and is available for booking now. Available colours include Bright Silver, Signal Red, Deep Blue, and Clear White.


2015 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Review In Spain: Refreshed, But Back In The Fight?

Rather quietly,
Mercedes-Benz
 Malaysia rolled in its facelifted 2015
B-Class
 to the local market, in the form of a
B 200
.
Yes, the refreshed compact MPV that’s part of the
A-Class
 family of cars, is actually available in showrooms, if you didn’t already know, or spotted one the streets - don’t beat yourself up if you haven’t, though, because the changes are actually quite minor from a distance.
No fuss, no grand launch event was held in
April when news first surfaced
, leaving much of the month’s spotlight to its all-new arch-rival, the
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
: the Bavarian carmaker’s first foray into the FWD and MPV market.
At first glance, both rival five-seat MPVs seem priced completely identically to each other in the Malaysia, but looks closely at the specifications, and you’ll note that you’ll have to drop a further RM30,000 on the
BMW
 if you want the optional Luxury Line package, which over at the local Benz camp, the similar upgrade is seen as standard kit in the form of its Urban Line package.
Okay, so the Benz B-Class is a bit more kitted out, sure, but what about power? Well, you may also be surprised to know that it’s the B 200 that makes more of it, dealing 156hp and 250Nm of torque from its 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, against the 2 AT’s 136hp and 220Nm of torque courtesy of its three-cylinder BMW TwinPower engine.
Which is what made things a bit interesting for us, when we were shipped off to Mallorca, Spain, to experience the new, facelifted B-Class for ourselves.
So what’s new?
To be honest, not much is new with the facelifted B-Class. Understandably, it has adopted a lot of tricks the newer A-, CLA- and GLA-Class models boast, such as the new-design headlamps, new front bumper, new LED taillights, etc.
Inside, you’ll be able to specify an eight-inch free-standing display screen (available as standard in Malaysia), a new instrument panel, and ambient lighting that now offers up to 12 different colours.
Safety has also been improved to the Benz brand’s latest capabilities, here with the Collision Prevention Assist Plus and the Attention Assist system upgraded to operate between speeds of 60 to 200km/h.
If these don’t answer the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer enough for you, Mercedes-Benz has also introduced an AMG Exclusive line kit, as well as a Night Exclusive package to give the B-Class a sportier exterior look.
There’s also a 4MATIC all-wheel drive version of the MPV. Unfortunately, though, both of these items don’t make it to Malaysian showrooms (nor does BMW Malaysia offer its 2 AT with an M Sport package or xDrive, mind you – although, we’re quite sure you could order them separately if you really wanted to, anyways). That said, you probably wouldn’t appreciate the stiffer ride that comes with the AMG Line’s suspension specifications.
Driving A 2015 Mercedes-Benz B-Class:
What can we say? It’s a practical vehicle that knows how to handle its weight around corners (in the realms of compact MPV driving) just as well as an A-Class, bar the taller stature and added weight. And, why wouldn’t it? They share common architectures.
PERFORMANCE:
 Power delivery holds no surprises, as you’d expect. The same 1.6-litre turbo four paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission from the A-Class A 200 variant powers the B 200 here, and so too have all the charms of it followed.
The throttle pedal is forgiving of a careless right foot, floppy, unresponsive, and ensures smooth getaways at all times: a problem for when planned-aggression is applied, unless of course you just plant the throttle and wait for it to come. But after driving it for a few days, you ease into how it was mapped out, and begin to sync your intentions with the car’s power delivery.
The 7G-DCT dual-clutch still has lots of room for improvement by our impatient standards, but again, if you aren’t always going everywhere in a hurry, there is room to get along with it. In the sort of traffic conditions we have in Malaysia, however, do expect a lot of exchanges between 1
st
 and 2
nd
 gears, which can be frustrating.
COMFORT:
It’s always tricky trying to assess the comforts of a car on foreign turf, given that Malaysian roads are as rubbish as they are. Even still, we understand that the spec of springs equipped on the B-Class we had to drive in Spain were similar to what you’d get in the A 200 here in Malaysia – not the hardy A 250 Sport – which we remember isn’t as refined as you’d get in the comparable Volkswagen Golf, but one that’s surrounded by a wealth of other comfort-aiding allocations that drown out any complaints effortlessly.
The rest of the car offers lots of legroom (front and back) as well as shoulder room for four to sit very, very comfortably. The noise insulation within the cabin is typical Mercedes-Benz stuff, and contributes to the overall refinement.
HANDLING:
 Everything here is what you’d get on the new A-Class: same Direct Steer system, same suspension fittings, same chassis… it’s pretty much the same car, reskinned to offer more space and practicality.
The weight of the steering and the response you get out of it is amongst the best things available in the segment/ market; the chassis feels firm, planted and athletic until of course you overcook the entry of a corner: again, we’re re-iterating that you drive this like you would an MPV, not a track-day car.
Living With A 2015 Mercedes-Benz B-Class:
It’s a bit frustrating having to sit in cars like the current W212 E-Class and those in the A-Class family, and look at that interior. I mean, having seen how far forwards Mercedes-Benz has leaped with its latest-gen of interiors seen in the S-Class and C-Class models, we can’t help but wish for it in every other car in their current range.
It’s is a pity that models like the facelifted B-, A-, CLA, GLA- and even newer GLE-Class models still have to settle for those 90’s-design number pads and matte-black plastic switchgear. The best Benz could do to address this it seems, was to introduce more brushed-aluminium trims where they can.
INTERIOR DESIGN
: Forgiving the sight of things, it’s all still very ergonomic and functional, especially so with the Direct Select type gear shifter: a common sight in most other new Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Some will complain that the positioning of it is all too similar to that of where you’d normally find the stalk for the windshield wipers or turn indicators, but if you spend more than a week in the car, it simply becomes second nature to shift between Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive that way.
I’ve personally always maintained a liking for the Direct Select gear system, primarily because it keeps both your hands on or close to the steering wheel at all times. Making three point turns are massively easier to do, and the gained storage compartment created where a traditional gear lever would sit on the centre console is never a disadvantage.
The infotainment system (Audio 20 USB in Malaysia) is upgraded to feature the larger 8.0-inch Media Display screen, which looks great display wise, but the issue of it being plainly difficult and unnatural to navigate hasn’t been addressed – okay, this is after all a facelift, but a quick functionality update across the board that would benefit the rest of the range of cars as well (especially the
new A-Class
) would have been a massive boost in any arguments against BMW’s iDrive system.
SURROUNDING VISIBILITY:
Getting into a car any bigger than a Perodua Myvi, there’s typically some hesitation and uncertainty of what’s around you. But that’s far from the case with the B-Class. Here, you sit high and confident for a commanding view all around
The A-pillars don’t stretch too far forwards so to create the unnecessary front side blind spot (as they do in many MPVs) – they’re slim and positioned unobtrusively, just like the D-pillars, which do a similar job of providing you with a large, flat rear windscreen. Sure, the rear-end of the car looks quite dull from the outside because of it, but the lack of compromise to favour design here ensures great outward visibility.
CARGO
: Transforming from a people carrier to your furniture transporter is done easily enough, just that you’d have to go around from one side of the car to the other to perform the transformation. With the 60:40 split seats left in their original position, the B-Class offers up to 488 litres of boot space (rear seats slid forwards yields 666 litres), while folding them opens up a maximum 1,545 litres.
VS. The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer:
Overall, driving the new B-Class may not be as invigorating as its direct nemesis, the 2 AT, would be: the BMW MPV is hands down miles ahead in the game of making FWD vehicles twist and turn just like their MINIs do.
They have, after all, had three generations of the MINI brand under their stewardship to garner experience – we remember also that the pre-UKL platform MINIs were a bit too twitchy, and too hardcore for comfy, everyday use. Their third attempt, we’ve found, nails a sweet spot of comfort, interior spaciousness and handling, which they’ve since exploited to form the basis of the BMW Group’s 2 AT, 2 GT, and X1 SUV. We hear that similarly to the Benz range, they’ll also be turning their 1 Series line-up into FWDs. Have a read of
Hans Cheong’s goodbye to the RWD legend
 when you can.
That said, I can’t and won’t guarantee you of a better package from the 2 AT: it’s born a great driver’s car that has now been made to do MPV-ing. The B-Class was born to be a compact MPV first, and is only now adopting its sporting credentials. It depends on your demands, actually. Although, mine lean towards the B-Class potentially being a lot more value for money to begin with.
Buyer’s Guide:
Haven’t spent a fair amount of time in the car, it’s clear to see that most of the changes brought on by the facelift are cosmetic. But that said, from a local perspective where the A-Class is in high-demand in Malaysia, I’d happily switch my sights towards the also fully-imported B-Class B 200’s added practicality over facing a six to eight-month waiting period of an A 200 or CLA 200 – mind you, the B-Class’s benefits include having more legroom than the E-Class, even (rear seats slid all the way backwards, Benz’s actual claim).
If a German premium compact MPV was what my mind was set on, there are basically just a choice of two things right now: this, or the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.
As mentioned, the 2 AT does in a lot of ways look like the better prospect: it’s simply newer, a better driver, and marketed well as a much cooler option to have. But most importantly, the B-Class is a lot cheaper, all things considred: remember that you’d have to spec-up the 2 AT by about RM30k to match what you get as standard in the B 200.
If you absolutely needed the athleticism of an exterior kit, don’t forget that you could of course specify one as per a special order via Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, which would turn your practical, five-seater family MPV to look like this red road gangster.


Volvo V40 Gets New Thor’s Hammer Face

As the last all-new model in the
Volvo
 range to have been launched before the
XC90
, it is safe to say that the
V40
 and its
Cross Country
 derivative still have some way to go before its next-generation SPA platform-based replacement model surfaces.
To keep Volvo’s popular
1 Series
 and
A-Class
 rival fresh-looking, the 2017 Model Year V40 and V40 Cross Country receives an updated fascia that incorporates design elements trickled down from the recently-introduced 90 series models –
XC90
,
S90
, and
V90
.
The most notable design feature is none other than the distinctive ‘Thor’s Hammer’ front lighting signature that will be the call-card of the upcoming generation of Volvos. In between them, a new grille mesh holds a bolder, more visually striking interpretation of Volvo’s Iron Mark symbol.
“The V40 is the best-selling Volvo model in Europe and the second-most popular Volvo model globally, making it a very important car for the company. With the updates for model year 2017 we make this already very successful model even more attractive to customers in the segment,” said Björn Annwall, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Customer Service at Volvo Car Group.
Besides its visual appearance, the V40 also receives a range of interior and trim updates that include a new selection of colours, wheels, and materials including a new upholstery called City Weave, taken from the Volvo Concept Estate.
Volvo has made no mention of any powertrain amendments beyond refining the base D2 diesel variant with manual transmission to emit just 89 g/km of carbon dioxide.
In Malaysia, Volvo continues to offer the V40 with a choice between the
180hp 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost-powered T4 model
 and the
213hp 2.0-litre five-cylinder T5 variants
.


Honda To Partner With Thailand Accident Research Centre For Post-Crash Investigations

Honda Motor has announced that it is commencing a four-year long programme (from 2016 – 2020) to study into the factors behind the high rate of road accidents in Asia and Ocenia, starting with Thailand.
The investigation is conducted by the Thailand Accident Research Center (TARC), which specializes in road accident research and analysis, and will cover a total of 1,000 cases.
The results obtained through these investigations will be utilized to improve safety technologies and contents for safe riding and driving education with an aim to provide enhanced on-road protection for motorcycles and automobiles.
The project is announced by Mr. Noriaki Abe, Operating Officer - Chief Operating Officer, Regional Operations (Asia and Oceania), Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and President & CEO, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in December.
Mr. Abe said, “Honda is committed to realizing a ‘traffic collision-free society’, where everyone can safely share the road and enjoy the freedom of mobility. The high accident toll in Asia is an issue which needs an urgent solution. Therefore, Honda has decided to conduct a thorough study in the hope of finding the root causes of accidents and determining the appropriate course of action for them. We believe that these in-depth accident investigations in Thailand will result in valuable findings, which will help improve the road safety and contribute towards reduction in fatalities in Thailand and across the region.”
The investigations will be conducted in four major provinces with rates of road accidents, namely Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Songkhla.
TARC will be carrying out on-site investigations using most advanced research methodology and provide Honda with the first report by the end of 2017.
Earlier in 2016, Honda and TARC have already conducted a pre-study on the causes of traffic accidents, evaluating 30 cases.
Honda is one of the few companies to conduct studies into real-world accidents, and is only one of the two car companies to have done so in this region. The other car is Volvo, which also had a partnership with Thailand’s TARC.
Related link:
When NCAP’s Five-Star Rating Don’t Mean Much – And How Honda Is Moving Ahead


Perodua Offers Cash Rebates To Owners Affected By Production Halts

Following the news that a sizeable number of Perodua owners will not be receiving their cars before the up and coming SST implementation, Perodua is prepared to offer rebates to 3,100 customers who are affected by the disparity between production and bookings. On the whole, Perodua has had a long waiting list for their products and the tax holiday that's coming to an end after Merdeka spurred consumers into a buying frenzy, exasperating the issue. On top of this, Perodua suffered production halts due to vendor issues just last week, slowing production down even further.
That being said, Perodua is still willing to honour these 3,100 customers who were promised delivery of their vehicles before the new tax scheme. Perodua authorized personnel will be contacting each owner personally to inform them of this rebate, and the rebates themselves will be given in the form of cash upon delivery of their car. Owners will also be notified on the progress of their vehicles and will be updated on expected delivery dates.


CMCO Car SOP: No Seat Restriction For Household Passengers, But What About Public Transport SOP?

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob once again clarifies another confusing SOP!

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob explained in his briefing that it is not an offence to sit beside or behind the driver in a vehicle during the conditional movement control order (
CMCO
) for members of the same household.

While the CMCO SOP establishes that only three people can share a car ride, there's no restriction on where the passenger sits, he said.

This is in correspondence to a viral video where allegedly a man was fined for allowing his wife to sit beside him in a car. Sabri said the man was actually fined because he was using his phone and not because of his wife's seating position. Ismail called Bukit Aman himself to verify the allegation, he said.

It's good that he has clarified this as a lot of online shenanigans are usually inaccurate.

Picture credit: Malaymail.com

This got us thinking because the SOP for taxis and e-hailing cars now allow a maximum of three passengers. General social distancing technically requires strangers to be one meter apart from each other, but most small cars would not be able to provide this distance between the driver and the two passengers. So if we were required to social distance even whilst in a car or an e-hailing ride, what are our options?

Typical e hailing cars like the Perodua Axia or Bezza would definitely put passengers closer to the driver than the one-meter rule.

Only really big or long e-hailing cars like the:

Toyota Alphard

With the passengers in the second and third row of seats and the driver up front, the distance between the two of you would approximately be more than 1 meters thus fulfilling the safe social distancing requirement.

Perodua Alza and Aruz

Okay, these might not be the biggest car in the world, but they are definitely long enough to provide the appropriate distance for proper social distancing. Just like the Alphard, one passenger can be in the second row while the other could be in the third.

Mitsubishi XPANDER

Okay, nobody has bought the XPANDER and turned into an e-hailing car just yet, but the XPANDER will probably provide more space than the Alza and Arus as it's a proper thought out MPV with the sole purpose of moving people around. It'll definitely give you more than a meter's space between you and the driver.

We know this is a bit tongue in cheek but then again, grey area situations like these are the main cause of problems of people not fully understanding nor clarifying SOPs. Let's hope that Sabri will not tomorrow ask us to socially distance even in our cars.


MINI Cooper SE Electric To Be Launched In Malaysia On August 26

The Mini Cooper SE is coming just in time for Merdeka. A page on the Mini website now has a countdown timer counting down to 20 days, 17 hours, minutes and seconds at time of publishing.

Carlist.my was one of two publications that actually got a chance to test drive the
Mini Cooper SE
 in the US earlier in the year and my colleague, Aswan left quite impressed at this latest option for urban mobility in city centres.

Able to cover a range of approximately 270km on a single charge is more than ample for those of us who live within 15-20 kilometres of our workplaces.

Naturally aspirated engine purists can fret, we either roll with the times or we get left behind. It's as simple as that really. Mini however has not departed from its existing design language with the Mini Cooper SE, the overall body is the same, but the differences are in small accents, motifs, and a rather unique set of wheels.

So we know what it will look like, when it's arriving but what about its price?

We wait together-gether and see lah.


iCardata: The Best Time To Buy/Sell A 2015 (X253) Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4Matic

We take a look at the resale value of the (X253) Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 4Matic AMG Line premium SUV.

As we write this, Mercedes-Benz is conducting pre-production testing on two of its most exciting upcoming models – the AMG Project 1 and the next-generation Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster. All at once, Mercedes is forging ahead in an entirely new genre of supercar, one that is actually fitted with a power unit based off Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 car, and with the SL Roaster, reviving one of its most hallowed nameplates, one that almost ceased to exist with the introduction of the more recent Mercedes-AMG GT series.

The SL Roadster proves that despite the challenges of producing and creating a business case for low-volume sports car – heritage is important, and heritage always pays dividends down the line.

Alongside, though slightly lower down the pecking order – Mercedes-Benz have carved out a considerable lineage with their entry and mid-range models – namely the A- and B-Class range, and C-Class.

However, the largest contributors to their growth in recent time has been their SUV models – namely the GLA, GLB, and the darling GLC. Offered alongside their sedan (and selected hatch) counterparts – Mercs SUV line-up has opened the brand up to an entirely new generation of buyers and as the results will show – are extremely successful.

Closer to home, the GLC in particular has garnered superb success since its introduction in 2015 – appealing to lifestyle-centric customers and growing families alike for its blend of SUV machismo, premium style and potent powertrain packages.

In the second part of our premium-SUV reports – after last week’s BMW X3 article – we now look at its leading rival, the GLC and in particular, the ever-popular (X253) GLC 250 4Matic variant.

Overview

The GLC range of SUVs was first introduced in Malaysia in Q1 of 2016 – and despite it being a relatively new and unproven product at the time, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia nearly could not make them fast enough, as units flew out showroom doors to make it the top-selling SUV in its class in very short order.

Initially launched in Malaysia in just one variant – the GLC250 4 Matic – Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has steadily introduced several more variants – including hotted-up AMG variants – and invested in CKD production to keep prices competitive against its other German rivals, the BMW X3 and Audi Q5.

Here’s a brief snapshot of the GLC’s presence in the Malaysian market:

January 2016 – Mercedes-Benz GLC launched alongside the GLE and GLE Coupe. Singular GLC 250 4Matic AMG Line variant priced at RM328,888. Limited-run Edition 1 models introduced at RM360,888.

May 2016 – GLC 250 Exclusive variant added at RM325,888, RM3k down from AMG Line.

August 2016 – CKD-assembled GLC 250 4Matic AMG Line introduced – RM3k down from CBU price at RM325,888.

October 2016 – Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe hits market, singular GLC 250 4Matic variant priced at RM428,888

April 2017 – Mercedes-AMG GLC 250 4Matic gets Agility Control suspension, price unchanged.

August 2017 – Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 launched RM288,888.

September 2018 – GLC 200 updated with Blind Spot Assist, GLC 250 updated with Blind Spot and Active Lane Keeping Assist, price up RM293,888 and RM333,888 respectively.

March 2019 – GLC 300 4Matic Coupe AMG Line RM399,888.

December 2019 – Facelifted GLC 200 and 300 launched in Malaysia at RM300k and Rm350k respectively. GLC 250 dropped from the line-up. Facelift introduces styling updates and a more powerful new M264 engine.

For this report, we will look at the GLC 250 4Matic line. The longest-serving member of the GLC range (until the introduction of the GLC 300) which gives us a wider spread of data points across the marketplace.

Our reports utilise iCarData. Our in-house developed
iCarData
, collates data from thousands of used vehicle deals that have been listed on Carlist.my throughout the years. Hence, by filtering our search for listings of a particular model throughout the measured timeframe, we are able to track with substantial accuracy the rates of depreciation of any vehicle as they were featured in the period.

In the case of the GLC 250, these algorithm-based data provides unmatched clarity with regard to the natural depreciation of the car from its launch year to 2020 – helping both buyers and sellers make prudent financial decisions if they are in the market to buy or sell a GLC SUV.

Check out some of our other iCarData feature of the GLC’s main rival, the
BMW X3 xDrive20i
 and other popular models, such as the
Mazda 6
.

Specifications of the 2015 (X253) GLC 250 4Matic AMG Line

Price: RM325,888

Engine: 2.0-litre, inline-4, turbocharged, petrol

Power: 211hp at 5,500 rpm

Torque: 350Nm from 1,200 to 4,000rpm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic G-Tronic with torque converter

Safety: Nine airbags, Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Crosswind Assist, Attention Assist, Active Parking Assistant, Distronic Plus active cruise-control system, Steering Assist

Origin: Locally-assembled in Pekan, Pahang.

We have taken into account the following to keep our numbers accurate and representative.

Vehicle variant: (X253) Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 4Matic AMG Line - CKD model

Depreciation is calculated using the original list price.

Depreciation percentage does not take into account special/ seasonal offers or rebates on the original selling price.

Depreciation for other variants may differ, in particular, fully-imported units also sold between Jan and Aug 2016.

Based on ICarData, here's the summarized data for depreciation:

And the graphical analysis below:

Blue line: Average selling price (RM) by year

Grey line: Cumulative depreciation (RM) by year

Orange line: Retained value percentage by year

Conclusion

From the above results of iCarData, we find that the Mercedes-Benz GLC has some of the strongest and most organic value retention rates for any premium vehicle we have featured.

The GLC certainly fares better than the BMW X3 in the first four years of the car's lifespan, only losing circa 40 percent of its original value in the first four years. The graphical analysis further shows how organic the depreciation actually is - which stands at approximately 10 percent year-on-year.

Though it must be said that, the real trial by fire is to measure the depreciation in the sixth year, as a large number of these SUVs jump off the manufacturer's warranty period and enter the used vehicle market. Though judging from the numbers of the first four years, they're strong indeed.

The GLC also benefits from great timing, given its main competitors, the X3 and Q5 were pretty far along in their lifespan during the GLC's introduction, so being the new kid on the block, the GLC got all the attention.

With that said, we can infer that sellers can take their time in choosing when to sell their GLC. Given its organic depreciation rates, sellers would have a longer time frame to take advantage of prices holding steady in the first four years since overall depreciation values versus retained values have not yet equalised.

As for buyers, the best time for a used car buyer to buy a GLC would be just after it enters the fifth year of its lifespan. If we extrapolate the data, we can approximate the GLCs retained value to be at 50 percent of its original selling price as it enters this period.

This would also mean that buyers still have ample choices in terms of financing, however, they might have to do without manufacturer warranties in place. Of course, buyers are advised to do their homework and get a thorough inspection done prior to purchase.

For some great deals on the (X253) Mercedes-Benz GLC, click
here
.

If you're looking to sell your Mercedes-Benz GLC, we have two solutions for you too. List in on carlist.my or better still use
Carlist Bid
 where we remove all the hassle of selling your car for you as you get searching for your next upgrade.

Which make/ model would you like us to research next? Let us know in the comments.


Reckless LaFerrari Driver In Beverly Hills Video Is A Qatar Prince

Remember the video where the owner of an exquisite
Ferrari
 LaFerrari was seen
driving recklessly in Beverly Hills
? Well, according to the
LA Times
, the identity of the driver has been revealed as Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar’s ruling family. The report also points out that he will most likely walk away scot free as there is “no evidence that exists” to prove his crime.

Following the reckless actions of the drivers in the video, which you can watch again below, Beverly Hills police investigated the incident where Al Thani denied that anyone was driving recklessly in a LaFerrari and
Porsche
 911 GT3 at the time. He also said that diplomatic immunity meant no action could be taken against him.

After discussions with the U.S. State Department and the Qatar consulate, authorities concluded that the sheikh did not have such immunity, Beverly Hills police chief Dominick Rivetti said.

However, since the video went viral, Al Thani has fled the United States, police said along with the yellow Ferrari and white Porsche.

The lack of evidence is due to the police being unable able to verify who was behind the wheel in the video. “No one produced any evidence of who was at the wheel of the two cars,” Lt. Lincoln Hoshino said. “The drivers weren’t visible on the videos or photographs.”


All-New 2018 Toyota Rush Launched, From An Est. RM 93,000

After comparatively little fanfare, the all-new Toyota Rush has officially been launched in our market. It's made available in two variants - the Rush G and the Rush S - with the former going for an estimated price of RM 93,000, and the latter going for an estimated price of RM 98,000, although final pricing will be confirmed towards the end of the year. Deliveries will begin in January 2019.
This is a highly important model for Toyota, especially within the ASEAN region, and over the last 10 years or so we have seen over 18,000 of these models sold within Malaysia itself.
The focus of the Rush has always been practicality, but this compact 7-seater model brings with it Toyota's 360-T, which will be used in all of its upcoming models. The 360-T is a blanket term for Toyota's complete suite of technologies designed to protect and provide advantages to drivers on the road. The three major elements of the 360-T are the Safe-T Plus (safety features and systems as standard), Connectivi-T (entertainment, connectivity, and safety), as well as Guaran-T (for peace of mind through the ownership experience).
The new Rush is powered by Toyota's 2NR-VE Dual VVT-i 1.5-litre engine that has been made available in a few of their models. It produces 105 PS at 6,000 rpm, with a maximum torque of 136 Nm at 4,200 rpm. It comes paired with the hardy 4-speed automatic transmission, as well as Automatic Stop-Start for better fuel consumption. Quoted efficiency is 15.6 km per litre, or 6.4 litres per 100 km, which qualifies it as an Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) under the current Malaysian National Automotive Policy.
It also happens to be rear wheel drive, which has been one of Toyota's sticking points when it comes to people haulers as it provides better traction once fully loaded with passengers or when travelling uphill. The steering is an electrically assisted unit, with a tight turning radius of 5.2 metres - a result of maintaining a long rack stroke for the rack and pinion system, and another advantage of rear-wheel drive vehicles.
Design wise, the Rush is much sharper looking than its predecessor. It comes standard with the R-Blade design aerokit for both variants, with the "R" standing for Rush. The body is also painted in a dual tone colour, with black elements on the lower half of the car for contrast and sportiness. LED headlamps surrounded by dark chrome offset the grille are standard, as are the 17-inch alloy wheels with a black finish, shod in 215/60 R17 tyres.
On the inside, things have become a little more premium with silver and chrome-plated accents contrasting heavily with the general black tone of interior panels. It's a more sophisticated look, which is rarely seen in this end of the Malaysian car market. Taking centre stage on the dashboard is a 6.8-inch capacitive touch screen head unit with Bluetooth and mirror functions for Android and iOS devices. It also has the Panoramic View Monitor which allows for easy manoeuvring with a 360-degree birds eye view courtesy of 4 cameras around the car.
The climate control system is split for the front and rear, with front occupants receiving air from the dashboard while a dedicated rear ceiling mounted blower has adjustable speeds and redirects cool air to rear passengers. The seating configuration is 2-3-2 over three rows, and access to the third row is easy thanks to one-touch tumble folding operation. The seats in the second row are a 60:40 split, while the seats in the third row are a 50:50 split. Cargo capacity stands at 217 litres, but can be expanded to 514 litres when the third row is collapsed. Heavier loads, up to 50 kg, can be mounted on the roof rails as well.
All that we've mentioned so far comes as standard across both variants. But if you spring for the higher-grade Rush S, you also get the:
Pre-Collision System
Leather Seats
Automatic LED Headlights
Front Fog Lamps
Leather Steering Wheel
Steering-mounted Telephone Switch
As for safety, the Rush comes with 6 SRS Airbags as standard, along with ABS, EBD, BA, and more importantly, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) and TRC (Traction Control). These last two items were a source of controversy having been omitted from the Toyota range for the longest time, but they are now included quite nearly across the Toyota range, and are especially important among the rear-wheel drive vehicles in the range. Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are also included for a little more active warning when on the road. As a result of all of these systems, the Rush scores a full
5-star safety rating in ASEAN NCAP testing
.
The Rush is available in a choice of five exterior colours: White, Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Blue Metallic, and Dark Green Metallic. It's assembled at the Perodua plant in Rawang, alongside the up and coming Perodua SUV. Bookings for both variants will be accepted at all authorised Toyota showrooms nationwide from today onwards.


The all-new G60 BMW 5 Series and i5: To ICE or EV?

The 8th-Gen BMW 5 Series is probably one of the most important generations of the 5 Series, as it is offered for the first time either with an ICE or fully electric powertrain.

After six years of the seventh-generation 5 Series, BMW has decided to replace it and debut the eight generation 5er. The new 5 Series brings with it an up-to-date look, and along with it, a few world firsts for the iconic executive sedan.

For now, the most pertinent of matters surrounding the new 5 Series is its debut lineup. BMW will be debuting the eight-generation 5 Series with just one petrol model, the 520i. If you want a more powerful petrol powered 5 Series, you'll have to wait for the 530e and 550e hybrids next year. There are other petrol-powered 8th-Gen 5 Series, but they are only destined for the US market for now.

Speaking of hybrids and electrification, BMW has also introduced a lineup of fully electrified 5 Series called the BMW i5. It's equipped with BMW's fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology.

The
top model for the all-electric BMW i5 is the M60 xDrive
. It has 601 hp and M performance driving characteristics. Two highly integrated drive motors on the front and rear axles make the M60 an electric all-wheel drive vehicle.

The system torque generated is up to 820 Nm when M Sport Boost or the M Launch Control function is activated. This enables the BMW i5 M60 to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, which is roughly the
same as the M5 competition
. Its top speed is electrically limited to 230 km/h and the M60 has a driving range of up to 516 kilometres.

The BMW i5 eDrive40 only has an electric motor at the rear wheels and it can generate a maximum output of 340 hp and a maximum torque of up to 430 Nm with Sport Boost or Launch Control function.

It's not as fast as the M60, but it can still do the 0 to 100 km/h run in 6.0 seconds. Its top speed is 193 km/h and it has a driving range of up to 582 kilometres.

The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) of the BMW i5 enables AC charging with an output of up to 11 kW as standard and up to 22 kW as an option. The high-voltage battery can be charged with direct current with a power of up to 205 kW. For example, the battery charge level in the BMW i5 can go from 10 to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes.

Both i5s use an 84.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which has added some weight to the EV 5 Series.

As mentioned before, the petrol range starts with a rear-wheel-driven 520i, which sports a 2.0-litre

turbocharged four-cylinder engine, eight-speed automatic transmission and a 48V mild-hybrid system.

The mild-hybrid system helps with its performance, as the 520i is good for 205 hp and 330Nm of torque, which allows it to complete the 0-100km/h run in 7.5 seconds.

The interior of the 5 Series has also been revamped, looking more like a mini 7 Series instead of a 3 Series. The biggest headline for the interior is the use of Vegan leather and the big curved screen in front of the steering wheel, which houses a 12.3" digital instrument cluster and 14.9" infotainment touchscreen. The air vents are nearly hidden, which gives the interior this clean feel to it.

The next-gen BMW 5 Series will enter production in October 2023 and it'll be interesting to see what variants will be made available locally. One thing's for sure, and that surety is that we'll probably get the option of an ICE or EV 5 Series for the first time in Malaysia.


Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman Will Be Reinvented As An EV In 2025 - End Of An Era

The end of an era is just around the corner as the 718 Boxster and Cayman will evolve as an electric vehicle (BEV) come 2025.

High-performance and luxury car manufacturer Porsche is revamping its
Stuttgart
, Zuffenhausen factory in preparation for the all-electric 718
Boxster
 and
Cayman
 sports cars. The automaker will invest $567 million (RM2.4 billion) into the Zuffenhausen plant to turn it into an electric vehicle factory.

This new development can be marked as one of the most significant turning points in sports car history as the era of ICE performance cars is starting to dwindle down as two of its brightest stars (Boxster and Cayman) are set to be reinvented as
electric vehicle
s
.

Picture credit: Autocar

The move to transform the factory is just another sign of how Porsche's ambitious target for
electric vehicle sales
 that will contribute one-third of the car brand's total sales by 2025 and two-thirds by 2030.

Who can blame them for being so ambitious as the automaker has received a pretty good response for the
Porsche Taycan EV
, which now accounts for
40% of its worldwide sales
.

The Porsche 718  Boxster and Cayman twins will be based on Volkswagen's PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture, which will also be at the core of the upcoming Porsche Macan EV, due to be unveiled in 2023 and go on sale in 2024.

German publication Automobilwoche reports that the Zuffenhausen plant will be flexible enough to allow the Porsche 718 EV and 911 ICE to be built on the same track. Porsche will start producing the 718 EV in 2024, the same year the Porsche Macan EV will start rolling off the production line from its Leipzig facility.

Rumour has it that the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman will be made available as a rear-wheel-drive single electric motor variant or an all-wheel-drive two-motor setup, similar to what was previewed on the
Mission R concept
.

Although the Mission R concept is not built on VW's PPE platform, it is built on the current 718 platform, which is why there is some speculation that its powertrain will be carried over to the new 718 Boxster and Cayman EVs.

The Mission R concept is showcased with an electric powertrain capable of pushing an output of 435 PS from the front electric motor, while the rear motor is capable of pushing out 653 PS of power.

The combined electric powertrain is capable of producing 611 PS of power in standard mode and 1088 PS in qualifying mode. The Porsche 718 twins will come with 800-volt charging technology that is claimed to be able to charge the battery from 5%-80% in just 15 minutes.


Tol Percuma Tetap Perlu Scan TNG/RFID/SmartTag

Tol percuma dan diskaun tol sebanyak 50% dan 30%
 yang diumumkan Perdana Menteri baru-baru ini tetap memerlukan mereka untuk mengimbas (scan) kad TNG/RFID/SmartTag. Tapi bagaimana nak lalu plaza tol yang percuma?

Pengguna lebuh raya yang mahu memanfaatkan peluang ini tetap perlu mematuhi peraturan yang ditetapkan ketika di plaza tol termasuklah syarat menyentuh kad
Touch 'n Go.

*Kredit foto:Berita Harian

Kenapa Kena Scan?

Menurut Pengarah Urusan PLUS, Datuk Azman Ismail berkata syarat itu diputuskan bagi membolehkan PLUS merekodkan data trafik.

Walau bagaimanapun, tiada bayaran tol akan dikenakan atau ditolak daripada e-wallet mereka.

Pengguna yang menggunakan RFID juga perlu memastikan jalan masuk dan keluar dari lebuh raya menggunakan lorong RFID sahaja. Pengguna SmartTag juga perlu menggunakan lorong yang sama sahaja.

Periksa Status Kad TNG

Pengguna kad TNG dinasihatkan supaya memeriksa status kad sebelum memulakan perjalanan di portal TNG -
http://tngportal.touchngo.com.my/tngPortal/login
.

ini bagi mengelakkan mereka terkandas di lorong tol sekiranya kad TNG mereka tidak aktif atau telah melebihi tarikh luput.

Pengguna lebuh raya juga disaran supaya :

memuat turun aplikasi PLUS untuk meninjau keadaan trafik terkini di lebuh raya melalui CCTV yang disediakan.

menggunakan Waze atau Google Map untuk merancang perjalanan sepanjang musim perayaan.

mengikuti jadual
Cadangan Waktu Perjalanan (TTA)
 yang telah dikeluarkan.


Feature: The Toyota Prius We Will Never Get

While Toyota may seem like a clinical company at times, their commitment to environmental change has extended beyond merely producing energy efficient cars. And if there is one car that has defined Toyota’s evolution as a brand, it wouldn’t be one of their performance cars of the 1990s, nor would it be their LF A (despite employing some industry changing manufacturing techniques). Instead, it is the humble Prius- the poster child for hybrid motoring, and now in its fourth generation.
As a result of our local hybrid tax exemption laws changing on a whim, UMW Toyota decided to stop selling the Prius – especially after the third generation model was pushed to astronomical prices once the hybrid tax exemption was removed. And that’s a real shame, because the fourth generation Prius is far more than an incremental improvement over its predecessor.
We’ll get the facts and figures out of the way first. The new Prius is capable of a staggering 40.8 kilometres per litre, which is an improvement of 8.2 kilometres per litre over the previous model – that’s about 25.2%. Engineers have assessed that 7.0% of that comes from improvements in the body design – be it lightening, packaging, or aerodynamics – while the remaining 18.2% comes from powertrain improvements. The drag coefficient is down to just 0.24, which again is some industry-leading standard.
You would think that this was enough – after all, they managed to make it even more efficient and the plus points of the Prius have always been its fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness. But there is a lot more to the fourth-generation Prius that isn’t immediately apparent, and the engineers were keen to explain what they had done. One of the improvements that is easy to understand is the reduction in battery size and relocation to beneath the rear passenger seat – the benefit of which is extra boot space and a lower centre of gravity.
Pay attention here, because lower centre of gravity isn’t something you talk about when you’re referring to an energy efficient vehicle. Whenever an automotive manufacturer brings up the term lower centre of gravity, they are usually referring to how their sports car has employed lighter materials and has had components changed to lower the centre of gravity.
Up front, the powertrain has been repositioned and both the power control unit and the transaxle have been made more compact. Again, there are a few reasons for this: improved packaging by means of more space in the engine bay, better flexibility of application in other products in the Toyota range, and (once again) a lower centre of gravity. The more compact powertrain dimensions allowed the engineers to mount it 10 millimetres lower. It may not seem like a lot, but it makes a palpable difference in handling dynamics.
Beyond this, another benefit comes with having more compact powertrain components. For one, it allowed the engineers to reposition the auxiliary battery, from the boot to the engine bay. This meant they did not need a sealed battery to prevent gas seepage during charging as the engine bay would allow it to vent openly to atmosphere – and this represents a huge cost savings on the part of the customer when it comes time to replacement, by roughly 75%.
For the first time and for the Japanese market exclusively, the Prius is made available with an E Four electric all-wheel drive system. It is now a viable concept thanks to the smaller transaxle and motor design, and it mounts directly at the rear without the need for a prop-shaft. This is actually similar in concept to the Lexus RX350h and some other all-wheel drive hybrid vehicles which are primarily front wheel driven by an internal combustion engine and provided with electric assistance at the rear. In the case of the Prius, this was done to cater to parts of Japan where all-wheel drive is very important during the winter months. If the feedback is positive and there is demand in other parts of the world, Toyota is willing to make this variant available elsewhere.
The chassis has been completely redesigned with double wishbones at the rear, although we were not given much information regarding what exactly had been done and what their rationale was. In general a double wishbone offers greater wheel control during suspension travel, and is again the kind of thing you would usually find on a sports car. But perhaps beyond merely explaining it, the best way to understand the improvement is to drive it – and we had the opportunity to take the Prius for a few laps around Fuji Speedway’s short course.
Again, it’s a little strange that we would be testing the dynamics of the Prius as opposed to its known strong points like fuel efficiency. Or perhaps as a result of marketing over the last decade or so, it’s already known that Toyota doesn’t fib its efficiency numbers with the Prius and that it’s already highly capable of what is claimed. In either case, putting a Prius through its paces on a tight track was exactly the kind of thing that would prove if the Prius was really as fun to drive as Toyota made it out to be – and in many ways, it was.
Three short laps on an already short course were all we had time for, but it was enough to exploit the Prius chassis and push it to its limits on the damp tarmac. Handling dynamics are usually an afterthought in the pursuit of efficiency, but the Prius turns and tucks in as terrifically as a warm hatch would. It may not be the weapon of choice on a trunk road or at your local racetrack- but if you find the urge to drive spiritedly, the Prius will happily comply. Mid-range acceleration is brisk, which was one of the areas engineers focused on in order to improve consumption but also translates very well to a track where the average speed is low and the straights are short. Naturally the continuously variable transmission gets in the way of the fun, but it isn’t so soul-sucking as to render the Prius completely pointless.
Beyond the handling dynamics, there’s still a lot to like with the new Prius. It has an interior that is appreciably improved over the outgoing model’s traditional turn-of-the-century Japanese styling, with hardly a sharp line in sight. Perhaps the only odd choice is a plastic-y trim piece in the centre console which dirties quickly and is a little incongruous with the more futuristic design. The build quality is impressive as well, but naturally the only comparison is with our locally produced models where components are value engineered from a tolerance standpoint. Still though, it’s a reminder that given a larger budget and leeway, the Japanese are capable of producing European-rivalling quality products.
If there were a hybrid incentive for fully imported models once again, the new Prius could certainly be a competitive product. Unfortunately this isn’t likely to happen, but if you like what you see here you can always talk to your nearest UMW Toyota dealer and see what they can arrange; it’s been said that the Prius can be put on special order if you’re willing to put the money down and accept the staggering price (well over RM 200,000), but if you do you can be assured that you’ll be doing a big part in saving the environment- and you’ll enjoy yourself while you do it too.


The Proton Search – Contest to Reward Loyal Proton Owners

Every car has a story to tell, and if your car is a
Proton
 kept within the family from brand new, your story can potentially win you a brand new
2016 Proton Saga
 that will be launched later this year.
Running for 13 weeks until 8 June 2016, ‘The Proton Search’ contest is calling for loyal Proton owners to share their touching memories and stories of their Proton cars. The aim of the contest is to unearth the longest-running Proton car in the country to be owned by a single individual or at least kept within the family.
Participation in the contest is open to all Malaysians with a valid identification card and driving license, and the Proton car submitted must have valid road and insurance renewed annually since the car left its showroom.
Ownership of the vehicle has to be attached to a single individual throughout its existence, or at most transferred within family members. The vehicle must also be roadworthy, well-maintained, and kept in its stock standard appearance.
Winning criteria of the contest would be the most immaculate-looking Proton vehicle with the highest mileage. Bonus points are given to vehicles that have been regularly maintained at authorized Proton service centres.
The contest is part of the recently launched
‘The New Proton’
 campaign aimed at providing better value and experience to Proton owners by developing activities and engagement sessions for the existing customers.
“Since our inception, we have sold over 4 million Proton cars, and this search is our way of rewarding Proton loyal customers and bringing them closer to us. We must take care of these customers, who have chosen to purchase our cars and are proud of driving us,” said Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah, Chief Executive of Proton.
Owners interested to participate in this contest are required to submit the following:
Entry form – obtain from Proton outlets or
download
 from
www.proton.com
; photocopies are also accepted.
Photocopy of vehicle registration card
Latest photo of vehicle taken from front, side, and rear angles.
A 60-second video telling the most memorable moment of the vehicle, OR
A memorable photo of the vehicle accompanied by a 350-word written story.
Entries can be sent:
By post:
The Proton Search Contest,
Proton Holdings Berhad,
PO Box 07067,
Pejabat Pos Besar Shah Alam,
40704 Shah Alam,
Selangor
Email:

protonsearchcontest@proton.com
Participants of the contest stand to win one of the following prizes
Grand Prize:
1 unit all-new 2016 Proton Saga
Refurbishment of current Proton car worth RM5,000
Tour of Proton plant
Consolation Prize:
Refurbishment of current Proton car worth RM5,000
RM1,000 cash
Tour of Proton plant


Japanese Transport Ministry Orders Probe Of Diesel Car Emissions

Following the ‘
Dieselgate
’ scandal where the Volkswagen Group admitted to rigging some cars with engineered software that is capable of engaging full emissions controls during testing, Japan’s transport ministry has ordered carmakers to inspect whether their diesel vehicles meet the country’s emissions standards.
Several carmakers including
Toyota
, Mazda,
Nissan
, and
Volkswagen
, all of which sell diesel cars in Japan, have been asked to probe into this issue and submit reports by the end of this week, Transport Minister Akihiro Ohta told reporters. Ohta added that the Japanese government is considering the adoption of a new method to test diesel engines although no details were given.
Other countries, now including Japan, which are investigating carmakers over the compliance of their diesel engines include South Korea, France, and the United Kingdom.
Bloomberg
 reports that Volkswagen, Japan’s best-selling foreign brand last year, is working closely with authorities on the matter, while monitoring the impact of the situation on its brand image and sales. Volkswagen diesel cars sold in Japan are not sold by official dealer networks, but are imported by individual buyers.
Mazda
, which sells the most diesel cars in Japan, recently issued a statement that says every petrol and diesel engine it produces is in full compliance with the regulations of the countries where its vehicles are sold, and the carmaker has never used illegal software of defeat devices.


Pasca Banjir: Kos Baik Pulih Mahal, Lebih 50,000 Kereta Dijangka Tersadai

Ekoran tragedi
banjir
 yang melanda beberapa negeri serta Ibu Kota, ribuan kenderaan telah menjadi korban akibat
ditenggelami air
. Apa nasib kenderaan tersebut?

Dalam situasi darurat seperti itu, keselamatan diri dan nyawa itu jauh lebih penting berbanding kereta dan harta benda. Bagi pemilik yang telah mengambil
insurans bencana alam atau Peril Khas
, segala ganti rugi serta kos baik pulih akan ditanggung sepenuhnya oleh pihak insurans. Jadi tak perlu pening kepala.

Bagaimana pula nasib pemilik yang tidak mencarum insurans tambahan berkenaan? Baru-baru ini, Berita Harian ada melaporkan bahawa masih ramai yang tidak membuat caruman perlindungan bencana alam dalam polisi
insurans
 mereka. Perkara ini disahkan oleh Pengarah Eksekutif Stable Vision Corporation Sdn Bhd, Richard Low yang berkata ramai tidak mencarum kerana penambahan bayaran yang dikenakan.

Low berkata, kadar standard bagi perlindungan ke atas bencana alam merangkumi tambahan sekitar 0.086 peratus untuk banjir dan 0.081 peratus bagi tanah runtuh dari jumlah perlindungan, di mana pelanggan boleh membuat penambahan perlindungan mengikut keperluan peribadi.

Sebarang tuntutan ganti rugi kerosakan adalah bergantung sepenuhnya kepada polisi individu sama ada menambah klausa banjir dan bencana alam ke atas perlindungan kenderaan atau tidak. Memandangkan masih ramai yang tidak mencarum insurans itu, maka terpaksalah mereka mengeluarkan duit simpanan untuk baiki.

Dengan jumlah kos baik pulih kenderaan yang semakin tinggi, sebanyak lebih 50,000 kereta yang rosak ditenggelami air dijangka akan terus tersadai tanpa dibaik pulih. Secara kasarnya, kos baik pulih dianggarkan antara RM10,000 hingga RM20,000 bagi sebuah kereta. Kalau anda rasa kos itu tidaklah mahal mana, ingatlah bahawa mangsa banjir ini bukan sahaja kehilangan kereta, tetapi turut kehilangan tempat tinggal.

Menurut seorang penasihat teknikal automotif Mohamad Dalib, kos tersebut meliputi baik pulih enjin, unit kawalan elektronik (ECU) kenderaan dan kerja-kerja pembersihan. Untuk kereta tempatan, kos baik pulihnya tidaklah begitu mahal jika nak dibandingkan dengan kos alat ganti baharu untuk kenderaan import.

Walaupun pemilik boleh mencari barang yang lebih murah seperti komponen terpakai berbanding komponen baharu, tapi masalahnya komponen terpakai ini tidak terjamin kualitinya serta tiada jaminan. Selain membaiki komponen enjin dan elektrik pada kereta, pemilik juga perlu untuk menanggung kos lain seperti pencucian menyeluruh di bahagian luar dan dalam kereta yang terkesan kerana banjir. Setiap cucian penuh dianggarkan berharga RM600 bergantung pada saiz kereta.

Mujurlah pengeluar automotif di negara ini seperti
Honda
,
Proton
,
Perodua
,
BMW
,
Mercedes
,
Toyota
,
Volkswagen
 dan lain-lain peka dengan kesusahan yang dialami pelanggan mereka dengan memberi 15-30% potongan harga ke atas alat ganti mereka serta rebat lain. Walaupun ia masih tidak mencukupi, sekurang-kurangnya ia mampu meringankan beban mangsa banjir yang terlibat.

Bagi mereka yang bercadang untuk membeli kereta kelak, anda perlu mempertimbangkan untuk mengambil insurans tambahan bencana alam ini. Bagi mereka yang masih tidak mahu melanggan insurans pula, jadikanlah bencana banjir ini sebagai pengajaran agar anda dan kereta sentiasa bersedia untuk menghadapi musibah banjir sekiranya ia berlaku. Caruman ke atas insurans bencana alam ini amatlah penting terutama bagi mereka yang duduk di kawasan rendah yang berisiko untuk banjir.


What's this? A Hyundai Ioniq 5 N video teaser?

Hyundai recently released a video showing all the cool things related to its N brand 'rolling lab' cars, and they've given us a sneak peek at what they claim to be the
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
 - N's first production BEV model.

The entire world has begun to pay special attention to Hyundai and its efforts in electrification technologies to next-generation high-performance models. We've seen the
RN22e
 as well as the
N Vision 74
 with advanced EV and hydrogen hybrid tech, but they have a lot more up their sleeves.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N wrapped in camo

The video in itself showcased an interesting perspective on Hyundai's efforts to revolutionise the automotive industry but at the same time, maintain its stance as a manufacturer that still focuses on the fun side of driving. A short glimpse of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N was shown just for a short bit together with the RN22e and N Vision 74 side by side.

Wrapped in a 'special camouflage pattern of pixels and checkered flags', it is safe to say that Hyundai is getting very good at teasing fans and enthusiasts from all walks of life, even ICE purists. The two rolling labs vehicles will pave the way for the brand's next-generation EVs and we're pretty darn excited about this Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

It's also especially interesting since Hyundai's E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform) will be developed together with the N brand's performance pillars - Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability, and Everyday Sports Car. That has been somewhat showcased via the RN22e and N Vision 74, but there's no doubt that some of that fancy tech will indeed trickle down to the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

According to Till Wartenberg, Vice President of N Brand Management & Motorsport sub-division, "Hyundai N Brand is one of the fastest evolving high-performance brands in the world. All of our plans are on the right track to be carried out in line with our vision for electrification. The success story of rolling labs highlighted by RN22e is a perfect prelude to our N Brand’s very first battery electric production model, the Ioniq 5 N, coming soon."

In the meantime, check out the Hyundai Ioniq 5's sister, the Kia EV6, as we took it for a short camping trip by the beach!


Mercedes-Benz Commits to Deliver First Electric Truck in Malaysia

Biforst Logistics Sdn Bhd, as well as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise the former’s commitment to being the first company in Malaysia to purchase an electric-powered truck – the Mitsubishi Fuso eCanter to be exact.
Yet to be launched here in Malaysia, the Fuso eCanter is powered by a package of three to five lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 13.8kWh each. Capable of securing at least 100km with a single charge, the truck comes with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 7.5 tonnes.
It also comes with a few interesting features like a digital key and meter console, a digital control panel in the center console, LED lights, digital air cond control, as well as GPS navigation.
The eCanter aside, Biforst also officially took delivery of its 300th Fuso truck yesterday – an FE85PG model.
With the acquisition of the new Fuso, Biforst’s fleet now comprises 530 trucks in total, which the company aims to increase to 700 units by 2018.
Having allocated RM10 million to invest in electric trucks in the near future, Hamie Appala, the group managing director of Biforst Holdings Sdn Bhd said that the company also plans to have autonomous trucks in its fleet by the year 2020.


Shell Malaysia Introduces Euro 5 Diesel

It has been a long time coming, and Shell Malaysia has made their move to introduce their Euro 5 grade diesel today at the NKVE-Damansara Shell station.
Called S
hell FuelSave Diesel Euro 5, the imported fuel
is available at five stations around Peninsula. According to Shell Malaysia Trading’s managing director, Azman Ismail, plans are underway to open another 15 stations by the second quarter of next year.
Following the government mandate for Euro 5 diesel, the fuel is being sold at a 10sen/litre premium over standard Euro2M diesel, at RM2 per litre.
Azman says that stations selling FuelSave Diesel Euro 5 will continue selling the standard Euro 2M grade diesel concurrently, though he assures that the new diesel fuel will always be sold from pumps under the canopy of the station rather than the outdoors pumps, which is often frequented by heavy vehicles.
Euro 5 grade diesel comes with an ultra-low sulphur content of only 10 parts per million (ppm), whereas the standard Euro 2M diesel comes with a sulphur content of 500ppm. This low sulphur diesel allows for advanced diesel engine and emission control systems to perform optimally, and prevents the dreaded build up of sulphur deposits that could affect modern diesel engines that haven’t been optimised for high-sulphur content fuels.
BMW Group Malaysia, who has been driving the introduction of Euro 5 specified fuel since 2009, was present at the launch of the new diesel fuel. Their presence was also a highlight to their partnership with Shell Malaysia in creating awareness on the importance of fuel efficiency and emissions responsibility on the road.
“We at BMW Group Malaysia would like to congratulate Shell Malaysia on the introduction of their new fuel, which is an important step forward for diesel drivers in Malaysia to have access to the newest specification of diesel fuel at the stations for better performance and efficiency of their vehicles,” said Sashi Ambi, head of Corporate Communications for BMW Group Malaysia.
“The availability of Euro 5 specification diesel will also be instrumental in driving the introduction of the latest modern and more fuel efficient diesel vehicles in the country.”
Marketed under the FuelSave branding for Shell's effciency optimising fuels, the FuelSave Diesel Euro 5 comes added with Shell’s Active Efficiency Ingredient to improve engine efficiency, as well as a special detergent additive that is designed to maintain engine condition by helping prevent the build-up of injector deposits.
Presently Shell FuelSave Diesel Euro 5 is available at the following stations:
Koperasi Pekerja-Pekerja Shell Malaysia, NKVE-Damansara Highway, Selangor
R&Z Aktiviti Entreprise, Tapah Rest Stop, Perak
Mentari Ria Resources, Tanjung Malim Layby, Perak
RA Talang, Bandar Ayer Keroh, Melaka
Luruhmas Sdn Bhd, Pasir Gudang Highway 2, Johor


2017 Honda Jazz Hybrid Previewed In Malaysia

Eight months ago, we’ve reported the all-new Honda
Jazz and City Hybrid are still on the plans for Malaysia
. Today, at the opening of the 2016 Malaysia Auto Show, Honda Malaysia has partially pulled the covers of the upcoming Jazz Hybrid.
Although the car is heavily disguised, the silhouette clearly suggests that beneath the camo material is a Honda Jazz.
Sources have suggested that like the previous generation Jazz Hybrid, this all-new Jazz Hybrid will be locally-assembled at Honda Malaysia’s plant in Pegoh, Melaka.
Unlike the previous generation mild-hybrid Jazz Hybrid , this all-new model is a full-hybrid, meaning that it is capable of doing standing-starts by using electric power only for smoother driving in stop-go traffic.
Honda has yet to officially commit to a timeframe for the all-new Jazz Hybrid’s introduction in Malaysia, but we believe think it is reasonable to expect the car to be launched here in mid-2017.
The full-hybrid all-new Jazz Hybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre Sport Hybrid i-DCD powertrain paired to a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. Under the boot floor is a lithium-ion traction battery.
Honda’s initial plans of launching the model in 2014 was put on the backburner following a series of recalls in Japan, mainly due to issues the 7-speed dual-clutch transmissions. However, unlike a certain German brand, Honda was quick to nip the problem, and even suspended production in Japan. Even after the problem was solved domestically, introduction of the model outside of Japan continued to be put on hold.
“The problem has already been solved but our engineers have elected to continue suspending any plans to launch these models overseas as they felt that more real-world data needs to be gathered before they can be absolutely sure that the problem is permanently solved. The driving conditions in Japan are quite mild – average speeds are low, weather is fine, and drivers usually don’t cover more than 10,000 km per year,” said our source earlier this year.
Honda had also taken additional steps to improve the dual-clutch transmission’s performance to cope with our local driving conditions.
“We noted that many Malaysian drivers typically brake hard for speed bumps before accelerating hard again. The stop-go traffic in Malaysia is also different from those experienced in many other countries. The cars don’t really come to a complete stop, but continue to move slowly, and often the drivers would abruptly accelerate hard to close the gap between cars,” he said while gesturing with hands explaining how Malaysian drivers jostle about in traffic, adding that these sudden braking and acceleration, coupled with the hot and humid weather, adds stress to the drivetrain.
“Improving the DCT’s performance within this 10 km/h to 30 km/h speed range is important before we can introduce DCT to Malaysia,” he added.
“You will see, when it’s here, you will see for yourself how much smoother our DCT is,” he told us earlier this year.
As before, the Jazz Hybrid will not replace the standard petrol power-only Jazz, but instead will be an additional variant. As a locally-assembled hybrid, it should qualify for discounts in excise duties under Malaysia’s Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV) program. But since much of the incentives are ‘customised’ to each manufacturer, it is difficult to tell exactly what are the incentives that will be provided for the all-new Honda Jazz Hybrid.
As for the earlier mentioned City Hybrid, it appears that the model is no longer in the plans for Malaysia.


The Peugeot Inception Concept car is the most abstract car to come out of Paris

With electric vehicles seemingly being the way forward when it comes to mobility, Peugeot has decided to preview its future at the 2023 CES, by unveiling the Peugeot Inception Concept.

The concept basically showed off a radically designed EV, which Peugeot says will inspire future models, all the way down to the little itsy-bitsy compact cars.

It rides on Stellantis's STLA Large platform, which is one of four EV platforms currently in the works at Stellantis. The large platform can support batteries up to 118 kWh, and the Inception Concept car packs a 100 kWh battery with a claimed range of 800 kilometres.

All that battery power will send energy to a dual-motor setup and give the Inception all-wheel drive and nearly 680 hp. Peugeot says it can complete the 0-100km/h sprint in under three seconds, which is similar in performance to the Porsche Taycan or Tesla Model 3.

On the inside, the interior features the company's i-cockpit design, headlined by a radical rectangle steering wheel inspired by video games. All the seats is located lower down. Opposite the seats, the minimal cockpit, which can be retracted when driving is delegated, is dedicated to the driver alone.

The dashboard will be no more, as well as the crossbar and the bulkhead. With this completely open view of the road, the occupants can see and experience more, increasing the emotion felt on board tenfold.

 Passengers of the car will also be at the heart of a 7.25 m2 glazed surface area. All the glazing (windscreen, side windows and quarter windows) is made from glass designed for architecture. Adapted to the PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT, it retains its exceptional thermal qualities and benefits from a multi-chrome treatment (treatment with metal oxides), a process initially used for the visors of astronauts' helmets by NASA. This NARIMA® glass has a warm reflection, in shades of yellow and a colder transmission, in bluish tones.

Apparently, passengers will enjoy a new experience in terms of the Colours and Materials environment, while the treatment of the multi-chrome glass solves the thermal and anti-UV problem.

Although the Peugeot Inception concept sounds radically out of this world, Peugeot hopes to use some of the concept's ideas and features in its EVs, which they plan to debut in the next couple of years. Like Volvo, Peugeot wants to be a leading electric brand, and they want to accomplish this by 2030.


Toyota Vios Challenge Kicks Off 2019 With Round 3 In Penang

Following the last round in MAEPS, the Toyota Vios Challenge continues with its first round of 2019 in Penang this weekend, 23rd to 24th of February. This event is the third round of the season, and part of the overall Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Racing Festival. Just like last season, the race will be held at Batu Kawan stadium, with the same tight twisty street circuit built up for the purpose of the race.
The course, comprising 11 corners and 6 straights over 1.56 kilometres and flanked by concrete barriers, will play host to three different race classes within the overall Toyota Vios Challenge. Each category sees fierce competition at their respective levels, with celebrities to Datos to professional racecar drivers taking part. The Toyota Vios Challenge shows that motorsport need not be reserved for the ultra rich - let's not forget that you can buy one of the racecars and entry for a season for just shy of RM 100,000, which is a steal by any measure when it comes to motorsports.
Let's take a look at the standings. Starting with the Promotional Class, singer Akim Ahmad has a solid lead through sheer consistency. With one victory, two second place finishes, and one fourth place finish, he has managed to maintain a fair lead over the rest. That being said, both Diana Danielle and Janna Nick are very experienced with the Batu Kawan circuit, finishing fourth and fifth respectively last season. With four races to go, it could be anyone's overall title.
In the Sporting Class, Shawn Lee and Shukri Yahya are doing surprisingly well following their promotion at the end of last season. Unfortunately the two drivers have been less than consistent, despite bursts of impressive performance. Sitting mid-pack in the category is Dato' Ken Foo, who also managed to clinch a double victory during the last round of the Vios Challenge; even so, the racing is incredibly close with favourites like Kenneth Koh, Patrick Tam, and Brendon Lim fighting for top spot.
Being one of the tighter circuits makes the racing even more difficult, especially in the Super Sporting Class. Boy Wong is current leader in the points, having managed to consistently finish in high positions, but he has both William Ho and Kenny Lee to contend with. Brendan Paul Anthony has managed to find his footing following his promotion to the class for this season, and managed to take a second and third place finish during the last round at MAEPS.
On the whole, it'll be another exciting weekend and a return to the track that started the Toyota Vios Challenge series in Malaysia. Besides the race there will be plenty of Toyota models on offer for testing and experiencing, as well as drift demonstrations by professional Japanese drifters. Come by Stadium Batu Kawan this weekend to catch the action, meet your favourite celebrities, or just soak in the atmosphere.


The BMW iX Is Equipped With LEDs That Are Manufactured In Melaka

Who would have thought that a Melaka-based company would be supplying LEDs to the world's leading luxury vehicle manufacturers?

Well, according to Melaka's Industry, Investment and Entrepreneur Development Committee Chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, some of the world's leading luxury vehicle manufacturers have chosen Melaka as the location to get vehicle lights that use light-emitting diode (
LED
) technology.

As reported by Berita Harian, Rauf is particularly proud of Dominant Opto Technologies Sdn Bhd, as they have recorded high demand from the world's leading luxury vehicle manufacturers to supply the product.

As a result, the company is ranked fourth in the world as a supplier of LED lighting for luxury vehicles.

"Jenama kenderaan terkemuka dunia iaitu BMW X Series antara kenderaan yang menggunakan teknologi LED yang dikeluarkan syarikat dimiliki anak jati Melaka ini."

According to Dominant Opto Technologies website, their seddLED (Smart Embedded Digital Driver LED) was utilized in the
BMW iX
 and is an important component for vehicles that target
low to zero CO
2
 emissions.

The reason for this is that the seddLED cuts down the usage of cables by as much as 50%, which in turn contributes significantly to the reduction in raw material usage and weight.

"Berdasarkan perancangan awal tahun ini, Dominant Opto Technologies akan meneruskan pelaburan besar di Melaka membabitkan nilai RM1.3 bilion dan diharap syarikat itu mampu menjadi pelopor teknologi pembuatan LED di negara ini," said Rauf who visited the Batu Berendam based company.

CEO of Dominant Opto Technologies Sdn Bhd, Tay Kheng Chiong said the company's operations were supported by 2,126 local workers and 404 foreign workers with a target of a 20% increase in business revenue in the sector each year.

The CEO is pleased that he can fly the flag high for Melaka and Malaysia, which is now ranked fourth in the world as a supplier of high-tech automotive lighting after Germany in first, followed by Japan and the United States.


All-New 2016 Kia Optima Makes Global Debut At NYIAS

Previously
revealed with just a sole image
, the all-new 2016
Kia

Optima
 has finally made its global debut at this year’s New York International Auto Show which comes with a new chassis, interior, as well as wider engine options.
First up, the 2.4-litre GDI four-cylinder and 2.0-litre GDI turbo engine from the previous generation are carried forward. The former outputs 185hp/241Nm while the latter produces 247hp/353Nm and both petrol engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic shifting with paddle shifters.  The latest addition to the engine range is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo unit that sends 178hp and 264Nm of torque through a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, a first for the Kia brand. All three powertrains send their power to the front wheels.
The new chassis is lighter and stiffer thanks to the increased use of Advanced High Strength Steel, adding more hot stamped components, and greater use of structural adhesive. Overall, the all-new Optima is longer, taller, and wider (not disclosed) than before with an extended wheelbase of 2,805mm (10mm more). Kia also say that various innovations are put in place to reduce NVH including constructing the panoramic sunroof support structure out of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic among other changes.
To improve ride and handling, the Optima now carries a four-bushing mount system (previously dual bushing mounts) as along with new wheel bearings, addition of larger dual lower controls arms at the rear, and the Rack-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) improves steering response.
On the outside, the new design sports the brand’s signature tiger-nose grille that sits between bi-functional HID headlamps, Kia’s first application that is available with Dynamic Bending Lamps and High Beam Assist. Along the side, its status quo until we reach the raised deck lid and LED taillights. Alloy wheels fitted are available in sizes ranging from 16- to 18-inches.
Inside, the expanded dimensions and wheelbase promote a roomier cabin as well as a large cargo capacity in the trunk. The interior itself sees the utilisation of more soft-touch materials with small details like real stitching along the dash and doors. Seat comfort is also improved with a new seat design wrapped in either cloth, leather, or Nappa leather.
Kia’s UVO infotainment unit comes standard with four additional eServices and will be able to interact with your smartphone using either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. An 8-inch touchscreen functions as the display for the system. Audio is sent through a standard six-speaker system with the option of an upgrade to the 14-speaker Infinity Premium Audio System.
As for safety and driver assistance systems, a rear-camera display and 360-degree Around View Monitor is offered along with Advanced Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).


Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross And Xpander Score 5-Star and 4-Star ASEAN NCAP Ratings

The New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) today announced the results for the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and the Mitsubishi Xpander.
Having achieved 5-Star rating with an overall score of 91.05 points, the Eclipse Cross obtained 48.81 points over 50.00 for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), 22.11 points over 25.00 for COP and 20.14 points over 25.00 for Safety Assist Technologies (SATs) category.
Although the 5-seater SUV is only offered in Brunei and Singapore, it is fitted with seven airbags as standard.
The model has a standard fitment of Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Seatbelt Reminder System (SBR) for both frontal occupants in addition to rear SBR offered in Singapore.
Furthermore, the variants in Singapore are also equipped with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) for City, InterUrban and Vulnerable Road Users technologies together with Forward Collision Warning.
The Xpander MPV on the other hand, obtained an overall score of 71.66 points, resulting in 4-Star rating. For the Adult Occupant Protection category, the MPV scored 39.08 points, 18.69 points for Child Occupant Protection and 13.89 points for Safety Assist Technologies categories.
The seven-seater MPV, which was the first MPV tested by ASEAN NCAP under the new protocol for 2017-2020, has a standard fitment of dual airbags and frontal SBRs for both driver and front passenger across all variants.
It is also fitted with a Safety Assist Technology feature called Emergency Stop Signal offered either standard or optional in the countries where it is made available. Both Eclipse Cross and the Xpander are fitted with ISOFIX and top tether as standard.
That being said, the test for both models was done in collaboration with Australasian NCAP (ANCAP) by using the ANCAP protocol, where ASEAN NCAP had used and verified the Q-dummy in-house data for Child Occupant Protection (COP) category.